Best bar/chain set up Brand, length, type ect. saw is a 272xp

[Ira]

I first want to say this site is very helpful thank you all for the info.

I have a 272xp I am rebuilding. The saw will be used for mostly fire wood and felling larger trees. I am rebuilding the saw stock for now. I just got the saw and it was in deed of repair but it runs strong. The saw is not the only saw I have or have access to. I have a husqvarna 55 rancher that minus a few scratches and scuffs it is like new. This saw was bought to sit in a power box with tools, extra chain, fuel and bar oil in separate storage (not in the saw) and be ready to pull out and cut downed trees up to clear the roads leading to our home. Our drive way is 1.5 miles of a logging road and that leads to a ridge top road for miles. I do not use this saw for much else in the winter. I use a 359 to cut most of the fire wood I cut both. We cut alot of fire wood for a boys home.

The 359 is not mine the boys home owns it. I run it mostly, as well as a good bit of the P.M. and repairs. Both the 55 rancher and 359 e-tec have 20" bars.

I bought the 272xp because I found that I really enjoy running a chainsaw when I am home and I wanted a bigger saw. I am rebuilding the 272xp stock for now and later I plan on moding the saw some. I like to get out in the woods alone fell trees and skid them out and cut them up for fire wood. Often I am just working up tree tops left by the professionals in our area. I am not a pro by any means. I and my wife are missionaries working in prisons and schools. So the 272xp is for fun but needs to be able to be used to do work. I have spent some time when I have the time helping two other youth camps cut firewood and will most likely use this saw for the same in future.

I said all of that because I guess there could be hundreds of opinions on the best set up for the husqvarna 272xp.
But my question is knowing a bit about me and the reasons for the saw, what do you all think would be the best bar chain set up.
I am new to this and want to set it up to get the most out of the 272xp for what I will be doing with it and not have to spend alot of $$$$ in doing so. I hope no one takes me wrong on the FUN part.

Sorry for the small book, I am looking forward to you ideas.

Thanks, Ira

 

[dl5205]

If I were outfitting a 272 for my use it would probably wear a 20" Carlton SpeedTip (sentimental favorite from when they were Sandvic/Windsor) AND Oregon LPX Or LGX.

 

[CountryBoy72]

I have a 372xp, ported an MM'd. I have a 24"b/c on it. I was running a 33" b/c for cutting bigger wood, It was skip chain. View attachment 277060 I found the saw a little nose heavy with that big bar on, takes some getting use to a long bar. I am going to get a 28" husky tech lite for it, I think it will balance better an be the perfect combo for what I do. How big of wood are you planning on cutting ?

 

[514mach1]

Mine has a 20" bar. If you're cutting hard woods, 20". If cutting softer wood, 24-28" will be ok.

 

[arrow13]

I'm currently repairing a 288XP. Yesterday I talked to my local saw shop owner to discuss what bar length would work for this saw. We discussed what I'd be doing (cutting fire wood), how tall I am (5'10"), balance of the saw, etc. I was considering somewhere between 20" to 28" bar. Once I was handed a husky saw with a 28" bar that was similar in size to mine, I decided that I will go with the 28"er. I considered being able to stand erect and not bent over for some of my cutting and that was what suited me the best. I sure like the looks and feel of those tech lite bars but I don't own any yet.
I do have other saws. MS290 with 20" bar and skip tooth chain is my normal saw for cutting.
The 288XP just happened to show up with a very good price tag so I jumped on it. Nice to have choices in saws. Always have at least two when you're out cutting.
I'm not sure what to tell you as far a chains go. I have limited knowledge on all the choices. I go with what the local shop owner suggests as he will be my supplier for saw parts.
Good luck with your new saw.
Arrow13

 

[BigDaddyR]

I would go with a 28" Techlite on it. You already have two saws running a 20 so no sense having another 20" IMO. Skip the 24 and go right for the 28" Techlite. It balances real nice and you wont have to bend over to cut up the smaller stuff much. The extra weight of the saw is balanced out for me by how quickly it cuts. I run mine with full skip/full chisel but have been told it can run full comp no problem and I believe it.

Good luck with it and welcome to the party.

