Chainsaws come in handy for professional landscapers as well as DIY homeowners. The chain on the chainsaw is very important when you consider the durability, reliability, and performance of the saw. It’s often necessary to replace the original chain that comes with your chainsaw, so it’s important to use a brand you know will last a while and stay sharp.
Oregon offers plenty of chain options, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that is compatible with your chainsaw. Oregon chains are self-lubricating, have wear-resistant chrome finishes, and offer low vibrations and low kickback designs. Here are a few tips and reviews to help you find the best chain replacement for your chainsaw.
Oregon Chainsaw Chains Comparison Table
Oregon S56
Oregon R56
Oregon R40
Oregon S62T
Oregon R55
Oregon S62
Oregon L68
Oregon R52
Top 10 Best Oregon Chainsaw Chains Reviews
Oregon S56 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain
✦ Weight: 5.6 ounces
✦ Bar Size: 16-inches
✦ Length: 62 Drive Links
Features
With an automatic oiling feature, the Oregon R56 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain will last longer providing the best lubrication so your chain will also work smarter. With an outer layer of industrial chrome, this chain will stay sharp for longer period of time, and the hardened rivets provide a load-bearing surface that reduces wear while increasing the chains strength. This precision saw chain is also heat-treated.
Design and Material
With a unique cutting design, the Oregon R56 AdvanceCut Chain cuts quickly and smoothly offering minimum kickback. It has a 56-drive link count and a 3/8-inch pitch along with a low vibration design that makes it more comfortable to use. These chrome cutters offer a harder surface with better wear surface allowing the chain to stay sharper longer.
Drawbacks
This chain has been reported to dull on hardwoods like maple and red oak. Users have also felt its not worth sharpening since you can buy cheap replacements.
Overall
A perfect choice for landscape professional and homeowners that need to cut trees in their yard, the Oregon R56 AdvanceCut Chain. This user-friendly design allows you to tack hard jobs with reliable durability and solid performance. The low kickback design makes the chain dependable and an essential tool to every homeowner.
Oregon R56 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain
✦ Weight: 6.4 ounces
✦ Bar Size: 16-inches
✦ Length: 56 Drive Links
Features
The chrome cutters have a hard chrome layer that provides better wear resistance and a harder surface. A small space between the guide bar and the saw chain works as a shock absorber to create less vibrations while providing more comfort. And the LubriTec Oiling System keeps your chain lubricated so the guide bar and saw chain lasts longer and has less maintenance time.
Design and Material
Offering reliable durability and solid performance, the Oregon R40 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain has a forgiving and user-friendly design that is perfect for occasional yardwork and storm damage. With a dependable low kickback design, this chain is an essential tool that makes it easy to maintain the trees on your yard. This highly efficient chain is perfect for low powered, small saws that need less power from your saw than typical cutting systems.
Drawbacks
Users have felt that it wears quickly and doesn’t stay sharp long. Others reported you will want a second chain around as a backup when using this product.
Overall
This saw chain is perfect for light duty cutting that is solid and reliable. The Oregon R40 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain is user-friendly and great for maintaining the trees in your yard. It’s also easy to maintain thanks to its automatic lubricating system and low vibration design.
Oregon R40 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain
✦ Weight: 5.2 ounces
✦ Bar Size: 10-inches
✦ Length: 40 Drive Links
Features
With an automatic oiling feature, the Oregon R56 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain will last longer providing the best lubrication so your chain will also work smarter. With an outer layer of industrial chrome, this chain will stay sharp for longer period of time, and the hardened rivets provide a load-bearing surface that reduces wear while increasing the chains strength. This precision saw chain is also heat-treated.
Design and Material
With a unique cutting design, the Oregon R56 AdvanceCut Chain cuts quickly and smoothly offering minimum kickback. It has a 56-drive link count and a 3/8-inch pitch along with a low vibration design that makes it more comfortable to use. These chrome cutters offer a harder surface with better wear surface allowing the chain to stay sharper longer.
Drawbacks
This chain has been reported to dull on hardwoods like maple and red oak. Users have also felt its not worth sharpening since you can buy cheap replacements.
