What to do with my Jonsered CS2255 (2nd saw)

My primary saw is a Stihl MS 362 (with extra sausage). I usually run it with a 20” bar and Oregon LGX. I have a Jonsered CS2255 that I inherited and only I have used. Good saw, runs great, also has a 20” bar.

Given the power to weight I’m accustomed to on the Stihl, the J-Red rarely gets used. I’m wondering if I should downsize the bar for smaller wood. This season I have a lot of smaller wood to cut so maybe I’ll get better use out of it. Is a shorter bar a good use of this saw? If so how short?

 

Looks like only slightly smaller in displacement compared to the 362. Might really rip with a 16" bar in .325. I have a like new CS2245 but it doesn't get much since I got the 261.

 

That's a good idea. Put a 16" bar in .325 on it and it will be lighter and work really well for the smaller stuff.

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Does that require a new sprocket?

 

It may. You will need to determine the size of chain you are currently using on the 2255. If it's .325 then you would simply need the shorter bar and a chain to match. If you are currently running 3/8 chain then you can always just get a 16'' bar in 3/8 too, however, a 16'' bar in 3/8 may be harder to find.

 

Currently running 3/8. Right now all of my sharpening gear is for 3/8. Is the speed increase of .325 worth the switch.

 

Looks like the CS 2255 is a Husky 455 Rancher in red. I think this is the correct sprocket. Power Mate® Rim Sprocket System .325" 7 Small 7 | Oregon Products

 

I would keep running 3/8 and source a 16'' bar and match it up with a 60 driver link chain (I think thats correct) and not look back. I have two 50cc saws and they both actually cut faster with 3/8 chain on 16'' bars than they do with .325. The .325 chain works better on smaller saws if they lack the power to pull 3/8.

 

I was mistaken. I have an 18” bar on the J-Red. I’m doubtful 2” will make enough difference to justify the expense right now with a nearly new bar and 2 chains.

 

or new bar & shorten chains if still good and have the tools for that.

 

I am in the same boat, as my first saw was a Jonesred 2255. Then I bought a Stihl MS 362, and recently added a Stihl 261 CM. Mine does not get too much use now either, but I do like keeping it as a backup with always a fresh sharpened chain on it. The two Stihl's are getting a lot of use and will often end up with dull chains at the end of the day. Today being one of those days. I came back to the house at dark with one dull and the other mostly dull saw.

Keeping the Jonesred in reserve gives me a sharp saw, for an emergency, in case I get caught with my pants down, and the other two saws not sharp. Wind storms come to mind, as we have had several in the last couple of years, and ended up with down trees on the road, lots of them sometimes.

 

I read about the Oregon Speedcut bar and chain yesterday. That may be a good fit for this saw down the road. I’m going to be cutting a lot of smaller stuff this year and am considering building an H frame for bucking the poles. I can run the Jonsered for felling and cutting to manageable lengths then keep the 25” on my Stihl for bucking in the H frame. We’ll see how it goes. I’ve run Stihl saws all my life so things like the outboard clutch are annoying on the Jonsered but it’s a very good saw otherwise.

 

Welp, I bent the stock bar pretty bad on this saw so I replaced it with a 16” Oregon Versacut with a semichisel chain in the same family of the rest of my chains (3/8 .050 Oregon 72DPX). I took a few standing dead trees down yesterday. The shorter bar is a better match for that power head than the original. Should make a good backup/ground work/dirty wood saw.

 

Since my last post on this thread dated back in November, I started using my Jonsered 2255 more, and then finally discovered I had a mismatched chain and bar from the factory (3/8 chain and bar) and a .325 sprocket, which finally wore out. I went back with an Oregon rim sprocket and new 20" Oregon 3/8 x .050 bar and chain. This saw now cuts great, and seems to have plenty of power for the 20" bar. However, I am running full skip chain on it. And now, after this picture when I first put it back together, I have converted it to square file. It's a cutting son of a gun, now.

 

When I get my saw stuck, I have started taking the bar and chain off, and then open up the gap a little to get the chain out. That way it doesn't put so much weight on the joint and bend everything.