I Was WRONG about Stihl! Best Chainsaw Bar & Chain Oil?
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- Опубликовано: 6 янв 2024
- Chain Saw Bar and Chain Oils Compared: Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo, Oregon, Harvest King and Mobil Delvac Motor Oil. Oils compared for protecting chainsaw chain and bar from wear, keeping chainsaw bar cool under heavy use, flow in summer and winter temperatures, and the ability to avoid smoke and evaporation under heavy use.
I bought all of the bar and chain oils, the chain saw bars and chains and all supplies for this review. I never accept free items or sponsorships to avoid forming a bias that favors one brand over another. So, thank you for supporting the channel!
Thermal Camera: amzn.to/4aLgzIE
Oregon: amzn.to/3zRiTMT
Harvest King: Available at Rural King
Stihl: amzn.to/3UyAses
Echo: amzn.to/402cNnE
Husqvarna: amzn.to/3zTHxwl
Mobil Delvac: Available at Rural King
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➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
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This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC 
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And that’s why I love this channel. Been using stihl b/c oil for at least 20 years and paying the extra bucks because I thought everything they make is top of the line. This man saves me money, period. Can’t thank you enough Todd!
You are welcome!
Yep, once I’m through this gallon and going to HK
In other news HK profits on 1st quarter 24 are said to be on the rise!
Great info! No more orange or blue jugs for me HK here I come!
Wierd results to me, cause here in Italy STIHL bar oil is different, I buy BioPlus 5 litres at 37€ so it is quite expensive but also by far the best compared to other brands, I'm a professional arborist in the last 10 years I've literally tried every bar oil available in europe and STIHL makes the best, never had cloggings, overheatings or wearing more than expected from normal use and abuse...so I guess is a difference in marketing choices STIHL makes overseas...also BioPlus oil is natural and doesn't pollute (here we must use natural bar oil to get public jobs according to enviromental regulations)...to be honest I've not checked if it's available in USA but if it is I suggest to try it just in case
Project Farm , RULES !
Suggested video: Best CAMPING THERMOS, insulation, heat / cold retention time, overall durability and drop test.
Great suggestion! Thank you!
@@ProjectFarm Be sure to include the Stanley tumbler that people seem to freak out over.
@@DavidsonMott lol i have a newer, green stanely, for drink, and an old, metal lined, ceramic soup thermos circa 1970. the wooden top came off but the threads on the insert still work fine. i could glue a chunk of wood back onto it but its, fine. thing keeps soup hot for hours. probably have to drop it on concrete to crack the inside. looks like its been through a war lol! the things last. idk about all the others.
Great idea. I have been looking for one to buy for keeping a full coffee pot warm without having it sit on the burner.
@@ericb5447 and I bought 4 of them already as it failed, looking to get 5th one after PF test 🙂✌️
The hours and days you spent in testing these oils is much appreciated! Guess I'll be switching brands.😊
Thanks!
Man,you’re the best. I’m an arborist here in British Columbia and I used to heli log back in the day. I run the Husqvarna oil in all my saws but that will change now,thanks for this test 😊
My pleasure!
i was using stihl oil for many years but i will switch to harvest king. it seems the saw manufacturers don't care if you need to buy a new bar and chain. interesting sales strategy.
I am an aviation maintenance instructor. My background is with turbine engines, not reciprocating engines. I love your oil show downs, and play them for my classes. However i get a lot of questions about aviation reciprocating oil vs automobile oil, and thats not really my expertise. I would love if you did showdowns with some aviation oils and their car counterparts.
And it would be awesome to tell my students i was one of the reasons you did it. I would gladly send some of the more common ones on my dime.
I will add, i also love your too show downs. I use those for my students as well.
I even use a few to teach very specific subjects, not just general knowledge and entertainment. Your torque wrench show down is a great example of one that's regularly used my in physics and tool blocks.
Thank you for the video idea! No need to send money.
@ProjectFarm don't think he was talking about sending you money but sending you the actual oil so you dont need to spend your money.
Also maybe add some marine oils, and dig down on the differences. They claim to have more corrosion inhibitors than automotive oils.
I like that video idea !
As a tree climber and sawyer... my co-workers and I are super picky about what we use on our chainsaws, except for the bar oil, we thought they were all pretty much the same. Im gonna show them this video
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, that’s what I thought until Project Farm did his usual stellar testing.
