Hot Chain Saws

[climber8483]

So a good family friend of mine owns a autoparts and machine shop and was telling me that its popular for the loggers in the area to shave a few thousands off the head to make their saws more powerful. I have a 260 pro and he said he would shave it for free. What are you opinions on this? I would like a little more power out of it so I am not really opposed to the idea unless you think it will drastically affect the life of the saw.

Brittain

 

[romegadave]

Check with D'animal..........Dan is the man on all things chain saw


Edit: sorry I mean D'Animal

 

[climber8483]

Yeah, I figured (hoped) Dan would pipe up about it.

 

[bigndn]

Many hotshot crews have their saws ported and polished to gain a little power, but they're mostly running Stihl 044s and Husky 372s, due to the hp to weight ratios.

Loggers and firefighters saw all day long and a 'little more power' can help help decrease operator fatigue under those circumstances. Same goes for keeping your chain sharp, it just makes cutting easier.

That being said, what do you do with your saw, Brittain? When I'm cutting firewood, I check my chain every time I sit down or suspect I may have gotten into the dirt and sharpen as needed. I have a 372XP and a 365XP for a backup saw. Neither compares in power to the 385XP I used to have, but they don't weigh near as much either. Depends what you want and need.....

For a firewood cutter/sport faller, I don't think you'd notice an appreciable decrease in the life of your saw, nor do I think you'd notice an appreciable increase in power.

 

[climber8483]

I use it as my firewood cutter. A buddy just bought a bunch of property so it will be used a lot to clear and cleanup the land. I used to have an 044 and wish I still had it. I check/sharpen the chain every time I refuel if not sooner. I think I am really just wanting to get a little more power from the saw. Since I can get the work done for free I probably will, I was just making sure its not going to drastically shorten the life of the saw.

 

[Joe_E]

I bought a new Husky 371XP a few years back when my father in law was buying some new saws for his business.
That puppy will cut until the cows come home, can't imagine needing more power than it has. But like everything, if I used it for a living i'm sure I could find a reason for more horses.

 

[D'Animal]

Do you have a 026 Pro or an MS 260 Pro? The cylinders are ported differently between the model and the exhaust is different.

How much time is on it? I had to run my last 036 Pro about 8 gallons of fuel for it to be broke in and actually came to life and had full power. That is one drawback with the chrome impregnated or chrome lined cylinders.

What length bar are you running?

Are you running .325 pitch chain or .375 (3/8) chain?

 

[climber8483]

D'Animal,
I am running the MS 260 Pro. I have run probably 10-12 gallons through it. It is running a 20" bar with the full skip 3/8 chain. I can't remember exactly what tooth pattern. My buddy who owns the machine shop said the loggers come in and get 30 thousands milled off the head, polish the exhaust ports, and then drill out the muffler some.

What are your thoughts?

 

[D'Animal]

If you drop to .325 chain your perfomance will increase dramatically. You max torque curve on that saw is 9,200rpm. Grab your buddies tach and check the RPM's in the cut. Just cut normal in a full bar length log. I'll bet you are in the 4,800 - 5,200 range. You are way below the peak of the torque curve.

The MS 260 Pro has the finger ported cylinder and is on the edge of performance right now to meet emission standards. You could shave it but you will npot notice any difference.

For giggles, take the cylinder gasket out and see if you notice any performance difference. You won't.

If you had a very sensitive Dyno, you might be able to see a diference. The biggest thing pulling your saw down is the full size 3/8 chain. Even though you are running full skip chain, when it takes a bite of wood, it takes a really big bite.

On a saws 75cc 4.5ci and bigger you can do some stuff to them. On the samller saws it sut shortens the life of them.

 

[climber8483]

Cool, Thanks for the advice. I might go and swap to the .325 chain.

Brittain