Ported Husky 55. Want to fit a 28" bar and run LP chain. Stihl or Husky bar?

[777funk]

I figure I will have to modify the bar's mount to do this. Would I be better off starting with a Stihl or Husky bar?

Or... is there a 24" bar that will bolt on without modification?

This saw pulls 20" of regular 3/8" with no problem at all. It's a great fit for the saw. But I'd like a longer cut for very occasional use. I think I've read that I may have to modify (grind down the diameter of) a 404 sprocket to get 3/8 LP to run properly.

 

[oldguy]

Ain't likely to oil that much bar.
3/8 20'' is too much for that saw, yes I have one.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

*****- go all out, get a 32 inch Cannon for it- or maybe a 36 inch
You signature lists on Husqvarna and one Stihl I might consider worthy of a 28 inch bar- Husqvarna 55 even if "ported" by your good self- is not one of them!

 

[777funk]

Well

Ain't likely to oil that much bar.
3/8 20'' is too much for that saw, yes I have one.

This saw must have a problem with over oiling, because with a 20" bar, it's got oil running off of the bar.

Also Husky themselves recommend up to a 24 on the saw. Would it pull it in stock form? No way.

 

[777funk]

*****- go all out, get a 32 inch Cannon for it- or maybe a 36 inch
You signature lists on Husqvarna and one Stihl I might consider worthy of a 28 inch bar- Husqvarna 55 even if "ported" by your good self- is not one of them!

You would think. However, this saw has more power than the 038 in my signature. It feels close to the stock 281, which also has a 20" bar of 3/8. And I'm talking 3/8 lp chain if you read the title more carefully. It may not work, but with the attitude with which this saw is pulling 20 inches of full 3/8, I think it may work out. There is a big difference in power required between 3/8 and 3/8 lp / picco.

In stock form, this saw wasn't able to pull even 20 inches of regular 3/8. I was going to go 325 or picco. It's a completely different story now.

 

[777funk]

*****- go all out, get a 32 inch Cannon for it- or maybe a 36 inch
You signature lists on Husqvarna and one Stihl I might consider worthy of a 28 inch bar- Husqvarna 55 even if "ported" by your good self- is not one of them!

Hey laugh all you want. You haven't run my saw.

 

[oldguy]

I really wish you were closer, cuz I wanna see how you got 281 power out of a 55!

 

[777funk]

I really wish you were closer, cuz I wanna see how you got 281 power out of a 55!

I doubt that's the case. What I said is that with a 20" bar, they felt pretty similar. I could stall the 281xp with enough dogging in. Maybe my 281 was weak. I have no other 281xp to compare it with.

One thing is for certain, this 55 is hard to stop with a 20" bar of full 3/8" at 0.050 gauge. I've read posts saying the saw is better suited to 325. Not mine. It has absolutely no problem with that combination.

There's quite a difference in power required for 3/8 vs 3/8 LP due to the narrow kerf and tiny cutters by comparison (which is why nearly all small saws use it). I'm going to try 28" worth of LP. Either it works or it doesn't. Even if it just works ok and I can't dog in hard with the LP, I will be fine with that. I need a 28" bar about once every few years with the wood I typically cut (10-20" diameter oaks, ash, and hickory mostly).

 

[Jed1124]

If the the 55 uses the same mount as the current "small mount" of today you can find a 24" bar for it. They might be hard to find but they are out there.

 

[Gord404]

well myself I have the saws for big and small' I believe that the size of a saw is what it's meant for, I have a few smaller saws but my main saw is a 372- 026 comes out sometimes as well as my 066- in other words I see a lot of people asking too much of their smaller saws - and this is my opinion only- no reflection on you- I build and rebuid saws so I generally have my pick

 

[777funk]

well myself I have the saws for big and small' I believe that the size of a saw is what it's meant for, I have a few smaller saws but my main saw is a 372- 026 comes out sometimes as well as my 066- in other words I see a lot of people asking too much of their smaller saws - and this is my opinion only- no reflection on you- I build and rebuid saws so I generally have my pick

Absolutely. I know what you mean. My dad has a 42cc Poulan (Craftsman) and I have the same saw but in Poulan form. Mine has a 14" bar which is perfect for the engine. His has an 18" bar and safety chain. I ran his saw for about 15 minutes and quickly shut it down and grabbed my 026. 18" is too much load for that little thing. I'd bet with a muffler mod, it'd be a little better, but probably still best run at 14".

There is no way either of those could run even 14" of 3/8 full size chain.

It's pretty easy to tell when there's too much bar/chain for a saw. For my 026, I wouldn't go more than 16" of 325. For this particular Husky 55, it pulls the 20" of 3/8 very well, will see what happens with the LP. I'd be surprised if 24" of LP was even a little bit of a struggle since it does great with 20 of full 3/8". I'm going to try 28 first since I have some Holzfforma bars coming. I went ahead and ordered Stihl and Husky since either is going to have to be modified a bit. The cost is pretty low to test this.

Since my need for a bigger saw is so rare, I'd rather not keep so many saws around and use the ones I have. Less carbs to clean. Less potential bar oil leaking onto shelves, etc.

 

[irhunter]

is there a 24" bar that will bolt on without modification?

Well, one thing is for sure...long-bar-small-CC posts on this site always bring out a whole slew of bar-length absolutists.

"Oh My God...you can't do that!"

Be sure to report back when you find your 24".

I would mostly be looking for a correct-mount 24" bar with a replaceable tip. Swap out the tip for a 3/8LP, and, you'd be good to go.

Roy