Nebuchadnezzar
ArboristSite Lurker
Hey all,
I noticed the other day that my 661cm wasn't oiling the 28" bar as well as I would like, and I felt like I had to put the adjustment screw higher than a 28" bar should need (bar was buried in 30" oak though). So I did some reading and found that the Stihl Woodcutter bar and chain oil that I had been using was considered by many a "summer" blend. The temps on that day were about 65-68 degrees.
So today I did a simple cardboard comparison between Stihl's Woodcutter and Husqvarna's X-Guard to see if I could notice a difference.
Test conditions:
-54 degrees outside throughout the test
-ms661cm
-28" bar and chain
-No changes to saw between tests other than changing oil. No cutting of wood between tests. I simply wiped the bar down after the first test.
-I let the saw warm up, blipped the throttle several times in each spot (as close to the same duration for each line as I could), and that was it.
Results:
You may notice the Still Woodcutter left a more "defined" line, and that the Husqvarna X-Guard left a "hazy" or "blurred" line. You'll also notice that on the top left and bottom left of the cardboard, on the Husqvarna side, the cardboard seems darker. All of that is because Husqvarna's X-Guard would spray a visible fine mist off the bar during each rev, noticeably more so than Stihl's oil.
Interpreting the results:
I'd be interested to hear y'all's interpretation. It does seem like Stihl's Woodcutter has a higher viscosity (thicker) so it makes sense as a summer blend (though I don't believe it is advertised by Stihl to be so), and Husqvarna's X-Guard seems thinner. I'll also say that it is noticeably easier to pour Stihl's Woodcutter straight from the bottle without spilling than Husqvarna's X-Guard.
Next time I get out there I'll cut some wood with the Husky oil and see if I notice the chain oiling a bit better.
I noticed the other day that my 661cm wasn't oiling the 28" bar as well as I would like, and I felt like I had to put the adjustment screw higher than a 28" bar should need (bar was buried in 30" oak though). So I did some reading and found that the Stihl Woodcutter bar and chain oil that I had been using was considered by many a "summer" blend. The temps on that day were about 65-68 degrees.
So today I did a simple cardboard comparison between Stihl's Woodcutter and Husqvarna's X-Guard to see if I could notice a difference.
Test conditions:
-54 degrees outside throughout the test
-ms661cm
-28" bar and chain
-No changes to saw between tests other than changing oil. No cutting of wood between tests. I simply wiped the bar down after the first test.
-I let the saw warm up, blipped the throttle several times in each spot (as close to the same duration for each line as I could), and that was it.
Results:
You may notice the Still Woodcutter left a more "defined" line, and that the Husqvarna X-Guard left a "hazy" or "blurred" line. You'll also notice that on the top left and bottom left of the cardboard, on the Husqvarna side, the cardboard seems darker. All of that is because Husqvarna's X-Guard would spray a visible fine mist off the bar during each rev, noticeably more so than Stihl's oil.
Interpreting the results:
I'd be interested to hear y'all's interpretation. It does seem like Stihl's Woodcutter has a higher viscosity (thicker) so it makes sense as a summer blend (though I don't believe it is advertised by Stihl to be so), and Husqvarna's X-Guard seems thinner. I'll also say that it is noticeably easier to pour Stihl's Woodcutter straight from the bottle without spilling than Husqvarna's X-Guard.
Next time I get out there I'll cut some wood with the Husky oil and see if I notice the chain oiling a bit better.
