Optimum bar length on 372XP ???

[GLOBOTREE]

I was thinking of a 24" bar originally, but the 372 can handle up to 34". There ain't no need to short change all that power with a short bar?

Tow big redoaks that are waiting on me have a 100" circumference around the trunk, the diameter is 32".
So does that mean you really need a 32" bar for this tree?
How do ya'll figure the best bar length for this.
Thanks

 

[mktest]

Unless you plan to fell many trees in the 30" diameter range, I'd go for the 24". Much easier to handle. I've actually never used a 32", but can imagine it will be a real beast to handle. Good for the few BIG trees but too much for most trees.

A 24" is enough to fell 32" trees, at least if you know what you're doing

We most of the time use a 16" and have no problem cutting trees 20-25" (very few 25" around here though).

However, if money is no problem, I'd go for the 24" and get a 32" just for those big trees Bigger blades are more fun, when you get a chance to use them. We had a bigger bladed Jonsered earlier...can't remember model...or bar-lenght... but it was probably closer to 30" than 25". Complete waste for us unfortunately, we rarely used it. The 14" model 52 was much more useful...

Today I wish we had kept that big Jonsered... I was too young to realize that though.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

If you've only got two trees that big, stick with a 24". It all comes down to how you'll be using it the most. The 372 will handle the larger bars, but if you're not going to regularly use them, it's a waste of power and weight. Plus, they're awkward and you'll get fatigued faster, and fatigue leads to injury.

Jeff

 

[Ryan Willock]

on that sized tree with a 372 I'd go with a 20'' bar as I'm not really impressed with how they preform with longer bars in hardwood. Don't get me wrong I like 372's and I make my living with them but when the timber gets consistantly above 24'' I switch over to an 066 with a 24'' bar execpt on the really big stuff I use the 066 with a 36'' bar and skip chain.

 

[kf_tree]

24in on a 372 is a nice set up.....if i wanna run a 20in bar i have my 395 for that. now figure that one out.

 

[GLOBOTREE]

I believe I will go with the 24". I already have an 18" and the 20" bar is real close.
Years ago I helped a man cut trees as a side job and he had 2 saws, a 16" and a 20".
And did we ever cut some big oaks down. That should tell me something, huh?
But, there is a 372XP on ebay now for $619, but it has a 28" bar. Locally my price is $709 with a 20".

 

[DanManofStihl]

I ran a 28 inch on my ms 440 its the same size as the 372. The ms 440 I have now has got the 25 inch bar on it and it does very well. I would not go over 32 inch on the bar. I rearely run into a tree I could not take down with a 20 inch bar but it is nice to have a large saw or at least a long bar. I would get a 32 or 28 for the big trees and a 20 inch to run on the saw as a daily user or how ever often you use it.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I'm 6'2" and find the 2 foot bar perfect, I don't have to do a lot of bending over. If I run a 20" bar, my back feels it.
I suspect a 20" bar would be perfect for a guy around 5' 7" tall.
Between me and my shorter friend, I'd have the advantage when cutting bigger wood, and he'd have the advantage of a slightly lighter saw with a little better throttle response and power, because of the different size bars we'd use.

My most used saws have 16", 25", and 36" bars.
It may sound obvious, but I use the appropriate saw for the job at hand. I won't pick up a 16" saw to cut up a 20" log, or cut a 30" stump off with a 25" bar. Nor would I pick up a 25" saw to make one or two small cuts at the chipper.

 

[056kid]

no more than 28. 372,s feel terrible with any thing longer than 28 inches. they have the power with skip chain but are not heavy or big enough.

 

[tonka]

i run a 372 most of the time with a 20" bar. i run a 32" bar with full skip sometimes when cutting firewood. it's nice not having to do multiple cuts just to get through a log, although sometimes i still have to do multiple cuts - 32" plus stuff. the saw pulls pretty good even with the bar buried,but i am starting to think about a bigger saw

 

[asb151]

Go with the 24 inch for best all around. The saw is well balanced with that bar and its long enough for all but the largest wood.

 

[Simonizer]

I like a 28" bar on the stock 372XP. 92 drivers, 73 JG Oregon chain. Oiler on maximum stroke. Cheers.