About the Landscape Juice Network

Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.

LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry

LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.

For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.

Carbide tipped saw chain

Hi all

Does anyone have any experience of using carbide tipped saw chains?

I have a massive hedge-laying job on, (nearly a mile long, 80% hawthorn and blackthorn, very tough cutting). I bought two Oregon "regular" chains, but from day one have found them to be dulling really quickly. I am ok at sharpening, and have even had a pro arborist have a go, but half way through each day I am fighting to cut again.

So, is it worth shelling out double for a high quality chain?

For info, the hedge is remarkably "clean" i.e no metal or rubbish, so the chance of me hitting anything is virtually non existent.

Thanks, Mark

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • Hi Mark,

    I have used a Stihl pico duro chain. They are good for staying sharp for longer but I find they are very brittle. If your hedge is super clean then it might be worth a try but if you hit anything that isn't wood its very easy to chip a cutting tip.

    I would probably stick with a normal chain and keep a good file on you.

    Hope that helps

    Ben

  • Hi Mark. I use a tunsten carbide tipped chain but only for cavity filled trees to fell and below ground after the stump and root has been cleaned. Expensive. I do not use it on clean wood. I find it is a slower cut.
    I run it on a stihl 026 18" bar. Used this method on stump clearance in a stream bed as the stump a 1.2m accross was impeding the water flow during flood periods.( could not get a belt driven stump grinder onto the flood plain) That went really well. All the best. Steve.

  • Thanks for your thoughts gents, much appreciated.

    I may try one of these chains out (as there is enough money in the job) just so I can say I've had a go!

    My dealer did stress that I wouldn't be able to sharpen these chains myself? How much truth is there in that?

    Thanks again

    MArk


  • Hi Mark. Yes thats true. I believe that they are sharpened on a 'green stone' never seen it done.
    Steve.
    Mark Bulman said:

    Thanks for your thoughts gents, much appreciated.

    I may try one of these chains out (as there is enough money in the job) just so I can say I've had a go!

    My dealer did stress that I wouldn't be able to sharpen these chains myself? How much truth is there in that?

    Thanks again

    MArk

  • Saw this at my local Stihl dealer Oregon Powersharp Could be of interest for speed/ease of sharpening. They have assured me it works and isn't a gimmick.

  • my brother asked me this question, that made me think ! - but they last 3 times longer than normal and are recommended for dirty/ rough wood etc......
    3x as expensive but worth time saving i would say. they seem to suit smaller picco type chains ie T200 and under 14 inch.

    look at the stihl website : http://www.stihl.co.uk/need-a-new-all-round-chain-saw.aspx

    sorry the brochure had more info /pictures but i just read the 2012 one about it last week.

    ‘Stay sharper longer' saw chain
    The new MS 231 chain saw has something very special to offer. It is fitted as standard with an ultra-tough ‘stay sharper' saw chain called STIHL Picco Duro. Picco Duro's cutters have precision-soldered carbide tips, so it stays sharp up to four times as long as a standard, non-carbide tipped saw chain. That not only reduces the frequency of sharpening, it makes Picco Duro a great choice for cutting ‘dirty' wood like mud-covered fallen timber or railway sleepers for example, where a standard saw chain would swiftly get blunt. No wonder Picco Duro's special teeth are coloured a winning and distinctive ‘gold'.
    Mark Bulman said:

    Thanks for your thoughts gents, much appreciated.

    I may try one of these chains out (as there is enough money in the job) just so I can say I've had a go!

    My dealer did stress that I wouldn't be able to sharpen these chains myself? How much truth is there in that?

    Thanks again

    MArk

This reply was deleted.

Trade green waste centres

<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-WQ68WVXQ8K"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-WQ68WVXQ8K'); </script>

LJN Sponsor

Advertising