I was surprised by how badly Stihl did. Disappointing from such a quality brand. Looks like they slapped a label on anoth r companies product without doing rigorous enough testing.
@@thorwaldjohanson2526 Agree with big let down by Stihl and hope they pay attention because the Project Farm video has long legs with thousands of Stihl chainsaw fans like me spreading the word. A deep dive into who really distills our bar chain oil and how it gets marketed would be fascinating.
When a gallon of SAE 30 mixed with a bottle of Motor Honey looks like a cheaper and better product, then there is definitely a problem somewhere
Man, this was one of those episodes that definitely doesn't go like you'd expect! I always get the Tractor Supply "CountyLine" bar & chain oil; I suspect it's similar to the Harvest King (certainly is, price-wise, at $8.99 a gallon.)
Thanks for the feedback.
That's the one I wish was included in the test due to the availability.
I'd bet harvest king, TSC countryline, Orschelins brand and other farm store brands are the same. It looks like the key is to look for 'high pressure additives', this is the phosphorus and molybdenum and zinc. ..same stuff that is gear oil to one degree or another.
i googled and Harvest King is made by Warren oil company, Countryline is made by Phillips 66. I couldn't find the other. @@alkalk8938
Would love to see some more bar oils tested. Countyline for sure, and there's a lot of hype right now over the dewalt bar oil and amsoil.
This was really a good oil review with surprising results. Unfortunately harvest king oil has pretty limited availability. We'd love to see more oil tests from national chains like tractor supply.
I'd like to see Pro-Select from Lowes and PowerCare from HD.
Atwood’s stores usually stock Harvest King bar & chain oil. I’m wanting to find out how Mystik compares.
Also STP makes a bar and chain oil
Tons of it at Runnings
As a timber faller making my living with a saw on the west coast for almost 30 years, I have to say when I bought bought bar oil it was harvest king, but I mostly ran delo 400 15-40 used out of my trucks. people gave me a hard time but my bars and chains lasted 3x longer then anyone else’s. now I see concrete evidence that at least the harvest king was better then the big name oils.
So you were using used motor oil?
Used motor oil and some STP, cheap, and it works well.
I also run just used motor oil for last 25 years. As long as the oiler is working, it seems to work well.
@@clf235 Used motor oil is out of the question, unless you filter it well enough to remove any debris from the engine...
@@primarchxi6639used motor oil works fantastic in winter. Professional experience
Always a real treat to find a product on a store shelf that is affordable and just simply performs.
Good Point!
I would love to see a "sequel" to this video using some of the more niche bar and chain oils like the Amsoil (which I use and while I can't offer any testing to the degree you did, I notice zero smoke with theirs) and other off-brand "parts store" oils.
Another great video!
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
I used amsoil for one bottle. I wanted to test but didn’t have infra red camera/thermometer. It’s so expensive and I am not seeing crazy wear with other oils. Even if it did work better chains and bars would be cheaper. If it radically dropped temps hugely, might contribute to longevity of the saw…maybe worth it then to some people. Btw I use lots of Amsoil fluids here for business and personal use.
Kawasaki bar and chain oil as well
I bought some Amsoil bar and chain oil based on this video results, it's about the same price as Stihl, and I only use a gallon per year. For a professional using a huge amount, I agree price per value is critical.
Why Amsoil? Start googling about Stihl Ultra 2 cycle engine oil and you'll be alarmed. It's only JASA FB (current spec is FD), it clogs exhaust ports and screens, and wears engines. Wtf is Stihl doing with it's support products? Outsourcing to a low bid for a premium saw? Makes no sense. Bloggers say Amsoil Sabre, Opti 2T and Motul 2T all good. Motul is too much, it's ester based oil for racing motocross.
Agreed, I would like to see a Part 2 using Amsoil, and the Stihl Green Bio-Oil and Stihl Blue Winter Oil.
Im a Husqvarna fanboy. I may have to rethink my bar oil as the results dont lie. Thanks for the video!
You are welcome!
Love to see the cheapest product dominating the test! It makes sense, don't buy chain and bar oil from companies that also make chains and bars! :)) Hope King Harvest will see a big increase in sales! Big thanks for making this video!
I also wondered if this was a factor.
Seriously, I know what my next bottle of oil is going to be.
They will from me, I use Husqvarna & it does the job for my 3 electric chain saw, but the harvest king is so much cheaper.
You are welcome!
