WalMart Bar Oil

[Old Monkey]

Since it has been getting colder here, the normal bar oil isn't working so well. When it is 20 degrees outside bar oil pours like thick honey. I have been buying 40 weight motor oil because no one around here seems to carry the wintertime bar oil. I borrowed bar oil from another tree service the other day and it was a thinner grade oil from the most evil of all chains, WalMart.

Have any of you tried the WalMart bar oil? I think it costs less than 5 bucks a gallon. I hate what Walmart represents but I need wintertime bar oil.

[sotc]

i buy poulan oil from walmart for 4.88 a gal. i dont dilute it. if were cutting alot in the cold i toss a jug in the cab before we leave

[Chisel Tooth]

Stihl makes a winter blend bar oil I liked it when I was cutting in the cold. I don't know about Wal-Mart oil, but I would be leary. Good bar oil has additives in it that help it stick to the bar and chain when they get hot. You can mix diesel, or kerosene with the oil to thin it.
See Ya
Mike

[MasterBlaster]

It works great! Just ask Reed.

[Frans]

Lots of debate about bar oil.
My Stihl rep told me about the manufacturing of bar oil by Stihl. They blend their own oil.
I honestly dont think there is a great difference betwix different bar oils.

[Canuck]

I use the winter oil from stihl and it works great in the cold

[Old Monkey]

I'd use it if I could find it locally.

[Stumper]

Darin, I have used lots of Walmart oil over the years--though when they started carrying Poulan at the same price I switched simply because the Poulan jugs ride better in the boxes. It works fine. Mostly bar oil brand doesn't matter...except once upon a time a bought some from K-mart that was black and stinky.I think that their definition of "rerefined" was mixed with raw crude and filtered through a fishbasket.

[Chisel Tooth]

Darin when I get to work I'll get ya the part number.
See Ya
Mike

[top hopper]

I just bought 4 gallons of BioBuzz bar oil....

Have yet to use it though. Im told its thinner and I'll want to turn down my oilers.

spendy stuff!

[Skwerl]

I laugh at the guys spending $8-$9 per gallon for Stihl bar oil because they don't want to walk into Wally World and buy Poulan bar oil for $4.88. They act like their saws will blow up if they use the cheap stuff.

I'll pay the extra money for Stihl chain because it's worth it. I'm not afraid to pay for quality. But the only thing you need from bar oil is that it be thin enough to flow and sticky enough to hold on to the chain for one trip around the bar. That's it.

[Chisel Tooth]

The part number for the Stihl winter blend is #0781 516 4001 I show a MSRP of $8.99 per gallon.

[Al Smith]

I've used about every thing over the years.The TSC stuff worked okay but when they started getting more than Stihl was charging I bought the Stihl.I once bought a jug of Husqvarna branded oil for about 12 something,kinda high I thought.

As far as I know bar oil is just oil with a tacking agent,basically STP.There has always been the great debate on which oil is better,I honestly don't know.

[Chisel Tooth]

It comes down to just what Brian said, a good bar oil should stay no the chain for at least one trip around the bar. The three thing bar oil does is cleans, cools, and lubricates.
See Ya
Mike

[RIVERRAT]

The Wally World stuff is fine. Not quite as tacky as some. But it is what is used where I am at now.

The Wally World stuff did quite well recently on a 066 with 36" bar that was repetedly run dunked in a creek while cutting through a 7'-10' Cottonwood.

[GASoline71]

I laugh at the guys spending $8-$9 per gallon for Stihl bar oil because they don't want to walk into Wally World and buy Poulan bar oil for $4.88. They act like their saws will blow up if they use the cheap stuff.

I'm not worried about walkin' into Wally World to buy bar oil... :roll: So I'm spendin' 5 more bucks than you... big whoop. I have just happened to have good results with Stihl bar oil over the years. I have used other stuff in a pinch. Even the Poulan stuff... :)

Hell one time I even had to use automatic trans fluid for a 1/2 day. Never hurt the saw... but I wouldn't recommend using it for day to day use.

Stihl does make a "winter-blend" bar oil. Never used it myself. The old timers around here used to put a little diesel in their bar oil back in the day... But with the oils that are made nowadays... you shouldn't have to do that.

Gary

[sotc]

haha i use stihl oil in a pinch:) they are easy in easy out and when i need some that day i go get stihl. i was going to buy a pail of chevron bar oil and they wanted 36 bucks so i left it there

[Al Smith]

I've seen old farmers pump anything through them from 90 wt gear lube to used crankcase oil.I think the old man used 40 wt way back when bar oil was about non existant.He also used it for his mix,that or outboard motor oil at 16 to 1 ,lot's of smoke. If that was the good old days,I don't miss them a bit.

