Husky 353, 16 or 18 inch?

[precaud]

I've decided to get a 353 and the only decision remaining is a 16 or 18 bar/chain with it. What are the pros/cons either way with this saw? Input from 353 users most appreciated.

 

[timberrat]

18" is good

18" means less bending. use a round ground semi skip chain.

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

I have an 18" with full comp. I thought it ran awesome till my 361 came along... I might try to use a 16" bar and see how it cuts.

I had not considered the semi skip idea, posted above... Maybe I would give that a shot, but I rarely have it buried 18 full inches any more.

 

[minkota1]

I switched to 16" on my 350's when I still had them, seemed to be about perfect, but thats a matter of personal preference, I mostly run 16"'s on my 359's now and they have way more than enough snot to run my 20" full comp chains in hard wood. 16" would balance real nice on a 353. :biggrinbounce2: :biggrinbounce2: Also less teeth to sharpen.

 

[computeruser]

I think that the 16" balances better, even with a laminated bar. If you're going to go solid/replaceable tip, then 16" will definitely be the way to go.

 

[TDunk]

As long as your not cutting anything much bigger than 16", i'd go that route. I don't own a 353, but you should get alot better performance from a 16" bar

 

[SawTroll]

15 " and NK setup (95VP/H30) is what I use on that saw - that's about what it can handle, with some power to spare......:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Hired Gun]

Why not get both?

 

[blis]

15 " and NK setup (95VP/H30) is what I use on that saw - that's about what it can handle, with some power to spare......:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

But 13" is a beast on 353 (with 95vp) :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[SawTroll]

But 13" is a beast on 353 (with 95vp) :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

I didn't notice any change in cutting speed when I went from 13" (standard here) to 15"......:yoyo: :yoyo: