Help with makita ea 4300f...

[Colonel 428]

Hi. I need some advice on a bar and chain setup for the above mentioned 4300f. I currently have a 16" bar with a 3/8, .050, 56 drive link chain. Recommendations and advice are appreciated. Steve.

 

[motoOzarks]

what's wrong with the bar and chain you got?

 

[huskihl]

I have the same setup on my 3601. Just so you know, the 3/8 chain is low pro, or picco as Stihl calls it. Not full sized 3/8.

I believe the saw will also except a small mount husky bar, which is called a K095.

 

[Colonel 428]

Thank you. My question is if I replace the bar and chain do they have to have 56 drive links? Will a bar and chain setup with a different number of drive links work with the sprocket on the saw?

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[Colonel 428]

what's wrong with the bar and chain you got?

Never said anything was wrong with the bar and chain I got. Just trying to learn more from the knowledgeable people on this forum. Evidently you ain't one of 'em to learn from...

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[motoOzarks]

you're right I'm not: but I spurred your vague question into specifics so the knowledgeable ones can

your dl count doesn't matter to the drive sprocket, your gauge(thickness)/and or pitch(distance of links) of chain does.....

If your dl count (loop of chain) is different then you are going to need a different size bar......

or a bar with a different profile(shape) may take a different dl count......

So first question: No, you don't have to have 56 dl

2nd; your dl will need to match your new bar length

 

[Colonel 428]

Thank you for the useful info. So the drive links of the chain have to match the sprocket on the bar tip, but the sprocket on the saw itself can handle different #'s of drive links? It's a used saw that's new to me and the bar looks pretty worn. I'd kinda like to know how to shop for a replacement bar. I've got a couple of new chains that are 16", 3/8, .050 with 56 drive links. Makes sense to use a 16" made for 56 drive links? Heck, I'm like a one eyed dog in a meat factory and don't know what I'm looking for exactly...

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[motoOzarks]

The gauge and pitch have to match the (roller)sprocket tip just like they have to match the drive sprocket.
The dl only has to do with the length of the chain.
A new 16 inch bar will use 56 dl chain, as long as it's made for 3/8, .050 you are good to go.
If you went with a 20 inch bar, you would still want 3/8, .050 to match the drive sprocket on the saw, but your dl count would go up to cover the increase in bar length.

 

[motoOzarks]

Make sure the mount on the new bar is made for your saw...........
Mount meaning the spacing of the bolts that hold it on, oil hole placement, adjuster holeage lineup

 

[Colonel 428]

So I'm just looking for 16" bar that's 3/8 and .050 to match the pitch and gauge of the chains I have? As long as it's a 16" bar the drive links don't matter?

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[Colonel 428]

Ok, thanks a bunch.

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[motoOzarks]

If it's 16 inch then 56 dl is what you want.

The bar mount is saw specific. That I can't help you with..........

 

[SOS Ridgerider]

Hi. Welcome to the forum.

I have a few saws like that, and I’m happy to help with any questions.

If you’re looking for Oregon products, those saws take a bar that says A041 or K041 on it. That’s the model of bar tail you need.
Now, since you have a 3/8”LP drum on your saw, you need the A041 bar. K041 would only be correct if you had .325 chain and drum.

With that said, I’d look for a bar with the A041 tail and the biggest tip I could find. The stock bar has a tendency to easily throw the chain, due to a very small tip. That same small tip does help reduce kickback, though, so keep in mind that a bigger tip equals risk of more kickback.

This bar would fit your saw, and has the correct drive link count and pitch/gauge:

https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/single-rivet-guide-bar-16-in-a041-motor-mount,-ideal-for-woodcutters-using-small-electric-and-gasoline-chain-saws/p/160sdea041

Here’s another one that’ll fit your needs:

https://www.hlsproparts.com/product-p/13-16-801a1.htm

You can, if needed, convert a K095 mount to work on these saws quite easily. The A041 tail oils through the chain tension adjuster holes in the bar, where the K095 oils through a separate oil hole. To get a K095 to work on your saw you’d need to grind a channel from your bar groove down to the adjuster hole to open it up.

There are a few bars out there with the capability of doing both A041 and K095 saws stock for 3/8”LP, but they’re rather expensive, like Cannon.

Hopefully this was more helpful than confusing. Lol

 

[Slotracer577]

Went through learning about bar mounts a while back. Ended up changing mine over to .325 instead of 3/8lp. Used a A041 mount originally, changed it over to a k041 mount for the .325. Used a clutch drum from a 421 which allowed rim drive. I had to modify it slightly or you can use a .010 spacer so the clutch doesn’t drag.

 

[Colonel 428]

Thanks for all the info and advice. Do tsumura and sugihara make 16" bars that would work on my 4300?

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[SOS Ridgerider]

Thanks for all the info and advice. Do tsumura and sugihara make 16" bars that would work on my 4300?

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To my my knowledge they do, but the 16” Tsumura is going to be .325 instead of
3/8”LP, and the Sugihara will be 57DL instead of 56dl, so your chains may be too short.
I have a laminated Sugihara here which is 16” A041 mount and 57DL.

I didn’t mention them earlier since you were trying to stay with the chains you have.

For the Tsumura you’ll need both chain and clutch drum.
Two ways you can do the clutch drum too. One is get the .325 6 tooth spur drum that Dolmar/Makita makes for it, or get a clutch drum from a 5105/5000 and a thin washer to go behind it. You’ll need a .325 rim sprocket as well, in that case.

 

[Colonel 428]

Wow, thanks so much for your help SOS. Sounds like the smart thing to do is use the Oregon bar and the chain I've already got. How's the quality of the Oregon bar you mentioned?

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[motoOzarks]

good stuff

 

[SOS Ridgerider]

Wow, thanks so much for your help SOS. Sounds like the smart thing to do is use the Oregon bar and the chain I've already got. How's the quality of the Oregon bar you mentioned?

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You’re very welcome. Happy to help.

The Oregon stuff is usually pretty good, so I doubt you’ll have any issues with it. Oregon is often what others are measured up against, for better or worse.

When you’ve used up your current loops of chain, do yourself a favor and try some Stihl 63PS chain, unless that’s what you already have. Doesn’t get much better than that, in my opinion. Makes a good saw feel even better.

 

[Colonel 428]

Thanks again SOS. I'll definitely pick up one of those Stihl chains soon. Hey, so based on the recommendations of others I cut the cat out of the muffler on my 4300. Should I keep the spark arrestor in or remove it as well?

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