Chain speeds
- Thread starter boatman
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Short answer is yes.
BUT . . . . .
The 3120 chain speed number I see on the Husky website says 66 ft/s
Anyway they are weird numbers.
The max power RPM for the 395 is at 9600 rpm, for the 3120 its 9000 rpm.
No combination of 325, 3/8 or 404 gauge chain with any 7-8-9 pin sprockets generates 64 ft/s at at 9600 rpm, or 66 ft/s t 9000 rpm
At 9000 rpm the closest thing to 66 ft/s is 65 f/s (using a 325 chain on an 8 pin), while 64 ft/s can be obtained using a 3/8 with a 7 pin sprocket - I believe the 3120 is sold with 404 chain as stock?
At 9600 rpm the closest to 64 ft/s is using a 325 chain with a 7 pin which generates 61 ft/s.
Everything else is WAY over 64 ft/s
If you want to compare chain speeds, then here you go.
367 refers to 3/8 (3/8" = 0.375") but it's more like 0.367" when you actually measure it
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So... with 677/11pin a saw with enough power would cut the fastest? Are there 11 pins for 3120/395's. do they have the power for a 24" or less cut in hardwood?
I've put off buying a new saw until after the holidays. Was planning on a 395xp for milling, but, if a 3120 would increase speed of cut in all size wood and not just the big stuff I go for it.
I have allot of 12-18" oak and cherry around the house, and I also have access to 200 acres of hardwood forrest with some large trees. We use a Lucas for the saw logs and there are allot of big old trees(4') that need to be culled are short trunk pasture oaks and such. Not worth sawing. Big burls, gnarly old Maples.
I have read that I won't see a benefit of the power of a 3120 until wood over 30". Just burning more gas. But if it has the power to safely increase the chain speed and cutting rate it seems like this would be the way to go.
I've put off buying a new saw until after the holidays. Was planning on a 395xp for milling, but, if a 3120 would increase speed of cut in all size wood and not just the big stuff I go for it.
I have allot of 12-18" oak and cherry around the house, and I also have access to 200 acres of hardwood forrest with some large trees. We use a Lucas for the saw logs and there are allot of big old trees(4') that need to be culled are short trunk pasture oaks and such. Not worth sawing. Big burls, gnarly old Maples.
I have read that I won't see a benefit of the power of a 3120 until wood over 30". Just burning more gas. But if it has the power to safely increase the chain speed and cutting rate it seems like this would be the way to go.
I can run an 8 with 3/8 chain on my 3120 and it cuts faster in smaller wood than with a 7 pin. In larger wood the 7 pin cuts better as the 8 can bog easier. The 3120 is "better" than the 395, in proportion to displacement just as the numbers imply. The 3120 also costs more than a 395 and is a less good "regular" saw.
For your smaller logs, the 12-18" oaks, either saw will be fine with an 8 pin and 3/8 chain. Really the 12" logs aren't worth fooling with with a CSM as you won't get much wood for your work. (my opinion only) Other than moving the log, bigger logs let you produce more for the same amount of work and time. Most of the time spent with a CSM is set up. The actual cutting time is a small part of the total. I tend to pass up small stuff for this reason as I can cut a 36" log about as quick as an 18" log.
Your big "pasture" trees are probably lots better than you think. A four foot diameter trunk contains a lot of wood. Do the calculation on board feet and compare a small log to a large one - 20" compared to 40" and you'll see what I mean. And unless you need long lengths for some particular reason a 5, 6 or 7 foot board is a fine thing to work from for most projects. The other thing I find is that what looks short standing there 4 foot in diameter and 50 feet tall is often a good bit longer than I thought when on the ground and I put a tape to it. The big logs is where the bigger saw really shines.
For your smaller logs, the 12-18" oaks, either saw will be fine with an 8 pin and 3/8 chain. Really the 12" logs aren't worth fooling with with a CSM as you won't get much wood for your work. (my opinion only) Other than moving the log, bigger logs let you produce more for the same amount of work and time. Most of the time spent with a CSM is set up. The actual cutting time is a small part of the total. I tend to pass up small stuff for this reason as I can cut a 36" log about as quick as an 18" log.
Your big "pasture" trees are probably lots better than you think. A four foot diameter trunk contains a lot of wood. Do the calculation on board feet and compare a small log to a large one - 20" compared to 40" and you'll see what I mean. And unless you need long lengths for some particular reason a 5, 6 or 7 foot board is a fine thing to work from for most projects. The other thing I find is that what looks short standing there 4 foot in diameter and 50 feet tall is often a good bit longer than I thought when on the ground and I put a tape to it. The big logs is where the bigger saw really shines.
Putting more than an 8 pin sprocket on any of today's stock saws is considered a waste of time as they don't have the torque for any more than this. An 090 can probably use a 9 pin as could 820's set up. I only included the 9-10-11 pin sprockets for people building dedicated slabbers using small 4-stroke motors.
The other reason higher pin numbers don't work on stock saws is they can cause the chain to jump the bar.
For the rest I agree with HH, especially cutting small logs with a CSM, and about what looks short standing - looks a lot longer on the ground.
If you have access to a Lucas you might want to consider investing in the slabbing attachment rather than a big CS. The slabbing attachment on a Lucas will outgun any CS setup because you can run much higher pin sprockets again and also drop the rakers substantially compared to a CS.
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We have a slabbing attachment for the Lucas and use it. I prefer to use my own tools for my own projects.
The 12-18 inch oak I am cutting is from land I am clearing for pasture and I will use it for a saw shack, goat shed and such.
Mostly I am interested in grown timbers for boats. Knees, compass timbers. Anything from the 200 acres that is good for lumber will be cut on the Lucas as they build a couple of timber frames a year.
Those pasture trees I am talking about are getting cut as they have started to rot out and are dropping branches. I may be able to get some good knees out of them.
This crotch had bark and ants in the middle so it split in two.
Working with machinery I have found that machines last longer when not over worked. I believe the 3120 will last longer milling but will it be slower, or about the same cutting speed?
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I'm the same
I agree about not over working machines. It will be slightly faster and use more gas, but more importantly it will last longer.
Hillbilly3995
Addicted to ArboristSite
It's a long known fact. An old timer once told me "if you want your engine to last, get the biggest one you can...and go easy on it."
That is advice that will last.
