Recommended Bar Size for Husky 372XP (non XTorq)

[kirkdb]

Like to get some recommendations for milling softwoods with a Husky 372XP (@9500ft elevation). I'd like to go with a more common bar/chain size (eg, 32 vs 30). I'd also like to go as big as it makes sense. I'll be upgrading my G777 mill to a G778 (30 or 36). The bar size I choose will determine if I go 30" or 36" on the mill. Bummer that Granberg doesn't do a 32" as that seems like it would be perfect match. I just see less options and higher prices on the 30" bar and chains. Obviously less popular!?!?

So, do I go 36" on the bar and chain? Is that too much? Most of my logs are 18-24". Now and then I have a log that is bigger so the 36" would just give me more options. But I don't want to go with 36" if the bar/chain alone will reduce power.

Also, any recommendation on chain gauge? I seem to lean towards .050. Any reason I would want to go with a larger gauge?

 

[The Shooters Apprentice]

372 is a little light in the pants for milling.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

You don’t have enough saw.

 

[kirkdb]

You don’t have enough saw.

Really? I started with a 450R with a 20" bar which in hindsight yes its way underrated. But even on granbergs site they have minimum recommendations. At 24" it is still at 50cc min (which is really unbelievable). I can say from experience 50cc on an 18" log is about 7min per slab at my elevation. Which is honestly a frustrating speed. While I haven't milled with my 372xp yet, I have no doubt that will improve greatly over the 450r.

Keep in mind im not doing high volume. This is just to bang out a few slabs here and there. So, if I can cut a 20" @ 10ft slab in 5min ... I'm thrilled.

That said, I've added a "Don't do it!" option to the poll

 

[The Shooters Apprentice]

If I was gonna do it, I’d run no more then a 28” bar.

 

[Parkerpusher]

I would run 36” on the 36” mill. You won’t get but maybe 30” or so cutting width, and on 2” log that won’t feel like too much extra. .050 is fine. The 372 won’t blow your mind and won’t be very fast but for a few slabs here and there its plenty.

 

[J D]

The size of the mill refers to the mills length, you need a bar ~6" longer to max the mill frame out (ie. a 30" mill frame will take a 36" bar to give a max cut of around 30").
If you think you may one day acquire a bigger power head get the bigger frame & just run it adjusted shorter for now.
If you plan on sticking with the 372 get a 30" frame as you should never run more than a 36" bar on that (especially at altitude).
I would run no more than a 32" bar (& only with a skip or granberg style chain) & would be reluctant to run anything more than a 28" bar unless it was very occasionally.
Some claim 063 gauge will oil better, personally I haven't found a significant difference. One benefit of going with a smaller gauge is as the bar wears you can transition to a wider gauge. It sounds like for the amount you will be milling that won't be an issue anyway so I'd go with whatever gauge that you find chain is most readily available in your area

 

[kirkdb]

The size of the mill refers to the mills length, you need a bar ~6" longer to max the mill frame out (ie. a 30" mill frame will take a 36" bar to give a max cut of around 30").
If you think you may one day acquire a bigger power head get the bigger frame & just run it adjusted shorter for now.
If you plan on sticking with the 372 get a 30" frame as you should never run more than a 36" bar on that (especially at altitude).
I would run no more than a 32" bar (& only with a skip or granberg style chain) & would be reluctant to run anything more than a 28" bar unless it was very occasionally.
Some claim 063 gauge will oil better, personally I haven't found a significant difference. One benefit of going with a smaller gauge is as the bar wears you can transition to a wider gauge. It sounds like for the amount you will be milling that won't be an issue anyway so I'd go with whatever gauge that you find chain is most readily available in your area

Interesting. I think Granberg specs theirs out differently. For example, their 30” mill is rated for saws up to 30”. I suspect theres no reason you couldn’t mount a 32” or 36“ in it. However, in their description of their 30” mill they state bar size up to 30” and cutting width up to 26“.

Bigger saw? More saws? What’s that term, never saw never. For chainsaws it should be always say always. The nice part of the Granberg mill is that you can pay them more money for an upgrade kit to increase the size of the mill. So, not too worried about length of the mill knowing I can change down the road for about $100.

28” seems to be the sentiment. Good point on the oil on 063. Never considered that. I’ve always just looked at larger gauge as more work for the saw. I’m certain that’s flawed thinking on my behalf. Thank for the feedback J D.

 

[link]

70cc at 20" is king, a 372 does 24". You can do a lot more than that but then you are competing with other options.
If you mill with an "Alaskan mill" or similar you dont use the tip of the bar, so 32" is really 28" effectively.

