Exophysical
ArboristSite Member
I regularly see these saws come up on the used market at fairly tempting prices, just wondering if anyone could tell me how well they will pull a 24" bar?
Well I used to own a 460 Rancher with a 24" and cut about a hundred cord with it in 9yrs, but realistically when you got in wood near the bar length it struggled severely and you'd have to baby it through the log.. And it'd take FOREVER! with a 20" on the same saw it was a night and day difference EVEN in smaller wood, less weight and drag from less chain running through less bar..
So, and remember this is my opinion:
Will a 555 or 562 pull a 24" full comp?
Yes it will..
Do I think if you're gonna be often cutting 24" rounds you should want to use a 359 or 555/562?
No.. I'd say to absolutely go up to a 372 or 572 because that 10cc makes a huge difference, it's not just about horsepower, torque is what you need and the best way to get more of that is larger CC.
But, if you're just wanting the 24" to help reach and not bend over to buck smaller logs it'll work just fine, but I'd definitely go bigger if more than half of your wood is 20"+
If you are cutting firewood in the 12 to 20" range why do you need a 24" bar?
The 555 is rated for a 24" bar but its the recommended max. So it would work but I would temper the expectations on the cutting speed. As I said above you could gain some of the speed back with 325 pitch chain. How much I dont know. Now, with the longer bar the actual balance of the saw will be compromised and maybe even uncomfortable to use. My opinion so take it for what its worth. For that length of bar I would opt for a little larger saw.
My 359 is a go to saw, it runs a 20”/3/8/050 pro chain in hardwood,with authority. I have run a 24” on it a number of times to finish the butt end of a log, and it handles it fine, never fully buried it in oak though. Starts easily and runs well . I go up to the Dolly 120si for 24, any bigger and the H494 handles it .
First choice for a smaller saw at 50 cc is my Shinny (3x) 488, love the smaller saws a lot more at 77 .
There is nothing wrong with a 55. Bullet proof saw and while not a pro saw, it is constructed like one.That sounds more promising, I'm almost exclusively cutting birch, poplar, and ocasionally Tamerack which I think is a sort of cedar. Mostly hardwoods that are not very hard, but often frozen. Seems like a 359 with either a 20" or 24" might be a better lightweight option than my old 55.
My Jonsered CS2152. I use a Total 18in bar and it chews through maple, birch and beechSo in light of your responses, I guess the question would be: If you were packing a chainsaw around the bush by hand, selectively felling/ bucking/ limbing firewood in the 12 to 20" range, and you dont want to run at least a 20" bar... what STOCK saw do you think would be best suited for the task?
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