Husqvarna 445 20" Bar/Chain Issues

[nootkaebear]

We have a Husqvarna 445. We cut wood for our woodstove. There are some very large trees that we have a chance to take part of, so bought a 20" Bar and 20" chain. Both showed that they will fit the Husqvarna 445. The chain is so short, it will not go on. Is there something I am missing? We figured that maybe it should have been a 3/8 instead of a .325, but the bar and chain combination that sales at Bailey's will not work. We attempted to get a different chain, and try that. Still will not fit. This is getting old, and although the Husqvarna has proven to be a good chainsaw in all other aspects, it would be very much appreciated if someone can tell me what the deal is. I would hate to lose the chance to pick up next year's wood early in the year like this.

 

[sachsmo]

What is the pitch of your sprocket?

A 445 running 20 .375 is marginal at best. A really good running 60cc saw is about the minimum for .375-20" in hardwoods.

Better yet a 70cc class saw. But I would suspect something is not matching in your set-up.

 

[KenJax Tree]

How many DL does it say on the bar and how many DL is the chain. It sounds like you have a narrow kerf (pixel) bar and a standard .325 chain. A 20" NK chain has 80 links the standard 20" has 78

Pics of the info on bar and chain might help.

Maybe i'm way off here someone with more knowledge will chime in.

 

[HuskStihl]

The 445 comes with a .325 sprocket and bar. Without more info we can't figure out where the problem lies. I own a 445, and while I consider it an impressive little saw for the money, mine is pretty unhappy trying to pull more than a 16" bar. A small mount .325 20" husky bar should take a 78dl chain. I'm guessing a .325/ 3/8th mismatch. Good luck

 

[nootkaebear]

The 445 comes with a .325 sprocket and bar. I consider it an impressive little saw for the money, mine is pretty unhappy trying to pull more than a 16" bar. A small mount .325 20" husky bar should take a 78dl chain. I'm guessing a .325/ 3/8th mismatch. Good luck

Well, we thought that the .325 - 3/8th mismatch also. So we got our thoughts together, and found that, of course there is .325 sprocket, and the box for the 20"chain, is a Husqvarna brand that says that it will fit the 445. The Bar says that it is 20", 1.5mm bar, and the chain says the same thing. I am not trying to be dense here, but Husqvarna says that it will fit, the chain package says that it will fit, the bar says that it will fit. But the chain is just too short, and the 1.5mm bar, and the 1.3mm chain will not fit into it. We purchased one to make sure

I appreciate your input. I am just really at a loss.

 

[Ironworker]

Try taking it to your local chainsaw guy, preferably a Husqvarna one.

 

[sachsmo]

Tell us the numbers stamped on the bar.

 

[moody]

Take no offense to this because I'm not being hateful. Is the tensioner adjusted closest to the sprocket? What does the bar have stamped on it on the mount end? My guess is your problem lies with you bought some H30 chain. To help we need a picture.

 

[nootkaebear]

Take no offense to this because I'm not being hateful. Is the tensioner adjusted closest to the sprocket? What does the bar have stamped on it on the mount end? My guess is your problem lies with you bought some H30 chain. To help we need a picture.

We understand how to adjust the tensioner. If you put the bar on tight against the sprocket, the chain will not go onto the bar. Usually you can put the chain over the bar and it will slip right on. We have put new chains on. If you could even get the chain on the bar, you would not be able to put tension on it. The bar is 3/4" too long.


Info from bar:
50CM .325 800L 50 1.3mm

James is a mechanic, he can build motors, he has changed bar and chain on our other chainsaws in the past. He has installed new chains on these two chainsaws. We have (2) 445 Husqvarna chainsaws. These two chainsaws are not our first chainsaws. Anyway, He took the sprocket off and inspected for damage, nothing wrong there.

From tail end of 20" bar needs another 3/4" the Husqvarna chain and the Oregon chain show exactly the same specs. It makes no sense. The bar is 3 and 3/8" longer than 20"

 

[watsonr]

But the chain is just too short, and the 1.5mm bar, and the 1.3mm chain will not fit into it. I am just really at a loss.

