3/8 or .325?? Efco 156

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Horrigan72

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Picked up a low hour Efco 156. 4.1 hp, 13500 rpm, 56cc. Efco's specs show .325. Late gentleman who bought it new used for firewood and had it set up with 3/8 050. I'm not sure of the advantages or disadvantages and was hoping the experts here would help me out

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In my testing on several 50cc saws 3/8 will cut faster than .325 (16" bar/chain). For general firewood use I prefer the 3/8 as it stays sharp longer, is faster to sharpen and my bigger saws all run the 3/8. I do have one 50cc set up with .325 for limbing, fence row clearing and basically smaller stuff because the .325 is less grabby in small diameter material. So it does depend on your use to some degree.

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I'd stick with the factory recommendation of .325.
Your 56cc will have more power pulling a .325 than pulling a 3/8th chain.
It's a better fit for your 56cc.

I've tried both on my 54cc & the .325 was a much better fit & optimized the power better.
 
I would say if you are running 8 tooth .325 vs 3/8 7 tooth , barely any power difference and would probably vary a bit due to soft or hard wood, hard to notice. Splitting hairs so to speak. 7 tooth. 325 will lower the chain speed but increase power. Biggest thing I notice with 50 to 60cc and 7t .325 pretty near every time I went that route was greater fuel consumption, more down time fueling the saw..325 is less grabby, so a bit smoother more noticeable in small rounds, branches and dead. My preference is 3/8 7 with a 20in bar, quicker sharpening, or a toss up with a 16inch bar 8t sprocket. 325 or 7t 3/8. If that is your biggest saw i would put the 20 on it, less back bending, very versatile. If a small saw fits your needs 16inch either 8t .325 , smoother, or 3/8 7t. is easy to sharpen and maintain, good if you dull your chain often such as flush cutting stump or cut dirty wood or just are bad at keeping the chain from the dirt.
 
Factory recommended .325.
Or take the guys mentioned PERSONAL OPINIONS, but the factory RECOMMENDS .325.
No personal opinions involved.
.325
About 25 years ago I asked this districts Stihl rep why they were using .325 on saws vs. 3/8. Only reason I remember him giving me was he said it run cooler. Probably does. My main concern is getting the job done with less effort without taking extra time that cuts profit per hour. I make the best of my time spending less time fueling the saw and sharpening and more time cutting with a sharp chain. Keeping the chain sharp is a bigger advantage then what pitch you use.
I have switched back and forth many times with Stihl 034's, 026'S, 028'S and I am not speculating.
 
About 25 years ago I asked this districts Stihl rep why they were using .325 on saws vs. 3/8. Only reason I remember him giving me was he said it run cooler. Probably does. My main concern is getting the job done with less effort without taking extra time that cuts profit per hour. I make the best of my time spending less time fueling the saw and sharpening and more time cutting with a sharp chain. Keeping the chain sharp is a bigger advantage then what pitch you use.
I have switched back and forth many times with Stihl 034's, 026'S, 028'S and I am not speculating.
You the man.
 

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