High Quality Chainsaw Bars Husqvarna Toys

STIHL HT 131 versus HT 133 Pole Saws

Philbert

Chainsaw Enthusiast
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
737
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Messages
4,421
Reaction score
17,840
Location
East Dakota
Country flag
This is not really a choice; I recently got a good deal on a lightly used HT 131. But I am interested in hearing comments from folks who have used both.

HT 131 comes with a 12" bar and 3/8 low profile ('Picco') chain;
HT 133 comes with a 14" bar and 1/4" chain.
Both have the same size engine. I know that the shafts are different.

I am assuming that I can mount a 14" bar on my HT 131; the advantage of the longer bar is pretty easy to imagine. I also assume that I can switch to the 1/4" pitch chain; not as clear how much difference this makes.

The HT 131 comes with a 6 tooth drive sprocket, but lists a 7 tooth as an option (torque vs. speed); anybody have experience with both?

Thanks.

Philbert
 

Philbert

Chainsaw Enthusiast
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
737
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Messages
4,421
Reaction score
17,840
Location
East Dakota
Country flag
I honestly believe it would work better with shark fin safety chain as the ‘pro’ chain snags and stalls easily.
You are a brave man to openly state that in this forum!

What pitch chain are you running?

What diameter branches/ limbs?

Philbert
 

Bigmac

Mastermind Approved!
Local time
9:01 AM
User ID
5937
Joined
Apr 19, 2018
Messages
5,430
Reaction score
37,466
Location
Oregon
Country flag
FWIW.
I have a well used HT75 that runs well. But short on power/torque.

I honestly believe it would work better with shark fin safety chain as the ‘pro’ chain snags and stalls easily.[emoji848]
are you using .50 picco? I have been wanting to try some on my fs250/kombi. But have the .43 gage bar now, is there good chain for that?
 

67L36Driver

Here For The Long Haul!
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
596
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
9,391
Reaction score
39,288
Location
Missouri
Country flag
The HT75 has a 3/8” LP x 14”, .050” IIRC. Six tooth drive. Off the roll Carlton.

Got a Farmertec top end kit for it but the comp now is good so I don’t think it would improve much.

Thing is darn near 20 years old.
 
Last edited:

stihl_head1982

Here long time
Local time
12:01 PM
User ID
168
Joined
Dec 24, 2015
Messages
4,152
Reaction score
14,536
Location
USA
Country flag
The HT75 has a 3/8” LP x 14”, .050” IIRC. Six tooth drive.

Got a Farmertec top end kit for it but the comp now is good so I don’t think it would improve much.

Thing is darn near 20 years old.

I also have a HT 75. Runs well though. Gotta check the bar/chain combo now that you mention it.
Thinking of selling it actually.
 

67L36Driver

Here For The Long Haul!
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
596
Joined
Jan 18, 2016
Messages
9,391
Reaction score
39,288
Location
Missouri
Country flag
I routinely chit can all the 3/8” LP safety chain that I acquire and don’t remember to save a loop to try on the pole saw. [emoji57]
 

Reedo

Well-Known OPE Member
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
1592
Joined
Jul 24, 2016
Messages
82
Reaction score
232
Location
Minnesota
I have good luck running 14” bar 3/8lp x .050 Stihl PS3 chain. Seems to be the best combo I have tried yet on my 131.
 

stihl_head1982

Here long time
Local time
12:01 PM
User ID
168
Joined
Dec 24, 2015
Messages
4,152
Reaction score
14,536
Location
USA
Country flag
I also have a HT 75. Runs well though. Gotta check the bar/chain combo now that you mention it.
Thinking of selling it actually.

Would anyone know what these are worth? Curious. The HT75 that is?
 

psuiewalsh

Basement Bodging
Local time
12:01 PM
User ID
124
Joined
Dec 23, 2015
Messages
1,864
Reaction score
5,520
Location
Nottingham,pa
Country flag
Guy I work with has several 131 in .050 14" picco. He bought a 133 and we had the dealer switch it to .050 14" picco. He loves the new saw but the saw head has the bar cover on the opposite side of the head.
 

Philbert

Chainsaw Enthusiast
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
737
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Messages
4,421
Reaction score
17,840
Location
East Dakota
Country flag
. . . 3/8” LP x 14”, .050” IIRC. Six tooth drive.
I routinely chit can all the 3/8” LP safety chain that I acquire and don’t remember to save a loop to try on the pole saw.

As always, send them to me for proper disposal . . .

Seriously, the 'low / reduced kickback' chains were reportedly developed for making smoother cuts on smaller diameter branches; to eliminate bouncing between cutters. The reduced kickback performance was discovered afterward. So the dreaded 'bumper tie strap' chains (e.g. Oregon 91VG - top chain in photo)) are actually a good choice for pole saws.