Oregon makes bars and chains
Great video. This is really interesting. I actually work in the oil industry and can tell you that bar and chain oil is commonly “slop” oil or flush oil from the filling plant and then they just blend it with tackifier and other base oils to get it to the viscosity they want. I’m wondering if all those other brands are just massive mark-ups on a cheap product and the Harvest King is closer to the actual cost to make it haha.
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
Super video! @@ProjectFarm
Thanks for that tidbit! Not surprising, I guess, but I never would have guessed that.
@@ProjectFarmPower up NNL 690 vs Pro lube next please.
Good point.
I skipped this video since it didn’t apply to me. Suddenly, yesterday I acquired my first chainsaw and I’m very happy you posted.
Thanks!
Sudden chainsaw is always a win. Keep it close, keep it clean, keep it cutting.
Stay gold.
@@dnlmachine4287 😃
Thank you for this revealing test! Looks like I have been using the wrong chain oil! I have been only using the expensive Husqvarna chain oil, and this puts an end to that! No more Husqvarna chain oil!
You are welcome! Thanks for the feedback.
Finally a rock bottom priced product that has the competition packing. Great presentation as usual.
Thanks!
This is an incredibly interesting shoot out Todd. I've been buying Stihl bar oil for 30 plus years. Mostly due to it's super tackiness and thick viscosity. I always felt these two features were a must for the best performing bar oils, turns out I'm totally wrong! I also would use 75W90 gear oil if I ran out of Stihl oil using that same philosophy. I am blown away by these results and will now switch to the inexpensive (which is one of the reasons I never bought this oil thinking you get what you pay for) Harvest King oil. You really had me scratching my head on this one. Thank You! This was my most favorite one yet because I would have argued against your results all day long before actually seeing them!
Me too!
I was absolutely amazed and shocked.
They’ve got a new customer for what’s left of my chainsaw using life.
Stihl results are surprising, I bet they sell a lot more bars and chains using subpar oil.
If you want to have fun. Go to a chainsaw forum and start an oil thread. But, looking at a bunch of the threads, you'll use a different oil for a long bar vs a shorter one due to the amount of time the oil has to stay attached to the chain.
Great vid, sure wish the Poulan Pro oil was in the test, it’s purple-red color looks cool! 😂
@@ng-ht1vx if you go to forums to see which oils are the best you will see almost every type of oil being claimed as the best and you will probably leave with more questions than answers. They are fun to read though.
You know how much I love this channel, I don't even own a chainsaw and I enjoyed the whole thing.
Thanks so much!
This is perfect. I’ve been trying to find out for two years. Who better to look for than the man himself! Thank you so much!
I've been buying the wrong stuff for years! Not anymore!!
I've been using used motor for 25 years, never had an issue with it, its free,it don't make sense to me to pay and use brand new oil only for it to get slung out with the wood chips :)
I think a lot of times big companies these days rely on their names more than the quality of their product, thank you for clearly showing that today 👍
Yeah, and they want you to buy more stuff, so of course they have the worst performing products that wear out the item you want to keep running!
You are welcome!
Would not have expected these results. Amazing test. Thank you.
Thanks and you are welcome!
I asked for this some time ago and have not opened my chainsaw since. Now I know which oil to use. Thank you for the awesome video and all the hard work you do.
Thanks and you are welcome!
This was a great episode. A lot of people will spend more money just because of the brand name. Testing like this proves you can't just rely on the brand names and waste your money. I can really appreciate your testing methods and feel comfortable purchasing items that ranked high at Project Farm!
Thanks for sharing!
I see that all the time, regardless of the type of item being purchased.
Far too many people think that more expensive automatically means better.
Im definitely surprised by this. Good thing im running low on stihl lube. Harvest king it is!
Or it is a way for Stihl to keep keep people buying products earlier in their life. A worn out chain and blade? Better buy a new one...
There are stories out there about consumer goods that just 'lasted' too long. The producers switched to a less strong version so they would wear out more and people would keep buying.
Wow! I was very much not expecting the cheapest oil to do so well. That's such good news for us
Shows where the big names have their focus on... Revenue and parts sales, not protecting your equipment.
I was disappointed to see that, but absolutely not shocked by the results. They sell the parts their oil wears out, why protect them...
Thanks for the feedback.
That's a good point.. Conflict of interest and all
@@volvo09 Another level of planned obsolescence. I haven't heard about it before but it sure makes sense now. Wow!
