chain pitch question

snapper · Aug 6, 2003

Okay guys, this stuff is confusing to a beginner, so i need some insight. I picked up an older model poulan 2900 saw. I believe a 96 model, for cheap. To me this saw is all i need and has all the power i need. Right now it has a 20" bar on it. It is not one of those saftey bars either, and the chain is not one of thse saftey chains. It cuts great but the bar is just too long for me. So i had an old 16" bar and chain that i thought i would try. Well i discovered this saw uses .325 gauge chain where as my other 16" chain is three-eights gauge, and the sprocket wouldn't work with the 3/8 chain. So, as long as a new chain is .325 gauge, and the bar goes with that chain, it ought to work, Right??

Thanks guys!!

TonyM · Aug 6, 2003

3/8 and .325 is actually called the pitch (distance between pins on the chain). The gauge is the width of the drive links. Three common gauges are .050, .058, and .063. So the pitch and gauge both have to match the bar and drive sprocket.

snapper · Aug 6, 2003

my bad, got my terms mixed up, my saw has .325 pitch chain on it, i need a new bar and chain in a sixteen inch size, So as long as the new chain is .325 pitch and the same gauge, it ought to work, right?/

Thanks guys

TonyM · Aug 6, 2003

You got it. The only other thing to worry about is how many drivers a 16" chain for that saw needs, but a dealer should be able to look that up for you, or count the drivers in an existing chain, or look on Oregon's website for info on your saw model. It may also be stamped on the side of the bar. Some saws require a few more or few less drivers, depending on how far the clutch/sprocket are from the bar mount.

snapper · Aug 6, 2003

almost, i plan on getting a new bar too. I was going to get a new bar with .325 pitch, and .50 gauge, and then a chain to match. I would like to stay with the same sprocket so when i need to use the big bar.

snapper · Aug 6, 2003

How hard are poulan sprockets to find? I have never looked for them. And i found some info on this saw, and it says chain type is 33 slp. What do these numbers mean??

TonyM · Aug 6, 2003

33SL is .325 pitch .050 gauge low kick-back chain. Not sure what the "P" is. Your saw requires 66 drivers on a 16" chain, and 78 drivers on a 20". I would think any saw shop would be able to get or would have in stock sprockets for your saw. I assume that the saw currently has a spur sprocket, so you'll have to replace the entire clutch drum/sprocket. You may want to consider getting a clutch drum with splines and switching over to a rim sprocket, which will make it easier to change sprockets in the future. Does that saw have an inboard or outboard sprocket? In other words, is the sprocket on the outside of the clutch, or is the clutch on the outside of the sprocket? It's very simple to change sprockets with the outboard sprocket design. There, I said sprocket way too many times.

snapper · Aug 6, 2003

clutch is on the outside and sprocket inside. Evidentally some one has changed the bar and chain, because this sure aint no anti-kick chain or bar. But i will say this chain flat flys through soft wood, even though i know the chain aint at it best.