Trying to find the yellow chain alternative to my RM3

[Amin_1992]

Hey guys, know I've been posting a lot - hope that's ok and I appreciate the help you've all given me.

I'm hoping someone, maybe even any Stihl dealers here, can help me figure this out. The Stihl website and all of their PDF resources are of zero value!

I have an MS261 and am thinking of getting an 18" bar for it. Looks like Stihl recommends the 26RM3-74 which is a green chain. I was thinking of getting the same chain but the full chisel yellow version, but can't figure out all of their weird little names and terms. I don't want a full skip or half skip or anything - just the same chain in yellow.

Can someone help me out? The dealers arent much help around here and never know the answers to my questions. Thanks for the help guys

 

[Mad Professor]

26RM OR 26RS if you want full chisel

 

[Amin_1992]

Ah, so it's as simple as switching the M for the S? Thanks!

 

[spuldup]

Ah, so it's as simple as switching the M for the S? Thanks!

Yep. Do take it easy while breaking in your new saw, maybe stick with green chain for a few tanks. Congrats on the purchase. Did you sell your 250? I know a guy interested in one, but we're on opposite sides of the state.

 

[farmer steve]

Hey guys, know I've been posting a lot - hope that's ok and I appreciate the help you've all given me.

I'm hoping someone, maybe even any Stihl dealers here, can help me figure this out. The Stihl website and all of their PDF resources are of zero value!

I have an MS261 and am thinking of getting an 18" bar for it. Looks like Stihl recommends the 26RM3-74 which is a green chain. I was thinking of getting the same chain but the full chisel yellow version, but can't figure out all of their weird little names and terms. I don't want a full skip or half skip or anything - just the same chain in yellow.

Can someone help me out? The dealers arent much help around here and never know the answers to my questions. Thanks for the help guys

 

[Hundred Acre Wood]

Hey guys, know I've been posting a lot - hope that's ok and I appreciate the help you've all given me.

I'm hoping someone, maybe even any Stihl dealers here, can help me figure this out. The Stihl website and all of their PDF resources are of zero value!

I have an MS261 and am thinking of getting an 18" bar for it. Looks like Stihl recommends the 26RM3-74 which is a green chain. I was thinking of getting the same chain but the full chisel yellow version, but can't figure out all of their weird little names and terms. I don't want a full skip or half skip or anything - just the same chain in yellow.

Can someone help me out? The dealers arent much help around here and never know the answers to my questions. Thanks for the help guys

If you're spending the money on a new b&c you might want to consider going to the narrow kerf Light04 bar with 23 RS Pro chain. Less stress on the powerhead and faster cutting.

 

[farmer steve]

Ah, so it's as simple as switching the M for the S? Thanks!

No, dropping the 3. The 3 designates the safety chain.

 

[huskihl]

The yellow version of RM3 would be RM. The 3 denotes the anti-kickback green label.
RM= semi chisel
RS= chisel

 

[Hundred Acre Wood]

Ah, so it's as simple as switching the M for the S? Thanks!

M is semi-chisel. S is full-chisel. The 3 is the safety humps.

Edit: You guys are too fast for me!

 

[huskihl]

M is semi-chisel. S is full-chisel. The 3 is the safety humps.

Edit: You guys are too fast for me!

You may try only 10 acres next time. Better signal if you’re in the middle of it

 

[Hundred Acre Wood]

You may try only 10 acres next time. Better signal if you’re in the middle of it

I'm lost in my woods most of the time anymore.

 

[Amin_1992]

Ha you guys rock and are funny, thanks for the help!

 

[Mad Professor]

Ah, so it's as simple as switching the M for the S? Thanks!

Nope. M is semi-chisel S is full Chisel. 26 denotes 0.325 pitch w/0.063 drivers.

The 3 denotes safety chain/stupid bumper rakers.

Edit: replied to eralier post before reading the rest.......

 

[BobboJ89]

Hey guys, know I've been posting a lot - hope that's ok and I appreciate the help you've all given me.

I'm hoping someone, maybe even any Stihl dealers here, can help me figure this out. The Stihl website and all of their PDF resources are of zero value!