Good comment and now I’m wondering about the other bar chain oils not mentioned like PowerCare on shelf at Home Depot and Valvoline Chain oil on shelf at WalMart. I’ve used all of these between never thought much about it until this excellent video.
I never get tired of your oil testing videos! Great video as always!
Thank you!
This as well as all of your videos are so worthwhile and informative! Thanks for putting this together.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Dang it, Todd! I discovered Harvest King last season and found it to work effectively. And on sale for $8 a gallon. I better buy more now, because the shelves will be empty soon.
Who carries it? I can’t find it
I get it from a local farm and home store.
Well done Harvest. And for being expensive and performing poorly, I'd award Husqvarna and Stihl jointly the Snap-On Award.
Funny how the companies that sell saws, bars, and chains the most have mediocre oil... almost like there's some incentives at play here
@@jttech44 It's sure hard not to suspect that!
@@jttech44 Indeedely doo!
Our family ran a tree business back in the 80's and 90's and was one of the largest tree companies in the DC area. We always put used motor oil from the trucks as bar oil and it worked well. Couldn't beat the price. We still do it today with no complaints.
Thanks for sharing.
I requested this video!!! Thank you so much!
And I’m totally shocked at the results too!!!
You are welcome! Thanks for requesting this video.
I don’t even own a chainsaw, but I’m definitely watching the whole thing.
Thank you very much! This means a lot to me!
I don't really use one much either, but I have a couple of Pole Saws for pruning trees that are basically 8" & 10" Battery Powered Chainsaws on a 12 foot pole.
All I can say is your missing out buddy. Lol
I don't own a chainsaw but I love this guy's empirical and scientific approach to every video.
Thanks!
Todd, Your videos are awesome. Thank you for all you do for us!!!
Did you keep track of the oil usage? I noted you said you were dumping out oil a couple times.
If one brand was more viscous than another it may not have allowed enough oil to get to the chain. Knowing how much or how little was applied to the chain compared to chain wear may tell us more about the oil’s capabilities.
Some chainsaws have chain oil flow adjustments.
What divine timing! No lie, just last week I was using my chainsaw and had to use motor oil for the bar since it’s all I had, and was thinking “man, I wonder if Project Farm has done a bar/chain oil video?” Great video and info, as always! Your work is greatly appreciated
Thanks and you are welcome.
Awesome video! Now I dont feel bad about running the cheap stuff in my saws. It's pretty crappy that the big 3 saw manufacturers are selling such inferior oil at such high prices. Guess they need to sell more chains and bars. 😂
Used motor oil or transmission fluid. Save money.
Just use used engine oil. Unless you are using 28" bars and constantly in 30" logs or larger it makes zero difference. When you can get hundreds of chords of wood on a bar which costs $50 bucks and oil is $20/gallon, who the hell cares. Engine oil, USED, is FREE. Used Hydraulic oil is FREE. Used Gear oil is FREE>
Thanks!
@@w8stral Used oil contaminates the ground and can sicken animals. Besides, used motor oil has horrible lubricity as proven on this channel in the past.
Ohh god, please. Give this man a medal!!!
Your top 5 of my favorite RUclips channel!! KEEP IT UP!!!
Thanks, will do!
As always THANK YOU for what you do for all of us! I would love to see more bar and chain oil tested. I use Powercare from Home Depot and I think it might be similar to Harvest King but I may be horribly mistaken.
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
I have wondered about this on my life!!!!! Thank you for testing these!
You are welcome!
Really appreciate your dedication and focus!
Thanks so much!
Hi Todd, As my picture suggests, I'm a professional arborist. As a general rule I have been using Canola oil for the past several years as my bar oil. I am not alone in this as most of my local competitors are using it as well. If you ever do a repeat match-up, please incude that in your line up. Also, in our industry, we often go thru chains pretty fast and they often get replaced not by long term wear but by breakage due to some issue along the way. Sometimes we put too small of achain on too powerful of a saw. Sometimes we hit concrete that some old pioneer put into a hollow tree for who knows what reason. So, although chains wear is an important element of your testing, it is not that crucial to us as chains break about as fast as they weaar out. Thx again for all of your objective tests. They sure come in handy.