 

[Ira]

I have a 372xp, ported an MM'd. I have a 24"b/c on it. I was running a 33" b/c for cutting bigger wood, It was skip chain. View attachment 277060 I found the saw a little nose heavy with that big bar on, takes some getting use to a long bar. I am going to get a 28" husky tech lite for it, I think it will balance better an be the perfect combo for what I do. How big of wood are you planning on cutting ?

Most of the trees are 24" across or less. I have cut several well over that size. The biggest was an oak that was about 57" at the face cut. That would not be a common size for me to get to cut. So for me the biger stuff on avg. would be in the low to mid 30" range.

 

[CountryBoy72]

My suggestion would be a 28" husky tech lite

 

[echoshawn]

24" would be the smallest I go. Best advice would be get a bar big enough to handle the biggest diameter you'd see on a regular basis, yet are comfortable handling. That saw should have zero problems pulling a 28" for sure. But planning for the once or twice a year you might need that big of a bar doesn't, in my opinion, justify the additional cost of chains (you gotta sharpen a whole lot more teeth too don't forget), and additional strain on the powerhead.

 

[SawTroll]

My initial choise would be a laminated 20" Oregon Pro-lite with LPX or RS/RSC chain - and then I would see if I needed another bar as well....

 

[SawTroll]

If I were outfitting a 272 for my use it would probably wear a 20" Carlton SpeedTip (sentimental favorite from when they were Sandvic/Windsor) AND Oregon LPX Or LGX.

Easily LPX over LGX, just a superior design! :msp_smile:

 

[echoshawn]

My initial choise would be a laminated 20" Oregon Pro-lite with LPX or RS/RSC chain - and then I would see if I needed another bar as well....

you'd go with the pro-lite over the power match? Just curious why, since I just bought the power match..

 

[echoshawn]

Easily LPX over LGX, just a superior design! :msp_smile:

Agree on the LPX... cuts amazingly smooth...

 

[aokpops]

I run a 20 inch bar with a carlton chain . On the 272 . Never had any luck with oregon chain .

 

[dl5205]

Easily LPX over LGX, just a superior design! :msp_smile:

I am inclined to agree with you on that. I have used both and don't 'hate' the LGX, however.

 

[514mach1]

I have 2 288s also. The 288 is a substantially more hefty saw than a 272. The 272 feels like the little engine that could and the 288 is a jump up into the lower end of "mmmm, that's a good hunk of saw". I like the 28" bar on the 288 although it can still bog down without much effort in hard wood. I've had a 24" on the 272 and it wasn't bad, but seemed a bit underpowered in big wood unless it was maple or elm (about all the 'soft' wood that's around me).

 

[w8ye]

I consider you to be man of opportunity else you would have a new 660 with a 30" bar

Look around with your eyes open for what ever 20-28" bar and chain you can find at a good price.

If you end up with a 20", stay on the look out for something bigger.

I stumbled into a nice 28" and like new chain by accident when I wasn't looking for one.

I run mostly 24" on these 12 saws but some are 20". Most of my chains are Stihl RSC but I have Carlton, Windsor, and Oregon too. I like chisel chain but have a couple semi chisel. I have a older 60cc Poulan with a semi chisel safety chain. I just filed the safety tabs way down to use it up.

For bigger than 28", I get out the 660 or 084.

Whatever opportunity brings . . . Let the word out, the bar and chain may come to you?

 

[SawTroll]

you'd go with the pro-lite over the power match? Just curious why, since I just bought the power match..

Simply because it is lighter, but there is nothing wrong with a 20" Power-Match on a 70cc saw.

 

[SawTroll]

I am inclined to agree with you on that. I have used both and don't 'hate' the LGX, however.

No "hate" - I have both, and use both - there just is a slight difference in smoothness, cutting speed is pretty much the same.

 

[Eccentric]

I run a 24" Carlton branded Windsor Speed tip with a loop of LPX on my 272XP. Runs it fine in bar length hardwood. I've also ran a 28" Oregon Power Math with a loop of skip sequence 3/8" Oregon chisel (think it was JG). Ran it fine, although I never had it 'burried' in hardwood before I swapped the 24" on.