Stihl 044 bar/chain

[chainsawjunky]

Hey. I just bought a Stihl 044 that was stripped of some parts including bar and chain. Do to its lack of compression I'm fitting it with a 52mm p/c. I'm also going to put a ported muffler on it. I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions about how to get more power without machining or someone with minimal chainsaw engine experience could do.

I also wanted to know what the best bar and chain combo would be and what the biggest bar and chain combo I could put on it would be. Thanks, Evan.

 

[2000ssm6]

Don't know about the engine. I have a 25" Rollematic ES bar and chain on mine but will get a 30-32" soon. That 25" is almost a perfect balance though. I think mine can handle a 30-32" w/ full skip..

 

[Timberhauler]

I have 20 inch bars on all of my 440's...And they seem really happy with a 28 inch bar and full skip chain.

 

[Cedarkerf]

I have run 28" full skip seams like a great set up.

 

[highsiera]

Anyone know a good online source for .404 premade loops? looking for a 24" .063 77dl stihl loop. B

 

[Finnbear]

Bailey's has Oregon chain. 28 cents per drive link. Any length you want.
.28x77=$21.56/chain

 

[GASoline71]

Hey. I just bought a Stihl 044 that was stripped of some parts including bar and chain. Do to its lack of compression I'm fitting it with a 52mm p/c. I'm also going to put a ported muffler on it. I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions about how to get more power without machining or someone with minimal chainsaw engine experience could do.

I also wanted to know what the best bar and chain combo would be and what the biggest bar and chain combo I could put on it would be. Thanks, Evan.

You need to check the serial number on that 044 to see if it will handle the 52mm jug. Do a search of the threads and you will come up with it. If you have an earlier model 044 like I do, you will not be able to use the bigger cylinder on it.

You can get a factory dual-port muffler for it as well.

I run a 28" full skip on mine, and it sees a 32" full skip every so often. Pulls it just fine. However I do cut softwoods 95% of the time.

Gary

 

[dimanager]

If your saw has the standard dawgs on it I would suggest getting a set of the larger ones. I just did on mine and makes a huge difference when felling trees. Never had a big problem dogging in while bucking, but notching and a backcut on a large tree was a lot of work. I'm sure some of the problem was technique, but the larger dawgs helped out a lot.
Just my .02.

Sam

 

[chainsawjunky]

If your saw has the standard dawgs on it I would suggest getting a set of the larger ones. I just did on mine and makes a huge difference when felling trees. Never had a big problem dogging in while bucking, but notching and a backcut on a large tree was a lot of work. I'm sure some of the problem was technique, but the larger dawgs helped out a lot.
Just my .02.

Sam

What are dawgs? And how would I see if my 044 is an older model or not? Evan

 

[Lakeside53]

Dawgs, dogs... those spikey things that grab the bark...

You can tell approximately by the serial number... and actually by measuring

 

[SawTroll]

I believe a 20" is the best set-up for balance - it is on my 372xpg......

 

[Tzed250]

yep, 20"

My 044 normally has a 20" bar, and the saw balances and cuts well with this combo. A 28" bar tips the balance just a hair, but still works well. Mine also has the larger spikes, but I trimmed the bottom flush with the cases so it would sit in the box OK. Get the dual-port muffler cover (1128 140 0801) and it will breath better. Good luck!

 

[dimanager]

I agree with the 20" bar. I just changed from a 24" and the balance is a lot better for me. It had no problem with the 24 so power is not an issue. It just seemed the way the saw tipped down when I carried it just made it a load to carry. Granted I'm not the strongest guy in the neighborhood. But the different balance really makes it nicer to carry.

Sam

 

[SawTroll]

I agree with the 20" bar. I just changed from a 24" and the balance is a lot better for me. It had no problem with the 24 so power is not an issue. It just seemed the way the saw tipped down when I carried it just made it a load to carry. Granted I'm not the strongest buy in the neighborhood. But the different balance really makes it nicer to carry.

Sam

True! :deadhorse: :deadhorse:

 

[Lakeside53]

20 inch on an 044 You guys need bigger trees...

and as for "balance"... It's supposed to be slightly nose heavy.opcorn:

 

[Tzed250]

Hook us up Andy!! Organize a GTG where we can get on some of that huge softwood you guys have a monopoly on out there!:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[tek9tim]

20 inch on an 044 You guys need bigger trees...

and as for "balance"... It's supposed to be slightly nose heavy.opcorn:

And for once I could rep you when I wanted to.

I've run 044s with 32" bars with no problems in all kinds of situations at work. In most of the trees I've got my bar buried into, I'm not that concerned with speed, but rather with what's going on, and when a tree's burning on a steep slope and I have to drop it, I do not want to dance around with a shorty bar, melting my face off. BUT, it is a good chunk of weight to carry around. 28" seems to be pretty good all around. Reduced weight Oregon bar seems to be really good.

 

[Cedarkerf]

20 inch on an 044 You guys need bigger trees...

and as for "balance"... It's supposed to be slightly nose heavy.opcorn:

Rep ya if I could. And tech 9 Tim and Gary. Its a PNW thing they don't understand!

 

[dimanager]

20 inch on an 044 You guys need bigger trees...

and as for "balance"... It's supposed to be slightly nose heavy.opcorn:

Lakeside, your right, I do need bigger trees. I have 50 acres that was all pasture 60 years ago. So not to many trees in the 24" dbh and larger variety. Some of the ground is pretty thick with trees and a lot of competition for sunlight so there are quite a few tall skinny trees.
And as we all know so well, bigger trees= bigger saws= bigger bars= more chains= more medication to control the beast.
Sam

 

[royta]

I've run 044s with 32" bars with no problems in all kinds of situations at work. In most of the trees I've got my bar buried into, I'm not that concerned with speed, but rather with what's going on, and when a tree's burning on a steep slope and I have to drop it, I do not want to dance around with a shorty bar, melting my face off. BUT, it is a good chunk of weight to carry around. 28" seems to be pretty good all around. Reduced weight Oregon bar seems to be really good.

That explains why my buddy told me to get at least a 28" for the 044 I just bought. He works for the USFS out of Fort Jones, CA, and he runs a crew. I wish the saw would have come with a 24" bar, that way I could see if I really needed anything longer. Unfortunately, it has a 20" bar, and I know I will need a longer bar, but how much longer I don't really know yet.