I have an MS261 and am thinking of getting an 18" bar for it. Looks like Stihl recommends the 26RM3-74 which is a green chain. I was thinking of getting the same chain but the full chisel yellow version, but can't figure out all of their weird little names and terms. I don't want a full skip or half skip or anything - just the same chain in yellow.

Can someone help me out? The dealers arent much help around here and never know the answers to my questions. Thanks for the help guys

This is a very helpful guide to those trying to understand different Stihl chains: https://www.stihlusa.com/WebContent/CMSFileLibrary/SawChainSelection-6.pdf
In this case the 26 signifies you are running a .325" Pitch and .063 Guage. RM3 is Rapid Micro (semi chisel) 3 is the single hump safety chain, -74 is the number of drivelinks to make the 18" loop.

What you are looking for in full chisel is 26RS-74. Search ebay it comes right up.
However you can take the above info and get a chain that will work from any manufacture so long as it matches the pitch, gauge, and number of links. Personally Stihl chain is hard to beat, i even run it on my Husky's.
My recommendation is if you are not a pro, stick with their 26RM3 chain, you won't pick up any speed by the end of the day unless you are prepared to keep the RS out of the dirt, in clean wood only, and touch up with sharpening every few hours of cutting. Full Chisel is only faster until it is dull, which happens much sooner than semi chisel.

Lastly, find a good saw shop locally, they can help you with this and can walk you through bar options as well. Change the bar, and you have more options in pitch, gauge etc.
Have fun!

 

[huskihl]

This is a very helpful guide to those trying to understand different Stihl chains: https://www.stihlusa.com/WebContent/CMSFileLibrary/SawChainSelection-6.pdf
In this case the 26 signifies you are running a .325" Pitch and .063 Guage. RM3 is Rapid Micro (semi chisel) 3 is the single hump safety chain, -74 is the number of drivelinks to make the 18" loop.

What you are looking for in full chisel is 26RS-74. Search ebay it comes right up.
However you can take the above info and get a chain that will work from any manufacture so long as it matches the pitch, gauge, and number of links. Personally Stihl chain is hard to beat, i even run it on my Husky's.
My recommendation is if you are not a pro, stick with their 26RM3 chain, you won't pick up any speed by the end of the day unless you are prepared to keep the RS out of the dirt, in clean wood only, and touch up with sharpening every few hours of cutting. Full Chisel is only faster until it is dull, which happens much sooner than semi chisel.

Lastly, find a good saw shop locally, they can help you with this and can walk you through bar options as well. Change the bar, and you have more options in pitch, gauge etc.
Have fun!

His question wasn’t about running RS, it was about running a non-safety chain. So why RM3 over RM?

 

[BobboJ89]

Actually it was, his question was "I was thinking of getting the same chain but the full chisel yellow version" which I answered, that would be 26RS... Rapid Super. RM is semi chisel.
26RM is hard to find, but it is out there, 26RM3 is easy to get, hence my opinion so daringly offered lol.

 

[Mad Professor]

Actually it was, his question was "I was thinking of getting the same chain but the full chisel yellow version" which I answered, that would be 26RS... Rapid Super. RM is semi chisel.
26RM is hard to find, but it is out there, 26RM3 is easy to get, hence my opinion so daringly offered lol.

All my 50cc saws (026 028S) run 26 67 drivers/16" bars. I've got a box full of 26RM and 26RS, spare 3003 mount bars.

Dealers that only carry the "3" chains only cater to homeowner saws.

 

[Gratewhitehuntr]

This is why, whenever someone is helpful enough to post a cross reference sheet, I print it and post near the saw bench.
I also cut box labels and staple them up, an idea copied from the re-order number common to industrial consumables.
7 years later, I know exactly which alphanumeric widget I'm after. Otherwise, it feels like shopping for Hardly Davidson tires.

Is there a master-cross chart? I'd sure like to be able to decipher oregon designations with whole words versus letters.
Is that Xtra Power Grip?
Recently I see efforts taken to obscure access to part numbers. Parts listed online by application not number.
Fits: Trust me Bro.

 

[SteveSr]

View attachment 1062110

A YELLOW badged RM chain? The last one I bought (which was quite a while ago) was labeled "RMC"

 

[Mad Professor]

A YELLOW badged RM chain? The last one I bought (which was quite a while ago) was labeled "RMC"

That is lower vibration, not safety.