[boboak]

It comes down to just what Brian said, a good bar oil should stay no the chain for at least one trip around the bar. The three thing bar oil does is cleans, cools, and lubricates.
See Ya
Mike


Well said. And Gary made a good point about thinning bar oil with a little diesel. A little kerosene works, too. I'm cutting a lot of burn salvage right now and a little additive seems to keep everything running cleaner.

[Wagnaw]

You can usually buy/ order stihl bar oil at ACE Hardware stores. We buy some biodegradable Stihl oil in big 25 gallon containers, and it works good in the winter too.

[brendonv]

Just order a 5 gal pail of your fav. bar oil. Buy a 1 gallon container and keep refilling.

[Monkeywithasaw]

sears carrys a super tacky oil great for summers and ACE has thinner stuff that is almost like water in the winter

[JonnyHart]

Can't believe there's not a stihl shop around you, OM.
I'd move. :D

[Al Smith]

Can't believe there's not a stihl shop around you, OM.
I'd move. :D Now that subject is amusing.What a certain dealer may stock depends on what part of the country.Around here for example an MS 460 is about as large as you will find as far as saws.

When I was in Alabama a year or so ago, that shop dealt with mainly lawn and garden stuff,blowers,pole saws etc.Of course they all have oil and ball hats that say Stihl. I imagine without actually knowing that the Stihl company pretty much dictates the stock a praticular dealer must have on hand.I believe they kind of rule with an iron fist ,so to speak.

[Mherriford]

Now that subject is amusing.What a certain dealer may stock depends on what part of the country.Around here for example an MS 460 is about as large as you will find as far as saws..

Growing up in the PNW has its benefits then, the saw shop in the town I grew up in still keeps big saws in stock, (not that we need them so much anymore)
Last time I swung by, they had an 880 with a 60" bar hanging in the window, plus just about anything else you could want, as long as it was a stihl,

[stehansen]

Wally world bar oil is fine.

[MasterBlaster]

I just hate the design of the jug. Bleagh!

[Skwerl]

The problem isn't the jug, it's how you were taught to open the jug. Instead of peeling off all the foil I just cut a slit in it with the scrench. This allows me to pour a skinnier flow and I don't spill as much. In colder weather you just make the slit wider, but in the summer the skinny slit makes pouring much easier.

[Reddog]

Brian is right. That is how I use the stihl jugs also. Makes pouring much more controlled.

[MasterBlaster]

You learn something new every day. Thanks for the pic, Brian!

[No_Bivy]

Try a fluid transfer pump from the auto parts store, 5 bucks or so. Screws right on top then pump like the mega ketchup bottle....no spill:D

[Burnham]

You learn something new every day. Thanks for the pic, Brian!

Ain't that the truth!

[Skwerl]

I remember being amazed when I first saw someone open a gallon jug like that, but it's been probably 10 years or so. I thought most old timers knew that one.

Gonna put it in the rotator? I don't think I have any pics in the rotator yet. :D

[Old Monkey]

Cool idea Brian. One of the tree service I used to work for used to get a 50 gallon drum of bar oil and then fill up cleaned out laundry soap jugs with those no-spill tops. They worked really well.

[MasterBlaster]

Gonna put it in the rotator? I don't think I have any pics in the rotator yet. :D

I'd like to, but the saw isn't the right color. :P

And your in the rotator at least two times!

Does the sharp end of a file do it? Or do you need a knife to make a clean slit?

[Reddog]

File handle/tang end or the flat blade end of the bar wrench work fine for me.

Works good on anti freeze jugs also.

[Stumper]

I always use the scrench.

[squisher]

That is a cool idea............if you want to spend all day pouring your bar oil :P !!


JK'ing I'm gonna give it a try!8)

[JIML]

I personally buy poulan or stihl, used to get a bargain on the stihl and I still got some from a couple years ago. I think i even got some gray bottles yet.

At work we used to use Stihl in the summer and Stihl's winter blend in the winter. We also used poulan in the summer. Now we got some even cheaper stuff. Its almost black, like dirty motor oil, smells like 90wt and is really thin. I can tell I wear out bars and stretch out chains quicker now. I don't think I have filed a 200t chain all the way back yet, most of the time they break, but a few I have stretched out beyond adjustment.

