Longer Bar - What's the disadvantages?

[climb_on]

I am running a 25" bar, which is clear to me now that I won't need it's full length for milling very often. Other than having 8"-10" of extra bar typically exposed, what is the disadvantage? I'm guessing there is some extra vibration, but I don't know how much and I'm getting a pretty smooth cut (comparable to rough sawn lumber from a lumber company). Not sure it's worth the $200 investment of a new 20" Canon bar and a few more loops of PMX, which is what I would get if I went to a shorter setup.

It seems (within reason) a bit longer bar might allow for long periods between sharpening with more cutters doing the work. Obviously, that mean more cutters to sharpen though.

 

[john taliaferro]

Backache when your my age .

 

[corsair4360]

Longer Bar

Longer bar's work well for getting through big stuff and not having to bend over as much for near ground logs. However, the longer bar's tend to imbalance the saw. That is the longer the bar the tendency is that the bar wants to "nose over" and impale itself in rocks, or dirt.

I run a 28" on my MS460 and it is nicely balanced. I had a 32" on a 038 Magnum II and it was nose heavy and one had to be careful starting it, etc.

 

[BobL]

5" won't make any discernible difference to any milling operation. On a small saw a ridiculously long bar will add a significant extra load to the powerhead. On the plus side a longer B&C stays a bit cooler than a fully buried B&C and there is the advantage of the chain staying sharp for a little longer but as you say touch ups take longer.