Oregon chain retail pacs

[Old2stroke]

These pacs are labelled with a letter that indicates the type of chain followed by a number that gives the drivelink count but the letter just seems to gets you to a range of chains with the same pitch and gauge. Any way to tell what kind of chain it is (chisel, semi-chisel, etc.) without pulling the chain out and looking at it? Something you can't do when ordering online. Also is there a recent update on the letter designation? For instance, a G66 and a M66 are both chains with the same pitch and gauge, has the "M" replaced the "G" or is it a newer update to indicate a different type of chain?

 

[computeruser]

Just buy chain not in these retail packs?

I mostly order chain online. X drive links of Y chain, no special decoder ring required!

 

[Franny K]

Search Oregon finding the right saw chain for you.

Don't expect to find the equvelant of lpx or lgx in the letter packaging. It seems g is NK the other is bpx.

Those packages are generally so expensive having a Stihl place make a loop could be considered.

 

[Philbert]

Here’s a starter list. I will see if I can find my updated one:

Oregon Consumer Chain Labeling

S = series 91, 3/8 low profile pitch, .050 gauge chain
R = series 90, 3/8 low profile pitch, narrow kerf, .043 gauge chain
H = series 20 BPX, .325 pitch, .050 gauge chain
J = series 21 BPX, .325 pitch, .058 gauge chain
L = series 22 BPX, .325 pitch, .063 gauge chain
G = series 95V, .325 pitch, narrow kerf, .050 gauge chain
D = series 72V 'Vanguard', 3/8 pitch, .050 gauge chain

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

has the "M" replaced the "G" or is it a newer update to indicate a different type of chain?

I actually started a whole thread on this a few years back:
https://www.arboristsite.com/commun...ow-kerf-chain-and-speedcut-guide-bars.285694/
"The M series chain is a new generation of the G series. We plan to discontinue the G series chain in the coming year as we make the M series available to all retailers."

Here is an updated list that I put together:
S = series 91, 3/8 low profile pitch, .050 gauge chain
R = series 90, 3/8 low profile pitch, narrow kerf, .043 gauge chain
H = series 20 BPX, .325 pitch, .050 gauge chain
J = series 21 BPX, .325 pitch, .058 gauge chain
L = series 22 BPX, .325 pitch, .063 gauge chain
G = series 95V, .325 pitch, narrow kerf, .050 gauge chain
M = series 95 'professional', .325 pitch, narrow kerf, .050 gauge chain
D = series 72V 'Vanguard', 3/8 pitch, .050 gauge chain
E = series 72 'professional', 3/8 pitch, .050 gauge chain

Philbert

 

[Franny K]

Isn't the idea kind of so they can put in the G package the 95txl instead of 95xyz they did last month?

Edit I see above,M20bpx is the duracut extra passes in the chrome plating section of the factory Why use it for some Pro Nk?
20lgx is "pro" .325 chisel no bumper drive links. Pro in NK seems to have bumper drive links.

 

[Philbert]

Isn't the idea kind of so they can put in the G package the 95txl instead of 95xyz they did last month?

No. They felt strongly that the chain was different and appealed to a different market. Some more details in that referenced thread.

A bunch of marketing folks got their hands on Oregon's product naming and website several years back and made a bunch of changes. Not all positive IMO.

But I have seen several variations of of their 3/8 pitch, low profile chain in the 'S' packages through the years, including different versions in different stores. All 'Type 91' chains, but different versions ('VG', 'PX', '4-way tie straps', etc.).

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

What does pro mean in the 95 class?

As I understand it, it means a more ‘aggressive’ cut, out of the box. Note that some of these ‘out of the box’ grinds are not some thing that an average person can easily duplicate.

Some may not need the low kickback performance requirements.

Philbert

 

[Franny K]

I edited the post quoted above. The pass or fail of the reduced kick back green vs yellow is likely at play here. Perhaps pros don't always use the 10 tooth nose sprocket size.

 

[RED-85-Z51]

Kinda why i love archer...easy consistent identification system

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

 

[Philbert]

Pro in NK seems to have bumper drive links.

