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Technical Information · issue 40 of 1995

Saw chain: New 3/8" RM chain types

IssueTI 40/1995

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Page 1 of 3

TI 40/1995 page 1
Technical Information

                                                                                                     40.95

STIHL 3/8" Oilomatic Rapid-Micro =RM= chain

&RQWHQWV

1. New cutter geometry (similar to Rapid-Super),

   Tie strap on RM2 chain (matched to modified cutter)
2. Drive link geometry (flank angle changed from 90° to 80°)
3. Old / new comparison of chain types
4. Chain maintenance

5. Service notes

1.=New cutter geometry

The geometry of the 3/8" cutters has been
thoroughly revised and brought into line with the
shape of the time-proven 3/8" Rapid-Super cutters.
All essential characteristics were changed, i.e.:

•   the whole cutter is 0.5 mm higher

•   top plate rake angle increased
•   depth gauge is now offset
•   humped tie strap on RM2 has been matched to

    revised cutter height

                                                  689TI002 KN

                                                                                                                689TI004 KN

3/8" RM cutter                                                  Geometry of RM2 tie strap
old   -------                                                   old -------
new ________                                                    new _______

The increase in cutter height and the wider top plate rake angle result in noticeable improvements in cutting
characteristics. The offset depth gauge helps enhance straight-line control of the chain which produces a
smoother cut and helps minimize the vibrations that inevitably occur during cutting.
)Technical Information 40.95  -  Page 2

The outstanding features are:

•    Higher cutting performance
•    Reduced feed effort
•    Improved cutting convenience and comfort
•    Better component dependability

2.=Drive link geometry 

Drive link geometry was revised at the same time
as the modifications to the cutters. The flank angle

of the drive link was changed from 90° (40°+50°)

to 80° (40°+40°).                                                                           50°
This helps improve the reliability of the chains                                            40°
when cutting hardwood and operating at extremely                                   40°

low outside temperatures.

                                                                                                                   689TI003 KN
The part number remains unchanged.

                                                             Drive link
                                                             old     fo
                                                                    -------
                                                             new _______

3.=Old / new comparison of chain types

====Chain type======arive=link=g~uge=================Type No.========================Type No.
                    mm =====in=======================O l d===========================N e w

    33 RM           1.3    (.050)                    3857                            3989

    35 RM           1.5    (.058)                    3858                            3990
    36 RM           1.6    (.063)                    3859                            3991
    33 RM2          1.3    (.050)                    3921                            3992

    36 RM2          1.6    (.063)                    3919                            3994

    33 RMF          1.3    (.050)                    3888                            3993

4.=Chain maintenance=========================================5.=Service notes

The existing sharpening aids and tools can be                5.1=Cutters

used without any changes for sharpening the new              The new versions of the cutters (3991) and drive
RM chains and replacing chain links.                         links can also be installed in original-type chains
                                                             and vice versa.
Note: =kew, simplified sharpening instructions
will be used for all STIHL Oilomatic saw chains in           5.2=Humped tie straps
future - see TI 41.95.                                       The new version of the humped tie straps (3994)
                                                             can only be used together with new versions of the
                                                             cutters (3991) but can be incorporated in original-
                                                             type chains. A combination of the original tie strap
                                                             (3919) and original cutter (3859) can also be used
                                                             in the new version of the chains.
)Technical Information 40.95  -  Page 3

6.=Summary

Item         Part Name                               Original                   New                     Rem.
                                                     version                    version
 1           Oilomatic chain 33 RM                    3857                       3989
             including items 7 to 9
 2           Oilomatic chain 35 RM                    3858                       3990
             including items 7 to 9
 3           Oilomatic chain 36 RM                    3859                       3991
             including items 7 to 9
 4           Oilomatic chain 33 RM2                   3921                       3992

             including items 7 to 11

 5           Oilomatic chain 36 RM2                   3919                       3994
             including items 7 to 11
 6           Oilomatic chain 33 RMF                   3888                       3993

             including items 7 to 11
 7           Right-hand cutter                        3859 662 0400              3991 662 0400          1)
 8           Left-hand cutter                         3859 662 0600              3991 662 0600          1)

 9           Drive link                               3725 662 1000              3725 662 1000          2)
10           Right-hand hamped tie strap              3919 662 3900              3994 662 3900          1)
11           Left-hand hamped tie strap               3919 662 4000              3994 662 4000          1)

             Other chain parts as before
Modification to be introduced: in progress

5HPDUNV

1) Original version of part will be supplied from factory only as long as existing stocks last
2) Only modified version of part is available from factory

Last Technical Information on saw chain: 39.92

Waiblingen, September 18, 1995                                                      Andreas Stihl - D1/MTK
© 1995 Andreas Stihl                                                                Technical Documentation

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