Longer Saw Bar Safety

[Jeffsaw]

The longest bar I have used on my 266 Husky is 18". I am getting a 28" bar fitted for it as I may have some big stumps to shave down and the odd large tree to do (hopefully) this year.
Besides the usual precautions using a saw, is the longer bar a lot bigger safety concern?

 

[chad556]

It really no different than a short bar in the fact that they will both tear you apart if you are not careful. Just watch where the tip is because it will be sticking out 10 inches farther than your used to. This will make accidental kickback more of a concern. The saw will be noticably more tip heavy so dont expect to be able to swing it around like you did with the 18" on there. You'll get used to it pretty quick, big bars are fun, just more length to keep an eye on. Be safe!

 

[RacerX]

Can a Husky 266 run a 28" bar?

 

[chad556]

Haha I actually was wondering the same thing so i looked it up. It says its good for a 13"-26" so you could probably get away with it. Go slow with it though, don't let it bog down and such or you'll blow up your saw. Thats a lot of chain for a 60-something cc saw to pull.

 

[Bigus Termitius]

Haha I actually was wondering the same thing so i looked it up. It says its good for a 13"-26" so you could probably get away with it. Go slow with it though, don't let it bog down and such or you'll blow up your saw. Thats a lot of chain for a 60-something cc saw to pull.

True story. Another option would be to run a skip tooth chain.

 

[Jeffsaw]

Haha I actually was wondering the same thing so i looked it up. It says its good for a 13"-26" so you could probably get away with it. Go slow with it though, don't let it bog down and such or you'll blow up your saw. Thats a lot of chain for a 60-something cc saw to pull.

Just wondering what saw in a Husky or Stihl would be good to get for this size of bar? This may give me an excuse to buy another saw. Excellent!

 

[simonUK]

Just wondering what saw in a Husky or Stihl would be good to get for this size of bar? This may give me an excuse to buy another saw. Excellent!

Stihl 066/ms660
440/460 ?

 

[gwiley]

I run my 372 with a 28" and an 18". It pulls the 28" fine through white oak - but I can bog it down if I get aggressive.


You are probably already thinking this way, but you only need a bar that is just over 1/2 the diameter of your target. The longer bar just means more cutters to sharpen when you rock it out.

 

[squad143]

You are probably already thinking this way, but you only need a bar that is just over 1/2 the diameter of your target.QUOTE]

With a smaller bar in large wood; just be careful when making your cut, cause the tip will be in the wood. Since the saw is sideways, your left hand will be on the top of the handle bar and away from the strike path of the brake should it kick back. Don't trust the inertia brake to always work.

I second the choice of the 460 or 660.

I'm a firm believer in; Big Wood=Big Saw. There's no replacement for displacement.:msp_biggrin:

 

[bitzer]

Yes, you will only want to run longer bars from then on. You will not blow up a 60cc saw with a 28" bar on it. Unless your saw is already lean and you are laying on it with a dull chain, that is just nonsense. Run it and have fun. My 60ccs get a 25", 70ccs get 28", 80-90cc 32-42".