STIHL showcased its new Rapid Hexa cutting system at the recent APF Exhibition, with the new product proving popular with arb and forestry professionals who attended the event due to its faster cutting time. 

Rapid Hexa consists of a patented hexagonal file and a full chisel chain with a unique V shaped side plate, resulting in a chain that cuts up to 10% faster than standard RS chain, is easier to sharpen, and stays sharper for longer. 

Faster cutting performance has been achieved with a narrow kerf top plate, and a 25° sharpening angle makes the Hexa chain better suited to diagonal felling cuts in a wide variety of wood types. The 60° side plate angle formed by the Hexa file, as well as other improvements to the tooth’s geometry, improve the stability of the cutting edge, resulting in a chain that stays sharper for longer. 

The specially designed Hexa file fits perfectly in the cutting tooth’s profile, allowing for fast and smooth sharpening at the perfect angle every time, without the need for sharpening aids. With Rapid Hexa, it’s easy to achieve a high quality result that keeps the cutting performance for longer, reducing downtime and prolonging the service life of the saw chain. 

The Rapid Hexa is not only available in 3/8” pitch, but also a 1.6mm drive link gauge, ensuring compatibility with professional petrol chainsaws models ranging from the MS 362 C-M through to the MS 661 C-M. Hexa files and chains will be available separately or together in an upgrade kit. 

For more information on STIHL’s extensive range of saw chains and sharpening tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.