Hi everyone a newbee here from Wales UK , great site all the subjects I would like information on ,My first question is has any one put a Rim kit conversion on a Stihl 028 av super does it make a difference to chain size. Kit number 1118-007-1004 it would be a .325 .63 chain I have a 14inch bar with a 63 link chain . My other question is has anyone put a 20inch bar on this saw (Stihl 028 av super) would they put a 3/8 bar and chain or would a .325 be ok I would be useing it for large tree bucking for firewood thanks for any info ...
Welcome to the Forestry Forum 8)
Bought my 028 AV Super from the original owner, it came with 20" bar with 325 .063 chain and a rim sprocket. The 20" B&C combo seems to work well for me. You can bog it down by sinking the whole bar into a log with too much pressure, but just slack up a little and it keeps on cutting.
Loren
For one, you should not have any issues putting a rim drive on an 028. All you need to do is match the rim with the B&C that you are using.
As for running 3/8 std chain instead of .325, you should not have any problem with either on an 028. I have tested running both on my 026 and 310, and timed cuts were too close to tell any difference. I replaced all my .325 B&C on my large mount Stihl saws with 3/8 and they run fine. To keep consistent with your 14" .325 B&C, you may want to stick with a larger .325 B&C (same sharpening files, only need one type of rim).
As for bar length, an 028 AV Super has 3.5 HP. A 20 inch bar might be a tad much for it, especially in hardwoods. The Stihl bar selector guide says it will run a 20 inch OK. I ran a 20 inch 3/8 on my 290 for years, but that had a tad over 4.0 HP with a light muffler mod. You may want to run it with an 18 instead.
I have two 028's ,one with .325 18'' the other with 3\8'' 18'' bar... It's tuff to tell wich cts faster, the difference I see is how long one keeps its cutting edge longer. The 3\8'' chain does keep an edge longer. :P
I have an older 028 that I changed to a rimmed sprocket and drum, run a 20" bar with no problem. I use nothing on any of my saws but 3/8 50 skip tooth chisel bit, either Stihl or Oregon chain. Have never had a problem of any kind. Nice to have all chains the same, same file.
Welcome! Oregon makes a rim conversion kit too. May be able to save a few bucks (pounds). 028 is very cool in my book :laugh: