Q's about Bar & Chain dealer included w/my new saw

[ValleyO'Giants]

Before I start forgive my ignorance just remember I am new to the hobby.

Just bought a new ms 310 w/20" bar and chain.
Been doing lots of research on the net.
Found this...
http://www.stihllibrary.com/pdf/catalog/SawChainSelectionID.pdf

The bar the dealer gave me was the 3003 000 6121.
The chain has 3/8 on it and has the green dot of paint.
It says "stihl" and also has a three on it which I believe also means 3/8.

The bar the guide has for my saw at 20" is 3003 000 8921
Which is a .050 gauge not the .063

I just want to Know what chain I have exactly and if it is ok to have the bar that I have on there?

I would also like to get a 24" bar and chain.
I just fell a (24" round at the base) standing dead Doug fir yesterday and thought I could use a 24" bar!
I also thought a skip chain at that lenght of 24" would help. Should I get a skip chain?
I don't plan on cutting anyting that large very often, but thought it would be nice to be prepared.
I will most likely get a better saw when I get back to work and can afford one.
But this is where I am at right now.


What would you recommend? If you have any links please include them.
I will include some pics of my saw and a close up of the bar.

Please let me know If I am way off on my thinking here as I said I am trying to learn as much as possible.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Lakeside53]

Just ask your dealer for an 063 24 inch bar and chain. You'll have two chocies - ES (replaceable tip, not laminated) or the same type you have now. Get an RSC3 or RSC chain pretty like you have now, but maybe consider full Skip - it works well at 24 inch on a 310. Skip is not generally sold to inexperienced homeowners, so be careful out here...

One problem is that your dealer is in the StihlNW region.. 063 in 24 (they call it 25) is NOT standard out here, so he may have a problem getting 063 bars in the non-laminated in that configuration. The only one I see listed is the "big tip version - 3003 000 9831.

 

[bump_r]

Indeed, they are both 3/8 pitch and one is .050 guage and the other is .063.

While the .063 (6121) is supposed to be for the "next-size-up" saw class, I see no problem running it on your 310. If I have it correct, the 6121 bar is the same as the 3003-002-7021 bar called for the MS290 Farm Boss except for the paint job.

The .050 versus .063 debate can be as lively around here as Husky vs. Stihl or 40:1 vs. 50:1 fuel mix.

As long as your chain and bar match each other (and the sprocket, of course) with regard to guage and pitch, you are fine.

 

[ValleyO'Giants]

Skip is not generally sold to inexperienced homeowners, so be careful out here...

Can you tell me the thinking behind this?

As long as your chain and bar match each other (and the sprocket, of course) with regard to guage and pitch, you are fine.

How do I know if the sproket is a match for what I have?

BTW thanks and keep em coming!

 

[ValleyO'Giants]

Almost forgot,
The stihl dealer told me around 75 bucks for a 24" bar and chain!

what other alternative do I have here?
Doug

 

[wdchuck]

Put up a wanted poster in the 'Trading Post' board of this site, some of the sponsors can likely help you with a nice package, may not be Stihl, but many use aftermarket parts and are happy.

Hobby?, you didn't say that did you, and you're all ready shopping for the future, the fever has a grip on you now, no pills will fix this addiction, not even therapy.

 

[ValleyO'Giants]

Hobby?, you didn't say that did you, and you're all ready shopping for the future, the fever has a grip on you now, no pills will fix this addiction, not even therapy.

:biggrinbounce2:

My Father in law is 80 and finally slowing down as he gets older.
I just found out that he has a "shindawa." (did i spell that right?)
I am going to ask to "borrow" it!:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Lakeside53]

Can you tell me the thinking behind this?


How do I know if the sproket is a match for what I have?

BTW thanks and keep em coming!

The skip is more grabby and kicks more.. definitely NOT a green "safety" chain.

As your sprocket is 3/8, it will match 0.050 or 0.063 3/8 size chain.

$75 for a pro (ES) bar and chain isn't all that bad.. Freight sucks on bars because of their length, so make sure you do the math...

You can move to 3/8 0.050 bar and chain (easier to source in the NW and you can get the cheaper laminated bar), but it's much better to have one size chain around... particularly when you start punching your own.

 

[sawinredneck]

:biggrinbounce2:

My Father in law is 80 and finally slowing down as he gets older.
I just found out that he has a "shindawa." (did i spell that right?)
I am going to ask to "borrow" it!:hmm3grin2orange:

don't do it, you already have the fever, if you run that Shinny you will never look at that 310 the same again!!

I wouldn't worry about the .063 gauge. .050 will work just fine on a 25" bar. The Stihl bars and chains are IMO the best you can buy, but if you want to save some cash look into GB bars, very good for the money, I am very happy with mine.

 

[GASoline71]

I just paid $49.99 for a 28" ES Rollomatic from my dealer.

Gary

 

[Lakeside53]

I just paid $49.99 for a 28" ES Rollomatic from my dealer.

Gary

...and I was just going to tell you I had found one for $10 for you:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:


not true though

 

[GASoline71]

No prob Andy... I needed it today for some cuttin', so I went over and bought it early this mornin'.

You were just a little to far away from me today. You still wanna let it go for 10 bucks? I'll still take it...

Gary

Edit... I just saw the little orange words at the bottom of your post... OOPS! HAHA!

 

[Millman]

RSC3 Chain

I run a MS310 with 18" Bar and RSC3 chain. Cuts through the red and white oak with little effort. Just remember, the green dots on the bar and the green link on the chain provide less kickback. Keep the chain sharp and watch the rakers.

Millman

 

[PWB]

I just paid $49.99 for a 28" ES Rollomatic from my dealer.

Gary

Must be nice! Saw a 25" hanging on the rack at the local dealer a couple of days ago, 114.00 !

Guess why I buy aftermarket...........

 

[bigjayfromwa]

I use the 3/8 .050 full skip on both my MS660's and it works fine. I dont see any benefit of going with the .063 especially around here. You can find the .050 pretty much anywhere up here in the NW.
With the 310 and a 24 i would run RSF chain, which is full skip round chisel stihl. The 310 is the same platform as the 290 with just a little bit more power. Running full comp and burying that bar (24) that saw is going to be working overtime pulling that chain.

Just my two cents for ya

 

[SawTroll]

Almost forgot,
The stihl dealer told me around 75 bucks for a 24" bar and chain!

what other alternative do I have here?
Doug

Oregon is one option, they are perfectly good bars, but admittedly not as good as Stihl.......

They have both laminated (Pro-Lite) and solids with replacable tips (Power-Match), that will fit your saw (D025 mount pattern).

 

[royta]

I just paid $49.99 for a 28" ES Rollomatic from my dealer.

Gary

That's a good price. 28" ES was $62 (could have been $66) and 25" ES was $56 at my local dealer.