Links cracking, ARCHER chain

[J D]

I had a chain a few years ago that I think was a tri-link & came with a tri-link 36" bar. About 2/3 of the way through the chain I noticed a cracked tie strap & replaced it... next time I used it, same strap cracked. Figured I'd over spun it so spun another one in... next use same crack. Figured the links might be wrong so tried a different brand (after comparing with the micrometer & filing bottom of the tie strap to match worn chain). Next use, same crack, same place. At this point chain was 3/4 worn so I didn't bother fixing it again... might still have it in the pile of stumping chains

 

[U&A]

I had a chain a few years ago that I think was a tri-link & came with a tri-link 36" bar. About 2/3 of the way through the chain I noticed a cracked tie strap & replaced it... next time I used it, same strap cracked. Figured I'd over spun it so spun another one in... next use same crack. Figured the links might be wrong so tried a different brand (after comparing with the micrometer & filing bottom of the tie strap to match worn chain). Next use, same crack, same place. At this point chain was 3/4 worn so I didn't bother fixing it again... might still have it in the pile of stumping chains

Interesting to say the least.

On my case it is not the same link cracking.

 

[SS396driver]

Reading this gives me a little anxiety I just purchased an Archer ripping chain a few weeks ago

 

[Mad Professor]

Reading this gives me a little anxiety I just purchased an Archer ripping chain a few weeks agoView attachment 1222280

Is that picco/lo pro?

 

[SS396driver]

Is that picco/lo pro?

3/8 .058 for my 36 inch bar

 

[Coralillo Lo Pro]

Is that picco/lo pro?

I think a few of the metal failure issues on threads lately here are particular to certain circumstances of 42"+ bars and chains, not too great a worry of overall poor brand quality. Though some of it may be bad batch results. U&A is milling a lot of really big 40"+ hardwood with a 3120 and a huge amount of chain stress. For that, yeah, probably better to go with something more tried and true like the roll of Oregon 27RA he just got. Nakata with his repeated GB lo pro nose sprocket failures is running a 42" lo pro bar with a regular 3/8 drive sprocket and the chain is bunching up and whipping out of the rails, overloading the nose. I checked with Rob at Chainsawbars about what feedback he'd gotten on nose sprocket failures in all the GB lo pro bars he's sold, and he said he's hardly seen any. He finds such things are usually particular to what the user is doing. The same nose sprocket used in 20-36" GB lo pro bars is used in the 42 and 48" bars (really the outer limits of using lo pro) and probably a bit weak for the task, but still they don't commonly break

 

[Coralillo Lo Pro]

3/8 .058 for my 36 inch bar

That's labeled 3/8 .063 for a 36" bar. Hope you weren't trying to get .058

 

[pdqdl]

Second one I found in the past few weeks on 2 different loops iv made. Archer ripping chain.

.404
.063

Anyone else this happening too when milling? I mean Im running it hard. But seriously?? Cracking links….??

A 3120XS and decently sizes logs. Last one this chain did yesterday was a 44” diameter red oak.

Dang near a brand new loop.

Iv got a roll of oregon ripping chain to go pick up. Stuff was expensive but if the links dont break its worth it.

View attachment 1219813

I've seen cracked side plates before, but very seldom except when hooked up to a big saw, like my Husqy 3120. What saw is pulling this chain?

A big, bad saw, ripping a tough hardwood, while using a cheap China-chain is almost a recipe for getting broken chains. Even the expensive or "quality" chains break occasionally when they are on a big saw.

Don't push your saw quite as hard, keep it sharp, and rigorously avoid any chattering in the cut. That puts the most strain on the chain, and it is easy to do when ripping, especially when the chain gets a bit loose. As it always will, on a big bar.

 

[Coralillo Lo Pro]

A big, bad saw, ripping a tough hardwood, while using a cheap China-chain is almost a recipe for getting broken chains. Even the expensive or "quality" chains break occasionally when they are on a big saw.

That's my take - when running a 3120 with a long Cannon bar like U&A is, going with an inexpensive chain on big hardwoods will probably produce a decent amount of failure. Like getting a high end sportscar and running it on the track with ordinary tires. I know I'm guilty of cheaping out at times, but I always view it as "you get what you pay for". Hopefully the Oregon 27RA he got will be a lot more reliable. He was smart with his bar purchase - don't know how many folks I've seen cheap out on big bars, buying Forester or Holzcrappa "because I only need it occasionally", rather than shell out for a Cannon or GB Titanium.

 

[SS396driver]

That's labeled 3/8 .063 for a 36" bar. Hope you weren't trying to get .058

My bad that’s what’s on my 395 . .058 is on my 7910

 

[U&A]

I've seen cracked side plates before, but very seldom except when hooked up to a big saw, like my Husqy 3120. What saw is pulling this chain?

A big, bad saw, ripping a tough hardwood, while using a cheap China-chain is almost a recipe for getting broken chains. Even the expensive or "quality" chains break occasionally when they are on a big saw.

Don't push your saw quite as hard, keep it sharp, and rigorously avoid any chattering in the cut. That puts the most strain on the chain, and it is easy to do when ripping, especially when the chain gets a bit loose. As it always will, on a big bar.

Thank you sir. Really do appreciate your post!

All of you have been very helpful. I hope to be just as helpful too.

Yes 3120. Worked over by kevin
60” cannon and all hardwoods.