Best chain to use for this application

[RDP]

Sorry I clicked the wrong area previously and ended up replying instead of starting a new post. I do apologize to Husky 288 XP for this mistake.


I am using a 026 with 16 inch bar & .325 RS Stihl chain to buck hardwoods/firewood 2 in. to 10 in. in average diameter that was cut down a year ago, every once in a while perhaps up to as much as 18 inches but that is rarer and would represent no more than 10%. I really like using this saw as it has enough power and is lightweight enough that i do not get tired the initial 4 to 5 hours out in the bush. I do keep the chain sharp and have no trouble cutting these size logs with this saw set up, I do not really want to use a larger saw but was wondering if there would be any advantage to going to 3/8 pitch or some other set up.

 

[tony marks]

i keep mine at .325 and even went to an narrow kerf micro setup.. just works good.. but full chisel worked well also..
theres plenty of sawers here,, that automatically switch to 3/8.. most ofum are real heavy users ,,so it must work..
let us know if u try it, an like it..

 

[jokers]

Welcome to ArboristSite RDP! We can always use new perspectives.

For what you describe, a good .325 chisel chain like Stihl 23 RS, Carlton 20NK, or Oregon 20LP is perfect (all .050 gauge).

A stock 026 or 346xp doesn`t have the jam to pull 3/8 chain in 18" hardwood as well as it will pull the smaller .325 chain, and in the smaller wood that you mostly cut I don`t think you will see any appreciable difference in cut speed between .325 and 3/8.

I`ve found that the smaller .325 chains such as Oregon 33LG don`t clear the chips as well in the larger wood but maybe you would find diffferently? Try a few different combinations.

Russ

 

[RDP]

Thank you for your replies gentlemen.

I did have one more point to add I am using .063 gauge and not .050 on this unit simply because there are a lot of these around here. Is the extra thickness over the .050 really a power grabber or is the difference so small it really is not measurable.

 

[WoodTick007]

For what your cutting I would change that 026 to a 13 inch bar and run 3/8 x .050 chain in Oregon LG or Stihl RS. I know I will catch some flack for this, but I run 3/8 x .050 on all my other saws and normally it is less exspesive to purchase. I also find it easier to file.

Granted, the .325 on the 026/ms260 does cut smoother, but not as fast. I guess you have to ask yourself this question. Do you want sissy smooth and slow? Or do you want aggressive and fast with woodchips just puking out that clutch cover? And while your at it maybe drill a 1/2 inch hole in that plugged up muffler. Or ship that puppy off to Ed Herd for a little magic.....

JMHO

PS. I run a 16inch bar with 3/8 x .050 LG on all three of my 026's.

 

[Crofter]

The .063 chain is probably less than ten thou thicker overall. five thou thicker rivet pivot section which amounts to a bit less than 10% more bearing area for perhaps a bit extra resistance to elongation with wear. If your chain is oiling properly, you should file away the teeth before you wear out the rivet holes though. Sharp 3/8 chain does well on an 026. You will not want much more than 20 thou raker clearance though. I like to go with .50 guage bar and chain and have a few bars that got worn and I regroove them to the next size up. With .063 you got nowhere to go!

 

[shalenkur]

my 026 has .325 .063 full chisel 18"bar--I took the depth gauges to .035(maybe a hair more) and modded the muffler and it cuts much better, great even on osage orange. It's my first modern, quality saw. With this machine I love to go out and cut, good equipment makes for half the work and stress.

 

[RDP]

Originally posted by shalenkur
my 026 has .325 .063 full chisel 18"bar--I took the depth gauges to .035(maybe a hair more)

Hi shalenkur,

Are you saying that you file your rakers down by .035 instead of the recommended .025 to get the teeth to dig in more.

 

[GMAN]

Got to agree with WoodTick007 - send that saw to EHP for a mod.

He worked miracles on my MS 260.

http://arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17438&highlight=EHP+MS+260

http://arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17089

 

[shalenkur]

rdp:

thats exactly what I did. If you do it remember the chain will have more bite so kickback becomes more likely. Stihl reccomends up to .008 extra for softwoods, personally I like more and I think that it might wear the bar a little less because the chain "pulls itself in" better--on the other hand the chain may stretch a bit more . . . keep it sharp as possible, sharp chain is free horsepower. sharp chain is free horsepower. Not just sharp but correctly sharpened .

 

[tony marks]

my gosh .035 is a lotta bite.. u must sho nuff be putting an razor on that thing..
dont know what osage orange is but i assume its hard ,from the way u used it as an example..with that i would assume u just let the wt of the saw dig it on in..
in any case good cuttin..

 

[shalenkur]

osage orange is a tree native to the great plains also called "hedge" or hedge apple". The Indians used the wood to make longbows and the bright orange roots to make dye. The settlers used it to make living fences because it grows fast. It is the second densest wood in America probably the world. Tough on chains but the best firewood you can get.

 

[bottlefed89]

Best firewood you can get unless you have to split it.... Burns really hot though if that's what you meant.

 

[Al Smith]

Makes a good fence post,also.

 

[shalenkur]

yeah and even after its been a fence post for 30 years still makes good firewood.

if you've got a good splitter it doesn't matter, but the trees aren't usually very big--most of it doesn't need splitting.

 

[canguy21]

This is interesting. I saw a lot of .063 years ago on the big Stihls but never on the smaller saws. Our Stihl and Husky distibutors carry very little and none in .325. What is the advantage on the smaller chains?