Bars

[junker]

Sorry, I meant to ask how do you determine your bar size?

Thanks.

 

[Ryan Willock]

bar size as in relation to what???

 

[junker]

size of bar

What do you use as determining factor that decides which length of bar that is used on your saw.

Say, on a stihl ms260, do you put a 16", 18", 20", 24" bar, which one?

 

[treeclimber165]

Stihl recommends 16"-20" I think. I like 18" on the 026.

 

[mikey]

Hi Junker,The first determining factor for bar selection is engine size.It takes power to pull the chain so you try to match the power to the load.My choice for an 026 would be the 18 ,if not available,the 16.I would never recommend the 24.Get a good chain and keep it sharp.Happy hunting.

 

[Ryan Willock]

on an 026 i like a 16'' or 18'' bar, on my 046 i use a 20'', on my 066G i run a 28'' but will switch back to a 24'' although i have a 36'' laying around here somewhere i like a shorter bar most of the time because i don't like carrying around the extra weight and the longer bars aren't as handy in the woods. if you know what you are doing then it is possible to cut down a tree 2 1/2 times the length of your bar ex. 16'' bar can take a 40'' diameter tree! thats not to say that i would recomend using a 16'' bar on a tree that size, i'm just stating that it can be done. if i have a lot of trees to cut down on one job then i like to have a bar that is 2'' longer than the largest diameter tree that i'll cut (within reason of course, like 25''-34'' pine) but i usually get tired of toting the longer bar and go back to a shorter one. i guess that i just like to play around with them too much sorry for rambling:angel:

 

[Tony Snyder]

My opinion is: Excluding mini chain: 45cc is good for a max of about 16", 50cc is about right for 18", it takes 50 to55cc to run 20", may up to 65 cc to run 20 " at pro levels, you need about 69cc or more to run 24", 85cc handles 28". I know no one around here that is running more than 28" (I mean regularly)

Now I'm talkin central Illinois hardwood where there is hickory and hard maple.

 

[tundraotto]

Tony, agree on those cc - bar sizes completely. For hardwoods it takes alot to spin the chain. I use a 24" on my 372GXP and would not use a 28" in hardwoods and this saw has awesome power for 71cc's.