Starter rope, cord sizes

[Tim Burr]

I have been looking on the web for info on starter cord sizes for saws, and found next to nothing in regards to size. With all of the Jerry-rigged starter cords I have, I would like to buy a roll or two, but can't seem to find measurements. I thought it would be nice to have a resource to know what size rope for what size saw.

If you know what size rope, for a particular size saw please post it. Thanks.

 

[Fish]

I have been looking on the web for info on starter cord sizes for saws, and found next to nothing in regards to size. With all of the Jerry-rigged starter cords I have, I would like to buy a roll or two, but can't seem to find measurements. I thought it would be nice to have a resource to know what size rope for what size saw.

If you know what size rope, for a particular size saw please post it. Thanks.

I am struggling with the new windows, be patient.

View attachment 290648

 

[w8ye]

I have a lot of used chain saws that I have been replacing cords on. I don't like what documentation I've read so far.

I get along well with the cord sold by Stens as it is braided Dacron Polyester. I have hanks of the popular sizes from 3.4 mm on up that I got from a local chainsaw dealer. I would like double braid better but the smaller sizes tend to have a unbraided linear core.

I measure what is on the chainsaw and take into account what is on similar sized chainsaws. I also look at the holes in the pulley and handle and use the thickest rope that will fit. Thin rope will pull down inside itself on the pulley and cause rope wear and hard pulling. You can not go by the numbers on the cord as #4 cord is in the neighborhood of 3.39mm and not 4mm as you would thick. I've been generally using #4 on the 50cc chainsaws and #4 1/2 on the 60cc-70cc chainsaws but I also have some #5 on hand that I've used on a big bore 372.

All the ones I've measured that had what appears to be OEM cord have cords that started out one meter long before the knots were tied.

It is important that you melt the ends and mash them against something hard and smooth to prevent fraying.

 

[Fish]

I have been looking on the web for info on starter cord sizes for saws, and found next to nothing in regards to size. With all of the Jerry-rigged starter cords I have, I would like to buy a roll or two, but can't seem to find measurements. I thought it would be nice to have a resource to know what size rope for what size saw.

If you know what size rope, for a particular size saw please post it. Thanks.

You still here?

 

[67L36Driver]

I have a lot of used chain saws that I have been replacing cords on. I don't like what documentation I've read so far.

I get along well with the cord sold by Stens as it is braided Dacron Polyester. I have hanks of the popular sizes from 3.4 mm on up that I got from a local chainsaw dealer. I would like double braid better but the smaller sizes tend to have a unbraided linear core.

I measure what is on the chainsaw and take into account what is on similar sized chainsaws. I also look at the holes in the pulley and handle and use the thickest rope that will fit. Thin rope will pull down inside itself on the pulley and cause rope wear and hard pulling. You can not go by the numbers on the cord as #4 cord is in the neighborhood of 3.39mm and not 4mm as you would thick. I've been generally using #4 on the 50cc chainsaws and #4 1/2 on the 60cc-70cc chainsaws but I also have some #5 on hand that I've used on a big bore 372.

All the ones I've measured that had what appears to be OEM cord have cords that started out one meter long before the knots were tied.

It is important that you melt the ends and mash them against something hard and smooth to prevent fraying.

Darn betcha!

And, if you got the room, figure eight knot the ends.

Rep. sent.

 

[w8ye]

Years ago, the trash man gave me a new looking Mini Mac 10.

It had a steel cable for a pull cord. I thought it came that way for it looked professional.

He used crimped ferrules on the ends of the cable and surprisingly it worked very well.

Needless to say, it worked well but the the Mini Mac would only run a few minutes and quit.

I still have the Mac but I eventually learned that the steel cable was not OEM and I changed it out.

RGHT! the Mini Mac still doesn't run very long before it quits.

 

[Tim Burr]

You still here?

I got called out for work, reps sent. That is what I'm looking for.

