Chain size and specs

[Joe Dickerson]

I have a Husqvarna 445 with a 24" bar, but the chain is very bad dull, and I can't find any specs for this.
Without being jumped about the longer bar on this saw (I got it that way), what chain and file do I need?

 

[Michael E]

The bar says you need a 3/8" pitch chain, 1.5mm/.58" gauge, 84 drive links.

For that chain, you need a 5.2 or 5.5mm file, depending on who you ask. Don't forget a flat file for your rakers.

 

[Herbert Schwarz]

Is sawing still fun with a 24" bar with 3/8" pitch on a 2.1 kW saw?
According to Husqvarna, a 15" bar with a .325" pitch would be a better choice.

 

[Joe Dickerson]

Is sawing still fun with a 24" bar with 3/8" pitch on a 2.1 kW saw?
According to Husqvarna, a 15" bar with a .325" pitch would be a better choice.

Herbert,
As soon as I get the , I'll get one. I knew that was coming when I posted.
I got the saw used like that a few days ago, so I'm trying to make do until better days.
It's extremely rough going trying to raise a disabled son and 2 grands (15 and 17) on a disabled veteran's pay.
I'm REALLY not phishing here, just saying truth.
Thanks for the info though. I WILL be trying to get the 15" bar and chain as soon as my ship is resurrected from the bottom of the bay.

 

[WoodmanSr]

Herbert,
As soon as I get the , I'll get one. I knew that was coming when I posted.
I got the saw used like that a few days ago, so I'm trying to make do until better days.
It's extremely rough going trying to raise a disabled son and 2 grands (15 and 17) on a disabled veteran's pay.
I'm REALLY not phishing here, just saying truth.
Thanks for the info though. I WILL be trying to get the 15" bar and chain as soon as my ship is resurrected from the bottom of the bay.

Sir, Thank You for your service. I pray better times will come your way.

To your question.. don't be afraid to bring back the cutter tooth angle. 3/8" chisel is routinely 25° on top plate angle. (others may say 30°, whatever). The thing is you have rounded dull cutting corners. Got after the corner first even if filing 20°, after you restore corner it's easy to swing tooth back to 25°. Given your underpowred on 445 maybe stay at 20° & shallow height gauge raker. I'd say 0.018" to 0.023" as estimate.

Not interested in debate. Yes, 5.2mm or 5.5mm metric. SI units, Std 3/8" chain uses 7/32" file (Stihl RS/RM recommend 13/64"). 5.2mm or 13/64" will yield more tooth hook which you won’t want more bite.

If heavy damage on cutter point it can be helpful to first use an oversize file. Don't use smaller than 7/32". A larger file will help you from too must hook, sinking too low while filing. Try to keep about 25% of file above tooth top plate. Intentionally less hook so more durable edge in your situation. For starters even try a 1/4" file until corners are re-established then chase with proper 7/32" to "form" the tooth & gullet. My thoughts only. Good luck.

So be aware striking side tie plates with file means your filing to low, too deep on gullet. Use less down pressure, more side pressure or slight upward draw on the file. Cutter teeth will have a metal rib (fillet round) above chain rivets. Use that as a witness mark & guide. Do not file below that fillet round & your gullet depth is very good. Will land above striking tie plates.

 

[Herbert Schwarz]

Sorry Joe, of course I wasn't aware of your predicament and I wish you all the best.
In your first post you indicated that you might want to buy a new chain. That's why I wanted to make you aware that there is little point in doing so with this saw.

Try to get the existing chain sharp again.
WoodmanSr has already given you some very good tips.

Perhaps a file set like this could serve you well:
file set
is very inexpensive and I have been using a file holder like this for a good 20 years.

 

[JR Hill]

Just be careful. Wally's has a pretty good price if you need to buy it on line. Probably won't have it in stores:

https://business.walmart.com/ip/Hus...-24-Inch-X-Cut-Chainsaw-Chain/550465554?gQT=1

 

[WoodmanSr]

I have a Husqvarna 445 with a 24" bar, but the chain is very bad dull, and I can't find any specs for this.
Without being jumped about the longer bar on this saw (I got it that way), what chain and file do I need?View attachment 1231304

Joe, You might just improve chain sharpness as initial post & keep using the long bar. Your existing .058" 73LPx-084 chain can be hand resharpened 10 or more times.

I have zero experience on the Husqvarna 445/450. Just presenting some questions & possible resolution if you so choose.
-- I've stated model compatibility from seller part listings. Others may find error in that (seller descriptions). Exploded IPL's do point to those PNs for the Husqvarna 445.

