Chain Information Manual
Contents
Chain Information, What is the Best Chain? 01
Stihl Chains 02
Stihl 13RM, 13RMS, 26RMC 03
Stihl 26RSC, 36RMC, 36RMX 04
Stihl 46RCX, 46RM, 46RS 05
Stihl 61PMMC3, 63PMC3, 63PS3 06
Oregon Chains 07
Oregon 90SG, 91VPX, 25AP 08
Oregon 22LPX, 22BPX, 95VPX 09
Oregon 75LPX, 75DP, 59L 10
Oregon 59AC, 75RD, 27R 11
Oregon 27RA, 59CJ 12
Oregon MultiCut 91VX, MultiCut 22LPX 13
Oregon MultiCut 95VPX, MultiCut 75LPX 14
Granberg Ripping Chain 15
Chain Information
This manual details more information on the various chains
sold on the website. It gives several pictures of each particular
chain as well as information from the manufacturers.
What is the Best Chain?
Forums debate this question constantly and in the end much
comes down to personal experience. In summary Stihl and
Oregon both produce very high quality products. With correct
maintenance all the chains listed will perform well.
Stihl Chains 02
Working through the numbers – Stihl chain is rightly seen as the highest quality
chainsaw chain available in the world today. Unfortunately Stihl have labelled
their chain with various numbers and letters that allude to their own terminology.
This can make deciphering which chain you need difficult.
Rapid
Almost every Stihl chain has this prefix to show their chains are fast cutting. The
term does not seem to apply to anything specific.
Micro
This tells us the profile of the chain and working corner is micro chisel. Similar to
semi chisel chain it gives slightly less speed than a full chisel but better resistance
to dulling and more forgiving of sharpening errors. Look at micro chisel chain as
semi chisel chain.
Picco
This is exactly the same as saying 3/8 lo pro.
Super
Stihls full chisel chain. The highest performing chain in terms of speed of cutting
yet more fussy of sharpening technique and much less tolerant of dirty wood.
Super means full chisel.
Comfort
Chain designed to give less vibration and smother cutting. In real terms the
cutter and tie strap are a slightly different design.
3
Humped drive link to reduce the tendency of kickback. Almost looks like a
‘double’ depth gauge or raker just before the tooth.
More information can be found on Stihls site here:
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/types.html
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Stihl 13RM, 13RMS, 26RMC 03
Stihl 13 Rapid Micro (RM) – .250 (1/4) pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
Micro chisel chain for all round use. Micro chisel corners make it easier to sharpen.
For small compact chainsaws.
Stihl 13 Rapid Micro Super (RMS) – .250 (1/4) pitch .050” (1.3mm) gauge
This chain is specifically designed for use with carving bars. Low vibration, good
cutting and excellent boring characteristics. The shorter top plate makes boring
easier and faster when carving.
Stihl 26 Rapid Micro Comfort (RMC) – .325 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
Good all round chain with micro chisel corners for easier sharpening.
Good resistance to dulling.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Stihl 26RSC, 36RMC, 36RMX 04
Stihl 26 Rapid Super Comfort (RSC) – .325 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
High performance full chisel chain with low vibration for professional
applications. Requires good chain sharpening technique and being
full chisel chain is less resistant to dulling.
Stihl 36 Rapid Micro Comfort (RMC) – .375 (3/8) pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
Good all round chain with micro chisel corners for easier sharpening.
Good resistance to dulling.
Stihl 36 Rapid Micro X (RMX) – .375 (3/8) pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
Ripping chain for use with chainsaw mills. Micro chisel corners with top
plate factory filed to 10 degrees. Good resistance to dulling.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Stihl 46RCX, 46RM, 46RS 05
Stihl 46 Rapid Comfort X (RCX) .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
Stihls .404 ripping chain for use with large chainsaw mills. Good dulling
resistance and easier to sharpen. Comes factory filed to 10 degrees.
Stihl 46 Rapid Micro (RM) .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
Standard micro chisel chain for all round use. Micro chisel corners are
easier to sharpen. Good resistance to dulling.
Stihl 46 Rapid Super (RS) .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
High performance saw chain for fast cutting in professional situations.
Chisel corners require good sharpening technique and being full chisel
is less resistant to dulling.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Stihl 61PMMC3, 63PMC3, 63PS3 06
Stihl 61 Picco Micro Mini Comfort 3 (PMMC3)
3/8 lo pro pitch .043 (1.1mm) gauge
All purpose chain for use on smaller chainsaws. Robust, low kickback and
hard wearing with high cutting performance due to a very narrow kerf.
Note this is the smallest gauge chain at .043” gauge.
Stihl 63 Picco Micro Comfort 3 (PMC3) 3/8 lo pro pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
All purpose chain for smaller chainsaws. Low kickback and low vibration
with good resistance to dulling.
Stihl 63 Picco Super (PS3) – 3/8 lo pro pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
New from Stihl the only 3/8 lo pro full chisel chain in the world. Fast
cutting performance with low vibration. Recommended for arborists
and top handled chainsaws.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Oregon Chains 07
Oregon also have their own method of labelling chains that
is totally different to Stihl.
More info can be found on the Oregon site here:
http://www.oregonchain.eu/en/products/catalogue2011
The first numbers denote the pitch and gauge of the chain
for example 75lpx the 75 means 3/8 pitch .063 gauge.
