Anybody running 1/4" pitch on a Stihl 200/201

[Duane(Pa)]

I have a little Echo that uses 1/4" chain. I kind of like the way it cuts and wondered how the 200's would work with this stuff. I would need new bar and spur to try it, so I thought I would ask here first. I see Stihl is now listing a full chisel yellow link chain in there 3/8" Picco lineup. Any comments on that? I have been using their yellow link semi-chisel on the 200's Thanks, DW

 

[Raganr]

What chain are you referring too. To my knowledge, Stihl still does not offer a non-safety full chisel 3/8 LP. The closest they have is a PS3 chain, which is a full chisel with safety bumpers in front of the depth gauge.

I run a 3/8 LP PS3 on my MS200 (63 PS3 50). It cuts well, but I am still waiting for Baileys to get these in stock:

https://www.baileysonline.com/Saw-C...o-Chainsaw-Chain-Loop-30LP-50-Drive-Links.axd

Only 3/8 LP non safety chain I thought Stihl offered was a semi chisel (PM). I have a few loops of 63 PM 50 I have yet to try.

ETA: I dont even see the PM chain on Stihl website. I am growing tired of chasing Stihl items around and trying to find the correct dealer and distributor to get me what I want.

 

[Raganr]

I see Stihl makes a non safety full chisel 1/4 pitch chain....

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/specialty-saw-chains/rms/

 

[Duane(Pa)]

First, not to mix apples and oranges, I know what is available in 1/4". This Picco chain is a different cat, and is in a full line paper catalog dated Oct. 2012. It shows "New! Picco Super(PS)" on page 31 the part number has prefix 3617 and they compare it's feed force, cutter life, and boring efficiency to PM. Sorry for two questions in the same thread. I won't paint with too broad of brush, but you would hardly know Stihl makes anything but green Anti Kickback products from their computer catalog. Meaning I can find very little info on anything with the yellow color code, including the PM chain I have been using for years. DW

 

[indiansprings]

We have set a couple of 200T's up with 1/4" that you've refered to, I personally love it, to me it cuts faster,smoother and they seem to get better longevity out of it compared to picco. Only drawback is it cost more per loop. I plan on buying a 241CM when they are introduced this spring and setting it up with 1/4", the little 150 comes set up with 1/4 out of the box.

 

[Raganr]

Is it just a PS or PS3? Stihl dealers near me don't even have paper catalogs for me to snag anymore so I have to rely on their website. The PS3 I have is a green/safety chain chain.

http://www.arboristsite.com/communi...in-3-8-lo-pro-picco-mini-now-there-is.161439/

 

[Duane(Pa)]

We have set a couple of 200T's up with 1/4" that you've refered to, I personally love it, to me it cuts faster,smoother and they seem to get better longevity out of it compared to picco. Only drawback is it cost more per loop. I plan on buying a 241CM when they are introduced this spring and setting it up with 1/4", the little 150 comes set up with 1/4 out of the box.

Yea, I think the 1/4 on the 150 is .043 gauge. I agree on the smoothness, speed etc. Can you tell me if the 200 can be set up for rim sprockets or are they all spur? Glad to see you posting, hay season must be over!

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Is it just a PS or PS3? Stihl dealers near me don't even have paper catalogs for me to snag anymore so I have to rely on their website. The PS3 I have is a green/safety chain chain.

http://www.arboristsite.com/communi...in-3-8-lo-pro-picco-mini-now-there-is.161439/

It' PS and even shows yellow link in picture with plain, old school raker. That's what I'm saying, you have to dig a little to find any yellow tag stuff. DW

 

[Raganr]

Glad to hear. Let me know if you have a 50 dl loop you would like to sell. I have a hard enough time getting advertised part numbers from my dealer.

 

[Franny K]

I am looking at the paper color catalog that is printed in 2012 146 pages then the back cover.
Quarter inch, S or super is chisel the way I think it goes and I don't see any of that.
Page prefix model
31 3670 pmm3 (0.043 drive link) 3/8picco pmm3 is 3610
31 3660 rm (.050 drive link)
34 3661 rms (.050 drive link) special carving chain
34 3856 rmhs (.080 drive link) harvester special hydraulic heads only

As for the picco super the 3 means their style of drive bumper link the way I see it. these are "3/8" pitch and 0.050
Page 31 ps3=3616 ps=3617

Now what is actually at the warehouse in your district may vary.

My exprience with the 3/8 0.050, in ohio there seems plenty of pm (not in this catalog) without the 3 and the ps3 I got here in Ct doesn't have the little dents to help oil distribution on the drive links like the catalog or the guy who sells on ebay that splices at the cutter instead of the tie strap.

 

[AKDoug]

PS exists in the 2013 catalog. It is certainly available in the NW, but not sure of the rest of the country.

 

[imagineero]

I've always wondered about this myself. I've tried the stihl full chisel chain and ground the safety bumpers off. It throws chips like nobodys business but I found it's actually quite a wide kerf so it is only cutting the same speed as regular chain, or maybe even slower. Makes a nice show to watch though. There were a few threads when this chain first came out and I took some photos comparing the cutter to other 3/8"LP chains and it was clear it is a significantly wider kerf and taller cutter also.

The fastest chain I've found is the carlton semi chisel 3/8" LP .050. It's a very narrow kerf cutter, I'd say the same as 1/4" and the cutter is long and low. I set my rakers at about 7 degrees and it's a fast and smooth cutting chain. Faster than the still equivalent for sure. It's worth noting that not all chains of the same pitch have the same size cutters in kerf and length and height, and going to a smaller pitch is not necessarily a guarantee of a smaller kerf.

Shaun

 

[MCW]

As Shaun has said above I've found the standard 3/8"semi chisel is actually a better chain to use on a 200T/201T than the PS or PS3 full chisel. The PS/PS3 is excellent however on my 241C that has a fair bit more torque than a 201T or 200T.
I do have a 1/4" carving setup for my 200T but as yet I haven't fitted it to give it a run. Mainly because I've never carved anything and don't want to embarrass myself with a Chernobyl like timber creation.

 

[lumberjacktreepro]

I have a little Echo that uses 1/4" chain. I kind of like the way it cuts and wondered how the 200's would work with this stuff. I would need new bar and spur to try it, so I thought I would ask here first. I see Stihl is now listing a full chisel yellow link chain in their 3/8" Picco lineup. Any comments on that? I have been using their yellow link semi-chisel on the 200's Thanks, DW

I use 1/4 inch chain and 12 inch bar. It’s super light and cuts like a hot knife through butter. The new Stijl pole saws have that bar and chain combo that I use on my 201. I just had to change the sprocket