372XP with 32" bar

[Engineeringnerd]

I took my 372XP out with a new 32" bar with 3/8" x .050 WoodsmanPRO RCS (Full skip chisel) and found it bogged down when sunk into a tough, dead white oak. Had to keep backing it out, especially when doing a rip cut to separate two trunks.

On my old MAC i experienced something similar when running Oregon LG chain (full chisel, full compliment) on a 20" bar, but Oregon DP chain (semi chisel, full compliment) was much easier on the saw than the full chisel LG and prevented it from bogging down without much loss in cutting speed. I ordered a loop of WoodsmanPRO SCS, which appears to be similar to the Oregon DP in skip form without the safety bumpers.

Do you guys think I am on the right track using skip-semi chisel on the longer bar to keep the cutters turning in hard wood with a long bar? Any better suggestions, other than a larger saw or heavy mods (muffler mod already done)?

 

[Woodie]

I own the black and red version of your 372, and my best guess is that, with a 32" bar, you're probably past the limits of the saw, particularly in dead white oak.

Anyone else with more trigger time care to comment?

One other thing...you mention separating two trunks...if you're saying what I think you're saying...that's some of the nastier wood to try to get through...coupled with the fact that it's white oak...I'd say you may have reached far beyond the limits for your saw.

 

[Freakingstang]

too much bar for a 372. The 372 in hardwood is best equipped with a 20-24" and will on occasion handle a 28".

You are asking too much from your saw. a 660 or 395xp would be a much better choice if cutting wood that size all the time.

 

[Engineeringnerd]

I normally run a 24" bar with full compliment chisel (LG or RCS). I do want a larger bar for the occasional big tree. I like to fell with a single cut whenever possible.

The skip chain for the 32" bars has fewer teeth than the full compliment for the 24" bar. Extra chain friction over the extra 8 inches of bar must create more drag than the tooth reduction takes off in cutting force.

I'll let you know how the SCS chain works. The fact that the chain almost kept turning with chisel makes me think the semi-chisel will work o.k. I was really impressed by how it livened up my 610.

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Newbie,

To answer your question, I was ripping through a really tough old oak, 39" where I ripped it:

Definitely tough work!

 

[Woodie]

Newbie,

To answer your question, I was ripping through a really tough old oak, 39" where I ripped it:

Definitely tough work!

Jesus God I'm thinkin' 880 or 3120 now!!

That's what I thought you were talking about. You're gonna need a new clutch if you keep that up with a 372!

Good luck though. Let us know how you get 'er down.

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Oh she's down, It took about 5 minutes to do the rip, and another 2 to take out the wedge. Then did a bore cut to establish the hinge and worked back to the rip.

I may have made it sound worse than it was. I just had to keep from leaning on the dogs and rock the saw slightly whenever she started to stall. It was by far the most technical fall I've done, so I took some pictures and video along the way. Piece of cake for a pro, I'm sure.

Most fun I've had in a long time.

 

[Freakingstang]

Just to check, you are running a 7T rim on it right? I know I run an 8T on mine, but that would definately help if you geared it down a little

 

[begleytree]

Just to check, you are running a 7T rim on it right? I know I run an 8T on mine, but that would definately help if you geared it down a little

that was going to be my question
-Ralph

 

[begleytree]

You mentioned pros doing it, so I'll tell ya how I would have cut it.
I would have reached up above the crotch, notched and removed the smaller of the two forks, then notched the whole tree over with the other fork.
ripping like that through what you cut through, is hard work,although you obviously felled the tree safely with no problems. you did fine, just different.
-Ralph

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Stang,

I'm using a 7T, which came stock with the saw.

Begley,

The crotch was up about 6' off the ground. How high would you have made the wedge, and would you have used something to get up there or just cut overhead?

I just cut it the way described in Dent's book.

 

[begleytree]

Begley,

The crotch was up about 6' off the ground. How high would you have made the wedge, and would you have used something to get up there or just cut overhead?

lol, knowing me, I would have just cut overhead. woulda made the notch a tad lower than the fork opening and bored through the fork for the backcut at the lowest possible point of opening.
again, not being critical of what you did at all. you did well, just different.
-Ralph

 

[John Ellison]

Here is another way.

 

[kkottemann]

I am currently running a 28" on my 372 and think it is too much, although it does handle it, I pernonally think that is the uppermost limit for that saw. I perfer the 24" for the 372. 24" bar, with .050 full skip round chisel and your saw will scream through anything.

 

[Engineeringnerd]

John,

Pretty fancy. How do you get the branches to stay in the cut-outs? Are there cleats I can't see?

 

[Luke]

Wood Newbie

Jesus God I'm thinkin' 880 or 3120 now!!

That's what I thought you were talking about. You're gonna need a new clutch if you keep that up with a 372!

Good luck though. Let us know how you get 'er down.



Thanks WN, I got a good chuckle on your reply!!!!!

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Freak,

When you use a 24" on your 372, do you use full compliment or skip? What type of chain?

 

[SawTroll]

Oh she's down, It took about 5 minutes to do the rip, and another 2 to take out the wedge. Then did a bore cut to establish the hinge and worked back to the rip.

I may have made it sound worse than it was. I just had to keep from leaning on the dogs and rock the saw slightly whenever she started to stall. It was by far the most technical fall I've done, so I took some pictures and video along the way. Piece of cake for a pro, I'm sure.

Most fun I've had in a long time.

I think you did nicely, I would probably have done it the same way......:greenchainsaw:

I would have used full comp with the 24", probably skip with a 28" - based on what I have read earlier. My wood is mostly birch.

When I order a 24" for my 372, the chains I order with it will be full comp...

 

[Freakingstang]

Freak,

When you use a 24" on your 372, do you use full compliment or skip? What type of chain?

I run full compliment with the 7T rim No skip for me....

I just recently bought two loops of stihl RS that is skiptooth for my 36" 660 combo, but haven't tried it yet. Always just ran regular full comp chain.

I ran a 28" on my 365 once while taking out a big Elm tree. It wasn't the fastest, but it got the job done. I'm sure it would have been quicker with the skip chain, but....

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Steve,

How do you find the performance of the 7900 and 372 compare and how do you use them differently, given you have both?