Bar and Chain for Stihl 032
- Thread starter pwoller
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Rookie1
Addicted to ArboristSite
I would say you could go all the way to 20" if you needed. Check out this thread,the 031 is a little smaller so it is similar. http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=106792&highlight=031 
Ed*L
ArboristSite Guru
I run a 20" bar on mine with 3/8 pitch chain, an 18" would probably be better choice.
Ed
Ed
Just out of curiousity, why the 20 inch bar? I was thinking it would cut pretty fast with a 18 inch, does it handle the 20 well?
I was curious about that as well, for my 031AV. The 16" bar that's on it seems so short and would prefer a 20", but only if it will pull it OK....Could always run a skip chain I guess.
Would it be better to run a shorter bar and a normal chain or a larger bar and the skip chain?
Paul001
Addicted to ArboristSite
Depends on what you are cutting. If typical is 12" material and once in awhile you have 20" stuff...I'd go with a 16". On the other hand if you are trying to make do with that saw and cutting 25-40" dia. firewood, I'd go with say a 25" bar/chain in skip tooth.
You could sorta do the same thing by dropping to .325 chain as well.
Rookie1
Addicted to ArboristSite
As stated its an old design saw.They seem to have alot of torque. They arent fast cutters but they get the job done. Just because its 20" doesnt mean your going to cut 20" wood. I wouldnt bother with skip chain.I had one with a 20 and liked it for cutting firewood. Maybe 18" would be OK for what you want.Maybe someone you know has a 3003 mount bar you can try.
rms61moparman
Addicted to ArboristSite
If your 032 is strong and in good shape, it will pull a 20" with 3/8ths 050 as well as it will pull a 16" or 18".
That's what I run on both of mine.
Saves 2-4 inches of stooping over too!
That's what I run on both of mine.
Saves 2-4 inches of stooping over too!
Bushranger1
ArboristSite Operative
I have had an 032av for 25 yrs & all I cut with it are Eucalyptus trees (I live in a dry Eucalyptus forest & the wood is VERY hard). Recently went to a 20" bar but it struggled a bit so went back to an 18" bar.
Finally decided to go up a bit in size & purchased a MS390 (I know now you guys are going to tell me I should have got a 361 but I didn't know about this site then). Anyway the the 390 works great for me & I still use the 032 as a spare & for friends to use when they come over if they feel like helping me get some firewood.
Finally decided to go up a bit in size & purchased a MS390 (I know now you guys are going to tell me I should have got a 361 but I didn't know about this site then). Anyway the the 390 works great for me & I still use the 032 as a spare & for friends to use when they come over if they feel like helping me get some firewood.
So it bogged down on the 20 inch bar ?I think I will run a 18 inch bar and buy a ms361 for the big stuff.
stihlavarna
ArboristSite Operative
I have a 20" on my 032 and it handles and balances it well. I use it mainly for cutting up firewood.
Not a bad idea. If you have a lot of big stuff and care much to make efficient use of your time you may want to go bigger.
Baileys had a good deal on the big bore Makita. Don't know if its still goin. I like the handling of the big stihls better but if your paying for a new 1 I like the Makita-Dolmar option better.
Ok lets assume that I will only buy stihl....what is a good saw to go with the 032?
Bushranger1
ArboristSite Operative
Yeah the 032 bogged down with the 20" bar Only left it on for a short time because of this.
Now I run the 032 with the 18" bar & the 390 with a 20"bar. They both cut great with this setup.
I use a small MS 180 with a 14" bar for trimming the branches off the trees I fell. I taught my daughter to use the MS180 to help me & its nice & light for her to use.
Now I run the 032 with the 18" bar & the 390 with a 20"bar. They both cut great with this setup.
I use a small MS 180 with a 14" bar for trimming the branches off the trees I fell. I taught my daughter to use the MS180 to help me & its nice & light for her to use.
Bushranger1
ArboristSite Operative
I guess it depends on what size trees your cutting up?
I fell & cut up hardwood Eucalyptus up to 32" in diameter with both the
032 (18"bar) & 390 (20") bar. Both saws work great with this setup but I guess if your trees were bigger in girth you could pull a slightly longer bar with the MS361. Maybe someone else can advise what size bar would be good on the 361 as I am not sure what the maximum bar is that it would handle.
I fell & cut up hardwood Eucalyptus up to 32" in diameter with both the
032 (18"bar) & 390 (20") bar. Both saws work great with this setup but I guess if your trees were bigger in girth you could pull a slightly longer bar with the MS361. Maybe someone else can advise what size bar would be good on the 361 as I am not sure what the maximum bar is that it would handle.
Around here what I usually cut a 460 would probably fill the ticket best for a 2 saw plan with an 032. I use an 044 the most and when I go to big wood I like to use my 660 the most. When I'm doing average and smaller wood my 044 does the most and I usally have an 034 or 026 for rotation in smaller stuff. I really like an 034 for power. With a 20" bar it feels close to the 044. The air filter capacity on the 044 holds up quite a bit better on the o44 though. If you don't mind used saws and the extra effort finding parts for an older saw on occaison I like most the old Stihls for bigger stuff from an 042 to an 056 mag.
Thats doing primarily firewood which I sell and use, both.
