Which bar/pitch for my Husky 362XP?

[peter399]

Hello!

This is my first thread in this forum!
I have a Husky 362XP with 15 inch bar and 0.325" pitch.
I'm just too happy with the saw, the problem is that I find the bar a bit short.
Can I put a 18 inch bar and maybe 3/8" pitch for faster cutting?
Will it be too heavy for the 362? (62ccm 4,6hp)

Regards,
Peter

 

[Crofter]

You just have to put on a 3/8 bar and change the rim sprocket. I would suggest 7 tooth. I run that on a 365 with 18 inch bar which is pretty much the same saw. Depending on which .325 chain you were running, it might not be greatly faster but there is better selection in 3/8 and generally a bit easier to file. Consider going to 50 guage instead of the .058 that the husky dealer might give you.

 

[brent denny]

18" would be a perfect bar length for that saw. It will probably actually balance better with that length. I would agree on switching over to 3/8. Just remember that saw takes the smaller K095 oregon mount, not the bigger D009 that the 365 and 372xp take.

 

[SawTroll]

Welcome to Arboristsite, Peter

Brent rent is probably right about the balance.

I am far from sure that the changeover to 3/8"x7 will make the saw cut faster than with .325x8. Chain speed will be pretty much the same, about 14% higher than with .325x7. Your saw should be more than strong enough to pull the bigger sprockets with the bar lenght in question.

The .325 will have more cutters, and will at least in theory cut faster than 3/8" as long as chain speed is the same and chip clearanse isn't an issue - provided that the cutters and raker settings are the same.
What often mess up this theory, is that in most cases the cutters are not the same on .325 and 3/8" chain of the same model. The only exception that I know of is the Stihl RS variants.

Bottom line;
There is only one way to find out what works best for you, your saw and your wood, and that is to try it!

I use 15" in combination with 3/8x8, and 18" in combination with 3/8x7, on my Stihl MS361. Both setups work great, but when the shorter bar is worn out (or earlier) I will probably buy a 15 or 16" .325 one and 9 tooth drive sprocket, just to test it out.

The 361 use a bigger spline than the 362, so the sprocket options are different.

 

[peter399]

Thank you everyone for the useful information.
I will try the 18 inch 3/8" and as you said, you don't know until
you've tried it

/Peter