wahoowad
ArboristSite Operative
I'm on my original bar having bought the saw new in 2014. I only cut a few trees a year at most so the saw does not see heavy use. A new bar isn't cheap so don't want to replace it 'just because.'
How do I know when to replace my MS251 bar?
- Thread starter wahoowad
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
Pics?
The bottom of the bar where the chain comes off the nose sprocket is what most likely the reason to "scrap" the original equipment. As opposed to splayed rails or drive links hitting the center lamina.
No, we need to see the top and bottom rails of the bar with the chain off ,that's where the wear would show.
And the teeth on the nose sprocket
Well then add a pic of the drive sprocket on the saw too.
24 trees? That's a lot of wear for 24 trees...
edges of bar are blue. Burnt or factory hardened?
not enough oil on the bar..?
edges of bar are blue. Burnt or factory hardened?
not enough oil on the bar..?
wahoowad
ArboristSite Operative
Early on I wasn't as good with keeping my chains sharp, hence I bucked up a few trees with dull chains that generated some heat and discolored the bar. I also feel the saw has intermittent oiling issues, but probably operator error. Even recently I had concerns it was oiling the chain but I ran it with the bar off and saw the oiler pumping out oil.
I am a little wiser now in using it but it cuts great with a sharp chain so am assuming the bar is still good. Occurred to me I didn't know the difference between good or replace so thought I'd ask.
Hard to tell on that one without more pics ...
Crank the oiler up to max, then back it off if needed. But start with it set to max oil.
wahoowad
ArboristSite Operative
There is no oiler adjustment on the MS251
I think Madsen's presents a pretty balanced approach to deciding to throw a bar away.
http://www.madsens1.com/bnc_bar_maint.htm
I own, and run, a number of bars I have snaked out of the recycle bin. They're fine. Some guys seem to make a hobby out of throwing bars and drive sprockets away.
In general, if a bar cuts straight, has no cracked rails, has a functioning sprocket, and is not throwing chains...I run it. It seems like that is what Madsen's is suggesting, too.
Roy
http://www.madsens1.com/bnc_bar_maint.htm
I own, and run, a number of bars I have snaked out of the recycle bin. They're fine. Some guys seem to make a hobby out of throwing bars and drive sprockets away.
In general, if a bar cuts straight, has no cracked rails, has a functioning sprocket, and is not throwing chains...I run it. It seems like that is what Madsen's is suggesting, too.
Roy
Piotr Pakuła
ArboristSite Guru
I also have several guides from the scrap pile in working order / I think that half of the ones lying there are fit for use
Piotr Pakuła
ArboristSite Guru
and from the top half, they say great knives come out if someone has a knack for it
Factory hardened.
Piotr Pakuła
ArboristSite Guru
It also happens that they are blue in points then they are already overheated
