029 super and 20 inch bar>>

[loadthestove]

I have an stihl 029 super with an 18 inch bar.I would like a 20 inch saw in my stable and was wondering if the 029 would handle a 20 bar.

Keep in mind I'm a hobbist and only cut for personal use so its not like saw would be used on a daily basis.

 

[lambs]

Used to have the same saw with a 20" bar

Assuming it's a .325 pitch, you'll get various opinions, but I'd stay with an 18" bar. It will cut with a 20", but it won't be as happy.

If you really want it to scream, put a 16" on it!

I have no experience with muffler modded saws, but I think you'll get some replies indicating your saw with a 10 minute muffler mod and a retuned carb will handle a 20" bar just fine.

 

[fidiro]

Although, stihl recommends 16-20" bar on this saw, I vote keep it at 18" and save some money for a saw that will like a 20" or 25" better.

 

[GASoline71]

An 029 will cut with a 20" bar all day long. with 3/8" chain too. Most 029/290's out here in the PPNW come set up from the dealer with 20" bars on them.

Let 'er rip mang.

Gary

 

[Tim Carroll]

My 029 has a 20" on it with .325 chain for about the last ten years and I never felt that it didn't work well. I think it balances nice with a 20" it won't win any cookie cutting races but you can go out and cut some firewood all day with it. I'm taller though and 18" just does not get me close enough to the ground. I am going to put a 20" on my 5100 S not because I expect to run it in 20" wood but because I don't have to bend down as far to cut some small stuff. I you want a 20" on it I say go for it.

 

[smilin possum]

Go for it and try it I run 20" on mine and it does just fine. If you don't like it you can always sale it to someone else.

 

[MCW]

As Gary said the 029's will run a 20" bar buried even in our hardwoods. They won't set any records but will do it not a problem. I've even run a 32" on a mates 029 in hardwood with 50% of the cutters removed and it cut OK Oiler even kept up which surprised me.
##### to work on but a good little saw.

 

[Idahokid]

I have 028 super with a 20" bar and does just fine.But we have mostly softwood.

 

[mizzou]

My 290 runs a 20 inch bar fine with .325 chain. Never tried 3/8 on it.

 

[roostersgt]

My 290 cuts oak (under 16") w/ 20" bar with no problems. Keep the yellow chain sharp and let the saw and chain do the work.

 

[cuttingintime]

20 inch makes a lot of since to me. Keeps me from bending over as much.

 

[MEATSAW]

Put the 20" on and don't look back. Your saw will handle it just fine.

 

[rms61moparman]

Put the 20" on and don't look back. Your saw will handle it just fine.

:agree2::agree2::agree2:
20" 3/8ths is all I ever ran on my 029 Super and it didn't mind one bit.


Mike

 

[JLB-MT]

My 290 handles a 20 inch bar with a .325 chain. No problems, not the speediest but it works.

 

[Saw Dr.]

029 Super will handle a 20" bar acceptably well. Muffler mod and re-tune, and it will do it quite nicely. I have not run 3/8" 20 on an 029. I might have to try it just for fun. the advantage to a .325 setup is that you can go to a 7 pin if you find it bogging with the 8 pin. In hardwood, I would think 7 pin .325 would be best on a 20" bar.

 

[park]

An 029 will cut with a 20" bar all day long. with 3/8" chain too. Most 029/290's out here in the PPNW come set up from the dealer with 20" bars on them.

Let 'er rip mang.

Gary

When switching to the 20" bar how do you figure out which bar mount it has on it so I can order the correct oregon bar and chain the 1st time. The saw currently has 3/8 .50 66 drive links with a 72 stamped on the drive links.

 

[Evan]

18 cuts same wood as 20

 

[stihltech]

Hardwood or softwood? Not a good setup in the maple forest in NY. Stay with .325 here.
Softwood, go for it.

 

[filletboy]

Question, why use a 3/8 chain vs 325 and do you change the sprocket.
I want to change to an 18 bar for my farm stihl 290

 

[Marley5]

I am of a simple mind.
.325 for saws 50cc and under
3/8 for saws over 50cc.
If your current saw is .325 you'll need to change sprocket to accommodate 3/8.
3/8 has bigger bite needs bigger saw. Imo