Kong
ArboristSite Member
I switched my 026-Pro from .325" to 3/8" chain over the weekend. I did it because I don't want two different sized chains and bars and files laying around here and I'm getting rid of my 029; so I made the 026 match the 361.
Realizing that the larger chain would require more of my saw's power to cut and keep the RPMs up I went down from an 18" bar on this saw to a new 16" Rollamatic-e. The 2" reduction worked out nicer than I expected but from a power standpoint pulling the 16" 3/8" chain is just a little easier on the saw than spinning the 18" .325" was.
I cut a bit with it yesterday, just getting rid of some pesky stumps along one of my 'loging roads' and touched up the chain (3 strokes only) last night. When I got down to cutting today it was what you might call everyday sharp; one light touchup on a new chain.
Today I had it do some work. I dropped and cut up 4 trees (2 White Oak, 1 Cherry, 1 Maple), each in the 18"~20" diameter range. I took everything as large as my wrist and larger cut into 18" lengths.
The saw cut like new all day, right up until I hit the rock. A nice flat devel it was, gray sandstone nicely blended with the fallen leaves. First I saw was the spark. I was just finishing up the trunk of the Maple, on the last cut before I intended to roll it over to make the finishing back cuts. I said bad words. Then, seeing how little there was left to do, I did the unthinkable. I know none of you have ever done this, but I fired it back up to finish the cuts on what I expected would be a very dull chain. Much to my suprise it, though obviously dulled, made the cuts with easy. I shut it off and took it back to the shed for sharpening.
So overall I was very pleased with the change. The saw cut fast and 'self-fed'. More importantly it retained it edge without further touchups for what will turn out to be about a cord, maybe a little more once its split and stacked. As a side benefit I actually got to like the 16" bar a lot - I mean an awful lot. It was just plain more managable, more comfortable you might say.
So, if any of you all is thinking about getting a new guidebar and chain anyway and don't mind putting out the $6 for a new sprocket I would suggest you go ahead and do it. I am very pleased with the switch.
Oh, the 026 came with either chain, so its not like you're making a modification, but I don't think very many of them left the factory with the larger chain on them.
Realizing that the larger chain would require more of my saw's power to cut and keep the RPMs up I went down from an 18" bar on this saw to a new 16" Rollamatic-e. The 2" reduction worked out nicer than I expected but from a power standpoint pulling the 16" 3/8" chain is just a little easier on the saw than spinning the 18" .325" was.
I cut a bit with it yesterday, just getting rid of some pesky stumps along one of my 'loging roads' and touched up the chain (3 strokes only) last night. When I got down to cutting today it was what you might call everyday sharp; one light touchup on a new chain.
Today I had it do some work. I dropped and cut up 4 trees (2 White Oak, 1 Cherry, 1 Maple), each in the 18"~20" diameter range. I took everything as large as my wrist and larger cut into 18" lengths.
The saw cut like new all day, right up until I hit the rock. A nice flat devel it was, gray sandstone nicely blended with the fallen leaves. First I saw was the spark. I was just finishing up the trunk of the Maple, on the last cut before I intended to roll it over to make the finishing back cuts. I said bad words. Then, seeing how little there was left to do, I did the unthinkable. I know none of you have ever done this, but I fired it back up to finish the cuts on what I expected would be a very dull chain. Much to my suprise it, though obviously dulled, made the cuts with easy. I shut it off and took it back to the shed for sharpening.
So overall I was very pleased with the change. The saw cut fast and 'self-fed'. More importantly it retained it edge without further touchups for what will turn out to be about a cord, maybe a little more once its split and stacked. As a side benefit I actually got to like the 16" bar a lot - I mean an awful lot. It was just plain more managable, more comfortable you might say.
So, if any of you all is thinking about getting a new guidebar and chain anyway and don't mind putting out the $6 for a new sprocket I would suggest you go ahead and do it. I am very pleased with the switch.
Oh, the 026 came with either chain, so its not like you're making a modification, but I don't think very many of them left the factory with the larger chain on them.
