660 coming for my Logosol mill

climb_on · Mar 28, 2013

I'm picking up a used 660 from a buddy next week and I have about 600 bf of Cherry patiently waiting to be milled. I've been using a Mac 1000 so I need to figure out the best setup for my new saw. Honestly I don't know what kind of ripping chain I currently have for the Mac - I just ordered it blindly last year. I'd like to have a bit more rationale this time around.

I currently have a 362 with 20" and 25" .050 E Stihl bars. I plan to primarily use a 25" bar on the MS660 for both bucking and milling (same bar if possible) but can I use the 25" .050 E Stihl bar (the one I already own) for milling or do I need something different if I use Stihl 63 PMX (3/8 Picco) chain with my current 25" bar? Or does this require a special Stihl Picco bar?

I'd like to keep things a bit simpler by only having to switch out the chain (as opposed to bar, chain, sprocket & chain) when switching between milling & bucking, but I'm not set on that if I have to give up too much performance. I've read that the solid bars are a little stiffer & better for milling and I believe the Stihl ES bars are laminated, so if it's a significant improvement to go with a solid bar in another brand, I'll go that route.

I do also want a 32" or 36" bar/chain for the occasional big stuff and would like the same scenario as with the 25" if possible. I appreciate you thoughts & suggestions.

excess650 · Mar 28, 2013

You'll need to match the drive sprocket and sprocket nose on the bar to match the picco chain. Low-pro chain is .365" vs .375" or regular 3/8.

I've been running Stihl ES bars (32" and 36") on my Granberg Alaskan with no complaints. You can run ripping chain or Stihl RM (33RM is 3/8 .050
semi-chisel). This is simpler than trying to run picco.

climb_on · Mar 28, 2013

Correction I am currently have "E" bars not "ES."

So I have several loops of RM3 for the 25" E bar that I got with my 362. But that's not what your suggesting using for milling is it? Or is there an RM3 ripping chain?

excess650 · Mar 28, 2013

I'm suggesting that you can use 33RM (semi-chisel yellow tie strap) instead of ripping chain. RM3 may have the bumper links and green tie strap.

mtngun · Mar 28, 2013

excess650 said:
This is simpler than trying to run picco.

Much simpler, but slower.

Using the same saw for bucking and milling will get old fast. Why not use your 362 for bucking ?

climb_on · Mar 28, 2013

excess650 said:
I'm suggesting that you can use 33RM (semi-chisel yellow tie strap) instead of ripping chain. RM3 may have the bumper links and green tie strap.

Yes, that makes more sense. I should have read your first reply more closely.

mtngun said:
Much simpler, but slower.

Using the same saw for bucking and milling will get old fast. Why not use your 362 for bucking ?

Oh I will will be using the 362 95% of the time forsure. So maybe I shouldn't worry about switching back and forth anyway. I just like to make it simple if I can, without sacrificing much performance. What do you run?

I just talked to Bailey's and they said I can run picco ripping chain on my 25" ES bar. He said the narrow kerf Stihl or Logosol bars would be better, but they are only available currently in 16" or 48". That would make things pretty simple, if it's really ok to run it that way.... Thoughts?