Husqvarna made chain

[Wolverine]

Anyone have any info?

 

[Fish]

Take a close up pic of the chain, cutters, drivers, etc..

 

[Wolverine]

I captured that image from the web, I don't have it... yet. Wondering if it's in U.S.

 

[jakethesnake]

I've not seen any. I'm curious when was it introduced

 

[concretegrazer]

 

[Wilhelm]

Doesn't look like anything special - to my untrained eye.
Looks like a Husqvarna branded Oregon?

Poor softwood trees, always have to be the guinea pigs for those amazing new faster than fast chains.
Bury those supposedly superior chains in hardwood to prove their superiority is what I say!

 

[Wolverine]

That's the point... it's not Oregon made.

 

[Dingeryote]

Even if it's even slightly more durable, it will drive Oregon to pull their head out, or drop pricing.

The stuff just can't be a bad thing.

Rumors were that it's all got safety/comfort bumpers though.

 

[Philbert]

Certainly seems to cut in the video!

Philbert

 

[jakethesnake]

I keep hearing about this chain but cannot find any info it would be good for another chain mfr to come along

 

[CR888]

Looking at the chain on the box IMO it looks like a different design to traditional Husky chain. Dimples in the drive links, less square tie straps, to me it looks totally different. The pics are not that clear but... this could be the new kid on the block. I hope it is and its a winner.

 

[jake wells]

hope it burns oregon ass they have not made a good chain in years.

 

[Philbert]

(found via Google - bold face is mine to highlight parts of the author's comments - Philbert)

Introducing Husqvarna X-CUT saw chain, crafted for productivity
Posted by Billy Shanley on Friday, September 2, 2016

Today, X-CUT, the first Husqvarna-manufactured saw chain was revealed at the Husqvarna factory in Sweden. The optimised micro-structured steel and chrome composition of the pre-stretched chain offers extended sharpness and high durability to improve the performance of Husqvarna chainsaws.

Chainsaw performance is highly dependent on the quality of the chain, which is why Husqvarna has decided to develop and manufacture its own saw chains. This gives users the opportunity to increase productivity with a chain designed to maximise the performance of Husqvarna chainsaws. The first chain (SP33G) to leave the factory in Husqvarna is optimised for professional use in the Nordics (where tree types generally are softwood species and are of smaller diameter) and consumer chainsaws elsewhere including the UK.

“The X-CUT is a milestone in Husqvarna history. We have provided loggers with world class chainsaws since 1959 — and with our new saw chain and bars, we can deliver a full Husqvarna experience, taking performance and productivity to a new level”, says Pavel Hajman, President of the Husqvarna Division.

X-CUT SP33G is made of five parts (cutter, tie strap, bumper drive link, drive link and rivet), carefully linked together to become a low-vibration, pixel saw chain that cuts a narrow kerf, and requires less power from the saw than standard cutting systems. The output is four key benefits that reduces downtime and maximises cutting efficiency.

Long-lasting sharpness
The design of the cutters and the micro-structure of the steel and the chrome layers have been refined to give the X-CUT chain a sharpness out of the box that lasts considerably longer before filing is needed. In lab conditions, the chain’s sharpness lasts 10% longer than a comparable Husqvarna H30 chain.

Low stretch
The X-CUT chain is pre-stretched at the factory, which increases the amount of time the chain can be used before re-tensioning is needed, hence reducing downtime. This reduced need for adjustments decreases the risk of damaging the cutting system due to a slacking chain.

High durability
The balanced combination of construction, materials and processes have resulted in a dynamic durability. Husqvarna has developed a unique combination of state-of-the-art processes including tumbling, heat treatment, induction hardening, and shot peening. High durability reduces wear on the cutting system of the chainsaw, and consequently the need for service and downtime.

High cutting efficiency
To maximise cutting efficiency, the X-CUT chain is engineered to cut faster and smoother, and with a well-balanced cutter angle. Compared to relevant competition, X-CUT SP33G cuts faster and more efficiently. Lab results measure up to a 10% higher efficiency than the previously mentioned H30 chain.

The chain itself is developed in close collaboration between engineers and professional loggers to produce what they would call, the perfect chain.

“For me, logging is a passion and a business, where high performance means high productivity and better profit. I’m proud to have been part of the development of X-CUT and excited that there is now a chain specially designed for my Husqvarna chainsaws”, says Lars Strandell, multiple World Logging Champion with 30 years of professional logging on his record.

All production of the saw chain happens in the factory, located beside the chainsaw R&D and factory. Production is all done from scratch, from raw steel to finished product. The factory is designed to be environmentally neutral in terms of impact.

X-CUT SP33G will be sold by the Husqvarna global network of servicing dealers, starting with the Nordics, Baltics, United Kingdom and Ireland in September. The chain will then be available in all remaining European markets during 2017, with other markets to follow after.

Recommended price for the X-CUT SP33G saw chain in UK will be £24.00 for 13 inches, £27.00 for 15 inches and £29.00 for 18 inches.

 

[CR888]

Sawtroll will be happy. Who knows maybe Husky may make their own bars one day too. Not sure I wanna pay £24 for 13" (52ish DL) but when its available, I give it a go. They mention this chain is a 'softwood' chain, I wonder what the 'hardwood' will be like in comparison.

 

[Philbert]

In the photo posted by Wolverine, it appears to be semi-chisel, narrow kerf chain. The picture of the chain printed on the box does not appear to have any low-kickback bumper links, but the label at the bottom of the package shows low kickback drive link bumpers.

The drive links also appear to have holes, similar to the Oregon 'LubriLink' feature, to help distribute oil along the guide bar; and channels/grooves, similar to the STIHL OILOMATIC feature, to help guide oil to the rivets. Some of these features have also been copied by other chain manufacturers.
https://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/fb/lubrilink_lubriwell.htm
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/technology/stihl-oilomatic/

Other features described in the article (above) mention 'pre-stretching', another feature claimed by STIHL.

hope it burns oregon ass they have not made a good chain in years.

I hope that it spurs improved chains offered by all vendors.

Sawtroll will be happy.

He want's full chisel, narrow kerf chain!

Philbert

 

[radio]

Who knows maybe Husky may make their own bars one day too.

It seems that they already are according to the quote: " ... and with our new saw chain and bars, we can deliver a full Husqvarna experience ..."

I'm guessing they are manufacturing the new laminated bars without the sprocket oiler hole that have been showing up here lately.

 

[Fish]

I wonder how they {pre-stretch} a chain....

 

[Philbert]

I wonder how they {pre-stretch} a chain....

I wondered that about the STIHL chains too. My best guess is that they run the chain under tension around a bunch of sprockets to seat the rivets better / work out any microscopic burrs, etc. Anyone got any better ideas?

Philbert

 

[Fish]

I don't think it actually "stretches" anything, likely just combing down the burrs, and loosening the contact points.
But I could be wrong.....

 

[Fish]

Where is Walt Galer when you need him?