The ALDI Ferrex 20V CCS20VA pruning saw takes a .043" gauge chain with either 27 or 28 drive links, depending on which batch your saw came from. That's not a typo — the same model genuinely ships with two different chain lengths, and it's the single most common reason a Ferrex replacement chain doesn't fit. Count the drive links on your old chain before you order.
Ferrex is ALDI's tool brand, sold in seasonal Special Buys. That's great for price and terrible for spare parts — the saw arrives, the chain eventually dulls, and there's no obvious place to get another one. This page covers both Ferrex saws we fit.
The 27 vs 28 Drive Link Problem
This is the thing to get right, and it's genuinely unusual.
The CCS20VA has been produced in batches with slightly different bar and sprocket combinations. Some units need a 27 drive link chain. Others need 28. Same model name, same box, same saw to look at.
One drive link either way is roughly 9mm of chain. That's enough that:
- A 27DL chain on a 28DL saw won't have enough slack to seat over the bar nose and sprocket.
- A 28DL chain on a 27DL saw will run out of tensioner travel — you'll wind the adjuster to its limit and still have a sagging chain.
Neither is safe to run, and neither is fixable with adjustment. You need the right count.
How to Check Which One You Have
Take the old chain off and count the drive links — the shark-fin shaped tangs on the underside that ride inside the bar groove. Not the cutters on top, which are half the number. Count all the way around the loop and you'll land on 27 or 28.
Takes about a minute and removes all the guesswork. If your original chain is long gone, send us a photo of the bar and saw through the chat and we'll work it out with you before anything ships.
Ferrex Chain Specifications
| Saw | Pitch | Gauge | Drive Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrex 20V CCS20VA (pruning saw) | 1/4" / 0.300" | .043" | 27 or 28 — count yours |
| Ferrex 53cc CSP5300 | .325" | .058" | 18" = 72DL · 20" = 76DL |
Note these are completely different chains. The CCS20VA is a small battery pruning saw; the CSP5300 is a 53cc petrol saw. If you own both, don't assume anything carries over.
Shop the Ferrex 20V CCS20VA chain → · Shop the Ferrex 53cc CSP5300 chain →
Getting More Out of a Ferrex Pruning Saw
These are light-duty saws — designed for branches, pruning and tidy-up work rather than blocking up firewood. Used within that, they're capable. Two things extend their life considerably:
Keep the chain sharp, and keep a file with it. A small battery saw has no reserve power. The moment the chain stops biting, the motor works harder, the battery drains faster and you start pushing — which is when small saws get damaged. A 4.0mm round file and a few strokes per tooth keeps it cutting properly. With a quick file, you're cutting clean and easy, keeping the saw running more efficiently.
Run a second chain. At this size a spare loop costs little, and swapping takes two minutes. If you rock the chain on a fence wire or hit dirt, you keep working instead of packing up. (The rotation logic is covered in our chain rotation guide.)
Be Honest About What It Won't Do
A 20V pruning saw is not a firewood saw. If you're regularly cutting seasoned Red Gum or Ironbark rounds with it, you'll be replacing chains constantly and working the motor beyond what it was built for — and no chain choice fixes that. It's the right tool for limbs up to about 100mm, and the wrong tool for a woodheap.
Ferrex Chainsaw Chain — FAQ
What size chain does an ALDI Ferrex 20V take?
A .043" gauge chain with either 27 or 28 drive links, depending on your production batch. Count the drive links on your existing chain to confirm which you need.
Why does the Ferrex 20V have two different chain lengths?
The CCS20VA has shipped in batches with slightly different bar and sprocket setups. Some units take 27 drive links, others 28. The model name and appearance are identical, so counting is the only reliable way to tell.
What happens if I order the wrong drive link count?
A 27DL chain on a 28DL saw won't stretch over the bar nose and sprocket. A 28DL chain on a 27DL saw will run out of tensioner travel and sag no matter how far you wind the adjuster. Neither is safe and neither is adjustable.
How do I count drive links on a chainsaw chain?
Remove the chain and count the shark-fin shaped tangs on the underside — the ones that sit inside the bar groove. Don't count the cutters on top, which are about half the number.
Is the Ferrex 53cc chain the same as the 20V chain?
No, completely different. The CSP5300 runs .325" pitch, .058" gauge, with 72 drive links on an 18" bar or 76 on a 20" bar. The 20V pruning saw is a much smaller .043" gauge chain.
Where can I buy a Ferrex replacement chain in Australia?
Since Ferrex is an ALDI Special Buys brand, spares aren't stocked year-round. Any chain matching the correct pitch, gauge and drive-link count will fit — what matters is the specification, not the brand.
What file size suits a Ferrex 20V chain?
A 4.0mm (5/32") round file suits the small pitch on the pruning saw.
Can I use a Ferrex pruning saw for firewood?
Not really. It's built for pruning and limbs up to roughly 100mm. Cutting seasoned hardwood rounds with it will wear chains rapidly and work the motor beyond its design, regardless of which chain you fit.
Not sure if you need 27 or 28 drive links?
Count the tangs on your old chain, or send us a photo through the chat and we'll confirm it before anything ships. That's our Guaranteed Fit promise — if a chain we've verified doesn't fit, we replace it free.