The bottom line is whether or not it passes 'the test'. Some chains with bumpers fail, and some without pass. It is a very big deal for the company.

Kinda why i love archer...easy consistent identification system

Oregon has several chain identification systems, for different markets / users. The letter designation for retail consumers is intended to help people unfamiliar with 'pitch', 'gauge', and 'drive links'. They also support a 'type', and letter code system for informed consumers and dealers.




Archer has their own coded catalog system:


Some companies, like TriLink copy the Oregon retail letter codes, in addition to their own catalog numbers:


Philbert

 

[Old2stroke]

I actually started a whole thread on this a few years back:
https://www.arboristsite.com/commun...ow-kerf-chain-and-speedcut-guide-bars.285694/
"The M series chain is a new generation of the G series. We plan to discontinue the G series chain in the coming year as we make the M series available to all retailers."

Here is an updated list that I put together:
S = series 91, 3/8 low profile pitch, .050 gauge chain
R = series 90, 3/8 low profile pitch, narrow kerf, .043 gauge chain
H = series 20 BPX, .325 pitch, .050 gauge chain
J = series 21 BPX, .325 pitch, .058 gauge chain
L = series 22 BPX, .325 pitch, .063 gauge chain
G = series 95V, .325 pitch, narrow kerf, .050 gauge chain
M = series 95 'professional', .325 pitch, narrow kerf, .050 gauge chain
D = series 72V 'Vanguard', 3/8 pitch, .050 gauge chain
E = series 72 'professional', 3/8 pitch, .050 gauge chain

Philbert

Thanks for the update, the problem with some of series is there are a number of chains in the series and you can't tell from the pac what is inside. As mentioned, for example in the S series there are 91VX, 91VXL, 91PX, 91VG and about 6 in the J series.
Is there still a series 73, 3/8 pitch, .058 gauge?

 

[Franny K]

Is there still a series 73, 3/8 pitch, .058 gauge?

In the letter code packaging it would be letter code P which is a Vanguard design. In the conventional coding lots of choices.

 

[Old2stroke]

In the letter code packaging it would be letter code P which is a Vanguard design. In the conventional coding lots of choices.

Thanks for that, it's the only letter I've been missing. Don't understand why Oregon has to be so stingy with info. Would it hurt to give the whole code somewhere on the pac for whatever is in it?

 

[Huskybill]

The saw chain manufactures have confused the market more than politicians have done in dc.

In my day it was chisel or chipper chain. It’s LP or LG then we had 404, 3/8”, 325”, 91sg. How many different Chain styles do we have today? I try to keep it simple. Now how many saws do you bring too the job. I carry a 50 cal ammo box with files and accessories plus a chain or two.

 

[old skeptic]

Here’s a starter list. I will see if I can find my updated one:

Oregon Consumer Chain Labeling

S = series 91, 3/8 low profile pitch, .050 gauge chain
R = series 90, 3/8 low profile pitch, narrow kerf, .043 gauge chain
H = series 20 BPX, .325 pitch, .050 gauge chain
J = series 21 BPX, .325 pitch, .058 gauge chain
L = series 22 BPX, .325 pitch, .063 gauge chain
G = series 95V, .325 pitch, narrow kerf, .050 gauge chain
D = series 72V 'Vanguard', 3/8 pitch, .050 gauge chain

Philbert

Still makes little sense..husqvarna using 050 chain has totally messed things up..that’s stihl chain..but thanks for trying

 

[NSEric]

I dont have issues figuring out Oregons lettering system, I ignore it.
They also have all the specs on the box.
If I need 64 links of .058 .325 chain, I can find it at the hardware store. The semi chisel version happens to be called J64.

 

[Old2stroke]

I dont have issues figuring out Oregons lettering system, I ignore it.
They also have all the specs on the box.
If I need 64 links of .058 .325 chain, I can find it at the hardware store. The semi chisel version happens to be called J64.

The issue is with customers, they don't know anything about specs, just want to go to Canadian Tire and buy an Oregon replacement chain according to the label on the box.