Stihl drive sprockets

[neverenough]

I see on here there is a drive sprocket that "comes with the saw" then there is reference to a drive sprocket that "should come with the saw". What is the differences, and is the upgrade needed?

 

[Lawn Masters]

As far as I know, the smaller saws I think come with spurs, but most folks, myself included, prefer rim and drum setups. I believe this is what you're thinking of.

 

[jokers]

Could be just me neverenough, but I don`t think that your question contains enough information. Can you give a clarifying example?

Russ

 

[neverenough]

Could be just me neverenough, but I don`t think that your question contains enough information. Can you give a clarifying example?

Russ

If I had more information I wouldn't have to ask the question. :jester:

I'll see if I can find one of the posts.

 

[neverenough]

As far as I know, the smaller saws I think come with spurs, but most folks, myself included, prefer rim and drum setups. I believe this is what you're thinking of.

I'm thinking about the type I have on the 036's. They have a floating slotted sprocket. It is on a one piece drum/spur gear and the "floating" slotted driver slides over the spur. Is that the prefered kind?? The 170 I have has the one piece drum spur drive, which I'm sure is the one you are refering to as the "spurs". I'll look into upgrading that one when it wears out, but I'm always looking to better my 036's.

 

[SawTroll]

I'm thinking about the type I have on the 036's. They have a floating slotted sprocket. It is on a one piece drum/spur gear and the "floating" slotted driver slides over the spur. Is that the prefered kind?? .....

Yes, it is,
but what you are referring to as "spur gear" is normally called the spline. These come in various sizes that fits different selections of sprocket rims.
Take a look here: http://www.oregonchain.com/sprockets_spur_rims.htm

Be aware though, that Stihls small 7-spline is even smaller than the Oregon one, so you can't use the Oregon rims on your 036 unless the spline has been changed out.

 

[neverenough]

Could be just me neverenough, but I don`t think that your question contains enough information. Can you give a clarifying example?

Russ

I can't find the post I remember, but I found this one that might be refering to the same thing. Sedanman wrote it.

"Things to remeber: Many 026's were built with spur sprockets. Upgrade to a rim. The Stihl rim is sprocket is more than twice what you can get an Oregon one for and the Stihl small rims are not generally available on the aftermarket. Oregon Powermatch Plus (solid with a replaceable sprocket nose) bars can be had for the same price as Stihl laminated bars if you shop around. Stihl chain is outstanding stuff with very hard chrome, it is priced accordingly. 026's have an early and late version and you have know you serial number to get the right clutch drum or you oiler will not work or the drum will not fit."

 

[neverenough]

Yes, it is,
but what you are referring to as "spur gear" is normally called the spline. These come in various sizes that fits different selections of sprocket rims.
Take a look here: http://www.oregonchain.com/sprockets_spur_rims.htm

Be aware though, that Stihls small 7-spline is even smaller than the Oregon one, so you can't use the Oregon rims on your 036 unless the spline has been changed out.

So the style described in #1 is what is on my 036's and the one piece described in #3 is what is on my little 170. Thanks, that helps. I'll have to remember spline and sprocket rims.

 

[jokers]

I'm thinking about the type I have on the 036's. They have a floating slotted sprocket. It is on a one piece drum/spur gear and the "floating" slotted driver slides over the spur. Is that the prefered kind??

Yes, as Saw Troll already mentioned, you have the preferred rim and drum or just plain rim type sprocket. On bigger saws this is preferred because it allows easy, cheap gear changes for ratio and maintenance replacement. Obviously the more powerful saws are harder on sprockets than the smaller saws.

The 170 I have has the one piece drum spur drive, which I'm sure is the one you are refering to as the "spurs". I'll look into upgrading that one when it wears out, but I'm always looking to better my 036's.

I`d be surprised if the spur doesn`t last an awfully long time on the ms170. There is probably no advantage to swapping to a rim and drum on this saw.

Russ

 

[geofore]

Rim is prefered because it's cheaper to replace at $4-$5 than a drum at $15-$20. Why replace drum when all the saw needs is the rim. With the drum type you have to replace drum and all because the sprocket is welded to the drum. That's why it costs more. If you're going to be changing out the sprocket every other chain it makes sense to use the rim type but if your a homeowner type it doesn't make all that much difference because it'll take a few years of to wear out a sprocket from use: the saw doesn't see much use/abuse sitting on the shelf. If you cut every day rim is the way to go, the drum lasts a long time but you go through a few rim sprockets long before you need to replace the drum and bearing. It's cheaper, rim type the sprocket slides back and forth to find the center of the bar and the drum type the sprocket is stationary ( welded in place) and the chain has to find the center of the bar by walking back and forth on the sprocket. Base your decision on how often the saw is used, daily go with the rim; once in awhile for firewood a drum is fine, it just costs more to replace.

 

[SawTroll]

I also think that the spur sprocket wear the drive tangs on the chain more than a rim does, but I really don't know if it makes a difference in chain life.....

 

[jokers]

I also think that the spur sprocket wear the drive tangs on the chain more than a rim does, but I really don't know if it makes a difference in chain life.....

Yes, a rim supports the chain better. What is best for you all comes down to how powerful your saw is and how much use it gets.

Russ

 

[pinus]

I also think that the spur sprocket wear the drive tangs on the chain more than a rim does, but I really don't know if it makes a difference in chain life.....

Spur sprocket is wearing more strongly the bar gauge in its starting points too, and the chain needs to be always tensioned properly, or it will be "fly out" from bar easily.
v.

 

[tony marks]

never enuff. that powermatch u spoke of will work but not smoothly in my opinion.
the size is just a little too off, even tho its suppose to be fine. not so in mho.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

The problem with trying to put a rim system on a small saw is they often don't come in the smaller sizes. If you have an outboard clutch on a smaller saw, chances are you can't get a rim that will fit your saw.

 

[Diesel JD]

Fit my 025 with the rim and drum conversion kit from Madsens. Used the OEM one from Stihl. I've had both Stihl and Oregon rims on that particular one, bothe work. Haven't changed teh drum since then, but it may be getting about that time since I've cut many cords of wood with that saw since then. The spur had already bit the dust in that time period <2years of occaisonal use. Pretty soon I'll be upgrading my MS390 to a rim and drum. make sure whoever you order from gives you the right rim in pitcha nd guage, ordered one for my 025 years back and the company I ordered from sent me a3/8 X7, I thought I'd just keep it "just in case" I ever got a 3/8 pitch saw, but...still Both Madesns and Baileys have the conversion kits at least for teh 026 and up....I don't know how small you can go and still get it. I will say I left the spur on my 009 and replaced the spur just once, and that's just cause I thought I should, not cause it was really bad. So probably what Joker was saying about the smaller saws and being OK with spurs is right.