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Do your saws smell rancid in summer? I like the environmental aspect of using canola oil, but it's so dang thin... I imagine it slinging right off the bar tip and leaving the working side dry
They break from tie strap wear around the rivets, people wrongly call it stretch. Once this wear gets bad enough it causes hammering until the strap breaks, mix in lowering the depth teeth for aggressive cutting and breakage occurs rapidly from the added hammering. I'd find a automotive additive package to add to your canola such as schaffers moly or bg' moa + not set your depth teeth below .035 in soft wood and go up in chain chain thickness .063 and size to 404.
Thanks Todd Ive been using HK bar oil for years because of price. I never knew it was great bar oil but always worked well for me. Now I’m a little worried I won’t be able to find it on the shelves of my local rural king. The “Project Farm effect “😊
Lol
My buddy moved to Michigan 14 months ago and left me a better part of a gallon of HK bar & chain oil. I really like it on my Stihl 015, 031 & MS 170, so much so (& the "PF effect") that I went and bought 2 more gallons at the local farm & ranch store. Should last me a lonnng time.
Fantastic results! I always wondered about the more expensive bar oils being worth it; now I know! Thanks so much.
You are welcome!
Thank you for this video. I've been wanting this for a while now.
Thanks! Glad to hear!
My hat’s off to you, Todd, for creating useful tests allowing us to quantify properties that have formerly been in the realm of subjective opinion. Thanks for this comparison test!
You are welcome!
Wow, never thought the difference on chain oil was so large. A follow up video with more types tested including the "biodegradable" variants had been interesting.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I agree. There’s many more to compare. Think we need a round 2 and maybe even 3 lol
I also want to see the biodegradable variants as some places I've been require them!
Yep just passed on some Ryobi brand today because I have no idea if it "works" 😂
@@ProjectFarm And maybe vegetable oil too, used ones from fryers.
Thanks for testing. I have been wondering about chainsaw oils for a while. Like always a great video.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Another great bunch of tests, Todd! I have a new bar oil favourite & it is economically priced as well!
Thanks!
Great test! I know first hand how long it feels to run a tank of gas through a saw for test purposes. That's a lot of cutting! Thanks for your diligence.
Thank you!
Wow! The Harvest king is indeed the king. I hear of people using vegetable oil for bar oil, have you tested that for this application yet? I have heard it's better for the environment, but I have not used it myself. Thanks for testing it is super helpful! Happy New Year!
@Richardflagg3084 I just posted a picture in my community page saying I found it at Atwood for like $10 and was asking for people to let me know if they had run it. I am super happy I bought it now. I have run a few through my saw and it seems to be working just fine but I will be running it for an extended time frame going forward. We found a great video right?
@@oakiewoodsman very interesting results! yet not extremely surprising to me. Makes me feel better about saying sayonara to the husky oil. Now to find out who makes the oil packaged under the "harvest king" label🤔 and if it's available near me under another brand😅
@@oakiewoodsmanProject Farm always delivers.
I recently switched from Stihl bar and chain oil to Amsoil bar and chain oil. I noticed my chain doesn’t get as hot and stretch as quick. But that could also be as a result of going from a semi chisel safety chain (green) to full chisel (yellow). After watching this video, that explains why I’d destroy chains in a short time! The wear test proved it as well as the black stone lab results. I would be interested to see Amsoil vs. Harvest King! If it’s better than Amsoil, I might just have to switch to that!
You could run a test yourself, if project farms doesn't, by putting some oil on a file, and trying to file through it on some aluminum for faster results, about 10 times, see which oil was best as protecting from filing.
I was going to say exactly what you did! Thanks bud! I run amsoil now too. Buckin billy ray recently put out a good video on bar oil. Nothing about amsoil tho. I know project farm proved amsoil is the best synthetic engine oil. Please do a harvest king vs amsoil project farm! Thanks
Anything amsoil is $$$..I use it in the differential and transfer case
@@michael184272 I buy so much of it per year to where I am a preferred member. It pays for itself in a few months for me. But I get a good chunk taken off the price of a bottle. So a quart bottle of something worth $18-$19 a bottle, I get it for like $12 a bottle. I think I got a gallon of Saber 2 stroke oil for like $50 or something. Gordy from Westcoast Saws uses Amsoil for everything. He swears by it.
@@michael184272Register as a preferred customer for 25% off or as a dealer for 35% off
You actually made the video I suggested!!! Thank you thank you thank you! And very well done! That was so awesome! You rock! 😁
Thanks! Thanks for suggesting the video idea.
I am in the middle, should be at the last part of firewood cutting. I do love your videos and have used the knowledge I obtain to further my firewood cutting skills.