 

[kirkdb]

70cc at 20" is king, a 372 does 24". You can do a lot more than that but then you are competing with other options.
If you mill with an "Alaskan mill" or similar you dont use the tip of the bar, so 32" is really 28" effectively.

Thats somewhat my thought process here. A 28” bar means I’m getting 24” at most. More than likely closer to 22” with a mill that supports both the power head and sprocket side of the bar. My current mill is the g777 that clamps onto powerhead side only. I’ve used that with my husky 450r with a 20” bar on logs that were 18”+. It did ok. Nothing to write home about. Altitude Seems to be a big factor for me as well. Feels like I’m loosing at least 10% power at 9500ft elevation … both me and the saw

 

[link]

Thats somewhat my thought process here. A 28” bar means I’m getting 24” at most. More than likely closer to 22” with a mill that supports both the power head and sprocket side of the bar. My current mill is the g777 that clamps onto powerhead side only. I’ve used that with my husky 450r with a 20” bar on logs that were 18”+. It did ok. Nothing to write home about. Altitude Seems to be a big factor for me as well. Feels like I’m loosing at least 10% power at 9500ft elevation … both me and the saw

 

[link]

Feels like I’m loosing at least 10% power at 9500ft elevation

I feel like that and I'm at about 50yards from the surface buddy!

 

[HumBurner]

24" .063 for a 372.

Or smaller if really small logs.

 

[Captain Bruce]

Interesting. I think Granberg specs theirs out differently. For example, their 30” mill is rated for saws up to 30”. I suspect theres no reason you couldn’t mount a 32” or 36“ in it. However, in their description of their 30” mill they state bar size up to 30” and cutting width up to 26“.

Bigger saw? More saws? What’s that term, never saw never. For chainsaws it should be always say always. The nice part of the Granberg mill is that you can pay them more money for an upgrade kit to increase the size of the mill. So, not too worried about length of the mill knowing I can change down the road for about $100.

28” seems to be the sentiment. Good point on the oil on 063. Never considered that. I’ve always just looked at larger gauge as more work for the saw. I’m certain that’s flawed thinking on my behalf. Thank for the feedback J D.

No-one seems to reference working length; the measure between the felling spike, and bar nose...........isn't that crucial when a saw is set-up to mill?

 

[HumBurner]

Spikes are unnecessary and in the way when milling. Full-wraps can get in the way, too. Plus extra weight.

 

[MAMU2]

I've been milling mostly d. fir with a 36" Grandberg and a 390xp. I always use the shortest bar possible for any given log. 24", 28", 32" and 36". The 390xp is slow with the 32" bar, (working cut of 25") and definitely underpowered for the 36" bar in a 29" wide cut". I use a 572xp with Gb edging mill, it dose fine with 20" and shorter bars. I am saving anything bigger than 25" for the 30 year old 3120 I have been rehabbing. I won't be putting any dang spikes on that thing.

 

[HumBurner]

I've been milling mostly d. fir with a 36" Grandberg and a 390xp. I always use the shortest bar possible for any given log. 24", 28", 32" and 36". The 390xp is slow with the 32" bar, (working cut of 25") and definitely underpowered for the 36" bar in a 29" wide cut". I use a 572xp with Gb edging mill, it dose fine with 20" and shorter bars. I am saving anything bigger than 25" for the 30 year old 3120 I have been rehabbing. I won't be putting any dang spikes on that thing.

My 390 (getting worn out, had a long life before it got to me) was struggling on a 25-26" cut in Doug Fir, as well. Part of why I was bogging and going so slow was full comp chain, not skip. Had I been running skip, it should have been significantly easier on the saw.

Even then, milling with a 32" bar in softwood on a 390 is taxing for it.

Good info there.

 

[kirkdb]

24" .063 for a 372.

Or smaller if really small logs.

Why .063 vs .050? Oil? Wouldn’t .063 tax the saw more?

 

[kirkdb]

Spikes are unnecessary and in the way when milling. Full-wraps can get in the way, too. Plus extra weight.

My issue has always been chain brake operation. I’ve always had to back my other husky off 1/2” to allow the brake handle to move properly.

 

[kirkdb]

I've been milling mostly d. fir with a 36" Grandberg and a 390xp. I always use the shortest bar possible for any given log. 24", 28", 32" and 36". The 390xp is slow with the 32" bar, (working cut of 25") and definitely underpowered for the 36" bar in a 29" wide cut". I use a 572xp with Gb edging mill, it dose fine with 20" and shorter bars. I am saving anything bigger than 25" for the 30 year old 3120 I have been rehabbing. I won't be putting any dang spikes on that thing.

Interesting. I’ve not considered different bar sizes. All other things equal, is there a noticeable difference running a 32 vs a 28 on the same let’s say 18” log?