Stihl chain quality?

[Seachaser]

Went by my dealer yesterday to pick up my ZT mower that had been serviced. He had a stack of NIB Stihl chains stacked on the counter. Thought he might have a deal on them, but he said they wouldn’t cut and Stihl wouldn’t take them back. He was obviously ticked off and said he hadn’t figured out what to make with them yet. He was extremely busy so I didn’t press the matter. But he did say it was over $125 of his down the drain. Anyone ever heard of this happening?
May go back and look at them when he’s not so busy. Lawnmower season is one of his busiest times.

 

[hacskaroly]

but he said they wouldn’t cut and Stihl wouldn’t take them back.

Was the chain 3/8p, .325 or 3/8? I have not had any issues with Stihl chain in the box or off the roll in the last couple of years. It would be interesting to find out what about them or how they won't cut. I have had customers complaining that their chain won't cut and then I point out that it is on backwards...it happens....Californians......

Unless they have some manufactured defect or the rivets are crimped too hard, this might be an opportunity to get a deal. Ask if you can bring in one of your saws (clean it up first) and see if you can fit a chain to it to make sure it works!

 

[Squish9]

This is brand new Stihl 36RM (3/8 063, 66DL) on a 660. I'm having a shocking run with it lately, that is 1 of 4 different size RM loops that would not cut when new.

 

[Wilhelm]

Stihl quality is not as superior as everyone so blindly believes?!



@Squish9 , did You look into the chain?
Rakers too high?
I had that on Stihl 3/8" Picco Full Chisel.

@Seachaser , go back and see if You can get a bulk package deal on the chains, ask politely.
In regards to Your Stihl dealer, that is the gratitude he gets from a manufacturing giant for peddling their goods - even though they are bad!

 

[Wilhelm]

This is brand new Stihl 36RM (3/8 063, 66DL) on a 660. I'm having a shocking run with it lately, that is 1 of 4 different size RM loops that would not cut when new.

Ah, "Down Under"!
Chain needs to go on backwards.
You should know that.

 

[Wilhelm]

Went by my dealer yesterday to pick up my ZT mower that had been serviced. He had a stack of NIB Stihl chains stacked on the counter. Thought he might have a deal on them, but he said they wouldn’t cut and Stihl wouldn’t take them back. He was obviously ticked off and said he hadn’t figured out what to make with them yet. He was extremely busy so I didn’t press the matter. But he did say it was over $125 of his down the drain. Anyone ever heard of this happening?
May go back and look at them when he’s not so busy. Lawnmower season is one of his busiest times.

Go in with a 6-pack, preferably cold!
Will help loosen him up a little, maybe.

 

[Squareground3691]

Need to investigate that situation, and find out what chains the dealer was talking about, seems odd but these days ya never know. The quality of NOS never gets old

 

[full chizel]

This is brand new Stihl 36RM (3/8 063, 66DL) on a 660. I'm having a shocking run with it lately, that is 1 of 4 different size RM loops that would not cut when new.

All chain is slow outta the box plus its semi chisel. Hit it with a file

 

[Squish9]

@Squish9 , did You look into the chain?
Rakers too high?
I had that on Stihl 3/8" Picco Full Chisel.

They missed most of the top plate.

 

[Wilhelm]

They missed most of the top plate.
View attachment 426888

Stihl!
Nuff said.

 

[Wilhelm]

All chain is slow outta the box plus its semi chisel. Hit it with a file

Don't You mean a hammer?

As in "hit it with a hammer"!

I personally never could get semi chisel loops to cut well filing them.
Getting a grinder was a blessing in so many ways I pity the days wasted filing rocked and semi chisel loops.

 

[jmester]

A member here I believe got a roll of stihl chain that none of the teeth had been sharpened from the factory.

 

[Seachaser]

Was the chain 3/8p, .325 or 3/8? I have not had any issues with Stihl chain in the box or off the roll in the last couple of years. It would be interesting to find out what about them or how they won't cut. I have had customers complaining that their chain won't cut and then I point out that it is on backwards...it happens....Californians......

Unless they have some manufactured defect or the rivets are crimped too hard, this might be an opportunity to get a deal. Ask if you can bring in one of your saws (clean it up first) and see if you can fit a chain to it to make sure it works!

3/8 .050 Don’t know length.

 

[Seachaser]

Go in with a 6-pack, preferably cold!
Will help loosen him up a little, maybe.

Oh he’ll tell me, he just had a bunch of customers. The lawn business is crazy and he’s the only dealer closer than 30 miles. Has a lot of commercial guys that have to have it quickly. Plus he was on vacation the week of the fourth.

 

[Squish9]

All chain is slow outta the box plus its semi chisel. Hit it with a file

The problem I have with it is they charge a premium for the stuff here so I have high expectations of it working. I bought 2 loops of Oregon DX for the price of that 1 RM chain. The DX worked well enough to use it when new, this stuff doesn't.

The quality just doesn't match the price anymore. I'm a Stihl fan but at the moment the best chain you can buy comes from Husky. Oregon has gone to sh.t and Stihl chain seems to be going that way as well lately.

 

[Squish9]

Don't You mean a hammer?

As in "hit it with a hammer"!

I personally never could get semi chisel loops to cut well filing them.
Getting a grinder was a blessing in so many ways I pity the days wasted filing rocked and semi chisel loops.

That's where I went wrong, I only hit it with my purse

 

[Wilhelm]

That's where I went wrong, I only hit it with my purse

Well, as long as it was pink & bedazzled we here on OPEForum forgive You for Your lack of better judgment!

After all , things are upsidedown downunder!

 

[Bill G]

Stihl!
Nuff said.

So what is superior?

 

[Bill G]

Went by my dealer yesterday to pick up my ZT mower that had been serviced. He had a stack of NIB Stihl chains stacked on the counter. Thought he might have a deal on them, but he said they wouldn’t cut and Stihl wouldn’t take them back. He was obviously ticked off and said he hadn’t figured out what to make with them yet. He was extremely busy so I didn’t press the matter. But he did say it was over $125 of his down the drain. Anyone ever heard of this happening?
May go back and look at them when he’s not so busy. Lawnmower season is one of his busiest times.

What ZT mowers is your Stihl dealer selling now since Stihl is fukin up that market now?

 

[Wilhelm]

So what is superior?

There is no such thing!
You gotta go with what works best for You in all/most aspects - that can be a 40$ Stihl or 8$ "China" chain.

Quality is becoming a thing of the past.