Stihl 028 Super Picco 3/8 Chain (Fit & Compatibility)

A 3/8-inch Picco chain fits an 028 Super only when the bar and drive sprocket are also made for 3/8P, and the chain matches the bar’s gauge and drive-link count. Do not rely on “3/8” alone. Check the installed parts and their markings before buying or running a chain; some 028 setups use standard 3/8-inch or .325-inch parts.

If your chain is dull or the bar is off the saw, the quickest safe answer comes from checking three interfaces: sprocket pitch, bar pitch and gauge, and chain pitch, gauge, and drive-link count. A mismatch can keep the chain from seating or tracking correctly. It may damage parts or raise the risk of derailment.

The 028 Super is about 51.5 cc, but engine size does not tell you which chain fits. In the shop, I treat the saw’s installed bar and sprocket as the starting point, then confirm their markings and the exact replacement chain specification. That prevents a common mix-up: standard 3/8-inch and 3/8-inch Picco, often marked 3/8P, are different systems.

Does a 3/8 Picco chain fit an 028 Super?

A 3/8P chain fits only with a 3/8P bar and a matching 3/8P drive sprocket. It must also have the bar’s correct gauge and drive-link count. If any marking is missing or unclear, identify the installed components before ordering or cutting.

Pitch is the spacing system that matches the chain to the sprocket and bar nose. Gauge is the thickness of the chain’s drive links, which must fit the bar groove. Drive links are the small projections on the chain’s underside; their count must match the bar’s specified chain length.

A bar marked “3/8” does not always mean 3/8P. Likewise, a chain described as “3/8” may be standard 3/8-inch, not low-profile 3/8P. Never pair a 3/8P chain with a standard 3/8 sprocket, or mix chain and bar gauges. If the old setup is intact, record its markings and count its drive links before removing it.

Bar length alone cannot identify the right chain. A 16-inch bar, for example, can require different drive-link counts depending on the bar design and pitch. Bars in the 16–20-inch range may be practical on some 028 setups, but use the saw and bar maker’s instructions for your exact equipment.

Key check: Confirm the sprocket pitch, bar pitch and gauge, and chain pitch, gauge, and link count as one matched set.

Equipment Setup and Safety Preparation

Before fitting a chain, confirm that the replacement matches the saw’s installed bar and sprocket, then inspect the parts that guide, tension, and stop the chain. A correct chain does not make a damaged bar or faulty brake safe. Prepare the saw on a stable surface with the engine off and cool.

Start by recording the bar’s pitch, gauge, drive-link count, and mount details. Check the sprocket marking or part information. If the saw has been converted, the model name alone will not confirm which sprocket is installed. When markings are unreadable, ask a qualified service shop or parts supplier to identify the parts before you run the saw.

Inspect the bar rails for damage or uneven wear, and check the nose sprocket for free movement and damage. Clear debris from the bar groove and oil holes. Look over the chain for cracked, bent, or badly worn links, and check the chain brake, throttle lockout, and chain catcher. Do not run the saw if a safety part is damaged or does not work as intended.

Fit only a fully matched bar, chain, and sprocket setup. Follow the saw manual for installation and tension. As a general check, the drive links should stay seated in the bar groove, while the chain can still move by hand with gloves on. Do not make that check with the engine running. Recheck tension after the chain has run and cooled, following the manual.

Wear a helmet with visor and hearing protection, chainsaw-rated leg protection, gloves, and suitable boots. Before cutting, look for overhead hazards, plan an escape route where needed, and keep bystanders clear. Start the saw on stable ground using its prescribed cold- or warm-start method. Fill it only with the specified two-stroke fuel mix, and add bar oil.

Key check: If the chain does not seat and move smoothly by hand, stop and recheck pitch, gauge, link count, installation, and tension.

Two common fit problems

These shop scenarios show why a part that looks close is not enough. They are examples, not reports of a specific saw or repair. The safe response in each case is to stop, read the markings, and verify the entire setup before starting the engine.

• “The bar says 3/8.” That marking may not settle whether the system is standard 3/8-inch or 3/8P. Identify the bar and sprocket specifications; do not guess from the label alone.
• The chain fits the groove but will not engage cleanly. A gauge or pitch mismatch may be the cause. Do not force the chain onto the sprocket or run it to “see if it settles.” Confirm each part’s specification.

Field Cutting and Landscaping Operation

Once the matched chain is installed and the saw passes its checks, use the saw in a way that does not mask a fit or lubrication problem. A chain that cuts poorly may be dull, but a loose, wrongly matched, or unlubricated chain needs attention before further cutting.

Before starting, confirm the chain tension, fuel, and bar-oil supply. After starting, follow the manual’s checks for chain movement and lubrication. If lubrication appears to fail, or the chain stops moving as expected, switch off and inspect the system rather than continuing. Keep a firm two-handed grip, work below shoulder height, and use the lower part of the bar when practical.

