Clutch covers too narrow for good chip clearance

[mac's woodshop]

I have several (numerous) saws, dang the luck LOL, most are Stihl. When rip cutting logs, (i.e. milling lumber) chips are really more what one might call spaghetti. Frequently need to clear the clog due to clutch cover clogs up. Yes a few moments at full rpm often clears it. I do own older Homelite 360. The clutch cover was much more open and wider. Stihl saws (028, 026, 260, 250, 460 Magnum) are more narrow, tighter. To be fair, Homelite 360 never shucked out the chips as fast either, so that is part of the issue too I'm sure.
I wish there was an aftermarket way to have wider open throat type covers. I have never seen, but perhaps others have seen or have other solutions??

 

[FederalQ]

At least for the 460 you can get an aftermarket larger cover, like from HL Supply that are better for noodle flow. The stock chain catchers help clog noodles as well. Saws I’ve had with dual spike bars and roller catchers performed better when noodling. To my surprise the old Dolmar 6000i I have with outboard clutch noodles very well with a hexagonal shaped chain catcher. My 7910 with wrap handle clogs immediately while the other 64/7900 with the standard handle flow noodle chips okay with occasional plugging.

 

[FederalQ]

https://www.hlsproparts.com/Stihl-sprocket-chain-cover-replaces-1122-648-0403-p/h59660.htm

 

[edisto]

I was having a similar (but opposite) issue milling with a milling chain...dust instead of noodles. I made a bar clamp out of 3/8 plate:



Works like a charm, but I have been thinking about fabricating a plate to keep dust off of the muffler.

 

[IffykidMn]

Most of the newer Stihl R saws that are available wrap handle come with a larger clutch cover and felling dogs as compared to the standard version.

 

[farminkarman]

Most of the newer Stihl R saws that are available wrap handle come with a larger clutch cover and felling dogs as compared to the standard version.

I have the larger clutch cover on my ms440 hybrid and it works pretty well for noodling. If the noodles get too long, try going through the log at a shallow angle instead of completely parallel with the grain.

 

[mac's woodshop]

I have the larger clutch cover on my ms440 hybrid and it works pretty well for noodling. If the noodles get too long, try going through the log at a shallow angle instead of completely parallel with the grain.

When you say larger cover, do you mean the aftermarket cover from HL mentioned in message above?

 

[farminkarman]

When you say larger cover, do you mean the aftermarket cover from HL mentioned in message above?

Mine is an OEM Stihl large cover. It is what the AM is a copy of.

 

[sawmikaze]

The WCS clutch covers are the most durable and functional clutch covers I've ever used.

 

[huskihl]

If you’re getting spaghetti, you’re likely “noodling”, cutting with the bar parallel to the grain. Like mentioned, raise the powerhead up with the tip slightly down to shorten the noodles. Can also hold the dogs an inch off the log and most of them will fall before they get to the saw. And replace the chain catch with a roller style. Standard chain works fine.

If you’re milling, like making lumber by cutting into the end grain down the length of the log, you’ll get fine dust that doesn’t usually plug the cover. Ripping chain will leave a better finish

 

[mac's woodshop]

Thanks for much information to all the posts. Some things I did not know for sure. Appreciate you all !!!
I have a 48 inch bar on the 460, and sometimes cut freehand parallel as some described. Good enough for 4 foot slabs, thick. I do woodworking, so 4 foot is often good enough. And parallel cut gets after it!! I love to see the river of noodles flowing, except the clog issue. LOL

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Yep, some of these new saws have no clearance in the clutch covers. My timber sale requires stumps cut below 1 ft. I usually come back through and cut them at ground level. Some of the stumps are so big, I have to halve or quarter them so that I can move them. The echo 7310p plugs with noodles almost immediately.

Another disadvantage of a clutch cover with insufficient clearance, throw a chain and it busts a hole right through the clutch cover.

Stumping the big ones, I use my cs 8000 instead. Big cavernous clutch cover, never any issues.

 

[huskihl]

Thanks for much information to all the posts. Some things I did not know for sure. Appreciate you all !!!
I have a 48 inch bar on the 460, and sometimes cut freehand parallel as some described. Good enough for 4 foot slabs, thick. I do woodworking, so 4 foot is often good enough. And parallel cut gets after it!! I love to see the river of noodles flowing, except the clog issue. LOL

I saw “woodshop” in your name and figured that’s what you’re doing. If I were making 4 foot long boards, that’s the way I would cut it as well. It’s easily 2–3 times faster than milling.

For what it’s worth, I haven’t found a saw that noodles better than a 395 in big wood

 

[mac's woodshop]

I saw “woodshop” in your name and figured that’s what you’re doing. If I were making 4 foot long boards, that’s the way I would cut it as well. It’s easily 2–3 times faster than milling.

For what it’s worth, I haven’t found a saw that noodles better than a 395 in big wood

I don't think it (395)would lack for power, that's fer shure! Actually my 460 Stihl does not bog down either, truth be told. But your 395 has more CC displacement.

 

[farminkarman]

I don't think it (395)would lack for power, that's fer shure! Actually my 460 Stihl does not bog down either, truth be told. But your 395 has more CC displacement.

Especially not a 395 that he has worked over.