Overall
A perfect choice for landscape professional and homeowners that need to cut trees in their yard, the Oregon R56 AdvanceCut Chain. This user-friendly design allows you to tack hard jobs with reliable durability and solid performance. The low kickback design makes the chain dependable and an essential tool to every homeowner.
Oregon R40 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain
✦ Weight: 5.2 ounces
✦ Bar Size: 10-inches
✦ Length: 40 Drive Links
Features
The chrome cutters have a hard chrome layer that provides better wear resistance and a harder surface. A small space between the guide bar and the saw chain works as a shock absorber to create less vibrations while providing more comfort. And the LubriTec Oiling System keeps your chain lubricated so the guide bar and saw chain lasts longer and has less maintenance time.
Design and Material
Offering reliable durability and solid performance, the Oregon R40 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain has a forgiving and user-friendly design that is perfect for occasional yardwork and storm damage. With a dependable low kickback design, this chain is an essential tool that makes it easy to maintain the trees on your yard. This highly efficient chain is perfect for low powered, small saws that need less power from your saw than typical cutting systems.
Drawbacks
Users have felt that it wears quickly and doesn’t stay sharp long. Others reported you will want a second chain around as a backup when using this product.
Overall
This saw chain is perfect for light duty cutting that is solid and reliable. The Oregon R40 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain is user-friendly and great for maintaining the trees in your yard. It’s also easy to maintain thanks to its automatic lubricating system and low vibration design.
✦ Weight: 1 pounds
✦ Bar Size: 18-inches
✦ Length: 62 drive links
Features
Designed to give you the best lubrication for your chain, the LubriTec Oiling System heps you chain work smart and last longer. It will also stay sharper longer thanks to the industrial chrome outer layer that gives you a harder surface. Plus, the hardened rivets help to create a high-quality and load-bearing surface to reduce wear, increase strength, and cause less tension adjustments.
Design and Material
With a reliable and solid performance, the Oregon S62T AdvanceCut Chain has a low kickback design with low vibrations and an automatic lubricating system. A hard chrome surface makes it wear resistant, so you can spend more time working and less time sharpening the chain. Plus, the Chamfer Chisel cutters have twin cutting corners to improve the performance of the chain.
Drawbacks
Users have felt this isn’t a very high-quality product. Others have reported that its stretches after a few uses and dulls pretty quickly.
Overall
With low vibrations and an automatic oiling system, the Oregon S62T AdvanceCut Chain is comfortable to use for occasional yardwork. With its hard surface, this long-lasting chain won’t have to be sharpened often. And its low kickback design makes it safe to use.
Oregon R55 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain
✦ Weight: 5.6 ounces
✦ Bar Size: 16-inches
✦ Length: 55 Drive Links
Features
With user-friendly features, the Oregon R55 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain is tough enough to tackle rough projects with reliable durability and solid performance. Its low kickback design and low vibrations help to make it comfortable to use. Plus, it comes with the LubriTec Oiling System automatically keeps your chain oiled so you can work more and have less maintenance time.
Design and Material
Your chain will stay sharper longer thanks to an outer layer of industrial chrome that creates a harder surface. The hardened rivets help to create a high-quality surface that reduces wear, increases strength, and requires less tension adjustments. Ideal for landscape professionals and homeowners that need to cut trees in their yard, this chain lets you get your job done right.
Drawbacks
Some users have had issues with the chain fitting their chainsaw correctly. Other have had issues its quality and felt that its only good to use as a backup chain.
Overall
The Oregon R55 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain is perfect for smaller, lower-powered saw that let you cut limbs and trees to help maintain your yard. With a forgiving cutting performance, the low vibration design gives you more control, less fatigue, and reduced kickback. It also has increased efficiency and needs less power from the saw than other cutting systems.
Oregon S33 8-Inch Pole Saw Chain Fits Chicago
✦ Weight: 4.8 ounces
✦ Bar Size: 8-inches
✦ Length: 33 Drive Links
Features
Dependable and user-friendly, the Oregon S33 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain has an advanced design that can withstand tough projects. This is a great chain for yardwork and taking care of damage after a storm. Ideal for DIYers, this chain offers reliable durability and solid performance.
