Stihl Chain Saw

jbrumberg · Oct 13, 2008

I want to thank everyone for their input

! I was "tripled teamed" at the dealer today, but they did check out the saw and chain. As suggested I did adjust the oiler pump to maximum, and apparently the new EPA regulations do require less "oiling". The brand new anti-kickback chain was pretty worn, but I got a free chain sharpening and a new "Oregon" chain. I tested out the new chain late this afternoon and I am happy to report that I was able to cut 14" - 16" poplar, ash, and elm logs without difficulty. I was tanked before the chain saw was

. Jay

Willl · Oct 13, 2008

I don't understand, what was wrong with it ?

jbrumberg · Oct 14, 2008

Willl:

The best I can figure is I was probably running the chain slightly too tight, and that I had not increased the amount of bar oil flow initially. It appears that the original chain's cutters dulled really quickly and I just kept on cutting. I was used to the copious amounts of oil my very old Stihl 011AV chain saw (~27 years) used to kick out when cutting. Apparently the new chain saw models pump far less oil to the bar. Now that I have used the chain saw with a newer/better chain I am very pleased with my chain saw's performance. Jay

montanaman · Oct 14, 2008

jbrumberg said:
Willl:

The best I can figure is I was probably running the chain slightly too tight, and that I had not increased the amount of bar oil flow initially. It appears that the original chain's cutters dulled really quickly and I just kept on cutting. I was used to the copious amounts of oil my very old Stihl 011AV chain saw (~27 years) used to kick out when cutting. Apparently the new chain saw models pump far less oil to the bar. Now that I have used the chain saw with a newer/better chain I am very pleased with my chain saw's performance. Jay

Any chain that is used with care should serve you well. That said, take a look at how the Stihl chain is made compared to the Oregon. There are grooves on the sides of the drive links on the Stihl chain that help to get the oil out to the rivets where it is needed and with the EPA calling the shots on how much oil can be used, it really seems to help. Stihl chain is also the only chain that I am aware of that has all of the holes reamed, rather than just stamped. It seems to stretch less than and brand of chain on the market. I've had customers complain that is is hard to file, but that's a good thing! If it's hard to file, it will hold an edge better when it is sharp!

Glad to hear all is well with the saw.

Ken

jbrumberg · Oct 14, 2008

Ken:

Thank you for your input

! I had noticed the difference between Stihl and Oregon chains with my old 011AV. I really liked that old chain saw. No one was more surprised than I was when this new Stihl did not meet my expectations initially

. Yesterday's operation justified my choice of saws. When I get the Stihl chain back its performance against the Oregon will be compared. I just need to keep my chains sharpened

. Again thank you for your input. Jay