Should I go to a shorter bar?

[Fuzly]

Hi everybody! I have been lurking here for some time and it seems like a pretty good place so I'm trying a post.
I have a Poulan Pro 4218 (I know, I know, it's my atv/back porch don't feel too bad if it's stolen saw). I can't talk too bad about it, it actually runs very well. I have the cutters very sharp, I'm just not getting good chips for sawdust. The chain that came on it is an Oregon 91 series-safety type and it's a skip chain, which makes me think that Poulan knew it was too much bar. Plus I'm impatient so its not fast enough for me. I was thinking I should

A. Get an Oregon 91 Pro bar about 16 or 14 inches and some standard chain. I think this little saw would be a pleasure to use set up like this, or

B. Get some non-anti-kickback(?) chain for the current set up and try that, or

C. Just try taking the rakers down a little

I think B and C are the most economical, but A would be fun. Any question or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[wood rat]

That saw will handle a 20 inch bar and chain easy, if that is too big for you go 18 inch. I never worry about kickback, I just cut smart and have never have had a problem.

 

[Fuzly]

I'm sure it would run with a 20". It has an 18" on it right now.

I have my 036 set up with an 18" bar. Maybe I'm answering my own question, if my 60 cc saw has an 18" bar and I'm satisfied with it, the 40 cc saw with the same size bar is going to seem weak.

I know I have the chain sharp on it, but it still won't cut very well.

What are everybody's experiences with the low-kickback chain? Is there a trick to getting it to cut well, or is it simply slower that standard chain? Should I just junk it?

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

I hav'nt ran a lot of safty chain side by side with regular chain... but the word on the street is ditch it for some regular chain and it will cut better.

You could probably drop a bar size or two and it might perk up for you. Its always fun to try, and play with! Go for it.

 

[wood rat]

I hav'nt ran a lot of safty chain side by side with regular chain... but the word on the street is ditch it for some regular chain and it will cut better.

You could probably drop a bar size or two and it might perk up for you. Its always fun to try, and play with! Go for it.

What he said

 

[oldsaw]

Check your rakers

Mark

 

[superfire]

if you like longer bar

first step modify yur saw muffler
buy a non safety comp chain
lower the riders a few thous
and enjoy the results:hmm3grin2orange:
:chainsawguy:

 

[Fuzly]

I think I'll take the rakers down a little and report back later today.

 

[upandcommer]

I have the same saw in green and threw a 14" on it for my limbing saw standard non safety chain and she eats wood good now so to answer your question yes non safety will work better but if you really want to wake it up then a. forget modding the muffler the carb has some weird jets on it you need a specialty tool to richen it up and they are lean to begin with. b. drop 1-2 bar sizes since you got the 18"er covered throw a 14 on it and watch the smile spread bailey's a site sponsor supplied me with my chain for mine and it cuts 75% faster in my opinion.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Does it maintain RPM in the cut nicely but not throw big chips, or is it bogging in the cut and not throwing chips? If it's already bogging, then lowering the rakers will just make it bog worse (IMO).

Ian

 

[wood rat]

Does it maintain RPM in the cut nicely but not throw big chips, or is it bogging in the cut and not throwing chips? If it's already bogging, then lowering the rakers will just make it bog worse (IMO).

Ian

Yeah but if he don't force feed it he should be ok , don't you think ?

 

[Bowtie]

If the carb is that weird do some research and get an adjustable carb. Does the carb just have limiter caps? or is it truly non-adjustable?
My 026 Pro was like that, and I swapped carbs like Lakeside advised, then modded the muffler, and my 026 is one screaming little banshee.

 

[Bowtie]

With the 16 inch bar on that 026 and sharp full chisel stihl chain, I cant hardly bog that saw in any wood. Im actually thinking if trying an 18, then a 20 inch bar/chain combo just to try it out. I cant leave a good thing alone.:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Fuzly]

Sorry, I got busy yesterday-had to go in to work.

I brought the rakers down and it makes a noticeable difference.

Is it just me? The bumper links look like they are higher than the rakers on the low kickback chain.

RPM is staying up but I'm cutting some wood now.

 

[Fuzly]

I have the same saw in green and threw a 14" on it for my limbing saw standard non safety chain and she eats wood good now so to answer your question yes non safety will work better but if you really want to wake it up then a. forget modding the muffler the carb has some weird jets on it you need a specialty tool to richen it up and they are lean to begin with. b. drop 1-2 bar sizes since you got the 18"er covered throw a 14 on it and watch the smile spread bailey's a site sponsor supplied me with my chain for mine and it cuts 75% faster in my opinion.

Thank you, this is exactly what I was thinking of doing-just wanted to know if somebody had been down the road before. I looked on Bailey's, Arbor max bars on sale, their chain less than $10 for a loop. I could probably do it for $25 or so. I don't want to sink a lot of money in this saw, sounds like the bar/chain change has results like I am expecting.

Is their chain from Carlton? Just wondering.

 

[MAG58]

On my Poulan build Partner 420, and on a friend's Partner 351, I got rid of the 3/8 LP .043 micro-lite set-up, and put on a new drum, bar, and chain, in .325 and then the saws start cutting

 

[SawTroll]

A. Get an Oregon 91 Pro bar about 16 or 14 inches and some standard chain. I think this little saw would be a pleasure to use set up like this, or

B. Get some non-anti-kickback(?) chain for the current set up and try that, or

....

I'd surely prefere option A, optionally a .325 narrow kerf set-up it the saw is 40cc or more....

....and keep the rakers right - not high and not low (get a gauge).....

 

[Fuzly]

On my Poulan build Partner 420, and on a friend's Partner 351, I got rid of the 3/8 LP .043 micro-lite set-up, and put on a new drum, bar, and chain, in .325 and then the saws start cutting

Wow, those Partners look great! Very similar to my Poulan, should be an easy parts switch. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Fuzly]

....and keep the rakers right - not high and not low (get a gauge).....

How did you know what I was up to?:jester: The gauge is on its way, but the trial and error/eyeball method adds a little excitement.

BTW, the saw is 42 cc

 

[SawTroll]

Wow, those Partners look great! Very similar to my Poulan, should be an easy parts switch. Thanks for the idea.

It is!