Design and Material
With a low kickback design, the Oregon S33 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain is an essential tool for any homeowner that need to maintain trees on their property. With a low vibration design, this chain is comfortable to use, and the LubriTec Oiling System keeps it well lubricated so it will last a long time. With its chrome cutters, this chain offers better wear resistance and a harder surface.
Drawbacks
The main complaint users have had about this chain is that it dulls quickly.
Overall
Great for occasional users, the Oregon S33 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain is a nice low kickback and low vibration saw chain. It has Chamfer Chisel cutters with twin cutting corners that offer outstanding performance. Plus, this chain is durable, simple to maintain, and very forgiving.
Oregon R34
✦ Weight: 4.2 ounces
✦ Bar Size: 8-inches
✦ Length: 34 Drive Links
Features
Ideal for landscape professionals and homeowners, the Oregon R34 AdvanceCut Micro Lite Chainsaw Chain that uses advanced technology to take on occasional yardwork and damage from storms. This is a forgiving chain that was developed for DIYers with its reliable durability and solid performance. It also meets the kickback performance requirement of CSA and ANSI.
Design and Material
An essential tool for any homeowner, the Oregon R34 AdvanceCut Micro Lite Chainsaw Chain comes with a low vibrations design that makes it comfortable to use. Chrome cutters gives you a hard surface that is very wear resistant. Plus, it comes with the LubriTec Oiling System that allows you to work smarter with an automatically lubricated chain that lets the guide bar and chain last longer.
Drawbacks
Some users have had problems with this chain being too long for their chainsaws. Other users have had issues with the chain’s inability to tighten well onto the saw, which can be a big safety issue.
Overall
The Oregon R34 AdvanceCut Saw Chain gives you an efficient choice that requires less power from the saw than a typical cutting system. This 8-inch chain has a 3/8-inch pitch chain that is compatible with Ryobi, Craftsman, and Remington saws. It also removes less wood fiber when it cuts, so it requires less power than other cutting attachments that make the same cut.
Oregon S62 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain
✦ Weight: 5.6 ounces
✦ Bar Size: 18-inches
✦ Length: 62 Drive Links
Features
With an automatic oil feature, the LubriTec Oiling System delivers the best lubrication for a saw chain allowing you to work smarter while your chain lasts longer. It will also stay sharper thanks to an outer layer of industrial chrome that creates a harder surface. Plus, hardened rivets provide a high-quality surface that reduce wear, increase strength, and allow less tension adjustments.
Designed
This precision cutting chain is heat-treated and features a unique cutter design. The Oregon S62 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain has a hard-chromed surface that is advanced enough to handle tough jobs. And its low kickback design makes it easy to use and dependable when maintaining the trees on your property.
Drawbacks
Users have found that this chain becomes dull quickly. It is also hard to start in comparison to other chains.
Overall
Created for occasional use, the Oregon S62 AdvanceCut Saw Chain has a low-profile and a low-vibration design that makes it easy to use. Compatible with Makita, Ryobi, and Husqvarna saws, this chain has a hard-chromed exterior that makes it sharp and tough providing the maximum wood bite as well as easy sharpening.
Oregon L68 ControlCut Chainsaw Chain
✦ Weight: 11.2 ounces
✦ Bar Size: 18-inches
✦ Length: 68 Drive Links
Features
The Oregon L68 ControlCut Chainsaw Chain is both dirt and dust tolerant and has an easy to maintain, forgiving profile. The included LubriTec Oiling System provides continual lubrication for your chains so it will last longer. Plus, it has an outer layer of chrome to create a hard surface that will stay sharper longer.
Design and Materials
This chain includes hardened rivets that provide a load-bearing surface that increase the chain’s strength, reduces wear, and requires fewer adjustments to its tension. The design of the Oregon L68 ControlCut Chainsaw Chain is great for light projects around your yard as well as the work done by orchardists and landscapers that cut trees regularly. This design also offers less vibrations making it comfortable to use.