VG RM3.jpg

The newer 'bumper drive link' chains (e.g. Oregon 91PX or STIHL RM3 - bottom chain in photo) still provide the reduced kickback benefit, and clear chips better on larger diameter limbs, but do not cut as smoothly on smaller diameter wood.

Philbert
 
Last edited:

Philbert

Chainsaw Enthusiast
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
737
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Messages
4,421
Reaction score
17,840
Location
East Dakota
Country flag
Thanks for all the input. A few people have pointed out that the 1/4" pitch chain would be better and smoother for pruning smaller diameter limbs. Since I am mostly interested in clearing larger diameter limbs for storm damage clean up, I will stick with the 3/8" low profile / .043 chain that it came with, and maybe also try a 14" bar.

I almost forget that I also have a Cannon angled bar for this pole pruner (since nobody bought it when posted in the ads). It is a hardnose and runs any .043 gauge chain.
http://opeforum.com/threads/cannon-pole-pruner-saw-guide-bars.8825/

Philbert
 

pro94lt

Super OPE Member
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
518
Joined
Jan 12, 2016
Messages
384
Reaction score
1,137
Location
South
Country flag
I've got a ht 75 101 and 103, the 101/131 have a round telescoping shaft with basically an aluminum head very well built. The new model 103/133 has a egg shaped telescoping shaft with a plastic head. Yes the head is plastic. The shaft is weak and separates easily the plastic head flexes when cutting and binds up easy.They take the same bar mount but the oil must travel through the sprocket cover on the 103/133 it gets clogged up in 2 or 3 cuts... I swapped my 103 to a 3/8 picco and it helped a little but still is unusable. I have to say though if your just making one cut a year the 103/133 is great. I bought a new 103 last summer and ended up finding a 101 at a different dealer and bought it... stay away from the 103/133
 

Philbert

Chainsaw Enthusiast
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
737
Joined
Jan 30, 2016
Messages
4,421
Reaction score
17,840
Location
East Dakota
Country flag
Was surprised to see in the manual that the bar/chain oil tank on these pole saws only hold enough for 1/2 a tank of fuel. Not a big deal, if you are aware of it, but different than what I have come to expect with regular chainsaws, where the oil tank is sized to match the expected fuel use.

Philbert
 

Lightning Performance

Here For The Long Haul!
Local time
12:01 PM
User ID
677
Joined
Jan 26, 2016
Messages
10,991
Reaction score
28,050
Location
East of Philly
My HT 101's were best with 12 or 14 050 bars. The 043 chain stretches some when working with large hardwoods. It chews the drive sprocket more than I like. Going to STP added to the bar oil cured all the other quirks. Plus the 050 50dl fits me top handles. The chain with bumpers is not smoother. The fin chain is by far better on smaller dead hardwoods. All your assuming is true.

043 is faster in the cut but suffers from not enough oil to the bar tip. I did use 043 in 55dl for large softwood.
Number one thing to remember is loose chains do not carry oil well and keep the drags @ 0.020 or less on your pole pruners! Your drive shaft and clutch will thank you.
 
Last edited:

Wood Doctor

Edwin
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
846
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
2,399
Reaction score
8,360
Location
Omaha, Nebraska
Country flag
Was surprised to see in the manual that the bar/chain oil tank on these pole saws only hold enough for 1/2 a tank of fuel. Not a big deal, if you are aware of it, but different than what I have come to expect with regular chainsaws, where the oil tank is sized to match the expected fuel use.

Philbert
That's backwards in my book. The bar/chain oil tank should always take care of more run time than the fuel tank capacity. So, in the middle of cutting, these saws are running hot and burning out bars and chains? Totally ridiculous. :eek:
 

angelo c

Coal Member
Local time
12:01 PM
User ID
362
Joined
Dec 31, 2015
Messages
2,919
Reaction score
11,552
Location
Peoples Republic of North Jersey
Thinking of filling the fuel tank half way with marbles . . . . .

Philbert
just don't fill it up all the way full....
I rarely do with many saws anymore....usually by the time the tank runs out Im run out too....
great way to save some weight.
 

pro94lt

Super OPE Member
Local time
11:01 AM
User ID
518
Joined
Jan 12, 2016
Messages
384
Reaction score
1,137
Location
South
Country flag
They leak out constantly too... the 103 that is. But if someone can fix the oiling issues it could be a usable pole saw... look at the head, it has one bar nut which is normal, the second stud is the oil passage which travels through the bar cover and travels through the outside of the bar. Mine clogs up in a cut or 2 and does not oil... I've about given up on it. I've tried 1/4 bars 3/8 bars and it just clogs up fast...
 
Top