Sounds like the bar and chain were packaged wrong. The bar is longer than the chain and the bar slot is 1.5mm and chain is 1.3mm? They put the wrong chain into the package is my guess.

 

[o8f150]

We understand how to adjust the tensioner. If you put the bar on tight against the sprocket, the chain will not go onto the bar. Usually you can put the chain over the bar and it will slip right on. We have put new chains on. If you could even get the chain on the bar, you would not be able to put tension on it. The bar is 3/4" too long.


Info from bar:
50CM .325 800L 50 1.3mm

James is a mechanic, he can build motors, he has changed bar and chain on our other chainsaws in the past. He has installed new chains on these two chainsaws. We have (2) 445 Husqvarna chainsaws. These two chainsaws are not our first chainsaws. Anyway, He took the sprocket off and inspected for damage, nothing wrong there.

From tail end of 20" bar needs another 3/4" the Husqvarna chain and the Oregon chain show exactly the same specs. It makes no sense. The bar is 3 and 3/8" longer than 20"

that is a 325 pitch 50 gauge 80dl,,, your chain has to be the exact same for it to fit,, almost sounds like your chain is for an 18" bar

 

[nootkaebear]

What is the pitch of your sprocket?

A 445 running 20 .375 is marginal at best. A really good running 60cc saw is about the minimum for .375-20" in hardwoods.

Better yet a 70cc class saw. But I would suspect something is not matching in your set-up.

Apparently, from what yall are saying, the 445 is not going to run worth a dog with 20" anyway. The two 445s that we have came with 18", yet some are saying that we should not go with more than a 16".

We were lucky enough to inherit some recently cut down old Oaks here in Stone Mountain, GA. The professional tree man that cut the trees said that he was using a Sithl 660 with 36" bar, and worked his butt off. He did not seem to have an opinion about the chainsaws that we have, although we were just interested in the trees. So he brought us the whole Oak, part of a Black Cherry, and part of a Pecan tree. The 18" is going to cause some issues with parts of these trees. The Oak was 150-200 years old. Very large.

We have resigned ourselves into possibly picking up a used Stihl set up for a larger bar and chain. I am sure that yall have input you can share about what to look for, as far as motor size, and bar length. Please share with me, and I will begin the long search, and hopefully, will find something in time to move these trees before they cause problems where they are.

Thanks so much!

 

[o8f150]

Apparently, from what yall are saying, the 445 is not going to run worth a dog with 20" anyway. The two 445s that we have came with 18", yet some are saying that we should not go with more than a 16".

We were lucky enough to inherit some recently cut down old Oaks here in Stone Mountain, GA. The professional tree man that cut the trees said that he was using a Sithl 660 with 36" bar, and worked his butt off. He did not seem to have an opinion about the chainsaws that we have, although we were just interested in the trees. So he brought us the whole Oak, part of a Black Cherry, and part of a Pecan tree. The 18" is going to cause some issues with parts of these trees. The Oak was 150-200 years old. Very large.

We have resigned ourselves into possibly picking up a used Stihl set up for a larger bar and chain. I am sure that yall have input you can share about what to look for, as far as motor size, and bar length. Please share with me, and I will begin the long search, and hopefully, will find something in time to move these trees before they cause problems where they are.

Thanks so much!

you are so right,,, 20" b/c is to much for a 45cc saw,, i am running a 16" on my ms250 and 346xp,, they are happy little saws

 

[Philip Wheelock]

Apparently, from what yall are saying, the 445 is not going to run worth a dog with 20" anyway. The two 445s that we have came with 18", yet some are saying that we should not go with more than a 16".

Right. 445's are good saws; but don't run longer than the 18" b/c's that came with them.

We were lucky enough to inherit some recently cut down old Oaks here in Stone Mountain, GA. The professional tree man that cut the trees said that he was using a Sithl 660 with 36" bar, and worked his butt off. ... So he brought us the whole Oak, part of a Black Cherry, and part of a Pecan tree. The 18" is going to cause some issues with parts of these trees. The Oak was 150-200 years old. Very large.

Wow. Issues indeed. You'll definitely need a big saw.