Drawbacks
Users have found that this chain isn’t a very good quality product. Other users have noticed how quickly this chain becomes dull.
Overall
This is a great tool for anyone that wants to work smart and longer. The Oregon L68 ControlCut Chainsaw Chain features automatic lubrication, low vibrations, and long-lasting hard chrome surfaces that will extend the chain’s life. This is great choice for anyone that maintains their own property or cuts trees for a living.
Buying Guide
While a new chainsaw will already come with a chain, after you use that chain for a while, it will start to get dull and will need sharpening. You can sharpen any chain between three and five times, and at that point the chain will have had so much metal filed away that it will become ineffective and likely to cause a sudden kickback when in use. So, it’s important to change out the chain for safe and effective cutting.
When you are ready to replace a chainsaw chain, you need to make sure you have the right one for your chainsaw. A chain for a chainsaw can vary in size and purpose. If you have a chain that is too small, it won’t fit the saw, and one that is too large won’t be effective at cutting and can even fly off the saw while operating and injure someone.
Functionalities of a Chainsaw Chain
Made up of cutters and drive links, a chainsaw chain will rotate at a high speed around the bar while cutting wood. Identified by their sharp edges and points, the cutters will extend over the level of the drive links and feature two blade angles including one on the top plate of both cutters while the other is found along the outside of the top edge.
Offering different blade configurations, the cutters determine how well the chain will cut in different situations. Plus, the chisel angles will determine how safe the chainsaw chain is to use.
A full-chisel cutting chain will include a corner angle that measure 90-degrees along the plates ont he top cutter, which is a configuration that was designed to create the highest corner angle along the top cutter plates, a configuration designed to create the highest cutting speeds. With this type of chain, you get more aggression than any other type of chainsaw on the market. Plus, the type on these cutter blades tend to be sharper, and they tend to be paired with a large and powerful chainsaw, plus they also excel with cutting hardwood like maple and oak.
With a full-chisel chain, you get the increased risk of kickback that can happen when the top of the blade touches the wood as it spins or when the chain becomes pinched. Plus, this chain tends to duel when it contacts dirt, which happens when you cut through logs that lay on the ground for a while.
On a semi-chisel chain, the cutter’s top plates are rounded on the outer edges of the outer blade. This chain is slower when cutting in comparison to a full-chisel chain, and the chain has less of a risk of kickback because its less aggressive. A semi-chisel chain meets ANSI standards for reduced kickback, plus you will see a lot of new chainsaws that come with a semi-chisel chain installed.
A semi-chisel chain doesn’t dull as fast as full-chisel chains, but they’re great when you need to cut through either softwood or hardwood. In comparison to a full-chisel chain, this chain can be used in dirty conditions like cutting a log that is lying on the ground since rounded plates won’t wear down as fast.
A type of semi-chisel chain, a micro-chisel chain has rounded corners along the cutter’s blade edges are smaller than what you see on a typical semi-chisel chain. A micro-chisel chain is designed to make precise and smooth cuts that are beneficial when trimming trees because a smooth cut on a tree will make is less likely for it to become diseased. Ideal for use on a softwood, a micro chisel chain can also cut hardwood, but it will cut it more slowly than a full chisel or semi-chisel blade. Like a typical semi-chisel chain, a micro-chisel chain is safer to use than a full-chisel chain since they are less likely to cause kickback. A micro-chisel chain will usually meet the ANSI low-kickback standards.
Low-profile chains are also called chipper cutters and are the most common type of chain that you will find installed on a new chainsaw. A low-profile chain is either a micro-chisel or semi-chisel cutter. The height of the cutter is lower than what you find on a typical semi-chisel chain, particularly when reducing kickback. A low-profile chain is also suitable when cutting either hard or softwoods, but they tend to be slower than other chains. They also dull faster, but almost all of them will meet ANSI low-kickback standards.
