The parts look-up is set up for you to use quickly and accurately provided you know three things: your saw’s make, model, and guide-bar length.

If you don’t know all three of those characteristics, you should go to your nearest Carlton dealer, with your saw in hand, for help.

How Do I Know What Size Bar I Have?

Your bar’s cutting length (or “called length”) is different from its total or overall length. The cutting length is the distance from the front of the saw to the tip of the farthest cutter, rounded to the nearest inch. This called length is the number used in the selector guide to describe the bars that are available for your saw. Be careful; a bar made by Carlton may take a different drive link count than that of another producer. Here’s a tip: if you have an Carlton bar, look at the number stamped on the motor end; the first two digits, such as 16, tell you the called length.

Once you know the make, model, and bar length, there are some other features you need to know, such as:

What is Chain Pitch?

Chain Pitch is the size of the chain, and is defined as the distance between any three consecutive rivets divided by two. Carlton chain is made in several pitches – 1/4” is the smallest, 3/8” is the most popular, .404” is the largest. Pitch is important because the drive sprocket must be the same pitch as the chain, and if applicable, the bar nose sprocket. The easiest way to determine the pitch of your chain is to look at the number stamped on the drive link.See the chain-pitch-and-gauge chart below.

What is Chain Gauge?

Chain Gauge is the Drive Link’s thickness where it fits into the bar groove. The gauge of the chain and the gauge of the bar must match. Carlton has several gauges for hand-held chain saws – such as, .043”, .050”, .058” and .063”. Normal wear can make it difficult to accurately measure chain gauge on a worn chain. Always order by the number stamped on the drive link of your old chain to assure correct gauge. See the chain-pitch-and-gauge chart below.

Chain Pitch and Gauge Chart

How do I measure the length of my chain?

The length of your chain is determined by counting the number of drive links in your chain. Your drive link count has a direct correlation to your bar’s length. Be careful; a bar made by Carlton may take a different drive link count than that of another producer. Here’s a tip: count the number of drive links in the chain you have now, and write that number down someplace where you can find it. Or, if you have an Carlton chain in an Carlton box, the drive link count is stamped on the flap; you can save that flap for future reference.

What’s a drive sprocket?

The sprocket and the clutch drum are connected to the saw motor. The sprocket is designed to drive the proper-pitched chain around the guide bar.

What is ANSI?

Certain provisions of the safety standard known as “ANSI (American National Standards Institute) B175.1 – Gasoline powered Chainsaws – Safety Requirements” contain requirements designed to reduce the risk of injury from chainsaws sold in the United States. The following information should be used as a guide for the selection of appropriate replacement chains in order to maintain compliance with the ANSI B175.1 standard (United States only).

The ANSI standard B175.1 divides all chainsaw power heads into two groups:

• Under 3.8 cubic-inch (62cc) engine displacement, the chainsaw MUST meet the low kickback provisions of the standard.
• 3.8 cubic inch (62cc) and larger, the chainsaw MAY OR MAY NOT meet low kickback provisions of the standard.

Any chainsaw that does not qualify as a low kickback cutting system will bear a warning such as: “WARNING – This chainsaw is capable of severe kickback that could result in serious injury to the user. Do not operate this chainsaw unless you have extraordinary cutting needs and experience and specialized training for dealing with kickback. Chainsaws with significantly reduced kickback potential are available.”

Be sure to read the labels on a chainsaw before purchasing one.

When replacing chain on saws less than 3.8 cubic inches (62cc), any low-kickback chain of the proper pitch and gauge can be used. Carlton identifies and labels all low-kickback chain with green labels and all NON low kickback chain with yellow labels. Carlton safety features greatly reduce the hazard of kickback while maintaining high cutting performance. However, ALL CHAINS CAN KICKBACK, which may result in severe personal injury to the saw operator or bystander.

Replacement guide bars and the ANSI standard

The ANSI standard states:

Because of differences in replacement guide bars, the following guidelines shall be considered to determine kickback energy:

• Sprocket nose guide bars with the same effective length, the same number of sprocket nose teeth, and the same pitch may
  be considered to have equivalent kickback energy;
• A hard-nose guide bar having the same effective bar length, and the same or smaller nose radius as a sprocket-nose bar,
  may be considered to have equivalent or less kickback energy than the sprocket nose-bar;
• Kickback energy of all guide bar types may be considered to be less for smaller nose radius sizes.

What is Kickback?

The length of your chain is determined by counting the number of drive links in your chain. Your drive link count has a direct correlation to your bar’s length. Be careful; a bar made by Carlton may take a different drive link count than that of another producer. Here’s a tip: count the number of drive links in the chain you have now, and write that number down someplace where you can find it. Or, if you have a Carlton chain in a Carlton box, the drive link count is stamped on the flap; you can save that flap for future reference.

Below is a guide to the information you will see displayed by the Parts Look-Up.

Brand: The brand name of the harvester head

Model: The number or name of the harvester head

Bar length: The cutting length (or “called length”) of the saw bar, measured from the front of the saw to the nose end of the bar. This is not the same as the actual length of the saw bar, which is usually 4-6” greater than the cutting length.

Pitch: The size of the chain, measured by determining the distance between three rivets and dividing by two. The drive sprocket and bar nose sprocket are teamed with the chain, and must be the same size or pitch.

Gauge: The thickness of the lower portion of the chain drive link, the part that fits into the saw bar. The chain gauge and the bar groove gauge, or width, must be the same.

Part Number: The Carlton part number of the product.

Description: the product name

Drive links: The number of drive links in the specified loop of chain.

Pitch: The size of the chain, measured by determining the distance between three rivets and dividing by two. The drive sprocket and bar nose sprocket are teamed with the chain, and must be the same size or pitch.

Gauge: The thickness of the lower portion of the chain drivelink, the part that fits into the saw bar. The chain gauge and the bar groove gauge, or width, must be the same.

Sprocket teeth: The number of teeth in the drive sprocket, at the motor end of the unit.

File size: Sharpening file diameter

Notes field: Look in this area for important messages about part information. For example, if you choose a .080” gauge chain and a .122” bar, you will see the note: Please see your Servicing Dealer to verify pitch, gauge, and motor mount . You can still choose these parts because it’s possible to be buying for two different saws, but you will be notified that there is a discrepancy.