How to buy 325 RS Pro in the United States?

[rumatt]

Does anyone know how to buy 325 RS Pro chain in the United States?

I've been to two dealers and they say it doesn't exist.

I've given them these item numbers and they say they don't exist

3690 000 0074
3690 002 0074

Does anyone have a part number I can give my dealer and they will actually find it in their (USA-based) system?

Thanks!

 

[el33t]

In America, Stihl uses the middle three digits 005 instead of 000, which is used in Europe. That is, for example, 3690 005 0074. Although it is strange that the dealers did not correct this.

 

[rumatt]

In America, Stihl uses the middle three digits 005 instead of 000, which is used in Europe. That is, for example, 3690 005 0074. Although it is strange that the dealers did not correct this.

Thanks. The 005 chain doesn't say "Pro" though. Is it actually the narrow-kerf pro chain designed for the Light 04 bars? Or is it the standard full width RS chain?

And if 005 is the narrow-kerf RS chain, what chain are people with older, full width 050 bars supposed to buy?

 

[el33t]

Thanks. The 005 chain doesn't say "Pro" though. Is it actually the narrow-kerf pro chain designed for the Light 04 bars? Or is it the standard full width RS chain?

And if 005 is the narrow-kerf RS chain, what chain are people with older, full width 050 bars supposed to buy?

This 005 does not matter. The first four digits uniquely identify the type of chain. 3690 is Pro (NK).

 

[rumatt]

This 005 does not matter. The first four digits uniquely identify the type of chain. 3690 is Pro (NK).

Ahhh, got it. Thank you.

Does Stihl also sell a narrow-kerf RM chain (rather than RS) in the US?

 

[PA Dan]

It should say 23RS on the box. Not sure if that's been mentioned yet.

 

[Squareground3691]

 

[el33t]

Ahhh, got it. Thank you.

Does Stihl also sell a narrow-kerf RM chain (rather than RS) in the US?

It should be available. RM3 Pro (3=bumper drive links) is 3695, RM Pro is 3693.

 

[PA Dan]

Like this...

 

[Squareground3691]

Does anyone know how to buy 325 RS Pro chain in the United States?

I've been to two dealers and they say it doesn't exist.

I've given them these item numbers and they say they don't exist

3690 000 0074
3690 002 0074

Does anyone have a part number I can give my dealer and they will actually find it in their (USA-based) system?

Thanks!
Fee Bay , has listings for it, https://www.ebay.com/itm/2351255403...lx6FfZ4S9a&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[rumatt]

RM Pro is 3693.

Interesting. While I was there I asked for some "325 050 74 link" and he ordered me "3693 005 0074" so I guess I'm getting the NK Pro version, which is great.

However, what if I didn't have a narrow kerf bar? A few years back Stihl did sell non-NK bars that were 050 right? And my understanding is they won't work well with this NK chain.

Isn't Stihl creating a mess with this naming?

 

[el33t]

Interesting. While I was there I asked for some "325 050 74 link" and he ordered me "3693 005 0074" so I guess I'm getting the NK Pro version, which is great.

However, what if I didn't have a narrow kerf bar? A few years back Stihl did sell non-NK bars that were 050 right? And my understanding is they won't work well with this NK chain.

Isn't Stihl creating a mess with this naming?

Yes, it is.
What is the Stihl part number of your bar? Could you measure its width? Maybe someone will be able to compare it with the latest ones.

 

[rumatt]

What is the Stihl part number of your bar?

Oh my bar is the new ugly "Light 04" bar so it's NK. 3003 008 3317. So I'm fine with the NK chains.

I just don't understand why Stihl doesn't put "NK" on the box, or some indicator that it won't work on older chains. (???)

It seems simple once you know the magic codes. 23RS = NK, 26RS = Regular Kerf.

But almost no one seems to know this. And they don't write anything on the box to indicate it.

 

[el33t]

Oh my bar is the new ugly "Light 04" bar so it's NK. 3003 008 3317. So I'm fine with the NK chains.

I just don't understand why Stihl doesn't put "NK" on the box, or some indicator that it won't work on older chains. (???)

It seems simple once you know the magic codes. 23RS = NK, 26RS = Regular Kerf.

But almost no one seems to know this. And they don't writing anything on the box to indicate it.

It's more complicated than that. 23RS doesn't have to be Pro/NK. They had non-NK .325/.050 chains before. Sometimes they write 23 RS Pro on the box. That's why these first four digits are the most important.

NK and non-NK:

 

[rumatt]

It's more complicated than that. 23RS doesn't have to be Pro/NK. They had non-NK .325/.050 chains before. Sometimes they write 23 RS Pro on the box. That's why these first four digits are the most important.

Oh man, damn. So there is literally no indicator on the box whether it is NK unless you know the meaning of all the 4 digit codes.

That's just dumb. Am I crazy to think this is fairly ridiculous of Stihl?

Either way, thanks for the help.

 

[FederalQ]

EBay is an option. I bought 2 loops of 23rs pro several years ago from there. Saves the headache of driving around and trying to explain the product that they don‘t think they have.

 

[Lions fan]

Agreed, just buy a few loops off ebay.