Sorry, long post. Save this to come back to it. Before thinking about buying anything, you must sort out what Drum Sprocket is fitted to your 445. Then, decide what to buy / replace or leave as is.

Any change demands some mechanical competence. Are you comfortable to insert Piston Top, Remove Clutch (outboard style), to get at replacing Drum/Sprocket or Rim type.

1. what sprocket installed, if previously retrofitted to Oregon SM7 Rim kit then only requires Sprocket Rim #11892, (325-7) to convert to .325 bar & chain.

2. did someone change the Oil Pump Worm Gear. It meshes on a reduced spline at drum sprocket. If someone altered that then might need undone.. if/when replacing drum assembly.

Prehaps someone else knows if exists a 3/8"LP x 6 tooth Spur Sprocket compatibility for Husqvarna 350, 351, 445, 450. I can't find it.
(FYI, I only found Poulan P3314, P4018, P4218 series 3/8LP x 6T Spur, Husq# 530 037 905. Likely is wrong fit to 445.)
-- mention this as then seems unlikely that a mis-matched 3/8LP sprocket to Std 3/8" chain.
But, someone went to alot of effort fitting Std 3/8 .058 to 445.

Others may ridicule my comments. Just offering information to try to help. Prior owner jacked up the Husqvarna 445.

Question #1: does bar fit really loose to bar studs. If loose, possibly seller fitted Husqvarna D009 large mount 24". (can't read picture RNB .058" 24" well enough to know). There is/was a now rare correct K095 small mount in 24" .058 3/8" (SawSuppliers had on clearance at Nov'24 Black Friday deals). So possibly is the proper K095 tail mount if snug fit to bar studs.

Question #2: does your 445 have an 3/8 x 6 tooth Spur Sprocket (someone fitted by some means). Is it the paddle wheel type sprocket, "spur". Would have 6 spurs or paddles on chain drive sprocket.
-- Sprocket must be one version of 3/8" because is driving Std 3/8" chain. Also, if spur sprocket, I suspect has chewed it up pretty good (wrong chain fitment).
-- if you have floating Rim Sprocket 3/8-7 then someone spent money doing Oregon Rim kit or move intricate conversion. [see bottom AS link]

The thing is some people view it's okay to swap Std 3/8" chain & small saw 3/8" Low Profile chain. It's not.

Regular 3/8" will rotate on a 3/8" Low Profile sprocket with binding & wear. Wears a hollow in sprocket & pushes a burr onto chain drivelinks. Forced to run long enough the interference wear pattern should be pronounced on sprocket & chain.
-- here's the problem buying a "new" chain ... if this case. It may not fit right. Maybe spins but tips of drivelinks would have interference to sprocket. Before spending any money, understand what sprocket is on your saw. A regular 3/8" Floating Rim kit or 3/8" Low Profile Spur. I suspect a 3/8" LP Spur & improper chain fit.

Requires a Husqvarna K095 small tail bar for the 445.
-- either 3/8" K095
-- or .325" K095

The bar on your 445 is a good quality Oregon [Canada] 24" 3/8" .058 bar. Just as you know... goofy for a 445.

I agree Husqvarna 445 would be more properly use 16" maximum bar length. The problem is cost of correcting what previous owner has done. Maybe not worth putting $80 - $100 into replacement 445 bar, chain, & sprocket.

Your best parts source are Oregon PN's & search will find aftermarket alternatives. I'm giving what here for information, not suggesting personally to put $100 into Husqvarna 445.

My research says the Husqvarna 445 would be originally. 325 x 7 tooth sprocket.

▪︎Husqvarna 578097901, .325 x 7 tooth Spur Sprocket, for 445e II, 350, 445, 450; also comes up as PN preference searching 503873072.
-- parts illustration implies 578097901 Sprocket Assy = 503873072 Sprocket & 503255201 Bearing

▪︎Husqvarna 503873072, .325x 7 tooth Spur Sprocket, for 340/345/350/445/445e/450e/351/353epa (& others, 346, 346xp, 351, 352, 357, 359)

▪︎Husqvarna 503255201 Needle Bearing. Use with 503873072 Sprocket.