I had to work on a 254XP a few years back, and the pulleys in those look so narrow. The cord was so frayed that it pushed the pulley out of the guide. At the time, I couldn't find what dia. cord to use in the husqvarna shop manual, so I used what I had, I'm thinking it was #4. I told him I wasn't sure about it but it is still going strong.

 

[Logmaster 1]

I have a lot of used chain saws that I have been replacing cords on. I don't like what documentation I've read so far.

I get along well with the cord sold by Stens as it is braided Dacron Polyester. I have hanks of the popular sizes from 3.4 mm on up that I got from a local chainsaw dealer. I would like double braid better but the smaller sizes tend to have a unbraided linear core.

I measure what is on the chainsaw and take into account what is on similar sized chainsaws. I also look at the holes in the pulley and handle and use the thickest rope that will fit. Thin rope will pull down inside itself on the pulley and cause rope wear and hard pulling. You can not go by the numbers on the cord as #4 cord is in the neighborhood of 3.39mm and not 4mm as you would thick. I've been generally using #4 on the 50cc chainsaws and #4 1/2 on the 60cc-70cc chainsaws but I also have some #5 on hand that I've used on a big bore 372.

All the ones I've measured that had what appears to be OEM cord have cords that started out one meter long before the knots were tied.

It is important that you melt the ends and mash them against something hard and smooth to prevent fraying.

Great! For my Husqvarna 272XP, I am going with AMAZON :

ZLKSKER Recoil Starter Rope 10 Meter Diameter 5.0mm, Engine Starter Rope, Generator, Lawn Mower, Trimmer, Brush Cutter, Chain Saw Pull Cord $8.99 1 day prime shipping​

 

[Squareground3691]

Great! For my Husqvarna 272XP, I am going with AMAZON :

ZLKSKER Recoil Starter Rope 10 Meter Diameter 5.0mm, Engine Starter Rope, Generator, Lawn Mower, Trimmer, Brush Cutter, Chain Saw Pull Cord $8.99 1 day prime shipping​

Do you realize this thread is over 10 years old from last response, lol

 

[Logmaster 1]

Well, the machines are even older !

 

[singinwoodwackr]

I don’t have 5mm on any saws I own
I have rolls of 3mm, 3.5 and 4mm

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Great! For my Husqvarna 272XP, I am going with AMAZON :

ZLKSKER Recoil Starter Rope 10 Meter Diameter 5.0mm, Engine Starter Rope, Generator, Lawn Mower, Trimmer, Brush Cutter, Chain Saw Pull Cord $8.99 1 day prime shipping​

5mm wont do you much good on a starter pulley for probably 90% of chainsaws out there-
A: it is too fat a profile to fit well in the pulley
B: it will not provide enough wraps on the pully to get full advantage of the starting stroke.

 

[Logmaster 1]

5mm wont do you much good on a starter pulley for probably 90% of chainsaws out there-
A: it is too fat a profile to fit well in the pulley
B: it will not provide enough wraps on the pully to get full advantage of the starting stroke.

I guess I will get the 4mm size next. The 5mm will be here today, if time allows, I will see the size difference then compare to what is on the saw. Husqvarna doesn't list the OEM size anywhere, they want you to pay the price for their rope piece

 

[Logmaster 1]

I found a YouTube channel which answered my question about why my used Husqvarna 272 XP jams at times when the rope is pulled. It shows a trick installing a starter rope without using a half hitch knot on the starter spring ass'y. Here's the link :

They sell used chain saws too.

Thanx for all the input on this topic from everyone.

 

[Logmaster 1]

I found a YouTube channel which answered my question about why my used Husqvarna 272 XP jams at times when the rope is pulled. It shows a trick installing a starter rope without using a half hitch knot on the starter spring ass'y. Here's the link :

They sell used chain saws too.

Thanx for all the input on this topic from everyone.

I just became a supporting member!

 

[Lightning Performance]

I don’t have 5mm on any saws I own
I have rolls of 3mm, 3.5 and 4mm

You need some 120cc milling saws.
I have 5.5mm on one big saw. The rest have 5mm or 4mm pull starts. The ones under 70cc won't take but 3.5mm in the rotor.