Do not push a dull chain through wood. A properly sharpened chain should cut without excessive pressure. Stop if it loosens, makes an unusual sound, or behaves abnormally. Felling and complex limbing carry serious risks; do not attempt work beyond your training or the site conditions. Use suitable felling methods and hinge control only when trained to do so.

Key check: Stop cutting if chain tension changes quickly, lubrication fails, or the saw’s behavior changes. Find and correct the cause before restarting.

Maintenance, Sharpening, and Carburetor Checks

Sharpening details depend on the exact chain, not only on the saw or the words “3/8 Picco.” Use the chain maker’s file diameter, cutter angles, and depth-gauge setting. Those specifications can vary by chain model, so do not apply a filing chart from another chain just because its pitch appears similar.

A depth gauge controls how much each cutter bites into the wood. A setting of .025 in. (0.65 mm) is common, but it is not universal. Check the specification for the chain you have, and use the matching gauge tool. Set each cutter consistently and inspect for damage or uneven wear. If you cannot identify the chain model, find its marking or ask the maker or a qualified shop before filing.

Use the file size and sharpening angles listed for that exact chain. Do not assume that a particular file diameter or angle suits every 3/8P chain. If a chain is badly damaged, has uneven cutters, or has reached its wear limit, replacement or professional service may be the safer choice.

Keep the bar groove and oil passages clear. Check the bar and chain after use, and rotate the bar only as allowed by its design and manual. For fuel, use the two-stroke ratio stated in the saw manual and approved by the oil maker. A 50:1 mix is right only when both the saw and oil instructions allow it. Chain pitch does not determine fuel ratio. Never use straight gasoline in a two-stroke engine.

If the saw idles poorly or runs abnormally, do not change carburetor settings just to compensate for a chain or bar problem. Check the chain system, air filter, fuel, and maintenance instructions first. Use the service manual or a qualified technician for carburetor adjustments.

Key check: Match sharpening and fuel instructions to the exact chain, saw, and oil specifications. Do not substitute a remembered setting for a verified one.

Storage and Seasonal Care

Clean and inspect the chain system before storing the saw. Remove packed debris from the sprocket cover, bar groove, and oil passages after switching off the saw and allowing it to cool. Check the chain and bar for damage, and note any part markings needed for the next replacement.

Store fuel and the saw according to the saw and fuel makers’ instructions. Do not leave an uncertain fuel mix in the machine or assume that a mix remains usable indefinitely. Before the next outing, check the bar, chain, sprocket, safety parts, and oil supply again. Confirm the chain is still the correct match if any component was replaced.

Key check: Keep a written note of bar pitch, gauge, link count, and sprocket pitch. It makes the next chain order faster and reduces guesswork.

Frequently Asked Questions

These short answers cover the fit questions that most often come up when replacing a chain for an 028 Super. The safest answer still depends on the actual bar and sprocket installed, since components can differ from the saw’s original setup.

Can I put a 3/8 Picco chain on any 028 Super?

No. It fits only if the bar and drive sprocket are also 3/8P, and the chain’s gauge and drive-link count match the bar. Check the installed parts rather than relying on the saw model.

Is 3/8 Picco the same as standard 3/8 chain?

No. 3/8P is a low-profile chain system; standard 3/8-inch is a different system. Do not use them interchangeably. Confirm that the chain, bar, and sprocket all specify the same pitch type.

Does a 3/8P chain fit a standard 3/8 sprocket?

No. Do not run that combination. The chain and sprocket may not engage correctly. Replace or identify the components as a matched system before operating the saw.

What gauge chain does an 028 Super need?

There is no single answer for every setup. The chain gauge must match the bar groove. Check the bar marking; compatible setups may use .050 in. (1.3 mm) or .063 in. (1.6 mm).

How many drive links does the chain need?

Use the count specified on the bar or count the drive links on the old chain if it is the correct one. Bar length alone does not establish drive-link count.

Is a 16-inch or 20-inch bar suitable?

Those lengths may be practical on some setups, but fit and suitability depend on the exact saw, bar, and work. Follow the saw and bar instructions, and verify the mount, pitch, gauge, and chain count.

What file size should I use for a 3/8P chain?

Check the exact chain model’s filing instructions. File size and cutter angles can vary by chain design. Do not choose a file based only on “3/8P” or copy settings from a different chain.

What fuel ratio should I use?

Use the ratio specified in the saw manual and approved by the two-stroke oil maker. Use 50:1 only if both instructions allow it. The chain pitch has no bearing on the fuel ratio.

Why does a chain fit the bar but not the sprocket?

A pitch mismatch is one possible cause. The chain may also be the wrong type, such as 3/8P paired with standard 3/8. Stop and verify the markings on the chain, bar, and sprocket.

Can I test a questionable chain at idle?

No. Do not run a chain that may be mismatched, improperly tensioned, or damaged. Confirm the complete setup first, then follow the manual’s start and lubrication checks.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, David Hensley. Visit our Meet the Team page.)