Bar and chain for MS180

[blsnelling]

I just picked up another little MS180 for my Dad. The question has risen concerning chaining over to the .050 guage bar. Would there be an advantage/disadvantage in doing so? A little larger chain would be nice, but not if it's going to slow the little thing down. They do cut quite nice for what they are. I really like them.

 

[Trigger-Time]

When I bought mine I ask dealer to swap out BC 12" .043 to 14" .050 BC
He did at no charge. My main reasoning, my 200T wear's a 14" .050 also.
I have tried it with a 12" .043 BC, off of HT101 pole saw, it may have cut
a little faster with it, but IMO not that much......I like the .050 Picco on the 180


Gary

 

[blsnelling]

My 200T and his 011 run the .050 Picco as well. Part of the reason we've considered changing the 180s over.

 

[Lakeside53]

The 043 works great unless your boring... the 050 is a power sap on the 180. Do some timed cuts with two new chains - you might be suprised.

 

[Cameljoe73]

:agree2:

 

[Urbicide]

The 043 works great unless your boring... the 050 is a power sap on the 180. Do some timed cuts with two new chains - you might be suprised.

Haven't heard anyone mention sap in a long time.

 

[woodchuck361]

Can you get a full chisel chain in the .043? I run laser brand non-safety chain semi-chisel micro narrow on mine with 14" bar. I think you can get a full chisel in .050 low pro?

 

[blsnelling]

Can you get a full chisel chain in the .043?

I haven't found one yet.

 

[blsnelling]

...the 050 is a power sap on the 180.

That's my main concern. Not worth it if it does. I suppose I could swap the 16" bar and chain off my 200T to get a good idea.

 

[04ultra]

Haven't heard anyone mention sap in a long time.

 

[Trigger-Time]

The 043 works great unless your boring... the 050 is a power sap on the 180. Do some timed cuts with two new chains - you might be suprised.

80% of stuff I cut with 180 is 4" or smaller, so I don't think I will gain that
much speed. When using all of the 14" bar I don't have any trouble with it
bogging the saw down. Plus to me .050 chain will take more abuse and is easier to file.

My 180 biggest job is cutting sprout's at ground level in barbwire fence row's,
dirty and rocky ground most of the time.


Gary

 

[Rookie1]

I put an 017 with compression on low side together.Didnt have B/C so I borrowed friends 16" .050 to make sure it was going to work. I bought 14".043 and could tell the difference when I cut with it. I will be willing to buy extra chains for it in .043.

 

[04ultra]

80% of stuff I cut with 180 is 4" or smaller, so I don't think I will gain that
much speed. When using all of the 14" bar I don't have any trouble with it
bogging the saw down. Plus to me .050 chain will take more abuse and is easier to file.

My 180 biggest job is cutting sprout's at ground level in barbwire fence row's,
dirty and rocky ground most of the time.


Gary

I run both and never liked the Picco mini .043 from Stihl.......Anybody try the new version of .043 Stihl chain??



.

 

[Trigger-Time]

I run both and never liked the Picco mini .043 from Stihl.......Anybody try the new version of .043 Stihl chain??

.

Or the new .050 PMC3...........050 PM is no longer made.

 

[woodchuck361]

I run both and never liked the Picco mini .043 from Stihl.......Anybody try the new version of .043 Stihl chain??



.

Yea it breaks just as easy as the old style. I knock teeth off and popped a link on the last stihl picco micro I had and said enough is enough. They want too much $ for it to break the way it does and its safety to boot. The laser,Carlton I think, chain is a heavier body and seems to hold up very well.

 

[04ultra]

Yea it breaks just as easy as the old style. I knock teeth off and popped a link on the last stihl picco micro I had and said enough is enough. They want too much $ for it to break the way it does and its safety to boot. The laser,Carlton I think, chain is a heavier body and seems to hold up very well.

I've tried the carlton and like it in the .043.......

 

[blsnelling]

Carlton is what I'm currently using on my 180. It cuts very well. I just thought the .050 might be more durable.

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

One of my commercial guys uses nothing but 180's for in tree work and he ran the .043 until recently.
The thinner chain has a tendency to bend easily if you pinch it, he'd trash a chain or two a week,
he swapped over a month ago they are lasting longer he says. I guess it's good for him but bad for us since he's buying a lot less chain.

 

[7sleeper]

When I bought mine I ask dealer to swap out BC 12" .043 to 14" .050 BC.........I like the .050 Picco on the 180


Gary

I got mine with new 14" .050 BC from the store and am very happy with it. I have only cut 5 cord this year so far. Then again I am a firewood guy not a pro.
Everybody knows here I am kind of strange since I cut everything with this little saw(upto 20inch hardwood). But it has held up very well.

Watch this if you dare:

7sleeper

 

[leeave96]

I did a search and found this old thread.

How are you finding the MS180 with .050 chain working out?

Thanks,
Bill