Why don't more people run PS3 chain instead of 325 on 50CC saws?

[rumatt]

I have a Stihl 241 with PS3 (Picco) and a 261 with .325. In many types of wood they cut damn near the same speed. The narrower kerf of the PS3 nearly compensates for the extra power of the 261.

And I've found some youtube videos and discussions on other forums showing that a 261 with PS3 cuts like a laser (much faster than 325 of 3/8)

Why don't more people run PS3 on 50cc saws? Reasons I've read include:

1. PS3 dulls faster on higher power saws
2. Narrow kerf bar is thinner and is less durable
3. Narrow kerf is more likely to get pinched

Are these real reasons to avoid PS3 on a stock 50cc saw, or is it theoretical nonsense? Is 325 old, legacy technology and only around due to tradition? How about a ported 50cc saw?

I'm struggling to understand the point of picking a 261 over the 241 just to slow the 261 down by cutting a wider path through the wood.

 

[ammoaddict]

Interesting question

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[Junk Meister]

Same angle of questions for .325 vs. .375 for the modded 50 cc saws
and
4. Fewer teeth to sharpen ??

 

[Onan18]

Possibly has to do with the availability of sprockets.

 

[Ronaldo]

Interesting questions to ponder. I've found that 3/8 chain cuts faster on both of my 50cc saws in timed cuts. I believe it stays sharp longer and is easier to sharpen.

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[Dub11]

Interesting questions to ponder. I've found that 3/8 chain cuts faster on both of my 50cc saws in timed cuts. I believe it stays sharp longer and is easier to sharpen.

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I concur.

Unless said saw is being used to limb then .325 or picco it is. I'm getting a ported Craftsman 3.3 done and I'm think picco with a 9 pin will have to be tried.

 

[rumatt]

For 325 vw 3/8 folks seem split. 325 has a nice following on 50cc saws, saying it's smoother in the cut and no slower than 3/8.

PS3 on 50cc - very few even try it. The ones who do say it's super fast. A few offer the critiquies I mentioned in the OP.

My 261 is barely faster than my 241 and that's annoying. I am trying to decide between

a. port it (at which point will 325 make more sense? Or jump to 3/8?)
b. convert it to PS3
c. a & b
d. sell 261, port the 241 and get a 462 with 20" bar for wood over 16-18"

 

[Lightning Performance]

I like picco. Setting up a small beaming saw with a 16" lp.

A lot of people would try it but won't spend the money to upgrade or convert the saw. Lots of stuff is only 325 now....and smoother cutting chain imo but slow in fat logs for the 20" plus bars.

I tell most farm cutters to run regular tree eights. Price vs availability hurts most lp deals I think.

If your not running tree eights lp on climbing saws your wasting time imo.​

 

[Philbert]

Why don't more people run PS3 on 50cc saws? Reasons I've read include:

1. PS3 dulls faster on higher power saws
2. Narrow kerf bar is thinner and is less durable
3. Narrow kerf is more likely to get pinched

Are these real reasons to avoid PS3 on a stock 50cc saw, or is it theoretical nonsense?

PS3 is not 'narrow kerf' chain, per se; it is a 'low profile' chain. Both narrow kerf and low profile cutter designs reduce the power demand on a saw, because they are cutting less wood. But they they are cutting less wood. In a side-by-side test you can decide whether the performance is better in the type of wood, and the type of cutting you do. Husqvarana regularly supplies narrow kerf .325 chain on a lot of their saws OEM.

Oregon 95VPX and 95TXL, Husqvarna H30, etc. are narrow kerf .325 chains suitable for 50cc saws.
Oregon Type 90 chains are 3/8 low profile AND narrow kerf chains.
Oregon has also announced (but not released) a low profile .325 chain:
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/oregon-speedcut-nano-release-date.331235/

The STIHL PS chain cuts fast because it has full chisel, instead of semi-chisel cutters. These generally cut faster, but dull faster, especially in dirty wood. It has been the only full-chisel, 3/8 pitch, low-profile ('Picco') chain available, although TriLink has announced versions under their name and the Sabre brand.

It should be noted that some of these chains are rated for lower power saws due to the risk of breakage. They typically use thinner, smaller, lighter, components (rivets, tie straps, etc.) which do not hold up to higher torque loads. E.g. Oregon recommends some of their 3/8 low profile chains up to a maximum of 46cc and 18" bars.

