Husqvarna 120 Mark II Chain: Size, Drive Links and the .043" Mistake

The Husqvarna 120 Mark II runs a 3/8" low profile (LP) pitch, .050" (1.3mm) gauge chain. The drive-link count is set by your bar length: a 14" bar takes 52 drive links and a 16" bar takes 56. These are the two bar sizes the 120 Mark II ships with in Australia, so one of them is almost certainly what you need. All three numbers — pitch, gauge and drive-link count — have to match; bar length alone won't identify the chain.

The 120 Mark II is one of the most common homeowner saws in Australia, and one of the most commonly mis-chained. Walk into a hardware store, ask for a "14 inch Husqvarna chain," and there's a fair chance you'll walk out with something that won't run properly. Here's exactly what your saw takes, and why the mistakes happen.

Husqvarna 120 Mark II Chain Specifications

The 120 Mark II ships from the factory with either a 14" or 16" bar in Australia, with 16" being the most common. A 12" bar is also available for lighter pruning work.

The Mistake People Make: .050" vs .043"

This is the one that catches most 120 Mark II owners.

Husqvarna's battery saws — the 120i in particular — run a .043" (1.1mm) narrow-kerf chain. The petrol 120 Mark II runs .050" (1.3mm). The model names are one character apart, the chains look nearly identical side by side, and they are not interchangeable.

• Fit a .043" chain to a .050" bar: the chain sits loose in the groove, leans over under load, and cuts in a curve. It also chews out your bar rails.

• Fit a .050" chain to a .043" bar: it won't seat in the groove at all.

If you've ordered a "Husqvarna 120 chain" online and it arrived not quite right, this is almost always why. (The full explanation is in our how to measure a chainsaw chain guide.)

The Second Mistake: 120 vs 120e Mark II

Husqvarna has sold the 120 under several designations — 120 Mark II, 120e Mark II, and the older 120e. The good news: these all run the same 3/8" LP .050" chain, so a chain bought for one will fit the others provided the drive-link count matches your bar.

The 120i is the exception. It's the battery model, and it runs .043" gauge.

How to Confirm Your Chain Before You Order

1. Check the bar stamp. Look at the flat of the guide bar near where it bolts to the saw. Most Husqvarna bars carry the pitch, gauge and drive-link count stamped there.

2. Count the drive links. If the stamp has worn off, take the chain off and count the drive links — the shark-fin tangs that ride inside the bar groove, not the cutters on top. That number is definitive.

3. Decode the old chain. Husqvarna chains carry a code — an H38 is 3/8" LP .050". Our chainsaw chain identification chart translates the Husqvarna, Oregon and Stihl codes.

Which Chain Should You Actually Run?

The 120 Mark II ships with a low-kickback safety chain, which is appropriate for a homeowner saw. But in seasoned Australian hardwood — Red Gum, Box, Ironbark — the factory chain dulls fast, and a 38.2cc engine has no power to spare once the chain stops biting.

We spec our LT50-S for this saw as a semi-chisel: the rounded corner holds its edge far longer in dirty, abrasive timber than a full chisel does, and it stays filable in the field. On a small engine, a chain that keeps cutting matters more than a chain that cuts fast for ten minutes. (See full chisel vs semi-chisel for the engineering.)

Replacing the Chain — Step by Step

1. Engage the chain brake off and loosen the two bar nuts on the side cover.

2. Back off the tensioner (the side-mounted screw on the Mark II) until the chain is slack.

3. Lift the old chain off the sprocket and bar. Clean the bar groove out — compacted sawdust here is the most common cause of poor oiling.

4. Fit the new chain with the cutters on the top of the bar pointing forward, away from the engine. This is the step people get wrong.

5. Tension it: snug against the bottom of the bar, but still pullable by hand with gloves on. (See our snap test guide.)

6. Tighten the bar nuts, then re-check tension after the first few cuts — a new chain always beds in.

Husqvarna 120 Mark II Chain — FAQ

What chain does a Husqvarna 120 Mark II take?

A 3/8" low profile pitch, .050" gauge chain. Drive links depend on the bar: 45 for 12", 52 for 14", 56 for 16".

How many drive links is a Husqvarna 120 Mark II chain?

Most commonly 52 or 56, since 14" and 16" are the standard bars in Australia. A 12" bar takes 45. Count the drive links on your old chain to confirm.

Is the Husqvarna 120 and 120 Mark II chain the same?

Yes. The 120, 120e and 120 Mark II all run 3/8" LP .050" chain. The 120i is different — it's the battery model and runs a .043" gauge.

What size bar does a Husqvarna 120 Mark II take?

It ships with a 14" or 16" bar in Australia, with a 12" option for lighter work. The 38.2cc engine suits these shorter bars well in dense hardwood.

Can I use an Oregon chain on a Husqvarna 120 Mark II?

Any chain matching 3/8" LP pitch and .050" gauge with the right drive-link count will fit — the Oregon equivalent is the 91 series. What matters is the specification, not the brand.

Get the Right Chain for Your 120 Mark II

Our Husqvarna 120 Mark II chainsaw chain is made to the exact factory specification — 3/8" LP, .050" gauge, in 45, 52 and 56 drive link options — with a semi-chisel profile specified for Australian hardwood. Send us a photo of your bar stamp through the chat and we'll confirm the fit before it ships.