Forestry & Hedging
Saw manufacturer adds own chains to line-up The new X-Cut chain fitted to John’s saw for the Farmers Guide test.
reason and for little extra the correct chain for the saw can be purchased, to a quality level expected of our brand.”
Ideal for farm use The new X-Cut chain is ideal for farm and estate use, and is currently available for the SP33G model; with .325in pitch and 1.3mm gauge, replacing the previous H30 .325in 1.3mm chain. The chain is also available in 100ft reels, with more chain types to be added to the X-Cut family in the near future.
Husqvarna, one of the leading chainsaw manufacturers, has started manufacturing its own saw chains. where it is too thick it will flake off leaving the softer steel exposed and if it is too thin the protective layer wears away quickly shortening the chain life. If steel quality is poor excessive stretching not only means more regular adjustment is needed, but can also be a safety issue if the chain is thrown off.”
Manufacturing for quality Husqvarna has invested in a brand new chain factory using state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to ensure quality and enable premium chain availability at a competitive price. “Our chains come carefully sharpened and packaged to avoid damage in storage and transport so they are ready to fit and use,” said Gary. “Pre-stretching reduces the frequent re-tensioning usually needed after fitting new chains saving time and improving safety. There will still be replacement chains available from agricultural dealers for less money, but it is worth remembering they are cheap for a
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The brand is popular with farm and estate users as well as professionals and recent investment in a purposebuilt factory to produce top quality chains at a competitive price will benefit customers who might otherwise have been tempted by cheaper alternatives of inferior quality. “Our latest X-Cut chains are produced to optimise saw cutting performance using a complete Husqvarna package of chainsaw, bar and chain,” explained Husqvarna specialist business development manager Gary Philpott. “Our saws are made to a premium standard but cutting performance is only as good as the chain and there is great variability within the market in terms of quality which affects cutting efficiency, safety, working life and maintenance requirements.” Gary said consistency of holding blade sharpness is a key issue. “Chain plating helps maintain strength and their ability to remain sharp during use. If the plating quality is poor then
X-Cut tested
performance and efficiency by up to 10 per cent. Immediately noticeable was the lack of tension adjustment needed, even in the first few hours use after fitting. “It stretched very little and its cutting performance was good. Because I buy good quality chains usually, I only need to sharpen each time I refuel the saw and the new X-Cut chain held its sharpness just as well and needed no extra attention,” he added. The test, over several weeks, allowed John plenty of time to make the most of the chain’s working life and after three weeks the teeth were just over half worn. “I use a good file which also adjusts the depth gauges and the chain still cut well so there was no need to consider replacing it with less than half its working life remaining. Occasional tension adjustment was required to compensate for stretching, but this was equivalent to my usual chain, and what I would expect with demanding use,” he added. The new Husqvarna X-Cut SP33G chain is priced at £20.00 (rrp) to fit a 13in bar, £22.50 for a 15in, and £24.17 for the current largest 18in version. It is available through all main dealers. ■
Farmers Guide arranged a demanding test of the new chains by full-time forester John Gray who is employed by Euston Estate. The enterprise, in north Suffolk, comprises approximately 2,500ha (6,215 acres) farmed in hand by Henry FitzRoy; 12th Duke of Grafton and John’s role means he spends up to 750hrs per year operating his Husqvarna 560-XP saw. Typical use includes felling trees up to 3ft diameter, hedge and farm woodland maintenance and John usually purchases replacement chains from the local agricultural dealer, opting for a premium brand rather than a budget alternative for cutting performance and reduced downtime. This provided an opportunity to test Husqvarna’s claims that the new X-Cut chain could exceed the working life of an established premium Euston Estate’s John Gray was pleased with the X-Cut’s brand chain, and improve ability to resist stretching, even when new.
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58 www.farmersguide.co.uk September 2017
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