Opinions on Dukes and Woodland pro

[STOVE]

Looking at some bars for a 590, done see much on the boards about the Dukes bars. I see some positive reviews on the chain

I also am looking at the baileys woodland pro (Carlton) but don’t see any reviews from recent.

Thoughts on either? Weight difference in the two? Both chain reviews I have seen are good. Not as hard as Stihl but not as soft as Oregon

 

[chunky]

I run the Baileys woodland pro for my milling with no complaints. They stretched very little and for milling hold the edge good for a few slabs. I haven`t the rigids yet to say much but I would assume they would be close to similar.

 

[Wiscombobulated]

Not to hijack your post Stove, but I'm also looking at a replacement bar for my 545 m2 (18" .325 NK bar) and was wondering if there was a noticeable quality difference between the woodland pro, duke's, or oregon bars. Does anyone have any advice on which bars are durable and balance well and which bars to stay away from? Are there any other mid price brands to consider (aside from premium brands like Sugihara and Tsumura)?

Thanks

 

[Franny K]

Oregon has some aluminum core laminated bars. In .325 the speedcut with a 10 tooth nose and another model with 12 tooth nose. they are really lighter. To ask these questions and not even specify solid or laminated what is the idea to get folks to write big paragraphs? The mini speedcut nano for the .043" gauge .325 is just a steel core so speedcut does not necessarily mean aluminum core read the descriptions carefully.

Why do you say the woodland pro bars are Carlton? I won't dispute that the chain seems that way at least a number of years ago.

 

[WoodmanSr]

these questions and not even specify solid or laminated

Agree. First & foremost the buyer needs to make decision on 1-use disposable laminated bar, or longer life rebuildable solid bar. Usual cost equals quality. Seems many prefer laminated for lighter weight.

Personally only buy solid RNB bars (replaceable nose bars). Just my preference that sprocket tip serviceable ($20) without buying new bar $$. Have Oregon bars over 40 years old & wearing 3rd or 4th sprocket tip.

I've never spent money in Sugihara or TsuMura but they're nice products. Just cutting firewood been happy with Oregon power-match bars (now power-cut?)

My experience has been good on Oregon style 1-rivet replaceable tip bar. Many manufacturers; Oregon, Forester Pro, Laser, Carlton, GB. I thumbs up the Forester Platinum series... doing fine service on 3/8 .050 D025 Stihl. But, imo the Forester .325 & 3/8 tips is a bit softer than Oregon OE 1-rivet sprocket. So, when worn at 7 o'clock just install Oregon tips. Never have failed a tip.

Bought an Husqvarna X-tough .325 bar on a whim as cheap. Real disappointment, cheap feel, non-greasable tip. Hung on peg might use down the road.

TsuMura L&T # 365SK2 18" .325 .050 72dl [ex., replaces Oregon 180RNBK095]. Can find reasonably from ArcherPlus.com

Edit, apologies 1st OP. This applies same to Echo 590 but norm tends to be 20" 70 dl odd ball lengths. If look can find resized 20" 72 dl for Echo (D176, right?)

 

[Woody912]

Had a 25" Woodland Pro on a 036 Stihl, delaminated after about 5 years of fairly hard use. No complaints for the price

 

[GusGus2020]

Woodland pro bars are supposed to be made by Cannon - not sure if anyone can provide recent verification, though. Never used the Duke’s chain, but woodland pro chain was good quality when I last bought some, probably more than 5 years ago.

 

[WoodmanSr]

Thoughts on either? Weight difference in the two?

(+1 to Fanny) According to Oregon specs the Speedcut NK bars are really light, but the VersaCut series is only 5 oz heavier in 18" Husky small mount. Sharing some numbers from Oregon website.

Providing feedback to the 2 OP's (590 & 545). Apologies I'll say comments here once & try not to repeat later. I use K095 Husky & D176 Echo applications so share interest / perspective.

Reviews are generally good on WoodlandPro line. No experience. I'll just repeat, ime, (if reduced weight is not your objective) that Forester/AEI solid bars 1-Rivet for $30 or Platinum for $50 do quite fine firewood service.
Forester Platinum specs a 58 Rc rail hardness as right there with top brands.

