Description
Oregon 72RD100U RipCut Professional Ripping Saw Chain – 100' Reel, 3/8" Pitch, .050" Gauge – 1640 Drive Links
Designed specifically for professional chainsaw milling applications, the Oregon 72RD100U RipCut Ripping Saw Chain is supplied as a 100-foot bulk reel for making custom-length ripping chain loops. Unlike conventional cross-cut chainsaw chain, 72RD features a specialized ripping cutter grind designed for making cuts parallel to the wood grain. This allows chain-type sawmills to efficiently turn larger timber into dimensional boards, planks, and slabs. This chain is designed for sawmill applications and is not recommended for normal hand-held chainsaw cutting.
This product is a 100-foot bulk reel of specialized ripping chain. It is not a finished, ready-to-install chain loop. The chain must be cut to the required drive-link count and properly joined using compatible presets, tie straps, a chain breaker, and a chain spinner.
Always verify your required chain specifications:
- 100' Bulk Reel
- 3/8" (.375") Pitch
- .050" (1.3 mm) Gauge
- Approximately 1640 Drive Links
- Specialized Ripping Cutter Grind
RIPPING CUTS ONLY: Oregon 72RD RipCut chain is specifically designed for making cuts parallel to the wood grain. Do not use this chain for any type of cutting other than ripping. It is intended for chain-type sawmills and is not recommended for normal hand-held chainsaw use.
WARNING: This professional saw chain may be capable of kickback that could result in serious injury to the chainsaw operator or bystanders. Do not use this chain unless you have experience and specialized training for dealing with kickback. Saw chain with reduced kickback potential is available.
Important: This chain has no kickback-reduction features and is not an ANSI-approved low-kickback chain.
If you're unsure, contact us with your sawmill, chainsaw, guide bar, and required chain specifications, and we'll help verify the correct chain before you order.
Product Features
- Genuine Oregon 72RD100U RipCut professional ripping saw chain
- 100-foot bulk reel for making custom-length chain loops
- Approximately 1640 drive links per reel
- Specialized ripping cutter grind designed for cuts parallel to the wood grain
- Designed for producing dimensional lumber, boards, planks, and slabs from larger timber
- Engineered specifically for chain-type sawmill applications
- Not recommended for normal hand-held chainsaw cutting
- LubriTec™ automatic oiling system helps deliver oil to key areas of the chain
- LubriTec™ helps reduce friction, wear, maintenance, and downtime
- Tough, long-lasting chrome outer layer helps reduce cutter wear
- Hardened rivets help reduce wear and the need for frequent chain adjustments
- Standard cutter sequence
- Designed for professional saws in the 50–100 cc range
- Bulk reel is ideal for sawmill operators, repair shops, and professional users who need multiple custom-length ripping chain loops
Specifications
- Oregon Part Number: 72RD100U
- Product Series: Oregon RipCut 72RD
- Product Type: Professional Ripping Saw Chain
- Package: 100' Bulk Reel
- Pitch: 3/8" (.375")
- Gauge: .050" (1.3 mm)
- Drive Link Count: Approximately 1640 Drive Links
- Cutter Style: Ripping
- Cutter Sequence: Standard
- Recommended Saw Size: 3.0–6.0 cu. in. (50–100 cc)
- Kickback Reduction Features: None
- ANSI Approved Low-Kickback Chain: No
- Finished Chain Loop: No – Bulk Chain for Making Custom Loops
- Primary Application: Chain-Type Sawmills / Ripping Cuts
What This Chain Does
Oregon RipCut 72RD chain is purpose-built for ripping timber with the cut traveling parallel to the wood grain. Its specialized ripping cutter grind differs from conventional cross-cut chainsaw chain and is designed to produce dimensional boards, planks, and slabs when used with a properly configured chain-type sawmill.
The 72RD100U is supplied as a 100-foot bulk reel, allowing sawmill operators, repair shops, and professional users to build chain loops to the exact drive-link count required by their sawmill and guide bar combination. The LubriTec™ oiling system helps deliver lubricant to critical areas of the chain, while the tough chrome outer layer and hardened rivets help provide the durability needed for sustained milling applications.
Fits Sawmill Setups Using These Chain Specifications
Verify your guide bar, drive sprocket, sawmill, and required chain specifications before making a chain loop.
3/8" Pitch, .050" Gauge – Custom Drive Link Count
Important: Guide bar length alone does not determine the correct number of drive links. Always use the exact drive-link count specified for the particular guide bar, chainsaw, and sawmill configuration.
Common Applications
- Chainsaw milling
- Portable chain-type sawmills
- Ripping large logs
- Producing dimensional lumber
- Cutting boards and planks from logs
- Slabbing timber
- Custom lumber production
- Farm and woodland sawmill operations
- Professional and specialty timber milling
- Repair shops making custom ripping chain loops
Frequently Purchased Together
- Compatible 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge sawmill guide bar
- Professional chain breaker for cutting bulk chain to the required drive-link count
- Professional chain spinner for assembling finished chain loops
- Correct presets and tie straps compatible with Oregon 72-series chain
- Oregon sharpening file and filing guide suitable for 72RD ripping chain
- Depth gauge tool
- High-quality bar and chain oil
- Replacement drive or rim sprocket
- Guide bar groove cleaner
- Replacement sawmill guide bar
Chain Loop Assembly & Installation Tips
- This product is bulk chain and must be made into a correctly sized chain loop before installation.
- Determine and carefully count the exact number of drive links required by the specific guide bar and sawmill configuration.
- Do not determine the required drive-link count from guide bar length alone.
- Use a proper professional chain breaker to separate bulk chain at the required length.
- Use the correct presets and tie straps designed for the Oregon 72-series chain.
- Use a chain spinner to correctly form the rivet heads when joining the finished chain loop.
- After spinning, inspect the connection for proper rivet formation and make sure the joined links articulate freely without excessive side play.
- Verify that the guide bar, drive sprocket, and finished chain loop all use 3/8" pitch and .050" gauge specifications.
- Install the completed chain loop with the cutters facing the correct direction of travel.
- Make sure every drive link is properly seated in the guide bar groove and drive sprocket.
- Set chain tension according to the sawmill and chainsaw manufacturer's specifications and recheck tension as the chain warms during operation.
- Maintain the specialized ripping cutter geometry when sharpening. Incorrectly sharpening a ripping chain like a conventional cross-cut chain can change its milling performance.
- Keep the guide bar groove and oil passages clean and confirm proper chain lubrication before beginning a milling cut.
- Inspect the guide bar, sprocket, rivets, tie straps, and cutters regularly because chainsaw milling places sustained loads on the cutting system.
- Use this chain for ripping applications only. Do not use it as a general-purpose cross-cutting chain.
Why Choose Oregon RipCut Chain?
Oregon RipCut chain is purpose-built for operators who use chain-type sawmills to turn larger timber into usable boards, planks, slabs, and dimensional lumber. The specialized ripping grind is designed specifically for cutting parallel to the wood grain, while LubriTec™ lubrication, a durable chrome outer layer, and hardened rivets help provide the durability required for demanding milling work. The 100-foot Oregon 72RD100U reel is ideal for sawmill operators and service shops that need to make multiple custom-length 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge ripping chain loops.