I never remember breaking as many chains on the poulan/stihl stuff. I broke a 24" chain on my 440 a few weeks ago, it was almost new. Didn't hit anything, just broke in the middle of a cut.

[Tucker943]

I have used a wide variety of oils. Motor oil, used motor oil, cheap bar oil, and premium bar oil, the whole nine yards. I use stihl oil now becasue the way i see it, I'm at the stihl dealer fairly often. For things like chains, bars, saws, parts, and so on. Its convienient for me to grab a bunch of what is right in front of me than to make seperate trips, burning gas and time, to go to wal-mart to save a few bucks. I have nothing against wal-mart oil, its just a matter of whats easier for me.

Chris

[mryb]

Now Im confused... Which oil should I buy? Walmart? Sears? Stihl? or something from ACE hardware? What about the 2 cases of oil I have now? What should I do with them if they are the wrong brand? Next, what should I open the proper brand of oil with? A scwrench or a file tang? If the answer is a file tang, what size file? If the answer is a scwrench, does it matter what country it is made in? If I have to go out & buy any of this, should I bring it home in paper or plastic? Please answer back ASAP because I have to go out & cut in the morning...Sleepless in PA.

P.S. I'll be over in the oil mix thread trying to get that mess straightened out...Rick

[Skwerl]

LMFAO! :lol:
Always a pleasure to read your postings, Rick. You should try it more often. ;)

[MasterBlaster]

I should start a Bar Oil Forum, and make him the moderator! :beer:

[mryb]

Sorry guys. I couldn't take it anymore. I was ready to snap. I needed an outlet...Rick

[GASoline71]

So... what oil did you buy Rick???

:P:P

Gary

[mryb]

I have one case of Stihl winter & a case of Dolmar & a few gallons of Husky oil...Rick

[MasterBlaster]

You need an avatar, Rick.

I can help you if you like.

[mryb]

Limme think on it awhile.

[TheTreeSpyder]

i've used Walmart oil for years without incident. It was better before they changed it about 4 years ago. i slit the foil on opposite side of foil than the handle in the gallon size and maybe a pin breather on handle side; probably like Brian. i find it a snug fit in a borrowed milk crate with a 2.5 gas can; that has a backup scwrench with old throwline laced through handle in a round turn. On the other side of the throwline; i have an empty 2.5 Stihl orange 2 cycle (to show that it is 2 cycle, so i write 2 cycle on it after paper fades)bottle for the gas cap. In the slanted part i put a hole; push the throwline thru to reeve through to outside the neck/opening. Then tie a stopper knot and draw it back in to the hole. The hole is a lil loose for breathing/not swelling the plastic 'can'; but small enough to jam the stopper knot.

Walmart isn't as tacky as some; but i jsut butter the bar more if using large bar. i've had maybe 2 oil pump problems in a decade.

i've never posted an avatar hear, yet had many fine wons.

[MasterBlaster]

:/:

[sotc]

:/:

[Koa Man]

I've used Walmart bar oil ever since Walmart came to Hawaii. Works fine to me. I always pour the oil into one of those bottles with the pull out top, like your dishwashing soap containers. Makes filling the oil much easier. On the big saws I just unscrew the cap and then pour. It takes too many squeezes trying to fill a big saw through the cap.

[Tom_Scheller]

I always pour the oil into one of those bottles with the pull out top, like your dishwashing soap containers. Makes filling the oil much easier..

Hey that's not a bad idea. I'm going to try that.

TS

[mryb]

Ok...Im getting ready to leave for Walmart. Did you guys decide on the best oil yet? Confused as hell in PA...Rick

[Koa Man]

Ok...Im getting ready to leave for Walmart. Did you guys decide on the best oil yet? Confused as hell in PA...Rick

I think used crankcase oil is best. Free and no need to figure out how to safely dispose of it.:lol:







Just kidding of course. Buy the Walmart oil, it is good.

[mryb]

Im making a Walmart run. Anybody need any bar oil?...Rick

[Stumper]

Yeah, pick up a couple of jugs for me,please.

[mryb]

Ok...Since you said please...Rick

[hornett22]

i use Stihl bar oil in the winter.the winter mix that is.i can tell a difference just by pouring it into the saw.if you have a dealer,i'd ask them to order it for you.

Jonsered oil is supposedly designed to run in all temps.they say it's the weight they use.i have used it some and have not burned my oiler pumps up yet.when it gets below 25 i use the Stihl.i just ain't that sure about Jred's claims yet.i guess if they are willing to fix my saws i'll be more willing to try it.

