biggest bar for stihl ms390?

[kilabeez0]

Currently has a 20" bar but thinking of upgrading to a 24 or 28. I have some huge trees to take down. Opinions?

 

[Nate66n1]

I have a 25" on my stock 391. It's all it ever had on it but you can tell its lackin the power when really hogging on big wood. You just have to go easy or else it will bog itself down.

 

[Saw Dr.]

Stihl recommends max of 28" on there. You should probably open the muffler up some if you already have not. They are VERY nose heavy with a 28.

 

[Gologit]

How big are the trees and how many of them are there?

 

[kilabeez0]

There's at least 5-10 ill take down. I forget how thick but the 20 wasn't quite long enough last time I took a few down. I'll probably go 24 then. Should I stick with stihl brand bar?

 

[Deets066]

I have had good luck with stihl es and cannon, 24 is all that a 390 wants

 

[ROWDY]

I'd suggest a 25" before the 28". 25" is the most recommended for a 362 from stihl. To use a 28", the 440 would be your choice.

 

[RandyMac]

Define huge.

 

[lambs]

I run a 20" on my 039, and I think it's about to get an 18" since that is what came on my last purchase, an 046.

I think the OP's saw has a bit more power than my 039, but I would not go beyond 20" unless you are modding the saw, running skip chain, cutting only soft wood, etc.

If you need a 25" bar, you need a saw with three times that length in cc's, a 70 cc class saw.

 

[Scooterbum]

Just how big are these trees? You can cut a 40" tree with a 20" bar. A 390 is comfortable with a 20" buried, anything over that is just more stress on the saw.

 

[barneyrb]

Displacement of saw divided by 3 is usually what the saw is comfortable with. Anything longer and it will be real slow.......

That is just my guideline.....

 

[laddo90]

use 14 just make two passes

 

[qbilder]

My 390 comfortably does a 24" bar. I haven't tried a 28" bar so I can't comment on it, but 24" is nothing for a muff modded 390. It's 6cc shy of 70 so it's not exactly a small saw. I recently bought a 460 & did side by side comparisons with the two saws. I was surprised at how comparable they are. No question the 460 is a stronger saw, especially in stuff over 20", but the 390 isn't that much behind it. In dry walnut under 20" there is no speed difference.....errrr wasn't any difference. I modded the 460 muff and switched it to 8 pin and now it's FAST. Regardless, your 390 will do fine with a 24" bar. I suggest modding the muffler. Very easy & fast mod that seemingly doubles the 390's power.