Let’s Talk 404

[deye223]

I think it just stays sharp longer. No "real " advantage over 3/8 that I know.

That is the advantage .... and around here its a big one , that's why I don't know anyone that uses 3/8

 

[ferris]

Do you always keep your chain that loose?

No, normally not.
On the hard nose bars a little bit loose, but not that much.

 

[ferris]

Exactly what I thought. I know your supposed to keep them slack on a hard nose, but I’m surprised it stayed on when you were piss revving it. Taking this test for what it is, I wonder at what length does .404 become the advantage over 3/8

I dont think that it will get in advantage with longer bars.

I think i will only use that chain for dirty hardwood

 

[hseII]

Wanna start this thread only because a search for 404 comes up with nothing.
If you know of a good thread covering this I’m eager to read it.

I haven’t found a dedicated 404 thread so this could probably serve as a catch all.

I’ve got quite a few bar and chain set ups but only very recently have I begun picking up 404. It seems beastly.

I think everyone has seen redbull661’s videos, and after talking with him I picked up a 28” and 36” 404 Bar for my incredibly badass Tree Monkey 661.

I’ve also got a basket McCulloch 795 and basket p60 that’ll both run 404 when I finish up the builds.

Seems like the choices for 404 are pretty lean..
Stihl, Oregon, Archer, Woodland Pro have full chisel offerings.
Semi Chisel options are about the same.

Stihl and Oregon are the only options for Square?
Wtf?
Seems like 404 would take to the file great?

It would seem to me that a semiskip, square chisel 404 .063 Chain would rule.

Anyway.
That’s my opening salvo.

Julie Ann will run a chain for a minute or 2 & sell it.

Just buy his chains & you’ll be set.


Sent from my iPhone using Jon1212 Pro

 

[hseII]

A Oregon field engineer once told me running a .063 chain is a perfect setup as bar's detachable sprocket noses are all .063
Running a .050 or .058 3/8 chain will wobble on a .063 sprocket nose. He said watching the chain cut with a slow motion camera shows a less efficient cutting action causing extra wear .

Some 0.050” & 0.058” chain has drives that were machined down from 0.063” at the factory.

I’d just as soon have 0.063”.


Sent from my iPhone using Jon1212 Pro

 

[calcutta250]

So I have a question. Is .404 really worth it, I usually deal with old trees that have been taken down from a company. I live in coastal SC so I assume a lot of sand also gets impregnated in the older tree.

I run .05 3/8 EXL on a variety of bars, 20” 28” and I recently bought an Orgeon 42” 3/8 skip exl.

I seem to like large saws for the most part. I have. 592 and a 395 chusky.

I’m thinking about testing out some .404 chain. I was somewhat set on 24” bar but if those saws can easily run a .404 28” bar I might change decisions.

Thanks.

Edit: I have read through all the pages.

 

[bradb123]

So I have a question. Is .404 really worth it, I usually deal with old trees that have been taken down from a company. I live in coastal SC so I assume a lot of sand also gets impregnated in the older tree.

I run .05 3/8 EXL on a variety of bars, 20” 28” and I recently bought an Orgeon 42” 3/8 skip exl.

I seem to like large saws for the most part. I have. 592 and a 395 chusky.

I’m thinking about testing out some .404 chain. I was somewhat set on 24” bar but if those saws can easily run a .404 28” bar I might change decisions.

Thanks.

Edit: I have read through all the pages.

I run a lot of 404 in dirty wood. The corner on 404 is so much larger than 3/8 . It takes a lot to dull that corner . The only downside with 404 is that it takes a lot of power to pull it . I cut up two dead trees with my scarr 572XP wearing a 24" 404 f-c f-c this morning.

 

[calcutta250]

I run a lot of 404 in dirty wood. The corner on 404 is so much larger than 3/8 . It takes a lot to dull that corner . The only downside with 404 is that it takes a lot of power to pull it . I cut up two dead trees with my scarr 572XP wearing a 24" 404 f-c f-c this morning.

Seems like I could run a 24” 404 pretty easily on a 592. I suspect that it would pull a 28” with no problems.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

A 592xp can easily run a 28" with
404.

 

[calcutta250]

A 592xp can easily run a 28" with
404.

Thanks. Now I need to think about this more. Lol.

 

[calcutta250]

A 592xp can easily run a 28" with
404.

Any real reason to run a 24” vs a 28” in 404 on a 592/395?

 

[Redfin]

Run what you brung until you need more.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Any real reason to run a 24” vs a 28” in 404 on a 592/395?

None that I can see, maybe $ .404 chain is not cheaper than other chain.
I ran a true 36" bar with .404 on my 394xp for the first year and it did just fine. I also run .404 on a Promac700, Homelite Super 1050A, 038 Super stihl,088 Stihl, and Poulan 5200.
.404 was pretty prevalent back in the day and as long as you match the bar to the saw you can put .404 on a 16" bar and an xl12 or other 50cc saw.
I ran a 592xp 2 weeks ago and I know that it'll handle a 28" with .404.

 

[bradb123]

Seems like I could run a 24” 404 pretty easily on a 592. I suspect that it would pull a 28” with no problems.

I almost always run 404 on my 592xp. I run a 28" and 36" set up in f-c f-c . The saw will pull it .

 

[davidwyby]

.404 is good, stihl chain is good. I have heard faster chain speed dulls chains faster...old chugalug saws might be better?

 

[Wilhelm]

.404 is good, stihl chain is good. I have heard faster chain speed dulls chains faster...old chugalug saws might be better?

You need a 090/090G for that eucalyptus You are cutting.
Or a 166 tuned on the rich side.

I keep posting that chain speed is not king in serious hard wood species!

 

[Squareground3691]

You need a 090/090G for that eucalyptus You are cutting.
Or a 166 tuned on the rich side.

I keep posting that chain speed is not king in serious hard wood species!

Don’t forget the King of the woods ,

 

[Wilhelm]

Don’t forget the King of the woods , View attachment 375170

Yeah, my mind is not 100% US oriented, but that beast would cut euc!

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Snapped a Stihl .404 chain milling with the ported 1201. Didn't hit anything, was oiling good, nothing was even warmed up.

Will continue using btch-ass stihl .404 chain, but I thought .404 was "durable"? Might switch to oregon .404.

Pav-ported CS 1201 needs .080/.404 harvester chain, . Couldn't imagine putting 3/8 on this monster.

 

[Wilhelm]

Well, the weakest link gave up.
You enforce enough power to anything and things will break.

What I keep wondering, people usually just break out the visibly damaged chain components and spin in new ones.
I would think that the whole loop is compromised!?