Short Bar Testing - tree monkey 661 @ ct gtg

[Redbull661]

wanted to see if there was a difference between these bars before we went to CT. But ended up testing them in CT. Anywho, chains taken off same Stihl 33RS roll. Chains stretched and re-tensioned as usual. 2 warm up cuts performed in little (clean) oak log. Then the test cuts done.

To be fair to the roller nose - it's tip shouldn't be in the wood when cutting. Hindsight 20/20 sort of thing.

 

[Redbull661]

found another bar to test.. Theory/question was - does the wide tip help? Would it be faster than the Tsumura lite?

Big Thank You to @Ron660 borrowing me his 20" Cannon Super Bar Plus (wide tip). These bars are no longer made so trying to find one, for this test took some time. Ron660 is the man!

First step - figure out what chains and sprocket combinations work best on it. I figured it should be the same but wasn't exactly sure because of the wide tip. So did some cuts with RSL (full comp square) and RSLH (semi skip square) in soft pine and hard maple to get an idea...

here are the up cuts -

 

[Redbull661]

so above is figuring out what to do the face off with. In summary RSLH was faster than RSL. Then down cuts 10pin RSLH was fastest. In upcuts 9pin RSLH only had slight advanatge. So final face off is 10pin RSLH Cannon SBP vs 10pin RSLH Tsumura/total Lite.

times are almost identical. i would give an ever so slight edge to the cannon. but the tsumura is easier to handle and deal with as far as chain lengths go. some material would need to be removed from the azz end of the cannon. otherwise you have a gap when using 74dl with the 10pin or 73dl with the 9pin. The tsumura has no gap with 72dl 9pin or 73dl 10pin.

tsumura lite - 9pin - you can go up to 9pin with a regular 20" 72dl chain
tsumura lite - 10pin - you need 73dl

cannon wide tip - 9pin - you need 73dl
cannon wide tip - 10pin - you need 74dl

 

[mdavlee]

Until you get a race chain or practice chain testing with stock chains is going to be a waste unless you plan to run a stock chain. I know there's a huge difference on which sprocket I can use from stock to a good chain.

 

[Deets066]

You are seeing faster times with the skip chain because you are clearing the chips.

Full comp race chain is built around the theory of clearing chips. If you want to win races I would start playin with chain.

 

[Moparmyway]

Nobody runs stock chain for competition, square filing angles and chain prep are critical for winning ............. however, the stock chain testing does lead one to believe that there could be an advantage if the best bar is used

 

[mdavlee]

Nobody runs stock chain for competition, square filing angles and chain prep are critical for winning ............. however, the stock chain testing does lead one to believe that there could be an advantage if the best bar is used

But that throws the sprocket out til you test your chains. I knkw some of mine an 8 pin is all the 90cc saws want

 

[Moparmyway]

But that throws the sprocket out til you test your chains. I knkw some of mine an 8 pin is all the 90cc saws want

I'm thinking that you grab one of the better bars and test away

 

[tree monkey]

how is a race chain going to show which bar is faster over using a stock chain?

we know that a race chain will cut faster across the board, but that's not the point of the test.

 

[jake wells]

im not sure if there is a speed different between bars but i know for a fact there are many bars out there that has either a 7,8,9,10 etc.... tooth sprocket in the nose.
im sure there is a little difference but i never have paid any attention to it but i have wondered.

 

[Dub11]

im not sure if there is a speed different between bars but i know for a fact there are many bars out there that has either a 7,8,9,10 etc.... tooth sprocket in the nose.
im sure there is a little difference but i never have paid any attention to it but i have wondered.

Whacha you doing up Jake?

 

[mdavlee]

how is a race chain going to show which bar is faster over using a stock chain?

we know that a race chain will cut faster across the board, but that's not the point of the test.

I'm talking about the sprocket part. The bar part is good to file away.

 

[bikemike]

I'm not a firewood hack so I don't se the point in running anything under a 28 in b/c on a big saw that is built to work like a mofo. If it's all about how fast it can cut while standing on the ground then might as well pipe it and run some nitro and alky.

 

[Redbull661]

how is a race chain going to show which bar is faster over using a stock chain?

we know that a race chain will cut faster across the board, but that's not the point of the test.

I figure if I am using new stock chains off the same roll. I am going to have even more consistency over using a hand sharpened chain. As long as I have that. Then I can test to see if different bars are faster.

So after all the testing, I think I like the 20" Tsumura/Total Lite .050 3/8 72dl bar. Why...

- I like how it's cut on the end which allows me do a 9pin sprocket with a typical 72dl 20" chain.
- I think the lite weight helps move it around faster
- I think the cutouts help disperse heat.
- I think the cutouts might even reduce drag through the wood..they seem to be slightly concave, so less surface area touching.
- Seems to have an edge over other bars in the speed department. Although the Cannon and it were neck and neck.
- I like the larger oil port on them. Push lots of oil.
- From previous heat testing I know they run cool. As do the sprocket noses.
- and finally they are relatively cheap and easy to get. I got mine from @fordf150 for like $75-80 shipped.

I'm not a firewood hack so I don't se the point in running anything under a 28 in b/c on a big saw that is built to work like a mofo. If it's all about how fast it can cut while standing on the ground then might as well pipe it and run some nitro and alky.

it's just for fun at gtg's cant racing. Now that I've picked my bar. I'll start messing with race chain and sprocket size.

 

[Deets066]

Bars aren't any different than the rest of the equation. Modify your bar to your liking

 

[Deets066]

Nice testing though. That *s-word takes time

 

[RI Chevy]

As always Julian, thank you for sharing your testing. Very interesting results.