Bar Quality:Best Low profile (LP) bars for Dolmar/Makita

[Bob Hedgecutter]

No greasing after each tank but I do flip the bar. I’d like a bar with sealed bearings like Stihl’s bars.

Sealed? Or just non greasable and bar oil alone provides the lubrication for the bearing?

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

It'd be nice if a Stihl bar could be modded for the ea4300F, but I'm not versed on the 4300 nor Stihl bars.

 

[redhawk23]

No greasing after each tank but I do flip the bar. I’d like a bar with sealed bearings like Stihl’s bars.

Sealed? Or just non greasable and bar oil alone provides the lubrication for the bearing?

No grease gun needed.

The average person doesn’t even know what that hole is for. My oil empties at the same rate as the gas, so it’s getting plenty of bar oil.

 

[John Lyngdal]

I have a 3/8" LP Oregon bar on my 4300 and have had zero issues with it.
Using Stihl PS3 chain on it.

 

[Squareground3691]

Cannon

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

No grease gun needed.

The average person doesn’t even know what that hole is for. My oil empties at the same rate as the gas, so it’s getting plenty of bar oil.

Not sealed then eh?

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Not sealed then eh?

Yeah... If the bearings can be easily greased- they need grease, and oil isn't enough.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Yeah... If the bearings can be easily greased- they need grease, and oil isn't enough.

Although I grease bar tips if there is a point to do so from- I do not believe in general running that all bars need tip sprockets greased and bar oil is not enough to keep them in good condition.
What I do believe is incorrect chain tension will make short work of them.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Although I grease bar tips if there is a point to do so from- I do not believe in general running that all bars need tip sprockets greased and bar oil is not enough to keep them in good condition.
What I do believe is incorrect chain tension will make short work of them.

I was referring to the OP's particular situation.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

I was referring to the OP's particular situation.

So was I.

 

[redhawk23]

It seems folks think that bar noses should last forever if treated how they think they should be treated. I guess bars with replaceable noses are made for novices who ruin them with too little grease and chains too tight. A pro on the other hand can make the $35 woodland pros and Oregons last indefinitely. The high end bars are for the newbies.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

It seems folks think that bar noses should last forever if treated how they think they should be treated. I guess bars with replaceable noses are made for novices who ruin them with too little grease and chains too tight. A pro on the other hand can make the $35 woodland pros and Oregons last indefinitely. The high end bars are for the newbies.

Grease is much cheaper than a new bar- if your current choice of bar can be easily greased, it's worth a try to see if it extends the life of the nose. If it's NOT easily greased, then it's not worth trying. It wasn't clear to me in your comment a few posts back if your bar is easily greased or not.

 

[Franny K]

It'd be nice if a Stihl bar could be modded for the ea4300F, but I'm not versed on the 4300 nor Stihl bars.

It isn't that hard to do. The slot needs lengthened which can be done precisely on a milling machine or some other way like drill a hole where you want it to end and then hack saw to that point and finish with a file. Then you need to drill the adjuster and oil input hole, or holes if you intend on flipping it. Stay 3/8" or more from any spot welds with your holes. You need use the 3005 class of Stihl bars. An issue is for the so called 16" Stihl uses a 55 drive llink loop and unless you have a 7 tooth drive sprocket the 56 (sensible as it is divisible by 4) puts the tail excessively far out.

Stihl is pretty clever with bar design on these. Their bar (3005 design) gets wide real close to the sprocket and the oil hole is far back so making a brand x bar fit a Stihl generally will be problematic.

The Makita 4300 if like my Dolmar variant has some plastic tabs in the clutch cover that fit into the bar slot so probably needs the slot lengthened more than most swaps.

 

[Farmer_Nate]

I like Sugi Hara so far

https://www.hlsproparts.com/category-s/3424.htm

 

[JoeMay]

This thread from Feb. 2022 covers what I did on my PS421.

Dolmar PS421 cutter conversion​

It may have some useful info in it for you. The clutch washer and e-clip were surprise issues that a helpful member FrannyK helped me to address.

 

[redhawk23]

I like Sugi Hara so far

https://www.hlsproparts.com/category-s/3424.htm

They don’t make one for the saw being discussed

 

[lone wolf]

Yeah... If the bearings can be easily greased- they need grease, and oil isn't enough.

I been running all my saws for decades commercially and have not greased the bar sprockets the bars wear out before the bearings. Many on here will tell you the same thing. I don't grease the Clutch bearings either .

 

[sean donato]

I been running all my saws for decades commercially and have not greased the bar sprockets the bars wear out before the bearings. Many on here will tell you the same thing. I don't grease the Clutch bearings either .

Stopped greasing bar tips years ago. Plenty of bar oil gets in there. Nothing is sealed. Heck if stingy piling stihls don't have grease holes no other mfg needs to worry about greasing the bar tip.

 

[sean donato]

I'd like to know what your doing to eat through bars, even the chepos my buddy's line crew uses lasts a few years before they delaminate the tips.

 

[BLR]

Stihl bars have sealed bearings. That's why there is no hole. If there is a hole for grease, the bar needs to be greased. Bar oil doesn't get to the tip bearing from the chain.