Smaller top handle recommendation needed

do you need to change out the sprocket when you go for the panther and pm3 chain?

The panther bar is a quarter tip with a sprocket in the tip. My understanding is that when the tip gets that small, you need a different chain to get around it. It's also a narrow bar, so the chain needs to be narrower than the stock chain. I'm not too good with chain stuff, so someone correct me if I'm off base. I changed out my clutch sprocket on my 2511t powerhead with the panther bar kit - chain, bar sprocket - that I ordered from chainsawbarsuk.com.
 
so i can’t run the pm3 stihl chain on the stock echo bar and drive sprocket? as far as i know they are both 3/8 pitch and .050 gauge and also both low profile safety chains.
 
so i can’t run the pm3 stihl chain on the stock echo bar and drive sprocket? as far as i know they are both 3/8 pitch and .050 gauge and also both low profile safety chains.

I would not run stock echo bar and chain on a small top handle.
 
so i can’t run the pm3 stihl chain on the stock echo bar and drive sprocket? as far as i know they are both 3/8 pitch and .050 gauge and also both low profile safety chains.
Stihl PM3 is 1/4 pitch .043 gauge. As far as I know the only sprocket nose bars that work are Panther. Stihl bars can be modified to fit on the 2511, and the .043 carving bars work, but the Panther is better imho. The performance of carving bars isn't ideal for general tree work. The Stihl bars don't oil well and require a shorter chain.
If you want to stay with a 3/8 setup, I highly recommend a Woodland Pro 12 UM43 bar and Oregon 90PX chain 45dl.
 
i have been using the original bar and chain and oh my that is jumpy! can’t imagine why they even ship it with that combination! only place i found the stock setup to be somewhat useful is on ponderosa pine pruning cuts, it seemed to do better there. do you have a vid where the woodland pro blade is being used? might be interested in that bar and chain, otherwise, ill just go with the panther
Stihl PM3 is 1/4 pitch .043 gauge. As far as I know the only sprocket nose bars that work are Panther. Stihl bars can be modified to fit on the 2511, and the .043 carving bars work, but the Panther is better imho. The performance of carving bars isn't ideal for general tree work. The Stihl bars don't oil well and require a shorter chain.
If you want to stay with a 3/8 setup, I highly recommend a Woodland Pro 12 UM43 bar and Oregon 90PX chain 45dl.
 
It seems like Stihl has as many models of chain as they've had models of saws through the years. Try playing chain roulette - pick a chain from a selection chart and see if your dealer has heard of it, thinks it even exists and can or can't get it. I think it was an uphill swim (I made that phrase up) getting RS chain for my 200T if I remember correctly. And sometimes they won't sell chain to you to keep you safe from yourself.

Once I had a polesaw that jumped/chattered in the cut with particular chain but not with another chain. Might've been too aggressive. I might be using PMM3 now, have to look.
 
Yeah, checked my stash the 200T is PS which is pico super instead of RS rapid super. I think it's just smaller but still the Super design. The polesaw is 61pmm(3orC?) now. The RS is on the 440. Couldn't find my 260 chain stash to see what it is.
 
My 200T is different from my 192TC in two ways. It is slightly heavier, but is noticeably more powerful. I don’t know, but I think it maybe has a bigger cylinder because it seems to have significantly more torque. It doesn’t seem to rev as fast, but the added torque at lower RPM’s coupled with the narrow kerf of the Picco chain makes it a little wood ripping, rooster tail making monster for its size,

IMHO, if you want a monster top handle, seek out a 200 T in good shape.

edit: Whoops! I responded to the title rather than what the OP wrote. Never mind. Some of the YouTube’s made me curious about a 150 or 2511 though.
 
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Finally located the rest of my chain stash and turns out I'm also running RS on my 260. Only pertinence of this point is that I had a bit of chatter in partly dried 18" oak, top chaining on a blocking cut, so I figure the more aggressive chains are the ones that might chatter. The chain was 80 to 90% new tooth size. If that helps anyone's general cause.

take care
 

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