36" too much for stock 441?

[Stihl Alive]

I run a 25" on it now. I probably need a longer bar 1 out of every 10 jobs. (out of which 9/10 could still be done with the 25") I was considering getting a 36" just for bucking up big trunks to make it a little easier/faster. One Stihl dealer is trying to talk me into a 660, which I clearly don't need. Then I went to an "elite" dealer about 100 miles away and he told me the 441 had plenty of :censored: to run a 36" bar.

any suggestions?

 

[JTinaTree]

A 441 would be way slow pulling that kind of bar, 441/440's perform best with 20-25in range max.. I have got a 32in bar on my 660 and would not even think about putting a bar longer than that on my 440....

 

[B-Edwards]

When I first got in the tree biz on my own I had an 026 that I would change the sprocket on and put a 36 inch bar and chain on it simply because I couldnt afford to buy a dedicated saw for that size bar. Of course it wasnt made to use that kind of bar on but it worked for me because I operated it and didnt abuse it as some would when it isnt their saw. I didnt use it that way a great deal and it worked fine until I could buy a bigger saw. I still have guys telling me I dont need a saw with a 36 inch bar and chain, I say they are fos ,guess they havent cut stuff as big as we (dedicated tree guys) have. As for your question, I think it will work but it seems a tad small for that size bar and chain to run day in day out.

 

[huskystihl]

I run a 25" on it now. I probably need a longer bar 1 out of every 10 jobs. (out of which 9/10 could still be done with the 25") I was considering getting a 36" just for bucking up big trunks to make it a little easier/faster. One Stihl dealer is trying to talk me into a 660, which I clearly don't need. Then I went to an "elite" dealer about 100 miles away and he told me the 441 had plenty of :censored: to run a 36" bar.

any suggestions?

I RAN A 044 FOR YEARS WITH A 32 AND IT PULLED IT FINE.I THINK A 32 WOULD BE OK FOR THE SAW BUT I THINK a 36 WOULD PROBABLY BE A BIT MUCH.

 

[JTinaTree]

I must be a tad bit more picky than most, My 440 performs so well with a 20" on it, I don't think I will ever change it.. That why I bought a 660 for the long bars.....it pulls like there is no tommorrow brother.

 

[Stihl Alive]

I think I'll go with a 32". Like I said, it won't be used very much. I'd just like to have the extra length when I need it.

doesn't a full skip chain require more power to cut? Should I keep a full chisel for the 32"?

I'd love to get a 660, and I can get a new one for half price right now, but I just want it. I dont' think I'll ever "need" it.

thanks for the input.

 

[Rftreeman]

you can use a 32 with it, I was using a 32" on a 046 when I cut my leg, you just might have to take it a bit slower than with the shorter bars.

 

[Mike Van]

I put a 28" on my old 041 when I need it, you can't lean on it, but it gets 4' dia. maple, oak & ash done. I use the full comp chisel chain, I think the skip is recomended for longer bars, but I've never used it.

 

[huskystihl]

I think I'll go with a 32". Like I said, it won't be used very much. I'd just like to have the extra length when I need it.

doesn't a full skip chain require more power to cut? Should I keep a full chisel for the 32"?

I'd love to get a 660, and I can get a new one for half price right now, but I just want it. I dont' think I'll ever "need" it.

thanks for the input.

i've never ran full skip for the simple it dulls faster. Half the cutters doin the same amount of cutting.

 

[HolmenTree]

I have two like new 36" Oregon .050 bars hanging in my shop haven't used them for years, even on the 066 they just seem awkward and easy to put into the dirt. The Stihl 090AV-36" no problem but like the 36" bars never use it. On my 066 I run 28" with skip chain and thats all the bar I need , have taken alot of 36"b.d.h. trees down and 28" works fine. On my Husky 372XP -22", Stihl 044-18" . My business is almost entirely urban tree removal.

 

[oharatree]

Yeah, 36 inch is too long. But, you gotta do what you gotta do with the tools you got. Put the 36 incher on it and take it slow, as i am sure the saw will only do it at a snails pace. Do it slow, crank up the oiler, and dont make a habit of it. A 660 would be far better suited for that but if your workload doesnt require purchasing a 660, than guess what?.....441 it is.

 

[sawinredneck]

I would think 32" with skip would be slow, but alright, you are in hardwood country. I have seen a stock 046 running a 32" in dry Oak and it was slow!! I run a 32" on my modded 046 and it's still not as fast as I would like, but better.
That give you an idea of what you are in for?

 

[PA Plumber]

Have ran a 32" with skip on the 441. Red Oak rounds over 40" in diameter. Could even lean on her a little.
Not quite as fast as running a 24 incher with full comp., but did a pretty nice job.

I do think the 441 would pull a 32" full comp, as long a the operator was light on the touch.

 

[forestryworks]

sharp chain and operator technique will help it alot

 

[sawinredneck]

My bad, good call PA!!! I forgot to add that the stock 046 as well as mine both ran full comp, that makes a difference!

 

[deeker]

sharp chain and operator technique will help it alot

+1

 

[juststumps]

i don't know why you would want to change the bar and chain ??? the cut up to 36" wood, if your running a 25" bar.... you'll waste more time, changing the set up....

put the saw at 12 o clock on the log,,dog in,,, cut from 12 towards 9, stop at 7 o'clock... back the saw down from 12, towards 3 o'clock, finish the cut.....jeeze, you can cut up to 50" witha 25" bar, if you think a little... JMHO

 

[Stihl Alive]

i don't know why you would want to change the bar and chain ??? the cut up to 36" wood, if your running a 25" bar.... you'll waste more time, changing the set up....

put the saw at 12 o clock on the log,,dog in,,, cut from 12 towards 9, stop at 7 o'clock... back the saw down from 12, towards 3 o'clock, finish the cut.....jeeze, you can cut up to 50" witha 25" bar, if you think a little... JMHO

I think I'm going with this advice. Maybe I'm just trying to get more stuff for no reason. If I encounter a situation where I truly need a longer bar, then I'll consider the purchase. I'll keep going with what I have now: 200T 12", 290 16" 441 25"

It's really really hard to resist getting a brand new 660 at half price though. But I still can't justify it right now.

thanks for all the advice guys

 

[HolmenTree]

it's really really hard to resist getting a brand new 660 at half price though. But I still can't justify it right now.

thanks for all the advice guys

If you can get a new 660 for 1/2 price then get it!!! you may never have the chance again. Plus with the 660 in your lineup with a 28" or 32" you will have all the saw power you'll need.

 

[Stihl Alive]

If you can get a new 660 for 1/2 price then get it!!! you may never have the chance again. Plus with the 660 in your lineup with a 28" or 32" you will have all the saw power you'll need.

well, I've only got $2k to work with, I'm supposed to buy a 20' dual axle trailer for $1500 this Thursday, which wouldn't leave me enough for half the saw. If I buy the saw, I'll ge the deal of a lifetime (which will never happen again I'm sure) but then I'm still stuck with a 5X10 trailer. But the trailer WILL still be there is I can afford it in the next few months. I'm torn.