STIHL recently announced their cutting edge, Hexa Chain System. This new innovative cutting system revolutionises both the cutting & sharpening experience.
Designed with the professional user in mind, the Hexa chain is made for those with high output needs, it’s the ideal chain for forestry and harvesting wood. The shape of the chain & its file makes it easier to sharpen in the field, where traditionally precise sharpening has been difficult. When sharpening traditional chain 2 elements need to be separated. The top plate and the side plate. The top plate is always visible from above when sharpening, but the side plate cutting angle can be hidden. This can cause a reduction in sharpening quality of the side plate even from experienced users.
The unique shape of the file sits neatly in the cutter, this improves the edge quality of the side plate and allows it to stay sharper for longer.
The benefits don’t just stop at the ease & speed of sharpening, the Hexa system performs better too. Traditional STIHL chains are manufactured with a 30-degree angle. Rapid Hexa is designed with a 25-degree optimum sharpening angle, which is ideal for high output felling and crosscutting applications. This combined with the narrower kerf results in a performance increase of over 10% according to STIHLs testing.
In summary, the benefits of the Hexa Chain System are;
- Over 10% better cutting performance – Thanks to a narrower cutting width (kerf), Rapid Hexa allows a 10%+ improvement in cutting performance over tradional Rapid Super saw chain.
- Easier & quicker sharpening – Optimised shaping of the chain & the Hexa file makes sharpening far easier & quicker than has been privously possible with a round file. It’s easy to get a perfect sharpen every time, the file does most of the work.
- Sharp for longer – The hexa file sits perfectly in the profile of the cutting teeth, making it easier to get a quality finish that remains sharper for longer.
- Longer service life – Because Rapid Hexa chain doesn’t need sharpening as frequently, its service life is longer than tradional Rapid Super saw chain.
Initially the Rapid Hexa is available in 3/8″ Pitch, 1.6mm Guage. With 16″, 18″, 20″, 25″, 28″, 30″, and 36″ lengths, as well as a reel. This makes it compatible with the MS 362 CM, MS 400 CM, MS 462 CM, MS 500i, and MS 661 CM.
