wayne reutner
ArboristSite Lurker
I was wondering if a 404 chain will cut faster then a 3/8 chain on a 660 with a36 '' bar
3/8 or 404 which will cut faster
- Thread starter wayne reutner
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hoss
Addicted to ArboristSite
+1 on what Pioneerguy says, but I also think 3/8 would be better on an 066. Now an 075 would be a different story.
Hey Hoss, it also depends on who sharpens each chain, I could keep fellows cutting cookies for hours by just altering the angles and edges on each chain. Alternate between the 3/8 and 404 and each time around one would cut faster than the other. Square filed, inside out, outside in, slip stoned, 25-35 deg top, pos or neg rake, - 25-45 thou on the dogs etc.
Pioneerguy600
lawnmowertech37
Addicted to ArboristSite
would not the 404 do cause its much bigger of chain links ?
MS460WOODCHUCK
Addicted to ArboristSite
3/8 for sure. The .404 cuts much wider kerf which takes more HP to remove more wood.
With a little trickery either chain could cut faster Calvin. The better chain for all around cutting today would be the 3/8" but I prefer the 404 on my highly modified 066`s , usually on a 32" bar running Stihl RS 33 chain square filed.
Pioneerguy600
hoss
Addicted to ArboristSite
It's clear to me that you know a lot more about sharpening a chain than I do. Up till now I THOUGHT I knew how to make a chain sharp. I was assuming both chains being equally sharp for my statement though. I did finally get to try a square groung chain the other day after it came on a bar that I got from Saw King and it does seem to be a bit quicker.
I have been sharpening chains since 1960 by hand filing and am still learning every day, I learned a lot from posts from men like Art Martin on how to hand file for speed and just like to experiment and try different techniques when filing for regular wood cutting in different hardness of wood so I just have to answer the old question of which is faster with my response of how is it sharpened and how sharp is sharp. The two chains equally sharpened on equally powerful saws then the 3/8 should come out on top due to less material being removed in the cut.
Pioneerguy600
SilverBox
ArboristSite Guru
I disagree at a certain point you will provide too much power to 3/8ths and it will break where the .404 will not. If you apply max power to .404 sharpened equal to .375 it should cut faster, otherwise harvesters would be running 3/8ths
not .500 or bigger..
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It'll take a hell of a lot more saw - more than just ported, piped and, runnin' funny fuel - to start ripping 3/8" apart...
Stihlman441
Addicted to ArboristSite
3/8 for sure. The .404 cuts much wider kerf which takes more HP to remove more wood.
+ 1
I disagree at a certain point you will provide too much power to 3/8ths and it will break where the .404 will not. If you apply max power to .404 sharpened equal to .375 it should cut faster, otherwise harveters would be running 3/8ths
Notice I said on saws, not harvesters.
Pioneerguy600
K7NUT
ArboristSite Guru
I found out I suck at hand sharpening and with a Dremel tool(round tooth), so I got a bench mount sharpener by Chicago, I'm still learning!
I only run .404 on my 090 so I don't worry about how fast it cuts. I wouldn't mind trying .404 on the 660 or the 394 just for fun though.
kevlar
Addicted to ArboristSite
I disagree at a certain point you will provide too much power to 3/8ths and it will break where the .404 will not. If you apply max power to .404 sharpened equal to .375 it should cut faster, otherwise harveters would be running 3/8ths
That statement is completly false! I have log builders that run 3/8 lo pro (picco) chain on ms 660's and 460's with no problem.
by the way all things being equal the 3/8s will cut faster.
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SilverBox
ArboristSite Guru
Sure
, but at a certain point you will apply to much power to 3/8ths and it will break where the .404 will not. I don't think a 660 can get there but if you put nitro in it and port the hell out of it, maybe ... You said equal power to .375 vs .404 that .375 will be faster (because of narrower kerf), but at the top end of the power range, .375 breaks and .404 doesn't, that is where .404 shines and .375 sucks.. Bigger saws and bars run .404 for a reason, and its because .375 can't handle it.rickyrooster
ArboristSite Guru
Most saws running .404 chain are older lower rpm saws that have alot of torque. I run .404 on my old Stihl 075ave because thats what come on it and the saw has plenty of as- to pull it. It's no speed deamon,so it doesnt matter about speed with this saw to me. I do however feel the bigger the chain the stronger it will be. I'm no racer but I would think that all things being eqal the smaller chain would cut faster through a log than a larger chain. Rick!
Cheese
ArboristSite Operative
Having nothing but questions, people always say .404 is stronger.
Isn't the dimension that .375 and .404 differ a length measure? So more meat to resist stretch? Is that how chains are really going to fail because of HP?
Thanks.
Isn't the dimension that .375 and .404 differ a length measure? So more meat to resist stretch? Is that how chains are really going to fail because of HP?
Thanks.
Bill G
ArboristSite King
I disagree at a certain point you will provide too much power to 3/8ths and it will break where the .404 will not. If you apply max power to .404 sharpened equal to .375 it should cut faster, otherwise harvesters would be running 3/8ths
I disagree. The 660 will not provide enough power to break the 3/8" under normal conditions. The harvesters run .404 and 3/4 because they are driven by hydraulic motors that have little to no power drop. The .404 harvester chain has the rakers cut at .050. No handheld saw will pull that at a 1:1 ratio. There are many 660's and 880's running standard 46RS and they pull it fine. That is a personal preference. The question was which was faster and on a 660 I believe the 3/8 will come out on top with both being filed the same.
Bill
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