[Greenhorn]

Just went through my saws after using generic bar oil and they were a mess - never again. The oil was from Northern Tool. Back to stihl.

[GASoline71]

...Back to Stihl.

I have always used Stihl oil products in all my saws... cheap insurance.

But that's just me... :)

Gary

[Skwerl]

My last trip to Wally World I couldn't find the gallons of Poulan bar oil, they didn't even have a spot on the shelf for it. Just quarts. :(
So I've been looking around for a source of bar oil for less than $10 per gallon. A friend said he was getting it at Lowe's so I checked there, $10.68 or so. I drove down the street and checked Home Depot and found it for $8.29. It's an off brand but I bought a half dozen jugs to try it out. Anybody here used it before?

[Al Smith]

I don't see why it wouldn't work .If I recall correctly you run your oilers wide open anyway .

If it doesn't have enough tacking agent in it,drop a oz or so of STP in each jug .Actually any oil additive which contains tackifier would work .Get the cheapest . I doubt though you have to do a thing to it .

[brendonv]

Haven't tried it, but sure am going to look.

Tired of spending around $12-15 for a gallon of bar oil. veggy oil sounds better and better....but some people love it, some hate it.

[Monkeywithasaw]

ace hardware carries bar oil and its not to bad of a price around 7-9 a gallon

[C. Kirk]

I have used the home depot. it works fine in the cold and heat. I now use stihl oil. and I used waste oil of that using full Synthetic oil form my car work better the stranded oil.

[GASoline71]

Haven't tried it, but sure am going to look.

Tired of spending around $12-15 for a gallon of bar oil. veggy oil sounds better and better....but some people love it, some hate it.

The veggie oil sucks for colder climates... gets gummy.

Also you smell like french fries at the end of the day. :)

Gary

[Blinky]

I'm using Wal-mart oil, seems like it's just under $8 a gallon. I run my oilers wide open. No problems so far... but I'm not much of a saw mechanic.

Cheap bar oil & expensive synthetic mix oil... that don't sound exactly right, does it?

[lumberjack]

I can get hydro oil for under $8 a gallon, I haven't bought Stihl brand in a little while but last time I did, it was cheaper than Wally World.

[Skwerl]

Chip, it makes a lot of sense if you think about what each oil actually does. Two cycle mix is the lifeblood of the motor. Bar lube is a 100% loss drip system, it only needs to last for one trip around the bar. There is no such thing as 'long lasting' bar lube.

[Newfie]

I'm getting Husky oil from my dealer for $24 for a case of 4, one gallon bottles. He charges the general public $11 or $12. Don't your local dealers hook you up?

[GASoline71]

He charges the general public $11 or $12, and you $24? Who's hookin' who up? :what:

Gary

[Skwerl]

Gary, $11-$12 per gallon vs. $24 per case. I wish my dealer would treat me that well.
:(

[GASoline71]

I had a feelin' that's what he meant... just wanted to clarify... :)

I mean... Mike wouldn't deceive us intentionally would he? :lol:

Gary

[Newfie]

I really didn't clarify that very well, did I? What Brian said.

[Al Smith]

I tend to agree with B .Just open the oilers up and let-er rip .As long as you have an oiler that oils properly I doubt you have any problem .BTW last year Stihl branded oil was the same price as TSC .

How much it costs now I haven't a clue as I have about 12-15 gallon of some generic stuff that was given to me .It works just fine also .

[CurSedVoyce]

Still buying the Echo Oil for 7.99 Gal here at the local store. Can never get WalMArt Poulan... EVER! I get it at Coast to Coast hardware.

[sotc]

Wal mart usually carries 2 brands of bar oil. The other brand is usually in the automotive section

[CurSedVoyce]

Always out of it in Merced. 7.99 up here.. any thing else ain't worth the gas unless it's free.. Or almost free ;)

[NeTree]

Which reminds me... Mike, please grab a case for me when you get up there again.

[FJR]

I found what seems to be a steal a little while ago... One gallon Poulan jugs for $5.20.

I use the caps off of chalk bottles for my Stihl and Poulan jugs. You know... the chalk bottles that you use to snap lines with for carpentry. They screw right on to the jugs, then I just cut the nozzle to whatever size I want. It will pour faster than the dish soap bottles, but it wont close like those bottles. Used them the past couple years and haven't really had any spill problems.
http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/273003_front200.jpg

[Al Smith]

Those pot lickers raised the price of oils and lubricants when gas was upwards of 4 bucks a gallon . Now that gas prices have dropped ,oil hasn't budged a bit .:(

[Blinky]

I found what seems to be a steal a little while ago... One gallon Poulan jugs for $5.20.

