Question regarding 3/8" standard vs low profile chain swapping

[andrew925]

We've all probably asked ourselves this question, just pooling the forum for a more accurate answer:

Can LP saw chain be interchanged with SP chain?

This question comes from a neighbor whom I repaired his Craftsman (Poulan 3400 derivative) saw then sold him an Oregon AdvanceCut SP chain set. He asked me this as he had bought a new Craftsman (Another Poulan derivative, one of the newer, junky Poo-lans) with LP chain. However, he prefers the bite and speed of the AdvanceCut SP, and just wanted to know if he can switch it to SP.

My logic says that so long as the SP chain has the same pitch and gauge as the LP, it would work

What are your thoughts?

[kysawman]

The full profile chain on the older Poulan is 3/8 regular chain, while the newer small plastic Poulans have 3/8 low profile chain. The drive link spacing is the same.375 or 3/8 what comes into play is that on the regular chain is the drive link is taller, so are the tie straps and cutting tooth, this causes issues of clearance in the sprocket and the bar mounting area. Not to mention much more aggressive cutting which the clutch is not made for. A lot of people use 3/8lp on the old super ez saws which quickly kills the sprockets on the clutch and bar tip due to the low profile drive links not being long enough to sit in the bottom of the sprocket. The tie straps then contact and quickly wear alongside the bar tip and clutch drum. Hope this helps.

[jerseyhighlander]

Jul 1, 2018 13:49:07 GMT -5 kysawman said:

The full profile chain on the older Poulan is 3/8 regular chain, while the newer small plastic Poulans have 3/8 low profile chain. The drive link spacing is the same.375 or 3/8 what comes into play is that on the regular chain is the drive link is taller, so are the tie straps and cutting tooth, this causes issues of clearance in the sprocket and the bar mounting area. Not to mention much more aggressive cutting which the clutch is not made for. A lot of people use 3/8lp on the old super ez saws which quickly kills the sprockets on the clutch and bar tip due to the low profile drive links not being long enough to sit in the bottom of the sprocket. The tie straps then contact and quickly wear alongside the bar tip and clutch drum. Hope this helps.

Couldn't say it better than that.