Availability of RS Chain

49er · September 12, 2015, 10:42:30 AM

This is comments on my search for a loop of RS-91DL-.063 chain. I prefer .063 on long bars. I normally run Oregon because I think Stihl is way over priced in my area. However, at a GTG. competition rules require Stihl unfiled chain. So I go to my local Stihl dealer, who is very good and he orders me a loop. I stopped in about 4 days latter and he says the distributor is out it is on backorder.
Well, yesterday I called all the dealers around,about 8, within 60 miles. About three of these dealers are John Deere dealers. None had the chain I needed. Several dealers acted like they didn't know what I was asking for, long pauses on the phone. One John Deere dealer said they had a roll of it but most people didn't like paying their $85 an hour labor charge for making up a loop of chain. :

So here I am 4 days form travel to the GTG and no chain. I am sure I can borrow a chain or bar and chain from someone but it seems like a sad state of a fairs to me. Imagine how much chain Stihl could sell if it was more available. Well, my rant is over, I feel better.

sawguy21 · September 12, 2015, 11:25:27 AM

It's about sales volume, they are not going to stock it for one or two loops a year. I know my local dealer does but we are in logging country.

49er · September 12, 2015, 11:43:04 AM

Quote from: sawguy21 on September 12, 2015, 11:25:27 AM
It's about sales volume, they are not going to stock it for one or two loops a year. I know my local dealer does but we are in logging country.

Maybe, but ya would think the distributor would have some?

HolmenTree · September 12, 2015, 11:48:09 AM

49er give Madsens in Centralia, Washington a call . They could probably have a loop of it to you in a couple of days

nitehawk55 · September 12, 2015, 08:11:35 PM

Most don't get much requests for 36RS chain , it's mostly 33RS or 35RS

Al_Smith · September 12, 2015, 08:19:05 PM

Why in the world would anybody require Stihl chain and an unfiled loop at that ?I suppose next no modified saws and stock mufflers .

49er · September 12, 2015, 09:19:26 PM

Quote from: Al_Smith on September 12, 2015, 08:19:05 PM
Why in the world would anybody require Stihl chain and an unfiled loop at that ?I suppose next no modified saws and stock mufflers .

The saws are highly modified and if they were allowed detailed race chain I wouldn't be competitive. Now why Stihl chain? I don't know they didn't ask me. :-\

Al_Smith · September 12, 2015, 09:58:58 PM

Well whatever is,is .However it makes no sense to me GTG or real race because I've ran in both,two national competitions BTW.Didn't fair real well in the later but it was fun . 8)

The power is only one portion of a trifecta it takes to win .The other 2/3 are the cutting system and the sawyer .

49er · September 13, 2015, 02:53:39 PM

Quote from: Al_Smith on September 12, 2015, 09:58:58 PM

The power is only one portion of a trifecta it takes to win .The other 2/3 are the cutting system and the sawyer .

I agree completely. My saw may have a chance but not with me running it. :D I just want to have fun and it's more fun when ya participate.

HolmenTree · September 14, 2015, 10:42:16 AM

Quote from: 49er on September 12, 2015, 10:42:30 AM
This is comments on my search for a loop of RS-91DL-.063 chain. However, at a GTG. competition rules require Stihl unfiled chain.

At this GTG (which unfortunately is past) if they stipulate only Stihl new unfilled chain, make sure you use a loop of square ground 36RSLK.

49er · September 14, 2015, 11:11:48 AM

[/quote]
At this GTG (which unfortunately is past) if they stipulate only Stihl new unfilled chain, make sure you use a loop of square ground 36RSLK.
[/quote]

No, the GTG is this weekend in Murry, ky. That would be a good advantage RSLK but they want a level playing field as far as chain goes. Round ground is the only choice.
I will be traveling 240 miles Friday so I am going to call some dealers on the way. After the gtg. our plan is to make a trip to Utah with the camper. I just hope it hasn't burnt up. :-\

HolmenTree · September 14, 2015, 01:20:39 PM

Only advice I can give you is run a 7 pin rim sprocket and don't run the chain tight.
The new chain will stretch after a couple of cuts, but to win a speed bucking event with a stock saw is have the chain sag a little. Don't go snug as you would run it in the woods.

49er · September 14, 2015, 03:44:31 PM

Quote from: HolmenTree on September 14, 2015, 01:20:39 PM
Only advice I can give you is run a 7 pin rim sprocket and don't run the chain tight.
The new chain will stretch after a couple of cuts, but to win a speed bucking event with a stock saw is have the chain sag a little. Don't go snug as you would run it in the woods.

7pin or 8? with a 28inch bar. What's your opinion. I normally cut with a seven. But this saw was done by Eric Copsley and is pretty strong. I was going to do some cutting tomorrow, maybe I'll experiment a little.
I gotcha on the chain tension.

HolmenTree · September 14, 2015, 06:11:20 PM

Quote from: 49er on September 14, 2015, 03:44:31 PM
Quote from: HolmenTree on September 14, 2015, 01:20:39 PM
Only advice I can give you is run a 7 pin rim sprocket and don't run the chain tight.
The new chain will stretch after a couple of cuts, but to win a speed bucking event with a stock saw is have the chain sag a little. Don't go snug as you would run it in the woods.

7pin or 8? with a 28inch bar. What's your opinion. I normally cut with a seven. But this saw was done by Eric Copsley and is pretty strong. I was going to do some cutting tomorrow, maybe I'll experiment a little.
I gotcha on the chain tension.

Your saw may be strong but pulling a full kerf sized new round ground chain with a 28" bar....trust me a 7 pin will out cut the 8 pin. Use a stop watch to compare both and you will see.

49er · September 14, 2015, 06:22:32 PM

[/quote]
Your saw may be strong but pulling a full kerf sized new round ground chain with a 28" bar....trust me a 7 pin will out cut the 8 pin. Use a stop watch to compare both and you will see.
[/quote]

I do trust your judgement.

49er · September 17, 2015, 08:31:41 AM

I won't get to run my 390 in the competition. Tuesday my wife step in a hole and broke both bones in her ankle. The small bone now has a plate about six inches long holding the three pieces of bones together. :'(
She comes home today. Eight weeks before she can put any weight on it.

sawguy21 · September 17, 2015, 11:00:07 AM

OOOH!!! That hurts thinking about it. Take good care of her, looks like you are chief cook and bottle washer now along with laundryman and nurse.

beenthere · September 17, 2015, 12:02:58 PM

Sorry to hear that, about the competition.. but more so for your wife's bad luck.
Our live's can change in a hurry...

Neighbor farmer got his leg tangled up in the auger conveyor while feeding his cows and ended up losing that leg above the knee. He and wife were just in the process of shutting down the dairy farm with one load of milk cows tentatively sold within a few days. Their retirement life changes oh so suddenly.