Considerations When Choosing the Best Chainsaw Chain
Referring to the distance between the links on a chainsaw chain, the pitch is most common 3/8-inches low profile and 3/8-inch regular profile. The links refer to both drive links, which don’t have blades, and cutter links, which are the sharp blades. When determine the pitch of a chain, you need to carefully measure from the center of the rivet to the center of the line’s third rivet and then divide that number into two. There are also fewer common pitches like .404-inch, ¼-inch, and .325-inch. Remember that the larger the pitch is, the more aggressive the chain’s cutting action so it can make faster cuts.
Indicating the drive links width, the chainsaw chain’s gauge comes in one of four standard gauge sizes that are measured in decimal inches. You will see gauges in either .063, .058, .050, and the narrow kerf at .043. You can find the gauge on the chainsaw or in the owner’s manual. But, if you still can’t find it, just measure the gauge using precision calipers. As you choose a chain, match the saw to the gauge so that you can fit the drive link’s downward-pointing tips into the chainsaw bar’s indention.
A drive link is the backbone of your chainsaw chain since it holds the whole chain together. You need to know the amount of drive links that are on the chain along with the gauge and pitch when buying a replacement chain that is the same size. The amount of drive links can be found on the bar off the chainsaw or you can count the links of the chain on the saw when you remove it.
A chainsaw chain is sold to match the chainsaw’s guide bar’s length. This is the most accurate way to find the right fit to match a chain to the number of drive links on a chainsaw. The chain and bar length can range from six-inches on a small electric chainsaw to over 24-inches on large, commercial saws, which are created for felling a large tree.
Relating to the drive links and cutter’s configuration, the chain arrangement has three main types of arrangements including:
Full complement chain
When you buy a chainsaw, the most common type of chain that comes with it will be a full complement chain. With this chain configuration, you get a chain that features a cutter on the right-side followed by a drive link and then a left-side cutter. This pattern will repeat all around the chain. With a full complement chain, you get a design that is great for general wood-sawing purposes that also has a low kickback risk.
Skip chain
When you use a skip chain, you get cutters that are separated with two drive links instead of one like you see in a full complement chain. With a skip chain, you get faster cuts than you see in full complement chain thanks to less cutter teeth and less resistance as you cut wood. A skip chain is typically used with saws that have long bar between 20 and 24 inches when you desire more aggressive cutting power.
Semi-skip chain
With a cutting speed that falls between a skip chain and a full complement chain, a semi-skip chain includes a variable cutter space pattern that features a right-side cutter before a drive link that is followed by a left-side cutter and an additional two drive lengths. This pattern is continued around the chain and is considered a specialty chain that is used when you need a little extra cutting speed, but not as much as you can get with a skip chain.
With the constant spinning of a chainsaw chain, a lot of friction and heat is created that can reduce lubrication. With a built-in lubrication system, you get constant drips of oil on the chain as it operates. With some chains, get will see small channels in the drive links, which will disperse oil evenly through the entire chain. With this feature, you get more effective lubrication and a longer lasting chain.
FAQs
Typically, you would cut firewood out of trees like oak, birch, and ash since they provide a better fire while they burn. These are hardwoods or woods with rough surfaces. Oregon chains are actually great for this activity since they come with a self-lubrication feature that reduce maintenance of the chain.
The size chain you should buy depends on drive links, bar length, and pitch. Sometimes you can rely just on the bar length, but the other two factors will help you get a perfect fit. This number is usually found in the description of the chain.
By figuring out the gap in between three rivets, you can determine the pitch. It may also be found in the chainsaw’s manual. The drive links number can be found on the underside of the chainsaw, or you can county them.
Definitely. You can use a manual sharpening tool and keep the edges sharp and neat on your own. Make sure to do a little research first, so that you have the knowledge how to sharpen the chain without just jumping in, which may cause you to hurt yourself.
Summary/Conclusion
A chain is a vital part of any chainsaw. Obviously, the saw isn’t going to work without the chain. It’s important to find the right sized chain for the chainsaw you have as well as one that has the features that you need for the projects in your yard.
Not only can a chainsaw chain make your yardwork easier, but it can make the work safer and faster too. Just make sure you do your research to ensure you have a safe, effective, and comfortable time trimming your trees.
I wanna try it. Looks great