Bravo young man!!!!!!!!!
Thanks! Glad to hear!
I'm really surprised at the results. I honestly thought there would be minimal differences between these oils. Great video as always.
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
Hi Todd, Im a huge fan of your tests, but a couple thoughts on this one: First, I use the bar oil to reduce bar groove wear and thinning of the chain drive links and you didn't measure either. Those are more important than wear on the underside of the chain. Second, I'd wager Walmart Supertech bar oil is one of the most popular and accessible around the US along with CountyLine at Tractor Supply, Powercare at Home Depot and STP at most auto parts stores. Seemed odd to leave out so many popular and affordable bar oil choices. Could you do a round two with those as well as Amsoil, Mystik, Poulan and Itasca? Lastly, if you adjust the oiler to deliver a lot more bar oil-what is the impact on wear?? Thanks again for all your work!
These are great ideas. Hopefully some day!
Good idea.
Exceptional comment! Bar wear is important, and it is important that the entire bar gets lubricated.
The temperature readings were interesting, but there were a lot of uncontrolled variables in the wood being cut, saw operation, etc.
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Also try the "better than oil" bar and chain lubricant
I've been using Pro Select for last two years (same gallon jug) but it does flow a bit too fast. But going to do a clearing project here soon and so glad to see this review before I wasted money trying to find a better option.
Thank you once again for all that you do!
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
Always wondered about the bar oil. Thank you ! Love the test methods!
Making a trip to Ohio in april, have to swing into a rural king on the way back to Wisconsin. Cheers!
Thanks and you are welcome!
If you ever do a part two of this, I’d love to see Schaeffer’s bar and chain thrown in the mix. I work for them and I like getting to see our products tested
Thanks for the suggestion.
Sounds good but most people don‘t have readily available access to Schaeffer‘s products. I am fortunate enough to but have never seen bar and chain oil. I use 7000 TC-W3 in my chainsaw fuel. And won‘t use anything but their grease! Prices have really gone up and more than inflation. A gallon of 5W-40 was $27-28 a few years ago, this past year I paid $45😧
That's extremely surprising! It's good to know that Oregon continues to live up to its name as far as quality is concerned, but holy cow, you can buy 3 times as much harvest king!
Thanks for sharing!
If you can find it.
Thanks. Thanks for the feedback!
You are welcome!
Your work never fails to impress me. Fantastic! I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
Thank you for sharing!
Testing motorcycle oil would be interesting because it works as motor oil and transmission oil
Yes, please! I do put this comment too over the time.... 👍
Thank you for the video idea!
Todd, this test was as legendary as I was hoping when I suggested it. Not only were the tests comprehensive and entertaining, but we also got the eye opening results we crave as an audience! I think the suggestions of gear oil are also great, but it's a bit off the chart on cost. At the end of the day, I think the bar temperature shows how well an oil is working, not how tacky it is 🎉
Thanks! Thanks for suggesting this video idea.
At work i Change oil in gear boxes, it's done annually and each box holds about 2 gallons of Mobile shc 630 gear oil, I always use a clean bucket and save the old stuff and bring it home for bar and chain oil
@@REDPWR4EVRthat stuff stinks, the thought of you cutting logs and having gear oil flung everywhere is funny tho. I can smell used gear oil for about 25 feet even if the wind is not blowing
Definitely didn’t expect these results when I suggested this video I appreciate you doing it though I know that took a lot! Also pretty cool you using just he regular oil really didn’t expect it do that well! Great video!
Thanks!
I frequently watch this channel for a unbiased evaluation of many products and for that reason I keep coming back! I watched this test of bar oil and quickly came to a conclusion/observation that the big three saw manufacturers had subpar oils so I asked myself why! The only thing I came up with and this is my own opinion is the common denominator is they are in the business of selling saws and parts! If they sold a quality bar oil then they would sell fewer expensive bars,chains and sprockets! Something to consider and think about! Keep up the excellent work! Thanks!
Thanks, will do!
Suggestion for a part 2: In Europe many commercial chainsaw users use cheap vegetable oil (mostly canola oil) from a supermarket because it’s environmentally friendly and extremely cheap, it would be great if you could include it.
Also most of oils tested are illegal in Europe, and for good reasons. Who wants to spread polluting oils in their own forests.
