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Post by Brian VT on Apr 26, 2011 21:47:52 GMT -5
I've been wanting to get a bow on one of my old Homelites. I took a blind chance and got this one from Ebay tonight. Any thoughts on what it might fit ? Doesn't look like it'll fit one of my _50 saws. Maybe SXL ?  |
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Post by MCS on Apr 27, 2011 6:50:58 GMT -5
I have a bow too that looks quite similar to this one. Mine has Homelite stamped into it and a part number.
Have you matched this with a regular bar to see if the mount is the same - oil hole and bolt slot?
Is there a path from the oil hole to the channel?
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Post by Brian VT on Apr 27, 2011 8:54:46 GMT -5
I just bought it online last night so I don't have it yet. It is a Homelite bow (according to the seller).
What saw(s) does yours fit ?
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Post by MCS on Apr 27, 2011 19:52:28 GMT -5
The bow I have is not quite as wide and looks a little longer. I'm going to set it up on an XL-12 but I'm pretty sure the mount is for the typical Homelite gear drive because the oiling hole is only drilled half way through and it is on the wrong side for a direct drive. The mount holes and channel are OK for the XL-12 but I had to drill the oil hole through and then bevel it so it would intercept the XL-12 oil port.  I'll have to modify the cover.  Here is the mount  The bar tip is gas welded and in great shape. The one rail has a crack about 4 inches back so that shouldn't bother anything.  Uploaded with ImageShack.usThe bar groove is .063 so now I'll have to decide what to do for chain. If I stay with 3/8 pitch I'll have to buy some but I do have some .325 in .063 and I have .325 rims so I could go that route too. |
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Post by Brian VT on Apr 27, 2011 20:10:43 GMT -5
Those holes look similar to the ones in my pic.
I guess there's no point to guessing what mine will fit so I'll just have to wait until it shows up here.
The "bucking" bow I bought will get 100% of my attention during use, but swinging one of those "clearing" bows around in the brush is way out of my league.
Be careful out there ! And wear those chaps !
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Post by MCS on Apr 29, 2011 19:13:43 GMT -5
I was at the farm and fleet today but they don't make up chain from bulk and they had absolutely zero fixed length 3/8 in .063. So I went to plan B. I found a new Oregon hub and drum in my stuff that fit this XL-12 and a 9 tooth rim in .325. I had about 11 feet of #22LP so I made up a chain.
I have never run a bow before so I didn't quite know what to expect. It works great. I have several down trees so I tried it on some of the branches and smaller limbs. Whom ever had this bar before me apparently wasn't using it correctly because there are wear spots and rolled over edges on rails, but the GW tip is just like new.
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Post by Brian VT on Apr 29, 2011 19:29:03 GMT -5
That's cool that you liked it. It seems that the main thing is to have the front spike solid on the wood before the chain touches.
I can't think of any reason why you couldn't cut conventionally also with that type of bow.
I have a ton of saplings and small sumac here. That bow would probably work well to cut them close to the ground, but I think I'll take the safer route and use a Brush Hog.
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Post by MCS on Apr 29, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
That's cool that you liked it. It seems that the main thing is to have the front spike solid on the wood before the chain touches. This is exactly what I did. I moved the spike to the underside and then gently pushed the saw into the limbs. I guess it is like an anti-kickback spike  |
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Post by Brian VT on May 5, 2011 7:15:38 GMT -5
It arrived yesterday and it measures 14" at the widest and 21" at the longest. The drivers on a .050 ga. chain seem happy in it.
Seems like it fits ok on my 550 (would need to trim clutch cover).
I guess that means it'll fit 350 through 750 and SXLAO and maybe others. (Acres lists them all as the same mount).
I'm thinking a 450 would be a good candidate ? or SXLAO ?
Your vote ?
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Post by MCS on May 5, 2011 9:20:20 GMT -5
If it has a .050 bar then it is definitely for the newer saws. Is the oiler hole in the correct place to match the feed channel on the saw? I think I'd go with the SXL mounting because the cover is easy to modify and they are easy to find if you want to switch back and forth.
What's with the two things bolted to the rails?
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Post by Brian VT on May 5, 2011 10:46:26 GMT -5
The oiler hole is in the right spot.
The aluminum things are safety guards. Most of the "bucking" bows I've seen have them.
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Post by MCS on May 5, 2011 13:14:38 GMT -5
I figured they were something for safety because there's a lot of open chain spinning around that bar. They do look to be after market.
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Post by Brian VT on May 5, 2011 13:20:51 GMT -5
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Post by mooney on Jan 15, 2012 17:02:03 GMT -5
I just acquired a clearing bow for a Homelite 17:  Does it just bolt on? The adjusting plate assembly seems a tad on the small side for such a bar. |
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Post by tommyhnavix on Jan 15, 2012 18:28:37 GMT -5
WOW!!! That bow history link is awsome!! They are still a liitle scary to use though!! One would have to be VERY CAREFULL!! If I get one for one of my sawss it will be for awsome looks!!
Tom
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