Too Much Chain

[mswabbie]

I just purchased a used Stihl 046 Magnum. It has a 25" bar and a 404 chain. The chain sprocket, bar, and chain seem to run extremely hot. Is this too much chain for this saw, or is there something else wrong with the saw.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Is that a Stihl brand bar?

Is the saw slinging oil?

Is the oiler working?


Start at the powerhead and see if the oiler is working. Then see if the bar slings oil. Chances are that the bar for some reason is not getting sufficent oil!


That .404 is way too much for that saw. Go to 3/8 .050 and you will be better off!

 

[mswabbie]

It is a Stihl bar, brand new. The oiler is working, and the chain is slinging oil, although maybe not as much as it should.
Thank You for your reply.

 

[tony marks]

check an sae if u got power match sprocket ... the one i had on my 026 wa just plain ,not a match..it did run an cut.. but that much variance .. just plain got to cause friction and wear..also check for little homemade ideas ,the original user may have done to the set up..very seldom have i been satisfied when ive tried this.. in short everythingf gotta fit real good..jmo

 

[glens]

.404 should be okay on that saw and "slinging" oil isn't necessarily necessary.  I wonder about the cutting conditions.  Is the chain truly sharp?  That's the first thing I"d check.

Glen

 

[mswabbie]

Chain was brand new and sharp. Stihl doesn't recommend the .404 chain until you have the MS660 or the MS880. The sprocket, the bar and the chain became so hot after just a few minutes that you could not touch it.

Can someone tell me the advantages or disadantages between a 3/8 - .050 and chain and a 3/8 - .063 chain. Isn't the .063 chain a sturdier chain. Why would one prefer one over the other one.

 

[Lawn Masters]

I tend to think the .063 ga chain is able to withstand more power, while .050 is designed for midrange/smaller saws.

I think I read something about .050 ga also being more prone to crap building up in the groove, while .063 is not so prone to that.

 

[glens]

What are the numbers stamped on the chain, the bar, and the sprocket (rim?)?

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by glens
.404 should be okay on that saw and "slinging" oil isn't necessarily necessary.  I wonder about the cutting conditions.  Is the chain truly sharp?  That's the first thing I"d check.

Glen

Chain with a pitch of .404 will pull that saw down...........not good!!!

 

[glens]

Hi Rich.

I'm not saying it would be optimal to cut with but that it would cut.  But having too much chain for the saw, if only a little bit too much like this might be, would not cause the sprocket/bar/chain to pick up excessive heat.

I'm thinking there's got to be a driver gauge or pitch mismatch somewhere in this system.  That, or the clutch is slipping like a mother.

Glen

 

[rahtreelimbs]

I wasn't referring to the .404 chain hving much to do with his oil problem. Just that it is way too much for that saw to perform to it's max.

 

[Crofter]

I have had new bar and chain that had so much paint in the groove it wouldnt roll. Just like chain brake was on. Finally got it rolling but it ran hot for quite a while.

 

[mswabbie]

The numbers are;

Sprocket 404-7
Chain Cutter 404 Guide 6
Bar 1.6, 404, 25", 77

Thanks

 

[glens]

It's a little puzzling why the bar and chain are running so hot.&nbsp; You've said that the chain <i>is</i> throwing some oil, and that the bar and chain are brand new (and I assume the rim).&nbsp; And the numbers all match up (and I'm assuming the bar has the proper nose attached - but that would be obvious if it weren't, wouldn't it?).

How many tanks of fuel have you run with the bar/chain?&nbsp; And what kind of wood are you cutting?

Glen

 

[mswabbie]

I took it to a dealer this morning, and he said that it is not running too hot. I changed to a 30" bar and 3/8 - 063 chain and a new sprocket. More suited for what I need to cut down Bur Oak and Pecan.
Thanks

 

[WoodTick007]

.404 chain

While .404 is not the chain to run on the 046 ms460 for optimum performance....... I really don't think that a 25inch bar with 404 chain on a 046/ms460 will make it cut like a dog. The chain of course must be sharp........like any chain should be to cut properly.

Are you pressing really hard on the saw while cutting? That will cause exsessive heat in the chain and cutting bar. Are you over tightening your chain? Both too much force and too tight of chain will cause the bar/chain to overheat. Are your bar rails turning blue?

A properly tuned chain will self feed into the log...... Its a beautiful thang!!!

 

[glens]

For cutting oak and hickory I don't reckon 3/8&times;30" would be a step up performance-wise from a .404&times;25" on that saw.

Glen

 

[WoodTick007]

3/8 .063 chain

Why in the world did you buy a 30 inch bar set up to run 3/8 x .063 chain? What kinda dealer sells 3/8 x .063 chain over 3/8 x .050? Please let me know what your dealer told you to make your decision to purchase that combo? Was it the only bar he had instock? .063 chain is not a common size for 3/8 chain...... and your replacement chains will cost you more.

 

[xander9727]

With a 30" bar and a 046 I would run semi skip. If you're not going to be limbing with the saw you can run full skip. The saw will cut faster, won't work as hard and the chain will take less time to sharpen.

My $.02

 

[mswabbie]

What kinda dealer sells 3/8 x .063 chain over 3/8 x .050? Please let me know what your dealer told you to make your decision

I was told that the .063 is a sturdier chain, will not wobble in the track, will not wear out as fast, and will keep the bar guide cleaner. All of my chains are 3/8 - .063. Perhaps someone can tell me what advantage of the .050 over the .063. Please read what oldsaw has to say in this thread.

With a 30" bar and a 046 I would run semi skip.

I can understand this, and will try the semi skip.

For cutting oak and hickory I don't reckon 3/8×30" would be a step up performance-wise from a .404×25" on that saw.

Stihl does not recommend a 404 chain for the 046, but does recommend a 16" to 32" bar and a 3/8 - 063 chain. I know you guys have more hands on experience than I do, and I value hands on experience, but I just try to follow what the owners manual says.