Stihl MS 400 C-M chain questions.

[JEG in Raleigh]

I have a Stihl MS 400 that I use in maintaining my property. I'm still on the original chain but want to buy a couple of spares. I have the 20" Rollomatic ES bar, part number 3003 000 8822. I have a yellow, full chisel, 72 tooth chain on it. I believe the part number is 3623 005 0072. When I search online, indeed that is a chain that exists or existed. See the attached photo. But when I go to the Stihl website, that part number does not exist. 3623 005 0068 exists, 3623 005 0070 exists, 3623 005 0084 exists, but 3623 005 0072 does NOT exist. See the screenshot photo. Does the 70 tooth chain replace the 72 tooth chain? I just don't understand. The markings on the bar also show that a 72 tooth chain needs to be used. See the attached photo. Can somebody explain? Is Stihl not making a yellow, full chisel, 72 tooth chain anymore? Thanks.

 

[ammoaddict]

I'm sure any stihl dealer in Raleigh has a 3/8 .050 72 dl chain to fit your bar.

 

[jacob j.]

Stihl still has the 33RS (Rapid Super) round-ground chisel chain available - it's likely under a different part number now. Just take your old chain into a dealer and they'll be able to fix you up.

 

[huskihl]

The first picture you shared is .325 chain. You need 3/8.

I wouldn’t worry about the part number. Walk into any dealer like mentioned and get 3/8 x .050 72 DL in either chisel or semi chisel and you will be in business

 

[EFSM]

The first picture you shared is .325 chain. You need 3/8.

I wouldn’t worry about the part number. Walk into any dealer like mentioned and get 3/8 x .050 72 DL in either chisel or semi chisel and you will be in business

@JEG in Raleigh
Full chisel is about 20% faster than semi chisel, but dulls much more easily. It’s what almost all pros use, but for someone who is cutting dirty wood or lacks experience, semi chisel might be a better option.

 

[JEG in Raleigh]

@JEG in Raleigh
Full chisel is about 20% faster than semi chisel, but dulls much more easily. It’s what almost all pros use, but for someone who is cutting dirty wood or lacks experience, semi chisel might be a better option.

Thank you. I’m actually reasonably competent and pretty quick at sharpening and know how to keep it out of the dirt, so I would like to stay with a full chisel if possible and I looked at the photo again and it does say 3/8, so I believe that chain is the correct part number. From what the other guys have said, it sounds like the chain is readily available. I couldn’t find the 72 link version on the Stihl website and was thinking maybe they weren’t making it anymore but I guess they just have it missing from the website for some reason.

 

[sawmikaze]

@JEG in Raleigh
Full chisel is about 20% faster than semi chisel, but dulls much more easily. It’s what almost all pros use, but for someone who is cutting dirty wood or lacks experience, semi chisel might be a better option.

"Pros" cut dirty wood as well, matching the chain to the job at hand is what makes you efficient.

There's already enough people who shouldn't be using one of the worlds deadliest hand tools as is, semi chisel isn't gonna save them.

 

[EFSM]

"Pros" cut dirty wood as well, matching the chain to the job at hand is what makes you efficient.

There's already enough people who shouldn't be using one of the worlds deadliest hand tools as is, semi chisel isn't gonna save them.

“Loggers” or “fellers” would have been a better choice of word.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Thank you. I’m actually reasonably competent and pretty quick at sharpening and know how to keep it out of the dirt, so I would like to stay with a full chisel if possible and I looked at the photo again and it does say 3/8, so I believe that chain is the correct part number. From what the other guys have said, it sounds like the chain is readily available. I couldn’t find the 72 link version on the Stihl website and was thinking maybe they weren’t making it anymore but I guess they just have it missing from the website for some reason.

Pretty common to change part numbers to reflect "new" price point. We all know which way that goes...

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Click on Traverse creek at the top of page. They sell some PDG aftermarket pro chain at great prices.

 

[ammoaddict]

Click on Traverse creek at the top of page. They sell some PDG aftermarket pro chain at great prices.

Yep. 3 dukes chains that size for $35.

 

[JEG in Raleigh]

Click on Traverse creek at the top of page. They sell some PDG aftermarket pro chain at great prices.

Thank you. I just ordered a pack to try them out.

 

[sawmikaze]

“Loggers” or “fellers” would have been a better choice of word.

I can't speak for all but out of the handful of guys I talk to harvesting timber all of them run semi-chisel chain on the landing, particularly RM.

 

[bwalker]

I can't speak for all but out of the handful of guys I talk to harvesting timber all of them run semi-chisel chain on the landing, particularly RM.

I did that on my landing saw for awhile. What I noticed is the stay sharp ability of semi wasnt much more than chisel when cutting skidded logs. It was easier just to have one type of chain on hand so eventually went to just chisel. I did sharpen it a bit differently and used techniques to maximize chain life.

 

[MtnHaul]

I did that on my landing saw for awhile. What I noticed is the stay sharp ability of semi wasnt much more than chisel when cutting skidded logs. It was easier just to have one type of chain on hand so eventually went to just chisel. I did sharpen it a bit differently and used techniques to maximize chain life.

This echoes my experience. I never could really tell if the semi-chisel lasted much longer--a dirty log is a pain in the chain. A customer gave me some carbide tipped chain and even that wasn't very impressive with a lot of grit present.

 

[hacskaroly]

Does the 70 tooth chain replace the 72 tooth chain?

The answer to this is no, you will always use a 72 drive link chain with that bar, no matter what type of 3/8 .050 chain you are using (Husqvarna, Oregon, Duke's, full chisel (Super - S), semi (Micro-M), Duro....etc.

 

[hacskaroly]

I can't speak for all but out of the handful of guys I talk to harvesting timber all of them run semi-chisel chain on the landing, particularly RM.

I have heard this too.

 

[JEG in Raleigh]

The answer to this is no, you will always use a 72 drive link chain with that bar, no matter what type of 3/8 .050 chain you are using (Husqvarna, Oregon, Duke's, full chisel (Super - S), semi (Micro-M), Duro....etc.

Thank you for clarifying that for me.

 

[sawmikaze]

I have heard this too.

I personally use semi chisel for the firewood I cut and when we do removals of old nasty dead trees.

 

[hacskaroly]

I personally use semi chisel for the firewood I cut and when we do removals of old nasty dead trees.

From what I understand with the semi-chisel is that each of the cutters takes a smaller cut than compared to full chisel, but each of them equally cuts and this extends their ability to stay sharper longer. The full chisel takes bigger cuts (digs a little deeper) and so there is more stress on the cutters and they tend to dull quicker (compared to semi-chisel).

When I was selling chain, I would sell the person whatever they wanted, if they didn't know what they wanted, I lead them towards semi-chisel.