Is a sprocket upgrade needed to upgrade Stihl MS260 chainsaw from 0.325 to a 3/8 bar and chain?

[phoenixmanz]

Hey all!

I got a Stihl MS260 as a present that came with a 12"(0.325) bar guide and chain setup. I would like to upgrade it to 18"(3/8). Will this upgrade require a sprocket change?

Chainsaw noob here, please educate me! I'm a little confused with the information available in the interwebs. Thank you!

 

[old guy]

Yup! Sprocket, bar & chain.

 

[Pioneer]

And to confuse you even more, you can set it up for either low profile or standard 3/8 chain, which require different drive sprockets and bars.

 

[phoenixmanz]

Yup! Sprocket, bar & chain.

Thank you!

 

[phoenixmanz]

And to confuse you even more, you can set it up for either low profile or standard 3/8 chain, which require different drive sprockets and bars.

Gee thanks

I just want to make fast(er) cuts in some thick trunks (mostly softwood) meant for firewood. With the 12" I have to roll and cut the other side.
So my question would be: Which combination of bar, chain and sprocket would you recommend for the fastest cuts?

 

[phoenixmanz]

And to confuse you even more, you can set it up for either low profile or standard 3/8 chain, which require different drive sprockets and bars.

If I switch to an 18"(0.325) bar and chain, would that mean I can use the existing sprocket?

 

[ericm979]

3/8 would cut slower. The teeth are wider so they remove more material.

.325 is on there for a reason. I'd stick with it. If you want to cut faster, sharpen the chain better.

 

[mountainlake]

Get yourself a .325 narrow kerf setup. Steve

 

[Pioneer]

If you just want a fast cutting setup, keep it at .325 and go with the 18" Oregon 180VXLGD025 bar and Stihl 23 RS pro chain, the chain is full chisel narrow kerf and cuts very fast.

 

[mountainlake]

Full chiesl is fine just keep it away from dirt and rocks as that ruins the cutters fast. Steve

 

[old guy]

If I switch to an 18"(0.325) bar and chain, would that mean I can use the existing sprocket?

Yes you can, I say stay with .325, 18'' should work.

 

[Squareground3691]

Get some Stihl 23RS Pro chain it’s NK , fastest chain out there ,

 

[MRCLYDE]

I have a 260 pro and a 261, I run 16" and 20 " B&C. I like the 20 " because of reach without bending.
They cut fast enough as is with semi or full chisel .325 chain.

 

[stihltech]

Have dropped trees and cut firewood with both setups. .325 square tooth (full chisel) chain wins on a saw this size..
And sharp wins EVERY time.

 

[phoenixmanz]

Thank you all for your responses! Found and ordered a nice deal on an 18" Rollomatic E with 2x RSC full chisel 0.325 chains

 

[Dennisthemenace]

And to confuse you even more, you can set it up for either low profile or standard 3/8 chain, which require different drive sprockets and bars.

I think you might have that wrong. 3/8 pitch is 3/8 pitch , LP or standard. Sprocket is the same for both. And as long as you stick to the same gauge, say 050, any 050 bar with a 3/8 nose will work with either LP or standard.

 

[thompsoncustom]

I think you might have that wrong. 3/8 pitch is 3/8 pitch , LP or standard. Sprocket is the same for both. And as long as you stick to the same gauge, say 050, any 050 bar with a 3/8 nose will work with either LP or standard.

No he is right they are not the same pitch even tho the name makes it seem that way and the sprockets and nose bars are different. Not saying you can't run a 3/8lp on a used 3/8 sprocket (you shouldn't tho) but if you roll a new sprocket in the chain you'll see it bind.

Also 3/8lp is faster than .325 for the 260 but it also dulls faster.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

I think you might have that wrong. 3/8 pitch is 3/8 pitch , LP or standard. Sprocket is the same for both. And as long as you stick to the same gauge, say 050, any 050 bar with a 3/8 nose will work with either LP or standard.

The name is misleading. They are not interchangeable. There are low-kick versions of true 3/8" but 3/8LP is a different animal, meant for small saws.

 

[phoenixmanz]

The name is misleading. They are not interchangeable. There are low-kick versions of true 3/8" but 3/8LP is a different animal, meant for small saws.

Ah that must be the 3/8 Pico version then! At least that's what it's called here in Germany.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

Ah that must be the 3/8 Pico version then! At least that's what it's called here in Germany.

That's what Stihl calls it.