18 Inch Chainsaw Chain: Pitch, Gauge & Drive Links for Every Brand Australia | Farm & Acre Co
Eighteen inches is the sweet spot for a lot of Australian farmers and rural property owners. It's long enough to handle decent-sized firewood logs, fence posts, and cleanup work, but not so long that the saw is heavy and awkward.
If your saw runs an 18 inch bar, here's exactly what chain you need.
18 Inch Chain Specs by Brand
Stihl 18" Chainsaws
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Chain Type |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|------------|
MS 211 | 3/8" LP | .050" | 62 | Low profile |
MS 250 | .325" | .063" | 68 | Semi chisel |
MS 251 | .325" | .063" | 68 | Semi chisel |
MS 271 Farm Boss | .325" | .063" | 74 | Semi chisel |
MS 290 Farm Boss | .325" | .063" | 74 | Semi chisel |
MS 291 Farm Boss | .325" | .063" | 74 | Semi chisel |
MS 311 | 3/8" | .050" | 68 | Semi chisel |
MS 362 | 3/8" | .050" | 68 | Full chisel |
MS 391 | 3/8" | .050" | 68 | Semi chisel |
Watch out:The Farm Boss range (MS 271/290/291) uses .325" pitch with .063" gauge and 74 drive links. The MS 250/251 uses .325" .063" but only 68 drive links. They look similar but are different length chains.
Husqvarna 18" Chainsaws
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Chain Type |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|------------|
440 | .325" | .050" | 72 | Semi chisel |
440 II | .325" | .050" | 72 | Semi chisel |
445 | .325" | .050" | 72 | Semi chisel |
445 II | .325" | .050" | 72 | Semi chisel |
450 | .325" | .050" | 72 | Semi chisel |
455 Rancher | 3/8" | .050" | 68 | Semi chisel |
550 XP | .325" | .050" | 72 | Full chisel |
Key difference: The 440/445/450 run .325" pitch. The 455 Rancher jumps up to full 3/8" pitch. Different chains, don't mix them up.
Echo 18" Chainsaws
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Chain Type |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|------------|
CS-400 | 3/8" | .050" | 64 | Semi chisel |
CS-490 | 3/8" | .050" | 64 | Semi chisel |
CS-501P | 3/8" | .050" | 64 | Full chisel |
CS-590 Timber Wolf | 3/8" | .050" | 64 | Semi chisel |
CS-620P | 3/8" | .050" | 64 | Full chisel |
Echo keeps it simple, all their 18" saws use 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge, 64 drive links. One chain fits them all.
Victa 18" Chainsaws
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Chain Type |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|------------|
VCS1845 / VPCS1845 | .325" | .058" | 72 | Semi chisel |
The Victa 18" uses .325" pitch but with .058" gauge, different from both Husqvarna's .050" and Stihl's .063". Make sure you match the gauge.
Makita 18" Chainsaws
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Chain Type |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|------------|
DCS5121 (50cc) | 3/8" | .050" | 64 | Semi chisel |
EA5000P (50cc) | 3/8" | .050" | 64 | Semi chisel |
Same chain as the Echo 18" models.
DeWalt 18" Chainsaws
| Model | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links | Chain Type |
|-------|-------|-------|-------------|------------|
DCCS672 (60V FlexVolt) | .325" | .050" | 72 | Semi chisel |
Same chain specs as the Husqvarna 440/445.
The Most Common 18 Inch Chains
Chain 1: .325", .050", 72DL
Fits: Husqvarna 440/445/450/550 XP, DeWalt DCCS672, Victa VCS1845 (check gauge, Victa is .058").
Chain 2: .325", .063", 68DL
Fits: Stihl MS 250, MS 251.
Chain 3: .325", .063", 74DL
Fits: Stihl MS 271/290/291 Farm Boss.
Chain 4: 3/8", .050", 64DL
Fits: Echo CS-400/490/501P/590/620P, Makita DCS5121/EA5000P.
Chain 5: 3/8", .050", 68DL
Fits: Stihl MS 311/362/391, Husqvarna 455 Rancher.
Chain 6: 3/8" LP, .050", 62DL
Fits: Stihl MS 211 (low profile, this is a lighter chain for a smaller saw with an 18" bar).
Stihl vs Husqvarna: Why 18" Chains Are Different
This is a common trap. Both Stihl and Husqvarna sell popular saws with 18" bars in the .325" pitch range, but the chains are different:
| | Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss | Husqvarna 445 |
|---|---|---|
Pitch | .325" | .325" |
Gauge | .063" | .050" |
Drive links | 74 | 72 |
Same pitch, but different gauge and different drive link count. A Husqvarna .325" chain will NOT fit a Stihl Farm Boss, and vice versa.
Which Chain Type for 18" Saws?
An 18" bar is getting into proper farm saw territory. Here's what works best:
The default for most 18" farm use. Holds its edge well in dirty timber, hardwood, and general farm work. This is what we'd recommend for most Australian conditions.
Full Chisel
Cuts faster in clean timber but dulls quicker in dirty wood. Best for milling, felling clean plantation timber, or professional use.
The premium option. Stays sharp 10x longer than standard chain. If you're cutting hardwood firewood or doing farm cleanup with an 18" saw, tungsten carbide is hard to beat. Available in both 3/8" and .325" pitch.
How to Confirm Your 18" Chain Size
1. Check the bar, look for stamped numbers near the tip or base
2. Count drive links on the old chain, this is the most reliable method
3. Check your model against the tables above
Need an 18 inch chain? Browse our chainsaw chains and bars, standard and tungsten carbide options for all common 18" sizes.
Not sure which one? Call Aaron 0431 183 421 or email us farmandacreco@gmail.com with your saw model and we'll sort it.
Related Articles