25 – ¼ (.250) pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
90 – 3/8 lo pro pitch .043 (1.1mm) gauge
91 – 3/8 lo pro pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
95 – .325 pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
20 – .325 pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
21 – .325 pitch .058 (1.5mm) gauge
22 – 3/8 (.375) pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
72 – 3/8 (.375) pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
73 – 3/8 (.375) pitch .058 (1.3mm) gauge
75 – 3/8 (.375) pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
59 – .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
27 – .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
M – MultiCut
There are also letters after the numbers e.g. 75lpx
To translate these letters is confusing and makes Stihls system
appear straight forward!
L – stands for full chisel chain
R – refers to ripping chain
P – appears to stand for humped drive link similar to Stihls number 3
D and B – appear to refer to the equivalent of semi chisel/micro chisel chain
X – similar to Stihls R in that it does not seem specific i.e. means rapid cutting
The other letters used to label Oregon chain do not seem to
follow any consistency.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Oregon 90SG, 91VPX, 25AP 08
Oregon 90SG – 3/8 lo pro pitch .043 (1.1mm) gauge
Lightweight chain for smaller chainsaws. To be used in conjunction with
Oregon micro light bars that have a .43 gauge bar groove.
Oregon 91VXL – 3/8 lo pro pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
Lightweight high performance chain for smaller chainsaws.
Recommended for arborists and top handled saws.
Oregon 25AP – .250 (1/4) pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
Small size and lightweight chain for the smallest chainsaws.
Can also be used with carving bars.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Oregon 22LPX, 22BPX, 95VPX 09
Oregon 22LPX – .325 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
High performance full chisel chain with bumper drive links to reduce kickback.
Fast cutting but with reduced resistance to dulling due to being full chisel.
Oregon 22BPX – .325 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
Micro chisel chain with humped drive links that provides smooth fast cutting.
Semi chisel profile means chain more tolerant of sharpening errors and has
greater resistance to dulling.
Oregon 95VPX – .325 pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
Lightweight chain that cuts only a thin kerf allowing greater performance
for smaller chainsaws. Must be used with a bar that has a .050 gauge. Gives
very rapid and efficient cutting. Recommended.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Oregon 75LPX, 75DP, 59L 10
Oregon 75LPX – .375 (3/8) pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
Oregons benchmark full chisel chain for pro users. Bumper drive links reduce
kickback while the full chisel profile gives very fast cutting. Harder to sharpen
correctly and less resistant to dulling being full chisel.
Oregon 75DP – .375 (3/8) pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
Rounded semi chisel chain that will give good performance yet is more
tolerant of sharpening errors and more resistant to dulling.
Oregon 59L – .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
High performing full chisel chain for large chainsaws. Designed for rapid
cutting of big timber. Full chisel chain is harder to sharpen correctly and is
less tolerant to dulling.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Oregon 59AC, 75RD, 27R 11
Oregon 59AC – .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
The only full chipper chain we sell. Fully rounded corners give good cutting
in hard wood and excellent durability and easy of sharpening. Much more
tolerant to dulling than full chisel chain.
Oregon 75RD – .375 (3/8) pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
Standard 75 semi chisel chain that has been factory sharpened to 10 degrees
ready to use with chainsaw mills for ripping timber.
Oregon 27R – .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
.404 chain for use with large chainsaw mills. Comes pre-sharpened to 10
degrees ready to use with chainsaw mills for ripping timber.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Oregon 27RA, 59CJ 12
Oregon 27RA – .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
27R chain in a full skip link format. Skip link chain has an additional link in between each
cutter. This gives faster more aggressive cutting. It requires more power and is better suited
to older style saws that have high torque and less revs. Or use with a smaller bar on an
existing large saw. This one comes factory sharpened at 10 degrees for ripping timber.
Oregon 59CJ – .404 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
The only square ground chain we sell. Square ground chain is not used much in the
UK. It is harder to sharpen and the files more expensive. This version is a full skip link
chain and is the fastest cutting chain we sell. For professionals only. See our chain
sharpening page for links to how to sharpen.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Oregon MultiCut 91VX, MultiCut 22LPX 13
MultiCut chains
Oregon do a range of MultiCut chains. These chains are standard
chains but with extra heavy duty chrome plating on the top plate
to increase resistance to dulling in dirty abrasive conditions. Bear in
mind they will cut for longer in harsh conditions but they will never
cut as fast and efficiently as ‘normal’ chain. The thicker chrome layer
means you can never get the top plate quite as sharp.
Oregon MultiCut 91VX 3/8 lo pro pitch .050 (1.3mm) gauge
MultiCut chain for smaller chainsaws. Be aware the teeth are shorter than on the
equivalent 91VPX chain. More durability at the expense of efficient cutting.
Oregon MultiCut 22LPX .325 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
22LPX with extra heavy duty chrome plating. More durability at the expense
of cutting efficiency.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Oregon MultiCut 95VPX, MultiCut 75LPX 14
Oregon MultiCut 95VPX .325 pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
95VPX with extra heavy duty chrome plating. More durability at the expense
of cutting efficiency.
Oregon MultiCut 75LPX .375 (3/8) pitch .063 (1.6mm) gauge
75LPX with extra heavy duty chrome plating. More durability at the expense
of cutting efficiency.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
Granberg Ripping Chain 15
Granberg Ripping Chain
Available in all pitches and gauges for all chainsaws. Granberg chain is
adapted Carlton chain and is specifically designed for ripping planks of
timber using a chainsaw mill. It features an adaption found on no other chain.
N.B The chain can be left very hard where every other cutter has been
ground down to form a scoring cutter. This can be very hard on hand files.
12volt grinders are recommended for sharpening this chain. To see the
differences in the Granberg chain please see below.
T. +44 (0)1590 681 259 [email protected] chainsawbars.co.uk
Chainsawbars Silver Street Garden Machinery Hordle Hampshire SO41 6DG UK
