404 chain - who is using it?

[Brewz]

Hi folks.

I have 3 bars I use on my 066.

25" with a 404 sprocket
30" with 3/8
42" with 3/8

The 25" bar came with the saw. At first I was a bit off put by the bar running 404 chain due to all the "its slower" proper-gander on the internet.

But it thought to myself, I'm not cutting the same wood as the people in other countries saying its slower.
I cut rock hard wood with dirt holding bark that usually has termites or rot in it.

I went and bought a new loop of Stihl 404 full comp, full chisel chain and its amazing.
I dont believe its slower, though I have not tested it. The claim to the slower cut is that it has a wider curf, loading the saw up more but it also has rakers set at .030 as opposed to .025 so it takes out 20% more timber per tooth, per pass. All you need is the power to pull it.

I went with 3/8 on the longer bars because when i bought them, I was standardizing on 3/8, but in the timber I cut, the 404 doesn't stretch as much as 3/8, plow's chips out thick and strong and the best bit....... lasts at least twice as long between needing a touch with a file.

Today in identical timber, not touching dirt, same saw, the 3/8 started to dust at the end of each tank of fuel. The 404 would run 2 to 3 tanks before that happened.

If i didnt have 3 or 4 chains for the 30", I would consider changing it over to 404. I really like it.

Who else uses it, loves it , hates it..... etc etc

 

[mdavlee]

I have some bars with it in 21, 25, and 32". I run it on some of my 70cc and 90cc saws.

 

[Brewz]

Whats your opinion on it compared to 3/8?

 

[mdavlee]

It lasts a lot longer. I can deal with the little more power after a couple sharpenings it's fine. Our wood isn't near as hard as the stuff you have over there.

 

[psuiewalsh]

I have some semi on a 25" bar that I use for log piles that were pushed up with a machine. It cuts slower but cuts good longer. It seems to handle a little dirt better.

 

[Brewz]

Yep, I really like that it holds its edge so well.

I also like he bulk timber it throws when you dog it in and make it work

I have semi but really like the full chisel.

 

[mdavlee]

I have mostly RS and some RSLF and then 2 loops of RM.

 

[Guido Salvage]

I run .404 on some of my larger saws.

 

[Locust Cutter]

I guess I need to get a 28" bar for the 9010 of .404 and give it a try. It might be worth it in Hedge, Mulberry and Locust...

 

[Locust Cutter]

Mike, which would balance better on that saw, 28" or 32" bar?

 

[mdavlee]

Either of those won't be too nose heavy. The 9010 is a heavy powerhead

 

[blackjack99574]

I run it on my stock 660, ported 066, and ported 084. Stocks pulls it fine at 28" and the others pull it great at 36". I've switched my larger saws over to run it exclusively. My 261 and 260 run 3/8's. Slowly going to sell my 3/8's stuff for the bigger saws. I've noticed 404 lasts much longer and cuts fast regardless of the wood. The more power the better it is. I enjoy not spending so much time sharpening.

 

[Brewz]

I have been thinking of looking into a 404 sprocket for my 30' Oregon bar

I plan to stick with 3/8 for the 42" bar for now. Once the 066 is ported I will re-asses

It's the 25 and 30" bar I use most and I would like then running the same chain

 

[Moparmyway]

404 can be made to cut great !
I run it on my 90cc saws
I'd run it on my 70cc saws too, except; I have them all setup with 3/8 @ .050

 

[Al Smith]

All my big saws over 100 cc use it. One long bar a 48" hard nose Mac is an odd ball 58 thou .I have one of the last short roll of that stuff in chisel skip Baileys ever sold .

Kind of a moot point I guess because no more than a 48" get used one loop would almost last forever.

 

[CR888]

Sometimes the the fastest cookie cuttin chain is not the fastest production cutting chain. Filing and changing out chains takes time. .404 chain has a lot going for it, wait till you get half way through the cutters, you will notice a speed increase. The other thing about .404 from a value perspective is that it costs about the same price as lopro/picco yet you will get many more sharpenings per cutter and cut a lot more wood per loop compared to smaller pitches. It makes for a great ozzie chain.

 

[Brewz]

My thinking exactly!

I haven't seen any cons as yet.
If you have a negative, please dont be afraid to post it up. There will be no persecution for opinion here!

Those using 404.... what do you run the rakers at in hardwood?

 

[Moparmyway]

My thinking exactly!

I haven't seen any cons as yet.
If you have a negative, please dont be afraid to post it up. There will be no persecution for opinion here!

Those using 404.... what do you run the rakers at in hardwood?

Off the roll, RSL is between .035 and .040
I run .030 or .035 in my hardwoods with square filed cutters

 

[junkman]

I have been running it on my 440 stihls ,works real good,i have noticed the round .404 has smaller cutters than my square does ,thougt they would be the same but are not.

 

[Moparmyway]

I have been running it on my 440 stihls ,works real good,i have noticed the round .404 has smaller cutters than my square does ,thougjt they would be the same but are not.

I thought they just filed back more on the RS ?
Do the trailing edges of RS and RSL teeth look the same ?