Chainsaw Repair

I like the 20LPX now over the 33LG I used to run. 325

Dont recall using it in 3/8

Back in the day LPX and LGX were originally called LP and LG
In 1972 Oregon introduced the LP as Super 70 Series 3/8" pitch anti-kickback chain.
10 years later in 1982 they introduced the LG. Two years earlier our logging camp was picked to field test the LG chain, led by field engineer Gary Walrath from West Linn, Oregon.
After running the LP chain for years 8 hours a day us fallers noticed how much faster and smoother the LG was. We felled, limbed and topped spruce and jack pine into tree length for piecework production.
When a chain moves in the kerf with its porpoise cutting action the LG safety ramp depth gauge is always doing its job protecting the cutter bit. The LP's safety ramp which is seperate from the cutter and on top of the drive link doesn't offer the same level of protection.  Also the straight fronted LP depth gauge also has no protection coverage from the side.

The LP ramp drive link is more of a optical illusion.

I use the 21LPX on my .325 saws. When it first came out (I believe as the 21LP?) it seemed noticeably faster in bore cuts than the 34LG I had been using, and maybe a bit faster in bucking cuts as well, but I never timed it.

I'm wondering if it's the same thing with 72LGX vs 72LPX.

Oregon once used to make a big point of 20 series LP outperforming 30 series LG in all kinds of cutting, including bore-cutting. This was in the early 2000s, when they were about to discontinue the 30 series LG.

72 LGX vs. 72LPX hardly is exactly the same relation, as the 30 series LG may suffer from the lower profile vs. 20 series LP, while this is not the case with 72LGX vs. LPX.

Regarding 73LPX vs. 73LGX (I use .058) I have made some deliberate comparisons, but not by any means scientific ones - and imo the LPX is the better chain in all respects, by a narrow margin. What mainly is better is smoothness and bore-cutting. I happily use both (+ Stihl RS/RSC). Something I haven't tried is bars over 24" - the LGX (and RS/RSC) may have an advantage when chip clearing becomes an issue?

If I did a lot of bore-cutting, I would make an effort to have LP/LPX on the saw though. Good ol' Frank Crofter surely was right about what works best for that.

Cut4Fun, SawTroll & HolmenTree, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I may have to just compare a loop of each and see if I can tell a difference. I don;t cut enough that maximizing production is really a concern (especially for what I assume if a fairly minor difference in performance). However, I am curious, and do a fair bit of bore cutting, so if there is a difference there, it may be worth checking in to.

BTW, SawTroll - I use .058 gauge as well. I just wrote down the wrong numbers. Funny how the preference between 050 and 058 seems to be such a regional thing. Everyone around here runs 058 (unless they are running Stihl equipment). In other areas of the country, folks seem to prefer the 050.

I recall some one saying somthing about Oregon vanguard chain, how it's the best of 2 worlds, speed and smooth cut. has anyone used it?


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Just a home owner that likes the older better made machines

Craftsman 3.7
Echo 290evl
Husqvarna 36

Vanguard to me is root cutting chain for a chain I dont care about. I would never ever buy it.