why is the MS251 wood boss 0.063 gauge, and lightweight bars?

[r7000]

Was given a used Stihl MS251, { "wood boss" ? }
In looking at chains for it, the internet is telling me it's 063.
What is the reason that particular saw, with an 18" bar, or any saw, would be done by the manufacturer with 0.063" gauge?
Isn't the most common 0.050 and 0.058, even for most other Stihl's, so why 063 in this one what benefit is there?

I am interested in spending some $ on a lightweight bar for this, can anyone give me some recommendations, for 18" length.
Or would I be wasting money for a bar that's relatively short?

 

[AlexStromberg]

Here all stihls in 3/8 063 gauge. I think Stihl has problems delivering some bars so they probably just mounts something else atm

 

[64poncho]

Have an 025, it uses a .325 pitch x .063

 

[redline4]

I can't say I've ever seen an oem Stil bar in .058.
I thought they only did .050 and .063 and the .058 was a Husqvarna thing.
In my area, it seems lots of the .325 pitch is .063

 

[pavel408]

For 3/8 and .325 chains Stihl uses .050 and .063 while all other vendors use .050 and .058 - simple as that.

 

[Ryan Browne]

I strongly believe that it's to make finding aftermarket chains more difficult, which makes customers more likely to just go to the dealer and buy chain there. I've never heard an explanation that makes any more sense than that.

 

[hacskaroly]

Isn't the most common 0.050 and 0.058, even for most other Stihl's, so why 063 in this one what benefit is there?

The MS 251, 261, 271 and 291 typically came with .325/.063 chain while Husqvarna's of the same size would use .325/.050 chain. Within the last year or two, Stihl opened a bar making plant back east and starting making "lite" bars which are the ones with stenciled graphics on it. These new lite bars in the .325 range are all .050 gauge, Stihl claims that this chain is 20% faster than comparable .063 chain. All of the new 251, 261, 271 and 291 saws are shipping with the lite bars with the .050 gauge. Both types of bars area available and both types of chains are available too, you just have to make sure you get the correct chain to match the bar you have.

To find out what you have, if it has not worn off, look on the side of your bar and there should be a stamp with the pitch, gauge, drive link listed with what you need. Alternatively, any shop that makes chain, should be able to measure the gauge and tell you what you have.

If you have the old style bar with the .063 gauge and you want to change to the lite bar with the .050 gauge, all you have to do is buy a new bar and chain.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Was given a used Stihl MS251, { "wood boss" ? }
In looking at chains for it, the internet is telling me it's 063.
What is the reason that particular saw, with an 18" bar, or any saw, would be done by the manufacturer with 0.063" gauge?
Isn't the most common 0.050 and 0.058, even for most other Stihl's, so why 063 in this one what benefit is there?

I am interested in spending some $ on a lightweight bar for this, can anyone give me some recommendations, for 18" length.
Or would I be wasting money for a bar that's relatively short?

STIHL uses the heavier 0.063" gauge when chain stretch can be an issue. .063" is a good bar and chain when in twisted, tough wood where the chain might suddenly grab and put a lot of stress on the saw.

The MS 251 "Wood Boss" currently comes with an 18" maximum length bar, 0.325" gauge, RM3 chain and light bar which is great for general use.

You have a nice saw with a strong setup. You can go to a lighter setup for clean wood without nails or other things that might snag the chain like clearing storm damage.

 

[hacskaroly]

STIHL uses the heavier 0.063" gauge when chain stretch can be an issue. .063" is a good bar and chain when in twisted, tough wood where the chain might suddenly grab and put a lot of stress on the saw.

I agree. I use the .063 chain in my MS 271 and don't feel a need to go to a thinner chain, but did change out the spur sprocket for a rim sprocket. Though on my MS 261 I did change out the .325 .063 for 3/8 .050 for the fun of it.