.404 chain

[capetrees]

Anyone in here run .404 chain on their saws? I have a 440 that I generally use to cut large logs and stumps. I use a 24" bar with 3/8 chain. Due to the dirty nature of cutting the stumps, my local rep reccomended using .404 chain, claiming it would stay sharp longer and wouldn't stretch as much. Change out the sprocket and bar and away I go. I haven't yet but was wondering if its worth it and how it would effect the 440 power head. Anyone?

 

[tomtrees58]

its big chain four big saws we have on are 084s and old 076 its not four small saws tom trees

 

[kkottemann]

It has its place, but over all I do not like it. I put it on a 660 and 3120. Just to heavy. Stick with the 3/8, your saw will cut better and faster. I took the 404 off my saws. Keep your chain sharp and out of the dirt and you will be a happer cutter!

 

[pdqdl]

I use .404

I keep .404 on my 3120 Husky, mostly because that big saw breaks too many chains when I put the lighter .375 on it.

The heavier chain will load down your saw more because of the wider kerf than from the heavier weight. Because all of the contact surfaces in the chain are heavier and wider, naturally it will last longer with less stretching. If you have an abundance of power, and you don't mind the slightly slower cut, go ahead and try some out.

If you are mostly interested in a longer lasting chain, I would suggest stepping up to a heavier gauge chain rather than changing the pitch. You can buy 3/8 pitch chain in .063 gauge without having to change the sprocket on your chainsaw.

 

[ironman_gq]

get a semichisel chain instead of a chisel chain or get one of the carbide chains.

 

[B-Edwards]

I have it on an 084 3 foot bar. It's hard to get around here and i don't see much better performance. I think mine is semi-round. I wouldn't go especially for it unless I had to.

 

[squad143]

I only use the 404 chain on my 088. It has the power to pull such a big chain. My 046 has lots of power but I would only run the 3/8 chain on it.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

IMO it is only needed when you have a lot of power on a long bar. The bigger pitch means the saw has to work more to pull it through the log.

The reason for the bigger pitch is to keep the chain from breaking. I cannot remember seeing a saw break a chain, and I've worked big saws in big wood with big bars.

 

[capetrees]

As I discussed the idea of changing over with my helper, he reminded me of the old Homelite Zip I have in the basement. I looked it over and wouldn't ya know, it has (I think) .404 chain on it. Its much bigger tha 3/8 and its hefty. I'll look into fixing this up first and then get some chain for it. BTW, does anyone know where i can get a muffler for that Zip? It has no muffler and from what I've heard, they didn't come with one originally.

 

[limbwalker54]

The Wiz

The super wiz homelites ran mostly 1/2 inch chain.......and that is considerably larger than the .404 chain.

My wiz (which I still run as a backup on bucking big logs (it is souped up a little)) has a 60" bar with 1/2 inch chain. Sharpening it is a nightmare. The file is HUGE. Not to mention taking an hour to take down the rakers. I have a roll of 1/2 inch chain that is probably the last full roll in pennsylvania....

Don't know what I'll do when its gone....probably retire the saw to inactive duty....