Bar oil

[wmthrower]

Usually I use Stihl brand bar oil from my dealer but this weekend at Wal-Mart I saw Poulan brand bar oil for only $2.50.

Have you guys ever used this brand of bar oil? Is it the same stuff?

I would think so but I wanted to ask before I burn a bar and chain up.

 

[sedanman]

A friend of mine is a retired engineer from Texaco, he says the formula for bar oil is take whatever oil is left over from the bottom of all the vessels on site , add a tack agent and in some cases dye. In my opinion all bar oil is made this way, with the exception of the biodegadeable stuff of course.

 

[Jack Russell]

I read forums every day and I am like the Red head Stepchild. You guys know each other . You can take What I thing about bar oil with a grain of salt as the old saying goes.

I have all ways used husky bar oil. Am using poulan from Wal Mart for last two years Only different is Price. I save money

 

[tony marks]

cant say much about the high price spread. never tried it. but im beginning to think bar oil can affect [and using the rite stuff at the rite time], how the saw is cutting.
also this varies with saws ,according to how well they oil.
while im just starting to look into this aspect of making a saw cut better.
its my opinion that it mite turn out to be an area where some real positive results
can be seen. ive already seen some but they werent the result of testing oil.
just happen to come accross them.
this from a fella that used old car oil in my old blue homelite, for years. im not even sure u could buy bar oil back then.
ps i suspect there may be a future millionaire out there ,rite now,trying to find something that really makes a big difference. course that wouldnt be me

 

[max2cam]

What are the pros and cons of using new (clean) motor oil for bar oil? I do this sometimes when I run out of "official" bar oil and have never experienced a problem. Seems to me if motor oil can adequately lubricate an automobile engine, it can lubricate a chain. Doesn't have the "stick" factor tho....

 

[wmthrower]

I'm going to try and stop tonight on my way home to see if it is really $2.50/gallon. I'm pretty sure that it is. I have a cousin who uses it and he says he doesn't see a difference. The price difference is definitely something to look at. I don't remember what I paid for the Stihl bar oil but I know it was more than the Poulan price.
Maybe I'll give it a try. How do the vegetable oil based oils work? Are they more money?

 

[bwalker]

I dont know about the poulan oil, but I have used the walmart brand stuff that cost about $2 a gallon with ok results. Brian is right in that the cheaper bar oils are many times not as thick as Stihl oil. However thinner oil is a advantage in N. MI during the winter and fall. Generally I am of the belief that the thicker the viscosity a bar oil is the higher the quality. Thin oils like atf, hytran, and motor oil fling of too easily and leave the under side of the bar unprotected in long cuts. This is especially true of bars longer than 20". If you are worried about the quality of a bar oil test some on a freshly surfaced bar. You will be able to tell in a short time period if thge oil is doing its job by inspecting the underside of the bar for abnormal wear.

 

[Jack Russell]

price bar oil

True Viscosity is a must in motor oil for cars Here in N.C. stihl and husky bar oil is 5.95 gal. Lowes is same price. Wal-Mart poulan bar oil is 2.95 gal. None of the above are in the business of making bar oil It all could come from the same Vender

 

[wmthrower]

I haven't looked at the Poulan oil yet but I guess if it doesn't work out to well I can save it for the fall/winter as bwalker suggested.
Any of you tried the vegetable based oils?

 

[buckwheat]

I've used both Stihl regular and winter grades, as well as the Poulon. I'd say the Stihl regular has more tack agent in it, while the winter grade and the Poulon are about the same. I usually don't go shopping for bar oil, but just pick up a gallon wherever I happen to be when I remember that I need some. Next time the Missus goes to Walmart I'll have to add oil to her list.

 

[bwalker]

Any of you tried the vegetable based oils?

I would love to use bio bar oils if it where not for the cost. The bio products are a joke price wise.

 

[Saw Man]

Some of the major saw companies buy B&C oil from the same supplier.
It's the same, except for packaging, color, and price.
I know, because I sell it under different brand names.
Tractor trailer load went to a Stihl dealer, because of the high quality, and price. Different name brand.

The 'Wally World' oil under the Poulan (green bottle-not black&gold) isn't always consistantly the same exact viscosity (30#-Summer blend). But at less tha $3/gallon. It won't hurt the B&C.

Some test results year ago were something like (abbreviated):

B&C vs Motor Oil
Viscosity: 30# vs 30#

Quanity used: 1 quart vs 4+ quarts

Run Off Puddle: Small vs Large
(Saw at idle)
(saw off)

Wear: "Normal" vs Accelerated
(B&C)

Chain Stretch: "Normal" vs Accelerated
(72 link) (Almost could remove a drive link)

Economics: Very Good vs Poor

Average Retail: $3.99 vs $2.99 X 4 = $11.96
(gallon) (took 4X's more)
That didn't include cost of accelerated B&C wear


USED MOTOR OIL
VERY, VERY bad biologically. Lots of extremely harmful byproducts
Remember,....there is a very fine mist/spray of oil droplets..........
YOU ARE BREATHING......INHALING THEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not to mention it lubricates much worse than plain motor oil.

But, it's great for the parts, and service business.
Filters can clog easier, oil pumps wear out faster, chain stretch more, etc., etc.

 

[wmthrower]

bwalker, I too would love to use the bio oils. I didn't realize that they were more expensive. isn't it a shame that when something is good for you it costs more?
sawman, interesting results. Thanks for posting them. I have never considered using motor oil and after reading that I never will.

 

[Tony Snyder]

I buy and resell what I can get from the local oil distributor. This to avoid paying freight on the saw branded stuff. What I get is hardly ever the same brand twice in a row. I sell it for $3.50. It has the tackifier in it. Had no complaints.

 

[Grateful11]

Go to Tractor Supply Company. They a very good bar oil for $2-2.50/gallon.
Grateful

 

[skowsa]

Can't believe my experience was down to user error, but, I used Echo oil in my Husky and it leaked a lot, just sitting there. Switched to the Husky oil and there's not a spot in sight when I pick it up.


Ian

 

[wmthrower]

Tractor Supply Company huh? I have been wanting to go there lately. Thanks for the tips. I'll check it out.