New Pro Chain from Stihl

[HP Ultra]

Now I´ve got the new STIHL Germany customer´s catalogue 2020, which gives an answer to this issue:

62 links are for the new nk bar (3005 mount) of the MS 251, 40cm, 1,3mm
60 links are for the new nk bar (3003 mount) of the MS 261/271, 35cm, 1,3mm
67 links are for the new nk bar (3003 mount) of the MS 261/271, 40cm, 1,3mm

 

[Orangeinthebarn]

Now I´ve got the new STIHL Germany customer´s catalogue 2020, which gives an answer to this issue:

62 links are for the new nk bar (3005 mount) of the MS 251, 40cm, 1,3mm
60 links are for the new nk bar (3003 mount) of the MS 261/271, 35cm, 1,3mm
67 links are for the new nk bar (3003 mount) of the MS 261/271, 40cm, 1,3mm

Interested to see how this chain will compare with low pro ps63 on the 261

 

[RI Chevy]

I think Stihl missed the mark by making the .325 narrow kerf only...

 

[Philbert]

I think Stihl missed the mark by making the .325 narrow kerf only...

Competes directly with Husqvarna, which has run it for many years.

Let's them sell STIHL chain to Husqvarna customers.

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

I'm not really a fan of narrow kerf, special bar...[emoji52]

I refuse to buy new bar just to run the chain.

 

[Philbert]

It came OEM on my Husqvarna. I like it. Cuts well, and is easy to sharpen.

The OEM NK bar is a bit flexible in longer lengths (e.g. 20 inches). But the bonded Oregon bars are stiffer.

Philbert

 

[rumatt]

I'm not really a fan of narrow kerf, special bar...[emoji52]

I refuse to buy new bar just to run the chain.

I'm still excited to try it.

What's the point in cutting such a wide path through the wood? If it's 20% faster than normal kerf, yet still manages to clear chips for 16 & 18" bars, it sounds like a no brainer to me.

 

[RI Chevy]

You can have it. All of it...
I just want to run my regular chain...

 

[rumatt]

You can have it. All of it...
I just want to run my regular chain...

You mentioned above you were working on a report. Did you try it and not like it? Or just decide you're not interested?

 

[RI Chevy]

I thought you could use it with regular bar, but you can't I'm told. I refuse to buy any more special setups. I'm just a regular .325, 3/8 type of guy.

 

[Philbert]

I refuse to buy new bar just to run the chain.

I refuse to buy any more special setups.

You have to draw the line somewhere, instead of chasing every option.

That said, I've occasionally wondered if a super deal on chain was worth a new bar. Say that someone offered you a dozen loops of .058 gauge chain for $5 each; would it be worth it to buy a .058 guide bar (assuming that you normally run .050?). Or 18" loops when you normally run 16" (aside from spinning them down).

I have different length bars for some saws, but they mostly run the same gauge chains. If, say, all my 16" loops for a certain saw were Narrow Kerf, that would still be easy to keep track of.

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

Yes sir. Absolutely.
Just hard for a hacker like me to keep everything organized. I run 325 in .050 and 063. Different lengths, tough to keep track of all of them. Throw in nk, and it might be system overload for me.
That being said, given the scenario you mentioned I may consider it. Lol [emoji2957]
Just have lots of money tied up in Tsumura and Stihl bars and chains, etc...

 

[Bjorn]

If you have a bar 0.325 and 0.50 gage the chain Will fit.

 

[RI Chevy]

Really? Excellent. Maybe I will try a loop then. Are you 100% sure?

 

[RI Chevy]

Did you try this Bjorn? I do not think it works.

 

[rumatt]

If you have a bar 0.325 and 0.50 gage the chain Will fit.

The chain will fit, but will it cut a path through the wood wide enough to prevent the bar from pinching?

 

[RI Chevy]

That must be why Stihl requires a special nk bar. Bar has to be thinner than the chain cutters.

 

[Wood Chopper]

That must be why Stihl requires a special nk bar. Bar has to be thinner than the chain cutters.

I know with the Oregon speed cut you can not use the speed cut chain on a different bar but you can use a non speed cut chain on the speed cut bar. 99% sure

 

[Philbert]

You can run any brand Narrow Kerf chain on any brand Narrow Kerf bar, as long as they are the same pitch and gauge.

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

Here is the new Stihl .325 .050 full chisel nk chain.