CaptainMauw
ArboristSite Member
Does anyone else experience issues with saws throwing certain size chains?
I have a beefed up 461 that just does not like 28” loops. Running standard STIHL RS full-comp on both standard ES and ES-lite bars with rakers ground to .040. Chain is always tensioned proper once warmed up and monitored throughout use and it never gets loose. Despite this, the 461 throws the chain 60% of the time despite no apparent reason. Its not getting pinched/wedged/or pulled. It does it whether limbing or bucking.
The same saw will pull 32” full-comp and 36” full-comp and skip loops on both ES and ES-lite bars all day without hiccup. At this point I almost exclusively stick to my 32" setup as Im tired of fixing damaged drive links on the 28" loops. I never thought much on it until a neighbor mentioned that his 660 and 460 didn’t like 28” loops and proceeded to explain the exact same things that happen to me.
So now I am curious as to what would cause a saw to act this way. Any guesses? All saws are well maintained with relatively low hours on them. Bars are basically new with very few hours on them. My 461 probably has 150hrs ballpark since purchased new and woods ported. His saws are stock with less then 300hrs on them with standard raker depth. Curious if anyone else has experienced similar.
I have a beefed up 461 that just does not like 28” loops. Running standard STIHL RS full-comp on both standard ES and ES-lite bars with rakers ground to .040. Chain is always tensioned proper once warmed up and monitored throughout use and it never gets loose. Despite this, the 461 throws the chain 60% of the time despite no apparent reason. Its not getting pinched/wedged/or pulled. It does it whether limbing or bucking.
The same saw will pull 32” full-comp and 36” full-comp and skip loops on both ES and ES-lite bars all day without hiccup. At this point I almost exclusively stick to my 32" setup as Im tired of fixing damaged drive links on the 28" loops. I never thought much on it until a neighbor mentioned that his 660 and 460 didn’t like 28” loops and proceeded to explain the exact same things that happen to me.
So now I am curious as to what would cause a saw to act this way. Any guesses? All saws are well maintained with relatively low hours on them. Bars are basically new with very few hours on them. My 461 probably has 150hrs ballpark since purchased new and woods ported. His saws are stock with less then 300hrs on them with standard raker depth. Curious if anyone else has experienced similar.