Guide bar for firewood

[Frans Roodt]

Hi guys. I cut and sell firewood in South Africa. Mainly black wattle, blue gum and one or two other species. I have been going through guide bars and chains like crazy. There must be a better option. Is there a guide bar option you would suggest I try that would possibly last longer than the stihl rollomatic. I'm using ms250 and ms260 saws with .325
Chains. Perhaps you can even suggest a bar chain combo. In SA the tech regarding bars is really not understood by the dealerships and to be honest I'm not too sure I'd call myself a pro either. It'd just be such a relief both for my sanity and my wallet if I could get something that'd last a bit longer. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Bill G]

Since you are in South Africa can you still get new Stihl 070/090 saws?

 

[Frans Roodt]

Since you are in South Africa can you still get new Stihl 070/090 saws?

Not new no

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Hi guys. I cut and sell firewood in South Africa. Mainly black wattle, blue gum and one or two other species. I have been going through guide bars and chains like crazy. There must be a better option. Is there a guide bar option you would suggest I try that would possibly last longer than the stihl rollomatic. I'm using ms250 and ms260 saws with .325
Chains. Perhaps you can even suggest a bar chain combo. In SA the tech regarding bars is really not understood by the dealerships and to be honest I'm not too sure I'd call myself a pro either. It'd just be such a relief both for my sanity and my wallet if I could get something that'd last a bit longer. Any advice appreciated.

What bar oil are you using?
what bar length?
how many hours/day, days/week are you cutting?
what type of chain…chisel, semi-chisel?
im guessing the wood is pretty hard.

 

[ericm979]

How are the bars failing?

Are you cleaning out the bar slots and oil holes when you sharpen the chain?

Blue gum can be hard on saws especially when its dry. Turning up the oil pump on the 260 will help some.

 

[Captain Bruce]

Buy a 25' reel of chain, and the tools to make loops. Keep your bars rotated, inverted, and clean. This MS250 manual 101.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

I wonder if this is a problem of poorly sharpened chains and under oiling.

 

[northmanlogging]

chain tension, and bar oil are important.
Lots of folks overtighten the chain, then scrap the bar in short order.
Yer manual should have the proper tensioning method... but suffice to say the chain shouldn't sag away from the bar, but still pull away easily with a pinch of the fingers, when in doubt loose is better then tight.