If pursue parts retrofit you need to find new or used conversion to .325" pitch chain
-- Spur Sprocket, $15-$20
-- or Rim Sprocket, $25-$30
-- 16" .325 .050 bar, $35
-- 16" .325 .050 chain; $20

The chain spec & length will vary if different than .325 x 7T sprocket
-- **drum/sprocket: 108308X (spur), or 108215X (rim)
-- bar: Oregon pn like #160....K095 (16" .050 K095 66 drivelink means is .325" pitch) or aftermarket similar to
Forester Laminated Bar 16" .325 .050 66DL - Husqvarna
-- chain: 20LPX-066, or 20BPX-066

** do not get "XF" kit version without bearing. You likely need "X" containing Sprocket & Bearing.

Remember; first sort out to acquire .325x7T drum/sprocket & verify installs okay -- to clutch, crankshaft pilot bearing, oil pump drive, thrust washer, clip/retainer. If sprocket sorted then look at bar & chain choices.

Forester [AEI, Wisconsin USA importer] is a fine bar for homeowner use. ForesterShop.com list 3 options at decent value.
Husqvarna 16" .325 .050 66 dl K095
• $28.77: 16" bar only, #HJ165066
• $35.97: 16" bar & chain combo, #HJ165066X
• $34.97: 16" FeatherLite, bar only, #FLHJ165066

I discovered other post while browsing 445 drum/sprocket. Here's an excerpt of that other post sprockets mention.

>> Link info: reverse engineering, I think the 108215X will work. The 345 takes the 108308X spur sprocket and the 108215X rim system. The 445 shows the 108308X spur system.

108308X spur = .325 x 7T,
... For Husqvarna 340, 340e, 345, 345e, 350, 351, 355, 355EPA, 445, 445E, 450, 450e, 450 Rancher.
... Husqvarna # 578097901 (503873072)

108215X rim = .325 x 7T [w/ Small 7 Spline (Sm7) Rim Sprocket System]
...For Husqvarna 340, 340e, 345, 345e, 346, 346XP, 346XPG, 350, 351, 353, 353E-Tech, 355, 355EPA, 357, 357EPA, 357XP, 359, 359EPA, 445, 445e, 450, 450e, 450 Rancher

A 45-55cc saw with Oregon Rim Sprocket kit has 3 options. Just giving for clarification.

• Oregon Power Mate Rim, Small 7-spline (SM7), Spline Dia .765" or 19.4mm
... about size of Penny coin
-- Oregon# 11892, 325-7
-- Oregon# 11891, 325-8
-- Oregon# 18720, 3/8-7

All below is background when another user wanted 3/8" on their 445. (if, big if ? someone did this on your own 445)
>> it would be expensive to undo this cobbled up situation.
>> based on model compatibility the 445 could be configured to SM7 small spline sprocket. The below link suggests SD7 large spline which bizarre choice.

https://www.arboristsite.com/thread...-x-50-chain-with-sprocket-drive-change.199848/

The Large 7-spline (SD7) is Spline Dia. 7/8" or 22.25mm
... about size of a Nickel coin

"SD7" is the improper & weird configuration, if possible on the Husqvarna 445.
>> the AS tread link suggested the following to allow 3/8" bar & chain.

Oregon - 108565X - 3/8"-7 (SD7) Rim Sprocket for Husqvarna 355, 357, 357XP, 359.
... for Husqvarna 445 retrofitted to 3/8" chain
... use 108565X Rim kit
... add a matching Oregon ORF11893 bearing and the 2000RNDK095 Power Match bar (20" x 3/8 x .050 x 72DL, small tail)

 

[Joe Dickerson]

Sorry Joe, of course I wasn't aware of your predicament and I wish you all the best.
In your first post you indicated that you might want to buy a new chain. That's why I wanted to make you aware that there is little point in doing so with this saw.

Try to get the existing chain sharp again.
WoodmanSr has already given you some very good tips.

Perhaps a file set like this could serve you well:
file set
is very inexpensive and I have been using a file holder like this for a good 20 years.

Thanks for the reply. It's not that bad, though. These are great kids and I have been blessed to be a part of their lives as much as I have been. Money's tight, but it seems that everybody is barely getting by these days.
I believe I'll try to find a 15 or 16" bar and chain, as suggested. I should be able to find a used one from someplace.
Again, you guys are great, and I thank all of you for your replies. I will pray daily for each of you.
I would much rather talk or discuss WITH someone than to discuss AT someone.
Thanks again

 

[cookies]

I'd look for a cheap 16" oregon bar/chain combo on amazon vs a new chain. They will likely be less than a 10 dollar difference, those longer chains start getting expensive. I have had good luck stopping at small engine repair shops to ask about buying a used bar/chain they have hung up or on ruined saws, for 20-30 bucks they get beer/lunch cash and you get what you need often sharpened for you.