Thread: Drive sprocket wear

Although wear is important It's more than just sheer wear.

Sprocket wear should match the chain(s) wear so that the chain rides comfortably on the sprocket.
If a new chain is run on a worn sprocket the drive links on that chain will also wear prematurely.
If an old chain is run on a new sprocket the sprocket will wear prematurely and the chain could also jump the sprocket.also

Ideally the sprocket should replaced when the chain is replaced but as aprockets are generally harder than chains so provided quality regular maintenance is in place several chains can be repeatedly rotated through the one sprocket.
According to Stihl, a general rule of thumb is toreplace one sprocket for everytwo chains, one bar for everytwo sprockets and every fourchains (4=2=1).
If more than 2-3 chains are rotated then several sprockets should also be rotated randomly at the same time. On my 880 milling saw I use 4 chains and 2 sprockets.

It also depends on general care-wear-tear.
If the chain and bar are mot well maintained, sharpened or correctly tensioned then the sprocket will wear prematurely anyway.
The sort of wear that warrants a sprocket change is if any of the indentations on a sprocket are more than about 0.5mm deep.

Thanks Bob,

I just got a new bar and chains, and I think the old sprocket would be original (1991ish?) so I'll get a new one.

Cheers

Originally Posted by OzEo

Thanks Bob,

I just got a new bar and chains, and I think the old sprocket would be original (1991ish?) so I'll get a new one.

Cheers

Definitely a good idea.