On Saturday, I picked up 2 gallons of Countyline bar oil at my local TSC for $7 each. That's about as cheap as it gets here. Local Echo dealer used to carry Stihl bar oil for some reason, don't know where he got it but it was the only Stihl branded product he had, sold for $8/gallon. I used to buy it there all the time until he started selling Echo oil for $12.99 a gallon.
Stihl has stolen my source of cheap bar oil ‼
- Thread starter Whitespider
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7sleeper
Addicted to ArboristSite
What I believe is not being mentionend in this thread is the different type of oils used in bar lube and of course the resulting differences in price. The different type of oils would be
1. Dino = mineral oil
As far as I have understood, it is often used engine oil that has been idustrialy filtered and had takifiers added. This type of oil is cheap, usually in the 5-10$/gallon range. Of course it is also environmentally a major problem! And here in Europe more or less bannend in all public and larger privat forests. Even the harvesters, that lube their chains through the hydraulic systems, often require the non mineral oil type, as far as I have understood.
2. Bio = canola / rapseed oil
This is often blended with preservatives and takifiers so that it has, usually at least a 5 year shelf life. This type of oil is expensive, usually in the 15-25$/gallon range, when bought in premixed version. It is evironmentally not a problem at all. Here in Europe it is the main type of oil used.
The premixed "brand" version which contains takifiers, etc. is what I use only in saws with a bar length above 18-20inch. Below bar length I use just regular canola / rapseed oil from the supermarket. Just the cheapest brand, usually around 3 - 4$ a gallon. The lubrication is no problem whatsoever for shorter bar lengths so this is what I use a LOT. And for me there are absolutely NO price savings compared to the dino oil!
What can be a problem is that the canola / rapseed oil can deteriorate and harden (almost like a glue) when used only infrequently = once a year or less often. I use it in my regular saws but also have some dino=mineral bar oil at hand if the saw is then stored for prolonged time. I usually run the last filling then with mineral oil. This procedure is what I use in my less frequent used saws (f.e. contra, 040, etc.)
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1. Dino = mineral oil
As far as I have understood, it is often used engine oil that has been idustrialy filtered and had takifiers added. This type of oil is cheap, usually in the 5-10$/gallon range. Of course it is also environmentally a major problem! And here in Europe more or less bannend in all public and larger privat forests. Even the harvesters, that lube their chains through the hydraulic systems, often require the non mineral oil type, as far as I have understood.
2. Bio = canola / rapseed oil
This is often blended with preservatives and takifiers so that it has, usually at least a 5 year shelf life. This type of oil is expensive, usually in the 15-25$/gallon range, when bought in premixed version. It is evironmentally not a problem at all. Here in Europe it is the main type of oil used.
The premixed "brand" version which contains takifiers, etc. is what I use only in saws with a bar length above 18-20inch. Below bar length I use just regular canola / rapseed oil from the supermarket. Just the cheapest brand, usually around 3 - 4$ a gallon. The lubrication is no problem whatsoever for shorter bar lengths so this is what I use a LOT. And for me there are absolutely NO price savings compared to the dino oil!
What can be a problem is that the canola / rapseed oil can deteriorate and harden (almost like a glue) when used only infrequently = once a year or less often. I use it in my regular saws but also have some dino=mineral bar oil at hand if the saw is then stored for prolonged time. I usually run the last filling then with mineral oil. This procedure is what I use in my less frequent used saws (f.e. contra, 040, etc.)
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Mike Gott
ArboristSite Guru
Hey Whitespider which farm store are you referring to about switching to Stihl stuff, I live in eastern Iowa also. Don't remember seeing any bar oil for less than the Harvest King stuff for $4.99 at Theisens. They also have Xtreme bar oil that is good for $6.99
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longbowch
ArboristSite Guru
Farm and Fleet in Davenport switched.
Theisens in Charles City.
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lknchoppers
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I use County line Bar Oil from TSC. It's $8/gallon here. I don't use old spent motor oil at all. Used motor oil is not good enough to lubricate a chain & bar. I use the Stihl 2 Cycle Synthetic as well, it's pricey but it doesn't smoke much and my saws run great. I aint rich but I'm not gonna cheap-out on the basics.
Oldman47
ArboristSite Guru
Around here the Fleet is Blain's not Thiesen's.
http://www.farmandfleet.com/?gclid=CMWOwPHss8gCFQiNaQodRtABGg
Woos31
Addicted to ArboristSite
My cousin is a gypo logger on Oregon Coast for himself with one other cousin, he also uses the 15-40 oil out of his equipment after a service and hasn't had any issues with his bars or chains. Hand falls 98% of his jobs and also about 12 cord of firewood a year
Alright, where's the cheapest bar oil in MN right now? I need to purchase at least two gallons as I'm down to about 2 quarts on hand.
Lol. Pickup/delivery charge might be a bit steep.
I know you guys get it cheap mid winter. Maybe I'll just pick up a gallon to start and wait for wintertime specials. In reality I'll probably only do a couple more cords this fall.
reddogrunner
ArboristSite Operative
Rural King = 5.99 regular price and every once in a while 4.99 per gallon. Mile Maker. Works for me.....
It's a few miles out of my normal travels but close enough to make it worth the stop.
I need to go to HD and WM tonight so I will see what they have first.
I need to go to HD and WM tonight so I will see what they have first.
Don't have time to drive there this week.musted have not remembered what I said about mcnerds,,right???
Skeans
Addicted to ArboristSite
Best stuff I've found, it's what they call all season runs me about 8 a gallon. Thick enough to run all summer and light enough I can pour it in freezing weather.
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Mike Gott
ArboristSite Guru
Where can you buy that at?
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Skeans
Addicted to ArboristSite
It's available in the PNW through a company called Christensen oil.
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