I use the caps off of chalk bottles for my Stihl and Poulan jugs. You know... the chalk bottles that you use to snap lines with for carpentry. They screw right on to the jugs, then I just cut the nozzle to whatever size I want. It will pour faster than the dish soap bottles, but it wont close like those bottles. Used them the past couple years and haven't really had any spill problems.


I used to use one of those caps but I lost it and didn't remember where i got it.

[squisher]

I've been mixing my bar oil with used hydraulic oil 50/50 all summer. No problemo so far.

[Al Smith]

Hydraulic oil most likely wouldn't hurt a thing . I've heard of folks using old crankcase oil .

Good heavens that nasty chit would make a awfull mess on things . I'm cheap but I'm not that cheap .

[squisher]

It's very clean looking hydraulic oil. If anything it makes the oil slightly lighter it seems. If I have any problems I'll be sure to report back.

[Cobleskill]

A trick I picked up somewhere (don't remember where) Cut a slot in the tinfoil seal about 3/16". It makes it pour a nice small stream and not glug.

[Skwerl]

That sounds familiar. (http://gypoclimber.com/showpost.php?p=191232&postcount=28) 8) ;)

[MasterBlaster]

That sounds familiar. (http://gypoclimber.com/showpost.php?p=191232&postcount=28) 8) ;)

You schooled me.

[gf beranek]

Good tip, Brian, thanks.

[Skwerl]

Thanks guys, but I just passed it along. I learned it from somebody online back in the old Arboristsite days.

[MasterBlaster]

I remember those daze.

[Skwerl]

Oh, and did you guys notice? I just got an attaboy from Jerry B! 8)

http://i82.servimg.com/u/f82/12/92/22/76/michae10.gif

[Blinky]

Oh, and did you guys notice? I just got an attaboy from Jerry B! 8)

http://i82.servimg.com/u/f82/12/92/22/76/michae10.gif

Yeah I noticed... don't go gettin' a big head now. ;)

[woodworkingboy]

Oh, and did you guys notice? I just got an attaboy from Jerry B! 8)


How much do you want for it?

[sotc]

A kick in the pants to compliment it?:D
I've been using that trick since then also. And then I come back to my nicely sliced jug to see my crew have peeled it open:dur:

[rumination]

I've been using that trick for several years now too. I must have picked it up at AS.

[Stumper]

FWIW, Walmart bar oil used to be clean, low odor, golden light honey. My last bottle works fine but it stinks like gear oil and has a little darkness lurking in the jug.

[Al Smith]

Gear oil smells like a bucket of butt holes, fermented ones to boot .

[sotc]

I always wanted to know how to describe that smell, thanks Al

[Cut4fun]

The Wal-mart in my area carries 3 types of bar oil. Poulan pro bar oil which is in a black bottle and is red dyed. It seems to be the thickest of the bunch, then the green bottled poulan bar oil and then in the automotive section the white jug of sure-tech brand which is pretty runny and thinnest of all 3 and works great in the winter for me. All $7.98 now.
I leave the foil on and cut a V to pour from and a slit at the top to pour straight from the bottle with ease. Been doing that since 80's-90's on all the foil sealed bottles.

[Jonseredbred]

I've been mixing my bar oil with used hydraulic oil 50/50 all summer. No problemo so far.

I do that also. It helps alot in the winter.

When I service one bucket truck and change the hydro oil, it gives me about 14 gallons of nice clean oil, it goes along ways mixing 50/50 with bar oil.

We used to get some type of bee honey additive years ago, a quart of it to 5 gallons of hydro oil made some super sticky stuff. Can't find it anymore.

[mryb]

We used to get some type of bee honey additive years ago, a quart of it to 5 gallons of hydro oil made some super sticky stuff. Can't find it anymore.

Try Lucas oil additive. Its thick & sticky. Mixes very well with other oils...

[woodworkingboy]

I use winter viscosity all year round, pours thin in summer for sure. I'm thinking that good rivet penetration is a plus, and don't lose much by using it in the hot weather as well. Any opinions?

[lumberjack]

I've ran straight hydro oil for most of the summer without any issues, can't immagine winter blend is much thinner.

[stehansen]

I had that barrel of transmission oil I gave to my cousin. He says I can have it back, got some water in it.