Then again, a TsuMura L&T is a gorgeous addition to a 545/550/562 ... any saw! Seems serious users may prefer Sugihara (tip durability) but Tsu or Sugi both are ultimate choices. Makes for a huge smile.

Just per my topic following; Dukes, Archer, Raisman laminated bars seem a step below other value brands. No insult to what they are, right selection for many. Fyi, I am a repeat Dukes (TC) buyer for other products. Appreciate their service(s).

My experience & blog following; Forester or Laser are possibly a tad better 'value-line' of import bars.
AEI were helpful to me when making a Forester customer service inquiry.

Thoughts -- the Narrow Kerf bars tend to present more flex, imo. Possibly a negative if bore cut alot. In 20" .325 bars, I don't like the NK wiggle & wag of the tip. Also, the typical NK low kickback 10 tooth tip tend to experience more inertia impact wear on bottom of nose (7 o'clock). Just affect of sharper turn, plus 10T sprocket turns 17% faster than std 12T as goes durability.
Unless prefer low kickback features; prehaps a better longevity lies in VersaCut Alum Core reduced weight bar (or, equivalent .325 12T high quality laminated bar).

• Speedcut Narrow Kerf 10T {WT mfgr w/packing}
•• tip TXLB = .325 10T
-- 1.25#, 15", 150TXLBK095
-- 1.3#, 16", 160TXLBK095
-- 1.41#, 18", 180TXLBK095
-- 1.52#, 20", 200TXLBK095
... spec'd use .325" NK chain, such as Oregon M66/M72 (95TXL replaces 95VPX).

• VersaCut Alum Core (12T tip), not NK spec but should accept 'slim' .050 chassis "NK" chain such as Stihl 23RS, or highly rated Husqvarna Xcut SP33G. Xcut probably fraction less slim as believe is 0.058" chassis (series sp33/35). Or, same less slim situation for Oregon LGX/LPX/BPX (series 20/21/22). All fine choices for firewood needs.
So then, VersaCut stated only ~3 tenths of pound more weight (so under 5 oz difference) while larger 12T sprocket tip.
• VXLG / RNB = .325" 12T
• VXLH / RND = 3/8" 11T

Husqvarna small mount
-- 1.57#, 16", 160VXLGK095
-- 1.77#, 18", 180VXLGK095

Echo 590 [D176], 3/8" .050
>> note; drivelink count #
-- 18", 180VXLHD176 (64dl)
-- 2.07#, 20", 200VXLHD176 (70dl)
--Oregon 200RNDD176 70dl
--Tsu 027FV4 Echo 20" 72dl
-- Dukes / Echo 20" 72dl
-- Archer / Echo 20" 72dl

TsuMura L&T premium bars
-- # 365SK2 18" .325 .050 72dl [rep'l 180RNBK095]
-- # 027FV4 Echo 20" 3/8 .050 72dl [upgrade from 200RNDD176 70dl]

Forester / AEI -- note item weights seem fairly generic, not actual weights, but ball-park.

• FeatherLite .325 laminate, some review complaints of rust after clear coat abrasion. Just repaint clear.
-- 2.1#, 16" # FLHJ165066
-- 2.8#, 18" # FLHJ185072

• Forester 1-Rivet Solid
-- Husq 16", # HJ165066
-- Husq 18", # HJ185072
-- Echo 20" # EM205070W
-- Echo 24" # EM245081W

• Platinum solid .325 .050
-- 2.1#, 16", # HJ165066FP
-- 2.7#, 18", # HJ185072FP

-- 2.12# (actual wt. ?), ref.
20" 3/8, # HJ20385072FP

 

[NSEric]

I have an echo 590.
You can fit a husky or stihl bar easily if you find one of those cheap that you like. Everything lines right up but the echo has smaller bar studs so you just make a bushing for the bar studs.
To put a stihl 3003 mount bar on my 590 I cut up a 8mm socket for a bushing easy peasy.
Some guys run husky large mount bars as is without issue, they're pretty close, you'd need a thinner bushing on the bar studs for them.
I've also seen Oregon bars/chains on amazon for the 590 just as cheap as a no name bar.