We have resigned ourselves into possibly picking up a used Stihl set up for a larger bar and chain. I am sure that yall have input you can share about what to look for, as far as motor size, and bar length. Please share with me, and I will begin the long search, and hopefully, will find something in time to move these trees before they cause problems where they are.

Need more information: 1. The diameters of the big oak, cherry & pecan; 2. Whether this wood is a one-time occurrence or whether the tree guy is going to be dropping off more in the future; 3. How many wooded acres on your property. If your main wood source will be big wood courtesy of the tree guy, then you might be best served with a 90cc Stihl or Husky. If you'd rather not go this route again, perhaps some helpful person on AS who lives near Atlanta might be willing to bring over some big iron to cut those logs down to size. Then if you have enough acreage to sustainably feed your stove (1 cord per acre estimate), you could invest in a 60-70cc saw that would complement your 445's.

BTW, a good friend of mine lives in Decatur, but he's not the type to have a saw...

 

[watsonr]

Why don't you ask around here for some help? You could meet a couple members, cut some wood and have an excuse to drink beer when done... and save your money on having to buy a one time use saw? Or the guys bring saws you test and then buy one for later.. I almost said to not buy a saw

Give you a better idea of what to buy.

 

[HuskStihl]

Sounds like a great problem to have! If this is a one time deal, just make do with the 445 with the 18" bar. Get a sharp chisel chain and take your time cutting from both sides of the log. If this will be a regular occurrence, pick up a used husky 372xp or stihl 044/440 with a 24" bar and get to work!

 

[moody]

We understand how to adjust the tensioner. If you put the bar on tight against the sprocket, the chain will not go onto the bar. Usually you can put the chain over the bar and it will slip right on. We have put new chains on. If you could even get the chain on the bar, you would not be able to put tension on it. The bar is 3/4" too long.


Info from bar:
50CM .325 800L 50 1.3mm

James is a mechanic, he can build motors, he has changed bar and chain on our other chainsaws in the past. He has installed new chains on these two chainsaws. We have (2) 445 Husqvarna chainsaws. These two chainsaws are not our first chainsaws. Anyway, He took the sprocket off and inspected for damage, nothing wrong there.

From tail end of 20" bar needs another 3/4" the Husqvarna chain and the Oregon chain show exactly the same specs. It makes no sense. The bar is 3 and 3/8" longer than 20"

As I said meant no offense. That bar is a H30 bar its a .325 80dl chain. No harm no foul it seems to have worked out for you.

 

[Kenskip1]

Something that has not been mentioned is the bar oiling.The oiling is non adjustable on this saw and yes I do own one.Figure it out,running a 20BC with an oilier set for a 16BC.Lack of lubrication leads to excessive heat and chain stretching just to get you thinking.I really enjoy my 445 but for what you are into I would think about a 455. Great saw and it will serve you well as long as you don't put a 24BC on it, Ken

 

[spike60]

I'm thinking we have a case of a mis-matched bar and chain. There are two "20 inch" bars for the .325 Huskys. (Don't know why this is the case) One is a 78 drive link and one is an 80 drive link. So, it might be possible that you have an 80 dl bar and a 78 dl chain you are trying to fit. Just guessin' here, but that's what it sounds like.

 

[nootkaebear]

I'm thinking we have a case of a mis-matched bar and chain. There are two "20 inch" bars for the .325 Huskys. (Don't know why this is the case) One is a 78 drive link and one is an 80 drive link. So, it might be possible that you have an 80 dl bar and a 78 dl chain you are trying to fit. Just guessin' here, but that's what it sounds like.

This sounds like quite a possibility. I understand the two different bars, since we had purchased the bar and chain from Bailey's and thought that we could not go wrong. Something somewhere has the wrong info. We have bought other things for these chainsaws, without ever having a problem, so when we ran into this issue, thought we would join here, and get input from those with knowledge. I attempted to contact Husqvarna to find out, and they wanted me to join their forum and ask there. After reading through the conversations at that forum, I realized, if I were going to join a forum to ask questions, that the conversations should be geared a little more like what yall have discussions about. Seems that yall give good advice, and I appreciate your knowledge. Good ideas, and things to watch for; we appreciate it a whole lot.