Description
Oregon 72RD RipCut 20" Ripping Chainsaw Chain – 3/8" Pitch, .050" Gauge, 72 Drive Links
Designed specifically for chainsaw milling applications, this Oregon 72RD RipCut 20" Ripping Saw Chain features a specialized cutter grind for making ripping cuts parallel to the wood grain. Unlike a conventional cross-cut chainsaw chain, RipCut chain is designed to produce dimensional boards, planks, and slabs from larger timber when used with a properly configured chain-type sawmill. This chain is designed for sawmill applications and is not recommended for normal hand-held chainsaw cutting.
Chain fitment depends on your guide bar and drive system specifications—not just chainsaw model or bar length.
Always verify your required chain specifications:
- 20" Bar Length
- 3/8" (.375") Pitch
- .050" (1.3 mm) Gauge
- 72 Drive Links
- Ripping Cutter Grind
Model or bar-length fitment alone does not guarantee compatibility. Your guide bar and drive sprocket must be designed for 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge chain, and the setup must require exactly 72 drive links.
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 current chain information, and we'll help verify the correct chain before you order.
Product Features
- Oregon 72RD RipCut professional ripping saw chain
- Complete 20" chain loop with 72 drive links
- 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 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 chrome outer layer helps provide long-lasting cutter performance
- 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
- Sold as one complete, ready-to-install chain loop
Specifications
- Product Series: Oregon RipCut 72RD
- Product Type: Professional Ripping Saw Chain
- Package Quantity: 1 Chain
- Bar Length: 20"
- Pitch: 3/8" (.375")
- Gauge: .050" (1.3 mm)
- Drive Link Count: 72
- 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
- Chain Type: Complete Chain Loop
- 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 grind differs from a 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 LubriTec™ oiling system helps deliver lubricant to critical areas of the chain to reduce friction and wear during demanding milling applications. A durable chrome outer layer and hardened rivets help provide the durability needed for the sustained cutting loads commonly encountered when milling larger timber.
Fits Sawmill Setups Using These Chain Specifications
Verify your guide bar, drive sprocket, and existing chain specifications before ordering.
20" Bar, 3/8" Pitch, .050" Gauge, 72 Drive Links
Important: A 20" bar does not automatically require a 72-drive-link chain. The exact drive-link requirement varies by guide bar, saw, 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
Frequently Purchased Together
- 20" sawmill guide bar – 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge (verify mount pattern and 72-drive-link requirement)
- 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
- Chainsaw sharpening tools
- Replacement sawmill guide bar
Installation Tips
- Shut the saw off and disconnect the spark plug before performing chain or guide bar service.
- Verify that your sawmill setup requires a 20" chain with 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge, and exactly 72 drive links.
- Confirm that the guide bar and drive sprocket are both designed for 3/8" pitch chain.
- Clean the guide bar groove and oil passages before installing the new chain.
- Inspect the guide bar and drive sprocket for excessive or uneven wear before installing a new chain.
- Install the chain with the cutters facing the correct direction of travel.
- Make sure all 72 drive links are 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. This 20" chain is supplied as a complete 72-drive-link loop for compatible 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge sawmill cutting systems.