Shindaiwa 492

[Brush Ape]

Hi guys. I like food and work. You know when you pick up a good tool it’s like a good golf club or ball glove just feels right. You can feel the heart in it. I have always been a Stihl owner and a real fan. My MS 261 is due to go down for an oil pump and some machining so in the meantime I picked up a new Shindaiwa 492 to do the 261’s chores. I’ll crack this thread open when I crack the Shindaiwa open later. For now lets say she just felt right so I grabbed it and gonna run it!!

Here’s what I need input on. How do I adapt this saw to use the chain pictured? I could use part #s on sprocket and bar if anyone here knows a way. You guys will know more than the dealer as always. Thank you.

 

[fearofpavement]

So you want to use a lo pro chain? It's .050 gauge and as far as what else needs to be changed it depends on what chain the saw is currently set up for. My guess is it's gonna be using something other than lo pro.

 

[fearofpavement]

In my opinion, .325 chain is the appropriate chain for a powerhead in that class. Why do you want something different? (As opposed to running the factory set up?)

 

[Gullet]

Being a "Post Merger" Shindaiwa, it is likely a Poulan 041 tailmount bar.

 

[dahmer]

I converted my Echo 490’s from .325 to 3/8 lp. Had to get Stihl rim drives and machine them so they would fit the 490. Then I adapted a bar so I could run the same length chains I was running on my 400. I like the way the 91vxl cuts as opposed to the .325.

 

[Nutball]

I ran 3/8 LP on a 490 just to try it out, but with a regular small spline 3/8 rim, not the Stihl Picco LP rim. I can't remember how well the 3/8lp meshed in the regular 3/8 rim. I would just run it with what it came with for now.

You'd have to check to make sure the oil holes line up properly, but I used a 20" Oregon 200PXDK041 bar

 

[Gullet]

Mic your crank diameter (I couldn't find it).
Download Oregons pdf sprocket reference & you may be able to find a Spur sprocket under the Echo brand with the same size crank.
Good luck finding a LP rim drive for Shindaiwa or Echo with a 50cc size crank.

Use any Poulan 041 3/8LP bar, IIRC A041, is LP (MILLIONS of them on the market).

A regular 3/8" bar wont work.
Different sprocket tip tooth count.
Same for pto drive as far as I know (6 vs 7 tooth).

Maybe mod a rim like mentioned earlier?

 

[Brush Ape]

What about the spool of .325 .063 RSC chain?
Thanks for the input on the 3/8 LP. Remember anything worthwhile in itself can be made self-sustaining. Sort of like I am combin’ thru my scraps I harvest out the dumpster at a furniture plant. I come up with these offcuts frequently and I think of Edwin @Wood Doctor and the ones he made. There is always redoak, quartersawn whiteoak and maple specimens 35 gallon cans of. They are two piece laminate and look to me would function? Pretty valuable bucking up piles of logs with no binds.

 

[Brush Ape]

 

[Wood Doctor]

What about the spool of .325 .063 RSC chain?
Thanks for the input on the 3/8 LP. Remember anything worthwhile in itself can be made self-sustaining. Sort of like I am combin’ thru my scraps I harvest out the dumpster at a furniture plant. I come up with these offcuts frequently and I think of Edwin @Wood Doctor and the ones he made. There is always red oak, quartersawn white oak and maple specimens 35 gallon cans of. They are two piece laminate and look to me would function? Pretty valuable bucking up piles of logsView attachment 350108 View attachment 350109 View attachment 350110 with no binds.

Those wedges will work fine! Perhaps a bit wider than most but the angle is almost on the nose. I have found that it does not take much thickness to hold the two halves apart and avoid the pinch. Great find!

 

[Brush Ape]

They are cool as heck and not expensive like the plastic ones plus you can burn it or drop ones in the forest and leave ‘em

 

[Wood Doctor]

There is one way to avoid noodle cutting altogether:


Stand the splitter up vertically.

 

[davidwyby]

.325 NK is kewl too. Stihl 23rs.

 

[jakethesnake]

I’d run the 325 ape

 

[davidwyby]

Light saber…hard to keep the razor sharp factory angles though.

 

[Brush Ape]

I must say the Japanese make the snappiest two strokes. I’ve ripped this little screamer thru tje paces and do recommend it for firewood. It seems light as heck too. Been hitting some locust up to 14” with it and nothing but flawless performance.

 

[jakethesnake]

I must say the Japanese make the snappiest two strokes. I’ve ripped this little screamer thru tje paces and do recommend it for firewood. It seems light as heck too. Been hitting some locust up to 14” with it and nothing but flawless performance.

View attachment 360745 View attachment 360746 View attachment 360747

What chain did you settle on?

 

[Gullet]

I must say the Japanese make the snappiest two strokes. I’ve ripped this little screamer thru tje paces and do recommend it for firewood. It seems light as heck too. Been hitting some locust up to 14” with it and nothing but flawless performance.

View attachment 360745 View attachment 360746 View attachment 360747

HUGE Shindaiwa fan here!
I focus more on the pre Merger models but wouldn't kick a newer model out of bed! Lol
That's a sweet 492!

 

[Brush Ape]

What chain did you settle on?

Is that stock .050 .325 semi chisel. This thing is a great saw. Check out the image here Philbert level stuff from the 492 operator manual…

 

[jakethesnake]

Wow ape. I’ve never seen that mentioned anywhere

@Philbert.

never occurred to me to try that

glad you’re diggin the saw man. Also glad you’re up and at it again. I know you mentioned you were sick for a while