aftermarket replacement for Stihl chain? (71 PM3 64 Drive Links)

[ArlyA]

Folks, I'll try to address some of your concerns and questions.

I have searched on the internet for chains and found them at Bailey's, Ebay etc etc, but all for more $$.

Yes I file chains. I don't own anything but files.

These micro sized chains are not holding up for our type of work. They seem to be fragile and break, or get damaged in around 2.5 days of work so I asked our Stihl dealer to get us the parts to swtich us to the next size larger, 3/8th chains. But the parts are not showing up due to covid parts bottle neck. As stated earlier, we've had good luck with Oregon chains which we got for about $11 but we can not find them in this 1/4 pitch. These also last quite long and got many resharpening. I can't tell you which model Oregon chains these are at this time, but these 1/4 pitch chains are not common and appear to be more costly. I like to have at least 5 chains and 3 sharp ones in the field with us. What did I miss??

We are not new at this.

 

[dodge man]

Not trying to be to critical here but I’m going to speak up anyway. I get what you are doing with the trail clearing and a pole saw works best but I also see you at time cutting some pretty good sized logs with your pole saw to get them out of the way. When I see those pics I think a chainsaw would be easier and quicker. The only reason I’m saying this it might make your pole saw chains last longer. If you don’t have a chainsaw available it’s probably best to just keep going as you are.

 

[ericm979]

The Bailey's house brand chain is fine. I use a lot of it. But it's not as good as Stihl chain. It does not stay sharp as long. If the two are close in price, I'd go with the Stihl version.

There's a lot of Chinese 3/8 full chisel and supposedly some of it is not bad. If my FarmerTech/Huztl black friday order ever arrives I have some loops in there to try. But they don't appear to be making 1/4" .43 yet. And that stuff isn't cheap! You'd think with less steel in it and the same manufacturing process it'd cost less than the more common sizes, but no.

If you were going to be sticking with 1/4 and not switching over to 3/8LP I'd suggest seeing if it makes sense to buy the breaker and spinner so you can make your own loops off a big roll.

I second the idea of using a chainsaw for stuff on the ground, but if you're hiking in I can see why you would not want to carry an additional tool.

 

[xyz123]

That MICRO 1/4" chain is a whole new game. I had to buy even smaller files for it when I ran it on the 150.

Here is a micro 1/4" compared (marked MINI 2nd from bottom) to regular size 1/4" I have hanging here that come off saws that cam in.

 

[ArlyA]

That MICRO 1/4" chain is a whole new game. I had to buy even smaller files for it when I ran it on the 150.
Here is a micro 1/4" compared (marked MINI 2nd from bottom) to regular size 1/4" I have hanging here that come off saws that cam in.

Indeed these stihl micro's are small, so I call them "jewelry chains". :laughing: Nonetheless, they weren't holding up very well for serous users like us. I'll run to my Stihl dealer today and see whats up in the parts and new chain business.

 

[xyz123]

Indeed these stihl micro's are small, so I call them "jewelry chains". :laughing: Nonetheless, they weren't holding up very well for serous users like us. I'll run to my Stihl dealer today and see whats up in the parts and new chain business.

What saw model you have with this micro 1/4"? Only the very small gas saws and battery saws I know of use it.

I know on the 150 you would NOT want to move up to 3/8LP like mentioned above. It uses MICRO 1/4" for a reason.

Dont even know how it would handle full size 1/4". Might check to see if that would work or not.

 

[ArlyA]

Its the Kombi system saw head. Stihl claims you can swtich to multiple bar and chain combinations on it. As stated earlier, we ordered the 3/8 pitch months ago and not seen the parts yet. Looks like lake snow is kicking in here, so any more trail work will be curtailed.

 

[nybirdman]

I converted my Stihl 180c from the Micro to standard bar and chain with no problem;all parts from the local dealer.

 

[ArlyA]

My dealer says that trilink builds micro chains which sell for about $10. He said can't get them for me so I bought another stihl chain from him, just because they have good service. I looked for these 1/4 micro by trilink but could not locate any. Need to look again later

 

[denchen]

I`m not sure if Archer from Australia, chains will fit. I`ve never used theirs, so I`ve no idea what they are like.