chain width

[Mike Barcaskey]

the other day, while milling on our Logosol, a couple of us had this discussion.
Normally we run a Stihl 66 with a 3/8" Low Profile Ripping Chain. I believe the kerf cut is 1/4". Well that saw started coughing and died, so we put on my 660 with a normal 3/8" ripping chain, whose kerf cut is I believe 3/8".
There was a marked difference in the force needed to push my chain down the log. So the 1/4" kerf chain is more efficient, cuts faster, easier.

My question is why is the 3/8" kerf cut chain the "standard" chain. if the smaller kerf cut is more efficient, why do we use the larger chain?

 

[Lakeside53]

It's just a trade-off off of strength verses cutting efficiency, and strength requirements are related directly to the HP and torque of the saw.

Years ago, 1/2 inch and .404 were the predominant chain sizes with large cutters and wide kerfs. Some of this was due to the saws having high torque but low chain speed (easy to snap cutters). Today, there are a few .404 (but 3/8 is an option for even the Stihl 880), a lot of 3/8 and .325, and at the low end of the hp range, 3/8 low pro and finally the "narrow" 3/8 low pro (called PMN "Picco Narrow" in Stihl).

The PMN is used on the smallest saws like the MS180 and MS192 to gain cutting speed though efficiency. Use it on the larger saws and the teeth come off. Use the standard Picco, on these saws and they cut a slower and bog easier.

O.k., you are using the Lo pro on an 066 mill, but it's not rated for general use on large saws. Stihl rates it up to about 3hp only. Not sure what Oregon says.

 

[Mike Barcaskey]

we are using the Picco on the saw when milling on the Logosol. That way we have less waste in the kerf.
I will say we haven't had any problem with teeth or links breaking.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

It's just a trade-off off of strength verses cutting efficiency, and strength requirements are related directly to the HP and torque of the saw.

So the perfect chain would have zero width, and therefore zero friction and zero wood waste, but infinite strength.

Since we can't build such a chain, we settle for what works.

 

[Lakeside53]

So the perfect chain would have zero width, and therefore zero friction and zero wood waste, but infinite strength.

And as such it will require no HP - just a hand-saw mount will do.

I'm going to make just that chain out of C60 (bucky balls) with diamond cutters This way it will also last forever. One chain, no more trees!