Stihl 028 av super Putting a Rim socket conversion

robpam47 · September 29, 2013, 10:41:43 AM

Hi everyone a newbee here from Wales UK , great site all the subjects I would like information on ,My first question is has any one put a Rim kit conversion on a Stihl 028 av super does it make a difference to chain size. Kit number 1118-007-1004 it would be a .325 .63 chain I have a 14inch bar with a 63 link chain . My other question is has anyone put a 20inch bar on this saw (Stihl 028 av super) would they put a 3/8 bar and chain or would a .325 be ok I would be useing it for large tree bucking for firewood thanks for any info ...

Caloren · September 29, 2013, 04:34:40 PM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum 8)
Bought my 028 AV Super from the original owner, it came with 20" bar with 325 .063 chain and a rim sprocket. The 20" B&C combo seems to work well for me. You can bog it down by sinking the whole bar into a log with too much pressure, but just slack up a little and it keeps on cutting.
Loren

windthrown · September 29, 2013, 05:59:21 PM

For one, you should not have any issues putting a rim drive on an 028. All you need to do is match the rim with the B&C that you are using.

As for running 3/8 std chain instead of .325, you should not have any problem with either on an 028. I have tested running both on my 026 and 310, and timed cuts were too close to tell any difference. I replaced all my .325 B&C on my large mount Stihl saws with 3/8 and they run fine. To keep consistent with your 14" .325 B&C, you may want to stick with a larger .325 B&C (same sharpening files, only need one type of rim).

As for bar length, an 028 AV Super has 3.5 HP. A 20 inch bar might be a tad much for it, especially in hardwoods. The Stihl bar selector guide says it will run a 20 inch OK. I ran a 20 inch 3/8 on my 290 for years, but that had a tad over 4.0 HP with a light muffler mod. You may want to run it with an 18 instead.

isawlogs · September 29, 2013, 06:32:12 PM

I have two 028's ,one with .325 18'' the other with 3\8'' 18'' bar... It's tuff to tell wich cts faster, the difference I see is how long one keeps its cutting edge longer. The 3\8'' chain does keep an edge longer. :P

Icehouse · September 29, 2013, 06:38:57 PM

I have an older 028 that I changed to a rimmed sprocket and drum, run a 20" bar with no problem. I use nothing on any of my saws but 3/8 50 skip tooth chisel bit, either Stihl or Oregon chain. Have never had a problem of any kind. Nice to have all chains the same, same file.