@@sakkek5349that’s why the husky and Stihl oil don’t have friction modifier.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I always use cheap vegetable oil and have no problems. But:
It is important to empty the tank at the end of the season and then fill it up with better oil if the saw is not used for a longer period. I do this in good time so that the entire system is filled with high-quality oil and nothing hardens.
In Quebec Canada, our group decided to use a chainsaw with a different chain pitch to quarter any moose we harvested. We cleaned the oil reservoir thoroughly in the saw and proceeded to use corn oil as a bar lubricant. Letting the saw idle for 5 seconds between cuts, and a quick rev of the saw before and after a cut proved to work great. After cutting, the chain was removed and boiled in water, as well as the bar. after drying it, was drenched in vegetable oil. We are still using that bar and chain 11 years later.
Good video . In my opinion the evaporated wear test isn’t as important because it’s not sitting on a hot plate for a long time and losing volume. It’s being ran through the oiler and being flung off the chain. So it’s it not being recycled. I use the echo brand daily but will try to find some Harvest King to see how it is .
Thanks for sharing.
Harvest King doesn't operate around here, so I ordered some Oregon brand from the nearest Tractor Supply. Wear is my top concern. Thanks again! Your information is very helpful.
You are welcome!
Another very comprehensive video. I am speechless about test results, cheapest oil winning and leaving well-known brands in behind isn't as surprising as the mediocre performance of those well-known brands. It really makes me angry that brands like Stihl or Husqvarna sells such low quality products at premium price. And then comes even more angering demands of manufacturers to "only use original parts and materials or warranty will be void".
Thanks! Thanks for the feedbackk.
That “demand” from manufactures was shot down by the Supreme Court decades ago. The big guys were trying to put the aftermarket manufacturers out of business.
I would not have expected those results at all! I'd love to see a much larger showdown, similar to the one you did with the motor oil, perhaps with more of the name brands thrown in against the less expensive ones.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Great video! My Grandad always used to use a mineral base motor oil with a bit of engine stop smoke to add the tackiness. I always thought he was crazy but maybe he knew what he was doing! Would be cool to see if you can beat the pre made products with a DIY mix
I was legit thinking, what if he threw some stop smoke in the motor oil. Good idea!
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Do it you beautiful bastard
Make us project farm chainsaw juice and sell it @ProjectFarm
Look at that! I suggested this about 2 months ago! You’re a g man. You’re a god send!
Thanks! Thanks for suggesting the video idea.
I've been using sunflower oil for years, no problems. Pump handles it ok and it's a bit thick in winter but it's very cheep.
Plus any overspray on paths disappears after two days, classic oil marks last for ages.
Thanks for sharing.
It would be interesting to see how vegetable oils stack up to the standard oils in these tests. I tried canola oil for a season, thinking it would be a more environmentally friendly alternative. It seemed the wear rate was higher, and if I didn't use the saw for awhile, it became like glue. I didn't use one of my backup saws for several months and I had a heck of a job getting the chain free.
When it comes to bar oil I buy the cheapest one I can find, and if its too thick for use in the winter I thin it out with diesel.
However I don't cheap out on two smoke oil.
Thanks for the feedback.
This is a wonderful channel, thanks Todd!
Thanks so much!
I’d love a comparison of work lights….. (headlamp)
over the years……. I have purchased many
presently…. my favorite is a rechargeable Streamlight…..
also….. love your channel!
Thanks! Thanks for the video idea.
Excellent testing sir. I'm an lubrication nerd and run chainsaws as well. The oil testing is what attracted me to your channel way back. I hope we can see another one of these bar oil tests with some other brands. Specifically Amsoil semi synthetic bar and chain oil and a water based, biodegradable product called Better Than Oil that promises to be superior to standard bar oils.
Thanks for sharing!
Mystic is another very affordable option to try as a potential test oil on the opposite end, cost wise, compared to the Amsoil and Better Than Oil product.
I have been using harvest king for the last few years. I’m glad it did so good.
Great oil!
Where is it from? Tractor supply? Wally world?
I've got 1/2 a gallon of some wal mart bar and chain oil left, (which is probably better than the big brands!) But I'll get some harvest king next time.
Yes, at Tractor supply @@volvo09
@@volvo09I believe TSC or if you live close to a Runnings farm and fleet. I just bought some at running for $8 a gallon
Great vid, Todd! When I do not have bar oil...I use straight lucas....could test that.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks for another great testing effort! The results are rather unexpected. We don't have Rural King stores in my area, but even with shipping, the Harvest King is still cheaper than the rest.
