Bar oil

[saewoody]

What do you guys use for bar oil? Last year I used the Tractor Supply Company brand which is CountyLine. This year I went to buy more and realized it is only $8/gallon, and happened to be on sale for $6. Well, they were out of stock, so I picked up some Husqvarna bar oil at my local Lowe's, which is nearly $12/gallon. So it got me thinking; sometimes you get what you pay for. I'm curious what everybody's thoughts on bar oil are. Are they all pretty much the same or can they vary significantly from brand to brand? Thanks in advance for your input.


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[CentralVAWoodHeat]

You'll see quite a few opinions on this exact topic. If you search the past threads for bar oil there have been some pretty extensive discussions.

I myself use Husqvarna Bar Oil all year, all the time and have for years. Don't mess with feeding your saw old motor oils or anything with particulate as it will only clog things up and compromise performance. Viscosity and temperature capability is also important. Anything that is not designed as a chainsaw bar oil may not have the temperature and viscosity tolerances it needs to stand up to the job.

 

[blacktail]

I normally use Husqvarna or Wal-Mart's Supertech brand bar oil. Mostly because they're cheap and readily available.

 

[D8Chumley]

I use Husky or Echo oil, from Lowes or HD. I bought some from TSC and it didn't seem like it was quality stuff, kinda thin and runny not tacky. I have also used Stihl oil but Lowes and HD are closer than where I can get that. My .02

 

[Woody5506]

I just bought a gallon of Stihl bar oil last week the day after a crazy windstorm. Home Depot laughed at me when I said I was looking for bar oil, so I went across town to a favorite shop and got it. It was around $17 for a gallon. Seems thicker than the other brands I've used. I probably won't seek it out again based on price.

 

[Poindexter]

I buy regular and cold weather Husqvarna bar oil by the gallon.

I don't cut near as much as i would like to. Somehow I end up cutting the most in autumn and spring when full strength cold weather bar oil goes flying everywhere, but the summer weight (thicker) stuff doesn't flow fast enough to keep the chain lubricated.

I end up cocktailing the two oils right in the tank on the saw right often. I will say when I keep the saw and winter weight bar oil in my heated garage the winter weight stuff does fine down to -20dF or so. I don't spend a lot of time cutting in weather colder than that, I guess maybe if I had a tree through the living room window at -35dF i might dribble some kerosene in with the winter weight bar oil.

Its cheap enough I just get the good stuff anticipating my expensive saw will last longer on a good diet. I am sure the Stihl labeled stuff is good product, though I have never used any.

M2c anyway.

 

[firefighterjake]

I've never been very particular about which brand bar oil I use . . . I've bought everything from the Husky brand at the local dealer (who keeps the price fairly close to the cheaper brands so he can sell it), Tractor Supply brand and pretty much whatever else is for sale at the local store, hardware store or department store.

 

[TedyOH]

Synthetic drain oil...I have an 076 super which has a 110 cc powerhead....no overheating problems....ever....even with the 36" bar.

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[StihlKicking]

I mainly use a oil called loggers choice. It's super tacky and cost about $8 a gallon. If their sold out of that brand I buy the standard orange jug STIHL oil. The only requirements I have for bar oil is 1. That it is in fact bar oil (not motor or canola oil ect.) and 2.that it's not to thin, in the summer heat down here a super thin oil will run out of your saw like water. If those two requirements are satisfied, the cheaper the better for me.


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[FaithfulWoodsman]

Synthetic drain oil

Stupid question maybe, but what is this specifically. Synthetic auto oil?

 

[FaithfulWoodsman]

Reason I ask is because I have been pondering the bar oil thing lately. Normally use my 028, but I got a Shindy 757 this fall (both saws have 20" bar)and have been using it lately. I have noticed that it does not use as much bar oil compared to my Stihl, maybe 20-25% less. I've looked at it and don't think the oiler is problematic and there is oil on the bar and visible when sprayed onto the end of a log round, but not near as much as the 028. I use mostly TSC brand, but you have me thinking this saw needs a thinner visc? Anyone have any help, suggestions or experience this with their 757? BTW when I first got it, it leaked bar oil all over the floor. ??? That has not happened for a while since I have been using it. Stored full too.