Philbert

 

[Lightning Performance]

For 325 vw 3/8 folks seem split. 325 has a nice following on 50cc saws, saying it's smoother in the cut and no slower than 3/8.

PS3 on 50cc - very few even try it. The ones who do say it's super fast. A few offer the critiquies I mentioned in the OP.

My 261 is barely faster than my 241. I am trying to decide between

a. port it (at which point will 325 make more sense? Or jump to 3/8?)
b. convert it to PS3
c. a & b
d. sell 261, port the 241 and get a 462 with 20" bar for wood over 16-18"

A & B

 

[Lightning Performance]

Limbing, port the 241

Firewood, port the 261 and add narrow kerf lp in 18". Cutting over the face and pulling back will do 24" logs with ease and keep the tip clear.

 

[rumatt]

Limbing, port the 241

I've never felt the need to port the 241 for limbing small-ish stuff. It seems pretty decent as is.

Firewood, port the 261 and add narrow kerf lp in 18"

Like which chain? Is there an 18" PS3? Or do you mean something else?

 

[Lightning Performance]

@rumatt

Get the new narrow kerf Oregon bar and chain system if it is available for your saw.
Most use 0.043 on pole saws
0.050 narrow kerf lp is as narrow as you get in work chain for firewood.
You will need an aftermarket bar or a modified one to fit.
Some bars can have the 10mm slot opened to 12mm and use standard chains but not usually a standard amount of drivers.

Most times on small Stihl saws you can open the slot and run a Husky mount or find a small thin Oregon bar and hack it up.

Stihl sells the rim for lp and some AM ones will work.
Stihl does not offer 3/8 lp, here, in 3003 mount only 3005 to 16".

 

[dall]

@rumatt

Get the new narrow kerf Oregon bar and chain system if it is available for your saw.
Most use 0.043 on pole saws
0.050 narrow kerf lp is as narrow as you get in work chain for firewood.
You will need an aftermarket bar or a modified one to fit.
Some bars can have the 10mm slot opened to 12mm and use standard chains but not usually a standard amount of drivers.

Most times on small Stihl saws you can open the slot and run a Husky mount or find a small thin Oregon bar and hack it up.

Stihl sells the rim for lp and some AM ones will work.
Stihl does not offer 3/8 lp in 3003 mount only 3005 to 16".

3003 is the 026 to 066 mount ? if so yes they do but not offered in usa but canada does i have a picco setup for the 026

 

[rumatt]

Stihl does not offer 3/8 lp in 3003 mount only 3005 to 16".

Yes they do! 3003 000 6313

It wasn't sold in the US but you can order it online several places. Why wasn't it sold in the US? Was it a failure in countries where it was released?

I'm tempted to buy one but I'm still trying to understand whether it's a mistake for a ported 261. Also kinda wish it was 18"

 

[Ronaldo]

I concur.

Unless said saw is being used to limb then .325 or picco it is. I'm getting a ported Craftsman 3.3 done and I'm think picco with a 9 pin will have to be tried.

And again we agree. 3/8 has proven faster for me but I like .325 on my lighter limbing saw (Jonsered 2152). It's smoother and less grabby on smaller wood.

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[dall]

Yes they do! 3003 000 6313

It wasn't sold in the US but you can order it online several places. Why wasn't it sold in the US? Was it a failure in countries where it was released?

I'm tempted to buy one but I'm still trying to understand whether it's a mistake for a ported 261. Also kinda wish it was 18"

i have one and i dont use the picco garbage
i run regular 3/8 on my ported 261s

 

[rumatt]

i have one and i dont use the picco garbage
i run regular 3/8 on my ported 261s

Ohhh thanks, tell me more.

Why not picco?
Why not 325?

 

[dall]

Ohhh thanks, tell me more.

Why not picco?
Why not 325?

picco is good for as others said low powered saws but doesnt load the ported 261 enough
i have some 325 stuff but on the 261 the 3/8 feels smoother to me

 

[Lightning Performance]

Yes they do! 3003 000 6313

It wasn't sold in the US but you can order it online several places. Why wasn't it sold in the US? Was it a failure in countries where it was released?

I'm tempted to buy one but I'm still trying to understand whether it's a mistake for a ported 261. Also kinda wish it was 18"

I added the word here.

Should have also added 18"

Using Oregon lp chisel on the 200T makes for quick touch up after two or three tanks in oak.
I don't use it on anything else. Locust gets picco chain. Dead locust kills any chain in two tanks or less.