New Saw Day on Sat...

Another thing I like about the saw with a 16” bar and .325 chain is you can file the drags down and it keeps asking for more. I use a depth gauge and file drags for softwood and it’s not enough. I’ll take a few more strokes off even though I’m cutting oak 99.5% of the time. IMO it’s one of Stihls home run saws and it’s made in America.

 

Good info.... Thank you sir...

 

Years ago when I bought a Harley, one of the sticking points was it had to be a model with exhaust exiting on both sides of the rear wheel. Some models had two pipes stacked on one side and my OCD couldn't handle the imbalance. So, I ended up with a Road King...

 

Run the .325/ 18" on mine. A .325 will hold an edge as long as 3/8 as long as you don't hit any dirt. Good luck with the new saw.

 

I do not understand that your T540 came with 325 chain it should have 3/8 lo profile and your battery should have 3/8 lo profile 043 gauge chain on it the 325 chains work well on mid horsepower saws when you try to stretch the bar length but most customers think it works good smaller bite but keeps your rpm up a 261 will run 3/8 050 ok if you keep bar length 16-18 some put 20" on them and it seems to much when I test cut with them but that's my opinion JB

 

These are my two T540s.

 

I did some tests with 3/8 vs. .325. 3/8 cuts faster, .325 is a bit smoother (I can share vids if requested). I'm sure your 261 will pull 3/8 w/ no problem at all. I try and keep all my saws 3/8 for the simplicity of it. I can swap bars and chains among saws with no issue. It all comes down to personal preference.

 

Wow thats good info. I just assumed since the .325 took out less wood, it would be faster. Thanks again for the info.

 

The only thing I'm second guessing now is going 16"... or should it be 18"...

 

I have the same on my 500i. A 20" most of the time and a lite 28" for the big stuff. Agility was why I was set on the 16" to start with but then again, my two top handles are about as agile as you can get with their 14's.

 

The only reason I use a 18” is because I measure my rounds with the bar and cut my rounds at 18”. Otherwise I probably just go with 16”

 

How tall are you? I put an 18 on 260 for no other reason than less bending over to limb?? Rarely do I bury it as faster to grab bigger saw

 

I just got an 8 pin 3/8 sprocket to try on our MS461. I run 28" on it mostly, got a couple semi skip chains for it.
It's not ported yet, but does have dual port muffler that is open and Maxflow air filter. Cant wait to try it...

 

I have a 7 pin on it now. Also have 20 and 25" bars I can try...

 

OK now I understand the 325 is the micro in 043 and you are running a 14 inch bar most customers who have gotten 043 chain have problems on 14-16 inch bars with binding and or throwing the chain (mostly on 16) the bars are so thin they tend to twist easily the 050 bars are much stiffer and it stops that, but all of the battery saws I have sold were 3/8 043 (Makita) and they have not had any issues yet with binding
I have just gotten my husky line and the battery saws will not be here until mid november I will definitely mention your issues to my rep and see if he has anything to say about it
Will keep you posted on their answer always learning something Thanks JB

 

It makes sense what you say about my 14" bar binding being so thin. Even limbing small pine etc., if I'm not on the right side of branch tension, it locks up. This happens a lot. On the other hand, the 3/8" on my gas T540 almost never binds and is so versatile, part of me second guesses the need for a 261. I use it more than my 500i and the ability to go one handed is so efficient. (Yes, I know I'm not supposed to do that but I eat red meat or pizza most nights followed by adult beverages and I shouldn't do that either...LOL)