Running 16 inch on 200T

[Treepedo]

I am running 16" with the micro chain all stihl brand. When cutting sugar maple it will tear a few of the teeth off.
Cuts really fast, but what i like is the extra reach and it will take me all the way to the big wood and then its 66o time.

 

[Nailsbeats]

The 16" does give you more reach, easier to see the kerf (even in the small cuts) as it keeps the powerhead back a bit so you can see while you back cut up to your hinge.

Only real downside for me is the length as it hangs from my saddle (more chain to catch on boots, ropes, etc.). So I also run a 14 and 12 to go with my 16's. Like anything in this game, you might as well just have them all.

 

[pdqdl]

I prefer a 16".

That boxy little saw doesn't have enough reach to use a 12" or 14" bar in the kind of trees we have in our area. The tiny sacrifice in power for the bigger bar is more than compensated by all the places you can cut off a branch from where you are (left side of saw), without needing to crawl around the tree just so you can cut from the right side of the saw.

 

[chad556]

I prefer a 16".

That boxy little saw doesn't have enough reach to use a 12" or 14" bar in the kind of trees we have in our area. The tiny sacrifice in power for the bigger bar is more than compensated by all the places you can cut off a branch from where you are (left side of saw), without needing to crawl around the tree just so you can cut from the right side of the saw.

Well put. That is exactly why I almost always have my 16" on. I have always thought of a 16" bar as small. Anything smaller and I would probably rather just use my silky :msp_smile:

 

[Bigus Termitius]

14" here. I have 12" and 16" though, as my ht131 runs the same bars and chains. Just haven't really got around to trying a 16 yet because I'm always grabing the 260 with an 18" by then.
With a sharp chain I can bury that 14" in any wood and never have to worry about overheating, so I'm not motivated to push the limits on my only 200t at this time.

 

[limbwalker54]

When I max out the 16 on the 200T......I grab the old 036 with the 20 inch bar......

Love using a 16 on the 200T because I don't have to switch to a heavier saw until much later....saves the ol' back a little.

 

[tree MDS]

I prefer a 16".

That boxy little saw doesn't have enough reach to use a 12" or 14" bar in the kind of trees we have in our area. The tiny sacrifice in power for the bigger bar is more than compensated by all the places you can cut off a branch from where you are (left side of saw), without needing to crawl around the tree just so you can cut from the right side of the saw.

Yep. I learned with the 020's running 16's. I guess I never really adjusted to the 14" bars, even though its been years now sinse I ran a 16 on a topper. Seems like there's never enough reach for where I wanna be. I find myself having to re-adjust my position just that little bit, in order to get the far side of the box cut out, all too often.

Next trip to the supply store I'm getting one.

 

[MISteve]

Interesting thread. Right now I have just one climbing saw. I got a used Solo 633. Good running saw, and the price was right. It has a 16 inch bar. Will going to a 14 or even a 12 inch bar make the saw noticeably lighter? The saw is only 8 lbs, do not think they get much less than that.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Interesting thread. Right now I have just one climbing saw. I got a used Solo 633. Good running saw, and the price was right. It has a 16 inch bar. Will going to a 14 or even a 12 inch bar make the saw noticeably lighter? The saw is only 8 lbs, do not think they get much less than that.

You won't notice much if any weight difference with a shorter bar. The main reason guys run shorter bars is power improvement.

 

[MISteve]

This saw has plenty of power. It seems on the few times that I use all or most of the bar I could just as easily rope up a bigger saw. Maybe I will try a shorter bar. Is 12 too short?

 

[Blakesmaster]

This saw has plenty of power. It seems on the few times that I use all or most of the bar I could just as easily rope up a bigger saw. Maybe I will try a shorter bar. Is 12 too short?

I can't say for sure having never run your saw. If you want my honest opinion, I wouldn't put any more money into it as there are better saw options out there. Save those pennies for a 201T or the new Husky coming out.

 

[MISteve]

No doubt a new b/c combo is a good chunk of a new saw, good advice there. I doubt I will be buying the Stihl, too much money. I have no experience with their tree saws, but their other products are way over priced.

 

[formationrx]

14 ? 16?

i run 14s on 200s and use a bigger saws for bigger wood

 

[pdqdl]

Somebody woke up this old thread, so I'll say it again: put a 16 on that 200, and you won't look back. Power and weight won't really change with a two inch longer bar. Reach will!

Even if you don't need to cut big wood with that 16" bar, it will still enable you to cut small branches to the left, close to a big trunk. Without the longer bar, the boxy little engine gets in the way when you are cutting to the left, and you end up crawling around the trunk to make your cut on the right side of the engine. What a waste of time.

Most dealers will give you either bar when you buy the saw. If you had just asked at the time of the sale...

 

[formationrx]

reply

if you want to run a 16 and you feel comfortable with that-- thats great. for me, i dont want the longer bar. i dont want to increase the risk of being nicked by it. i want to move through the trees with ease and less bulk-- not more. the 14 works fine. for bigger wood i call for the 280 wood boss to be sent up. that saw cuts much faster and and never bogs. as for reach i dont--thats what the pole saw/clip is for. i never make a cut until i m in the proper position and i can make all my cuts proper without exertion. i also dont want to cut tiny suckers and limbs with a long ass bar. i simply prefer the control i have with the 14.

 

[superjunior]

16 on my 200Ts. I think its a good set up. I also keep a 260 with a 20 inch handy. I do kinda wish i had went with 18 inch on the 260 though. I also freely admit to using a 192 for trimming sometimes. Mostly when the 200T is str8 over kill. A 192 and a silky makes for some enjoyable trimming IMO.

same here, same saws - although I'm happy with the 20 inch on the 026pro, I think its a perfect match. +1 on the silky and 192 for lite trimming

 

[superjunior]

I have been tossing around the idea of getting a couple of husky saws. I've been looking at the husky 338T as I am planing on buying a new climbing saw pretty soon and wouldn't mind having a 346XP... Only thing is all of my saws are Stihl. I really don't think it would make a lot of sense to start buying huskies. Every climber that I have talked to who is using the 338 is raving about it though. Kinda has me curious.

I'm curious too. My stihl dealer has been getting some husky saws in and should have their top handle saws in next week. I've been nursing my old girls and I'm due for a new climbing saw but I refuse to buy another stihl unless they change the caps. I picked up a couple commercial huskys that were comparable to the 460 and 660 and they just looked and felt so "home depot" - chain brakes, everything just reminded me of homelite.. I also checked out the 201 and nothing about that saw impressed me.

 

[dts99]

I have been tossing around the idea of getting a couple of husky saws. I've been looking at the husky 338T as I am planing on buying a new climbing saw pretty soon and wouldn't mind having a 346XP... Only thing is all of my saws are Stihl. I really don't think it would make a lot of sense to start buying huskies. Every climber that I have talked to who is using the 338 is raving about it though. Kinda has me curious.

i run all stihl exept a 346xp, its slimmer than 260 better for climbing i think

 

[Koa Man]

I run 16s on all my 200s. 14 on the one 192 I have.
Four of these just rebuilt by dealer at $200 a piece.
They run like new now and sure a lot cheaper than buying a new one,
although one of them is brand new and hasn't even been started by me yet.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

I like 12's for general work, cuts fast, sharpens quick and give minimum resistance while pushing through the canopy. But have a 16 on our "dismantle" MS200.