SC252 Tooth Arrangement

[2old2saw]

I just purchased an old SC252 and am in the process of going through it and getting it up to par. I noticed something about the tooth configuration that I simply don't understand. The machine has a 16 tooth Vermeer wheel with Pro teeth arranged with three sets of pockets with angled teeth, a single set with straight teeth, three more sets of angled and then another set with straight teeth. The first group of three sets of teeth is just what I'd expect to see, the first set being the lowest, the second being higher and the last set being the highest. It makes sense that each set of teeth would take a progressively deeper bite. The second group of three sets is where the confusion comes in. The leading set is the highest, followed by the second set which is lower, and the third set which is the lowest. I seems to me that only the leading set of teeth would cut in this configuration. Am I missing something here or is there an explanation for this arrangement? Is this correct? I don't know of another 252 nearby to compare it with and have been unable to find any pics of a 252 cutter wheel. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Arboristo]

The setup is correct the way you describe it. Like you I was totally confused when I discovered this, this afternoon.
I wanted to try to make a configuration with 8 teeth, but that seems impossible to do as the wheel will be out of balance that way.

 

[BC WetCoast]

I ran a Bandit with a wheel that had a similar configuration, in that the leading cutter in a group was the highest. Don't know why this was done, but came like that from the factory, so some engineer decided that this was the best way.

 

[jaystihl]

Take all those pockets and teeth off. Switch to (6) 900 series pockets and greenteeth instead of the 700 seris greenteeth. All angled pockets. Picture a triangle on your cutter wheel, at each point of the triangle is where you will put 2 pockets and teeth. The key is to use greenwheel greenteeth. These teeth can only be turned once before you have to sharpen them, but works best for this set up. Now you only have 6 teeth to take care of instead of 16 . And the best part is you will grind faster. Watch the money start pouring in! Try it, you will thank me! And yes the cutter wheel will be balanced.