You are welcome! Thanks for the feedback.
A LOT of work went into making this video! Thanks for doing all this work for us so that we can make informed decisions!
I would never have guessed that there was such a huge difference between chain oils, and I would never have guessed that the cheaper oil was the best!
Thanks for sharing!
I'm a simple man, I see a project farm video and I click like
Thank you very much!
Thanks for doing the comparison I was surprised of the results love to see more brands tested that are very common place
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks for testing this! I have always had a hard time spending a higher price for something that is sacrificial.
You are welcome!
Wow! Would have loved to see the super tech bar and chain oil included. I like the aviation oil recommendation to. Nice job!
Thanks! Thanks for the constructive feedback.
Been running saws professionally for over half of my life. I use the orange stihl jug for summer and blue for the winter. And if I don't have that used motor oil will do. Never had an issue with any of it. This is a very extreme test for a saw. Stihl chainsaws are all I buy husqvarna are great too but not my shade of orange lol.
Great feedback! Thank you
I'd love to see a review of the various garden hose reels out there. Thinking of getting two, but they are expensive! Thanks for all of your incredibly useful videos over the years.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Would love to see this test again with some additional brands that are available at other stores... CountyLine sold at Tractor Supply, STP sold at harbor freight, etc.
Also, I'm glad that you gave the results with and without the flow tests. I couldn't help but think that given the importance of tackiness, the 70 degree test might actually need to be scored in reverse - thicker being better.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Surprising results, thanks for your time and effort in putting this test together, Todd. Happy New Year.
Thanks and you are welcome! Happy New Year!
Another excellent video as they all are... This one was especially interesting to me as I live in the country with 5 acres of wooded land and use my chainsaw a lot. Interesting note I have the exact same chainsaw you tested and it has been a very good tool over the years... You have absolutely the best channel I have found for testing products and I think you very much. 👍👍
You are even better in 2024 sir. Great test and results without any bias as always. Thank you for your diligence!
Wow, thank you!
Awesome study! You deserve an A+ for your class. I wish I had done so well on my experiments in physics classes.
Thanks!
Another excellent video! This got me thinking, as someone who deals with chains on a daily basis (bicycle shop guy, bike company owner. and moto rider) it might be interesting to see a comparison between chain lubes. There are literally hundreds of high-end performance bicycle chain lubes, and the same for motorcycles. All claim various metrics for wear performance, durability, cleanliness, and ease of use. Keep up the good work!
It’s very challenging with bicycle chain lubes because the riding conditions often dictate which type of lube will work best. I refuse to go down that waxed chain trend hole…. so much time time and effort.
Thanks, will do!
Wow, surprising results! I really thought that the three power equipment brands (Husqvarna, Sthil and Echo) were going to do really well, it was surprising how badly they did. I'm not surprised by Oregon's showing since they make the chains and bars. I would like to see the Walmart house brand tested, since that's what I used as well as others (not sure who carries Harvest King) like Tractor Supply, Northern Tool, etc. I would also like to see way lube included since it has been suggested they are similar to bar oils. Thanks again, Todd, for another great test!
You're welcome!
Brilliant video! It is always are treat to see your testing processes.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Ive never used the brand oils. Thanks for confirming this!
You are welcome!
Thanks Todd for always giving us great content even though you put hours and hours of work into this video! I recently went with the cheap option in my local box store and was surprised at how much better it performed compared to even the ryobi bottle I had been using. I’m using a 16” ego chainsaw for basic firewood needs and love it!
No problem!
I bought the cheap stuff because it was on sale for $8 sounded like a good deal, now I know it was.
Glad to see these oils put through many different tests.
Thanks for sharing!
Funny you put up this video so recently. I just had to replace my 18” chainsaw bar with the tip having separated. Have always used Husqvarna bar oil and fuel the past ten years as it was recommended for my saw. Gone through so many chains. Sharpened them to the nubs with so many ash trees on my property coming down over the past years frame m the ash borer. I could have saved some money on bar oil. I won’t make that mistake anymore. Thank you!
You are welcome! Thanks for the feedback.
I’ve used Husqvarna oil as that is what came with my chainsaw. I’ve just about used that up so I will replenish with Harvest King because of this video. Thanks so much for another informative well thought out test comparison.
You are welcome! Thanks for the feedback.
The man, the myth, the legend. 2024 is starting out great!
Thank you very much!