Maximum Bar size

[troopr1954]

Looking to put a new bar and chain on my Stihl 038 AV Super Pro. Can someone advise me of the maximum bar length I can use? I currently have a 21" bar, and find this length quite hard on my back, so would like to go longer.
Thanks.

 

[computeruser]

28" or even 32" should be fine, since you're on the west side of the world. More bar than we'd run here in the hardwood midwest, obviously, but 038 and 044 are fairly similar in ability and folks run 28" and 32" on 044s all the time.

 

[GASoline71]

Don't know about a 038 Super Pro...

But an 038 Mag will pull a 28" bar just fine...

An 038 Mag 2 will pull a 32" bar just fine...

Regular 038 AV will pull a 24" bar fine... and when needed can pull a 28" bar.

Gary

 

[SawTroll]

Don't know about a 038 Super Pro...

Nor do I, but I guess that the saw is an 038 Super (67cc or so)........

 

[Al Smith]

My 038 has pulled a 24" but likes a 20" much better.An 038 mag II will handle a 24" pretty easy,of course these are in Ohio hardwoods.I imagine on the left coast you could up it a size.

 

[troopr1954]

My aching back is not the only reason I'd like to put a longer bar on my 038...I'm thinking I need a new one because no matter how recently I've sharpened the saw, it continually cuts off to the right. I've checked the bar to see if there's a ridge along the chain edge from forcing it too much.....edge is clean!!! Any other ideas as to why it's cutting at an angle despite my efforts ?
Thanks btw for the help so far.

 

[GASoline71]

Instead of checking for a "ridge", check to see if the bar rails are uneven (one higher than the other). Pull the bar and chain off, and look down the bar. If the rails are uneven you will notice it.

Gary

 

[Al Smith]

One of two things or both.You either have the bar worn on one side or the chain not sharpened correctly.

You can true up the bar with a belt sander if this is the problem.

Everybody has a tendency to favor one side of the chain when sharpening.It is just a natural tendency,there for it tends to cut enevenly.

I can't see the chain from here and I'm not being critical by any means but some times it takes quite a while to get good at filing a chain.The angles and depth gauges have to be the same on both sides of the chain ,generally speaking for it to cut straight.If in doubt there must be a thousand threads on this as well as many internet sites descibing filing methods.

 

[clearance]

Bar is bent, take a good straight edge, like a 4' level and see.

 

[SawTroll]

Bar is bent, take a good straight edge, like a 4' level and see.

Have you seen his bar??? :biggrinbounce2:

Anyway, it is another possibility, worth looking into.......

 

[begleytree]

I had a nagging feeling about this super pro saw. I know some said no such animal, but the old man had one that I sorta remembered saying pro on it.
after some looking, I found another one.
maybe one for the books? or just said pro to say pro. who knows, but I thought I'd put it here for the guys who keep track of these things.
-Ralph

http://cgi.ebay.com/STIHL-038AV-SUP...5QQihZ006QQcategoryZ79669QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[GASoline71]

Well I'll be dipped.....

Gary