Best bar size for Dolmar 120

[Lawn Masters]

As soon as I have the 120 up and running, I would like to know what the best bar would be for it, a 16" 18" 20" or what size. I already know I'm gonna be running 3/8 chain, since the sprocket that was on it was 3/8x7t, but I replaced it since it was worn out, now its 3/8x8t.

Just want a ballpark idea of what size bar to use.

 

[Stumper]

20 inch. If yours runs like mine it will blow and go with a 20. The engine has the oomph to run longer bars but the balance is off. That is a KO95 tail pattern(small Husky mount) but you can also run D176/SLH176 (Echo mount) bars on that saw by flipping the tensioner. The Echo mount has a wider tail and works nicely with an 8 pin sprocket.

 

[Lawn Masters]

Thanks for the help.

 

[Dadatwins]

How far did you get with it?

 

[chainsawworld]

i run all mine with 3/8x.50x72 (20"). they love it.
here is a question for all you 120s owners. anyone else have the mufflers fall apart? mine seem to rust or vibrate apart around the bolt holes. makes them loud marty

 

[Lawn Masters]

How far did you get with it?

I looked into the saw, now I.m in the parts aquisition stage. the original piston looks to have had a part of the skirt break off and and get lodged between the top of the piston and the exhaust port, which wrecked the piston. Otherwise, the saw is mechanically in pretty good shape, solid crank seals, and a tight bottem end.

 

[Stumper]

cswrld, Yes. Mine fell apart but I welded it back together.

 

[Lawn Masters]

Would I be able to use a bar with the part # 411 407 600. its an original Sachs Dolmar .325 .058 bar 16" long.

 

[Stumper]

Oldsaw, Don't run .325 on a 120si-it deserves 3/8ths and an 8 pin sprocket.

 

[Dolmar_Tech_Mgr]

The long muffler bolts were an issue and the best thing I found to do was with new bolts run the saw and get the cylinder up to operating temperature and then tighten the muffler bolts again. This takes up the difference from when the alumimum in the cylinder expands and the stainless steel bolts do not. Always worked like a charm for me.
I would go with the 20" 3/8

 

[Molecule]

there are two oil tracks in the casing above the bar mount bolts, and the pivot nut is also reversable to a high-low position.

the upper oil track matches up with the oil hole in the bars for the 64-7900 and 9000 series, and the flipped or lower adjustment pin position matches also, but it seems that the neck of the bar bolts on the larger saws is a tad larger.

for example, mounting a 20" bar from a 6400 on a 120/6800 seems to "fit," and "looks" like it might work, except that the slot opening in the larger bar is a bit "loose" on the smaller diameter bar bolts on the 120/6800's. of course, once the bar nuts are tightened down, it might not make any difference.

if the smaller bolts are worn out would installing the larger bolts from a 6400 frame mean that the 120 could be fully converted from its native K095-small Husky bar mount (lower oil track, upper pin position) to a D009-large Husky bar mount (upper oil track-lower pin position). that would make the 120/6800 also a backup for the bar & chain sets for the larger/longer saws, where it belongs, rather than having swappable bars with the smaller limbing saws.

for example, the small mount "20-inch" bar 713-200-A (3/8 x .050 w 69 drive links) cuts only 18" with bumper spikes. The same "20" in the larger mount, 713-204-A (3/8 x .050 w 72 drive links) cuts deeper and swaps with other larger equipment also.

after changing the bar bolts, either (a) the lower opening in the standard inside guide plate would have to be filed down so that the pin could poke thru or (b) a new hole for the adjustment pivot could be drilled into the large mount bar, or (c) the tip of the pivot pin could be filed down so that it doesn't protrude past the bar (d) a modified inside guide plate for the 6400 could possibly be adapted.

Dolmar-Makita has a nice set of saws for the 16-18" bars (540, 520, 5000), and it has nice saws for the 24-28" bars (7300, 7900). It does have a hole in the 20" bar range. The old 120/6800, being lighter/smaller/handier frame than the 6400 fills a nice niche for the 20" bar, while the heavier/larger/ less powerful 6400 cuts only 18". But, IMHO the 120/6800 saws should share/swap bars with the larger saws, not the smaller ones.

 

[McC]

Here's a picture of my Sachs Dolmar firewood saws. They all run 3/8. The 114 has a 7 sprocket and 16" bar. The 116si has a 7 sprocket and 18" bar. The 120si has an 8 sprocket and 20" bar. It handles 20 pretty easy, even with the 8 tooth. My Dad has a 120 super (choke carb) with a 24" bar. It pulls that well also. I just put an 8 sprocket on the super, but he hasn't run it yet. That might be geared a little high, but we'll find out soon. The chain on my 120si does come out of the top bar groove sometimes. I guess the 8 sprocket is a little big for the small husky bar tail.
Scott

 

[TonyM]

Those are purdy orange saws!

 

[chainsawworld]

nothing like starting your day with some great sachs

 

[TonyM]

Oh, now I get it, great Sachs!

We have a lady at work named Dawn. Her husband had a bumber sticker on his car that said, "Every morning I wake up by the crack of Dawn."