 

[TedyOH]

Stupid question maybe, but what is this specifically. Synthetic auto oil?

Yes...and from my Polaris ranger
Also forgot to mention I use the 076 (with drain oil) for milling with an Alaskan Mill.

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[lost in the woods]

I AM one of those guys that runs used motor oil. . . . its cheap enough. . . except when I just replaced oil pump on my husq. 570! now that being said; the saw is like 13 years old so it was due. . . . I have mixed feelings about running used motor oil. . . but I do it anyway

 

[infinitymike]

I used to use Sthil oil for my Sthil MS311 but last year I decided to try out my used Rotella T from my Duramax Diesel, been working just fine.

 

[Allagash350]

I use a lot of the tsc bar oil. Also use husky and Stihl, but usually just tsc. Never noticed much difference. It's real tacky so in the winter I leave it on the floor of the truck with the heat on for a while. Never overheated a bar or anything. I think more important is cleaning out the oil channels on the bar etc

 

[toddnic]

Husqvarna bar oil and either Husqvarna or Stihl 2 stroke oil for the gas/oil mix.... The little cost difference is not worth taking the chance for me when I am using equipment worth almost $1,000....

 

[rowerwet]

I AM one of those guys that runs used motor oil. . . . its cheap enough. . . except when I just replaced oil pump on my husq. 570! now that being said; the saw is like 13 years old so it was due. . . . I have mixed feelings about running used motor oil. . . but I do it anyway

I run amsiol in my cars, the one year drain interval doesn't make enough oil for me.
since I run Echo saws, I use the Echo bar oil

 

[sportbikerider78]

Synthetics offer great wear protection..that is why I run them in all my vehicles and I run the used oil from my vehicles in my saws.

Napa had a sale on their synthetic oil the other day (it's a valvoline product) for $2.49/qt.

I'm not saying I'm right or wrong in doing so. I'm hoping that the better performance of synthetics compensates for completely the wrong weight oil being used.

My Echo has worn through 3-4 chains and I think it's time for a new bar.

 

[Ashful]

I just use the Stihl bar oils. They're always in stock at my local hardware store, in both standard and winter weights. I honestly never even looked at the price, but at the roughly-one gallon per year rate I use it, I wouldn't think anyone would ever factor price into their choice. I don't think there are many non-pro's cutting more than me.

Stihl saws, Stihl oil, how can you go wrong? I own one Husqvarna, too, but it gets no respect. [emoji12]

 

[Tar12]

I run a stable of Stihl saws and run nothing but Stihl bar oil that I buy by the case and Stihl synthetic mix 2.5 gal. mix that I buy by the 6 pack through them...nary a problem...it just works for me.I have so much money wrapped up in these saws I don't dare run inferior oils for the sake of saving a few bucks.

 

[Tar12]

I just bought a gallon of Stihl bar oil last week the day after a crazy windstorm. Home Depot laughed at me when I said I was looking for bar oil, so I went across town to a favorite shop and got it. It was around $17 for a gallon. Seems thicker than the other brands I've used. I probably won't seek it out again based on price.

$17? Was this a Stihl dealer? I paid $9 a gallon by the case

 

[Woody5506]

Yeah it was a dealer.

 

[Tar12]

Yeah it was a dealer.

Wow! they must be the only Stihl game around..I wouldn't go back either!

 

[Woody5506]

No there's a few around, but when half the area is out of power after the huge storm we had I really could care less that I spent nearly $20 - I just needed it and wasted enough time trying to find it at closer stores.

 

[David.Ervin]

I mostly run Pro-Select (seems like I can only find it at lowes). Its thick and tacky enough to stay on the bar and seems to flow well enough to lubricate but not slop everywhere. When it gets REALLY cold out, it pours like molasses, so I try to keep it in the house until I need it on those days. The saw engine keeps the oil warm enough once its running not to be an issue.

I'll admit to running 50/50 that stuff and used motor oil once or twice when I was about to run out but had more cutting to do. Not worth the mess if you have an option, and I don't like the idea of slinging dirty used oil around the woods.