WCS clutch cover/ deflector for 462/500

[ElevatorGuy]

 

[Dub11]

I haven’t looked into it, dunno what they cost, but I know some would really like a deeper non plastic cover for the 7900…

Just cut the cover you got. Instant chip flow improvement for free.

 

[Funky sawman]

Now if it was a lower cost alternative to the OEM cover, then we might have something to write home about.

 

[Funky sawman]

I have to admit, when I first laid eyes on this cover, I got a little excited till I really thought about it. As much as I've seen OEM covers crack, I wonder if this custom one has the stress risers eliminated, and built thicker in areas to prevent vibration cracking.

 

[Shanesaw80]

I can’t comment on the 500i personally as I don’t own one but we have 10 guys on our project right now running them and in the last 2 months there have been 6 broken clutch covers and one broken gas tank (derailed the chained, broke through the clutch cover and gas tank). It’s the only complaint that I’ve personally heard about these saws but it’s a pretty common one. I know that cover is expensive but I know most of the guys here would fork out the cash if they thought it was going to hold up a ton better then the stock cover. Only time will tell I guess.

 

[Duke Thieroff]

Full disclosure, I am a dealer for WCS.

I believe this was brought to market to solve the problem of the OEM covers cracking.

I think it's less "bling" and more functionality.

The cover is milled out of billet aluminum which is an expensive material and process and will keep guys in the woods working and using one cover instead of having to purchase/carry a number of backups over the life of the saw.

Easier to control cost wise (no casting mold) and a lot cheaper than a casting mold which will likely product a cover that's weak in the same ways as OEM.

It is shiny though.

 

[davidwyby]

I run a machine shop....$160 is a good price for that cover. Billet is stronger than cast. Especially if they added some meat in the fracture points.

If you don't like bling, paint it.

WCS might offer that option....

 

[davidwyby]

I can’t comment on the 500i personally as I don’t own one but we have 10 guys on our project right now running them and in the last 2 months there have been 6 broken clutch covers and one broken gas tank (derailed the chained, broke through the clutch cover and gas tank). It’s the only complaint that I’ve personally heard about these saws but it’s a pretty common one. I know that cover is expensive but I know most of the guys here would fork out the cash if they thought it was going to hold up a ton better then the stock cover. Only time will tell I guess.

I wonder if some armor could be made to go in there....steel sheetmetal.

 

[Funky sawman]

I thought the factory covers were magnesium not aluminum

 

[Funky sawman]

I run a machine shop....$160 is a good price for that cover. Billet is stronger than cast. Especially if they added some meat in the fracture points.

If you don't like bling, paint it.

WCS might offer that option....

Being it's aluminum, you could even anodize it different colors

 

[Funky sawman]

Full disclosure, I am a dealer for WCS.

I believe this was brought to market to solve the problem of the OEM covers cracking.

I think it's less "bling" and more functionality.

The cover is milled out of billet aluminum which is an expensive material and process and will keep guys in the woods working and using one cover instead of having to purchase/carry a number of backups over the life of the saw.

Easier to control cost wise (no casting mold) and a lot cheaper than a casting mold which will likely product a cover that's weak in the same ways as OEM.

It is shiny though.

Good to know, would be nice to have a better stronger cover for 372, 390, 572 family saws hint hint

 

[Shanesaw80]

I wonder if some armor could be made to go in there....steel sheetmetal.

I'm sure some crafty person could get something to work. The only possible issue I see with that is putting more material inside a cover that’s already too narrow would make it harder to clear the wood chips, or at least that’s how I see it in my head. If the WCS is strong and holds up to the abuse then I see it as the perfect option. Remember I’m just going off of second hand information, I personally don’t own one or have any extensive run time on one.

 

[jacob j.]

I personally don’t own one or have any extensive run time on one.

I can't speak for the 500i, but timber faller buddies of mine have had a lot of problems with the 661 for similar reasons.

 

[Shanesaw80]

I can't speak for the 500i, but timber faller buddies of mine have had a lot of problems with the 661 for similar reasons.

I’ve broken one 661 cover but to be honest I should have changed my chip deflector long before I broke the cover.

What I find weird is all the guys talk about how often they derail the chain on the 500i, an excessive amount resulting in smashing these covers. At first I assumed operator error, not maintaining equipment, etc…. You know the usual *s-word that guys have a habit of not doing. But then my falling partner who I’ve cut with for years used his new 500i for 16 days before smashing the back out of the cover and complained the whole time about the chain derailing. He then got angry and went back to his trusty 461 and haven’t had an issue since, same bar and chain.

 

[ZukiRyder440]

Chainsaw bling is the dumbest thing I've seen in my entire life.

agleed

 

[davidwyby]

I thought the factory covers were magnesium not aluminum

Cast, either way.

@Shanesaw80 maybe xtra clearance cover and chain guard combo.

 

[davidwyby]

Can someone post some pics of a 500i inside the clutch cover, etc.? @HYPERSAWS you got a blown up one to work off of if it comes to that?

 

[ManiacalMark]

The nice thing about an aluminum one is if you do phook it up damn near anyone with a tig machine or spool gun can weld it.

I’ll be honest I like the cover, and I understand branding products. But if bought one the first thing I’d do is weld the letters in a mill it flat.

 

[HYPERSAWS]

Can someone post some pics of a 500i inside the clutch cover, etc.? @HYPERSAWS you got a blown up one to work off of if it comes to that?

I got one I am building I will get some pics. It has a custom 461 clutch cover on it.

 

[Infinitejest]

No sh!t in my eyes or down my shirt = priceless.
Plus a nice beefy rubber chip flap for the occasional violent chain throw.
They definitely don't look like bling after one day in the strip with me, lol.