What bar length is too big?

[stevohut]

I talked with a guy at work who has a 440 with a 25" bar and full skip chain, he said i can have one of his spare chains and he is looking to see if he has a spare bar.

I'll give it a try and see how it does.

The oil should not be too much of a problem, the adjuster screw is only 1/3 open and it uses 1/1 fuel and oil so cranked all the way open should be OK.

As for modding it, I'll wait until i get it fully broken in and then mod the muffler or get a spare one to mod. How do these new saw take to modding?

Stihl saws are pretty gay from the factory but they are still really good stock don't get me wrong. When you start modding you will notice big improvements in certain areas. Breathability on them is choked from the factory to meet emmisions, so you need to make it breathe better. Becareful modding if you haven't worked to much with 2-strokes before. There is a fine line between oh its awesome now to oh poop it's scrap now. Only do 1 mod at a time so you can notice if it worked. Lots of guys go all out with a crap load of mods at 1 time but try and find out which mod improved it the most it's real hard that way. Lots of guys port their saws but if you don't fully understand the theory and techniques DO NOT TRY IT. Awesome or piece of crap can go either way. I believe if you want more power just get more displacement. Porting works, but remember the machines are built to provide the best service for the longest possible time from the factory. So some mods will remove some of the reliability of the saw and make it way fussier then a factory tuned saw. If you just wanna cut wood and put gas and oil in it, LEAVE IT ALONE, but if you are like most of us on this site you will start tearing it apart after the first tank full. Ask around on the site for information from the guys, knowledge is abundant here. Just my .02

steve

 

[Arrowhead]

Mod the muff.... trust me, it will help. It will actually prolong the life of your saw. It will breath easier and run less hot. There is a lot of good info if ya search. You can also pull it off, post pics and we will walk you through it. Its so easy even a caveman could do it.

 

[GASoline71]

Stihl saws are pretty gay from the factory but they are still really good stock don't get me wrong.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

That is retarded...

Gary

 

[isaaccarlson]

Muffler mods are EASY. I did one on the FIL's ranger and it woke right up. Of course, I just drilled a hole in the front because it did not have to look nice. The stupid thing would not run(it would pop and then quit) until the hole was over 1/4".

 

[forestryworks]

Stihl saws are pretty gay

saws have a sexuality? :monkey: News to me. You sound like a 12yr. old.

 

[bitzer]

25" full comp is fine. If a 60 cc saw can't pull that much chain there is something wrong and there is also plenty of oil there.

Most that knock long bars have never used one on a daily baisis. Better reach, safer, and yes it may take a few more seconds to get through decent wood, but your back will reward you. Better balance as well I believe. A 90cc saw with less than a 25" bar on it feels just silly and is a hell of a lot more dangerous no matter what anyone says. Much faster chain speed and less bar wieght = a ridiculous amount of kick back force.

Add: Forgot to mention. Stihl lists up to a 30" bar for use on the 310 and 390 in the owners manual. I don't know what the 311 manual says, but I would gues it recommends up to a 20" and may list up to 28 or 30". I would believe the manual over a dealer.

 

[bitzer]

saws have a sexuality? :monkey: News to me. You sound like a 12yr. old.

My uncle's remington electric still hasn't come out of the closet yet.

 

[Wolfcsm]

I have a 310. I have tried a 24 inch bar and chain and did not really like it. But I am also spoiled by an 066 and 880, both with 24 inch bars. The 310/311 will pull the chain - just a bit slower.

Several have recommended modifying the muffler. That will make a difference. But remember you have to re-tune the saw once the muffler is modified.

Try it. See what you think. At some point CAD will kick in and you will want a bigger saw or three.

Hal

 

[Zombiechopper]

I've tried short bars and I've tried long bars.

For what its worth, i have a buggered up back and I'm doin the short bar thing now... long bars to save the back is BS - it makes you stand with weight cantilevered and will aggravate the lower back. Much better for me to run a short bar and kneel down or bend over properly instead of being lazy about it.

 

[slowp]

saws have a sexuality? :monkey: News to me. You sound like a 12yr. old.

Of course they do. Twinkle and the Barbie saw are girly saws!

Now back to the topic. The OP is on the East Coast so a 12 inch bar is the perfect size. :greenchainsaw:

 

[komatsuvarna]

I've tried short bars and I've tried long bars.

For what its worth, i have a buggered up back and I'm doin the short bar thing now... long bars to save the back is BS - it makes you stand with weight cantilevered and will aggravate the lower back. Much better for me to run a short bar and kneel down or bend over properly instead of being lazy about it.

Ive always thought the same thing. Who with back trouble want so stand up stiff as a board and try to hold a saw with 24 inch bar sticking out in front of them. Maybe it works for some, but not for me. I call BS too.

 

[MCW]

Ive always thought the same thing. Who with back trouble want so stand up stiff as a board and try to hold a saw with 24 inch bar sticking out in front of them. Maybe it works for some, but not for me. I call BS too.

If you're swinging it to the side more it's probably OK but yeah reaching out would take it's toll. I do mostly felling and very little limbing so no expert...

 

[stevohut]

saws have a sexuality? :monkey: News to me. You sound like a 12yr. old.

Well if you get a kick out of belittling people for comments they make that's fine with me. I except and can deal with your imaturity, lack of respect and boratious attitude. Just remember this kid what goes around comes around and I have a feeling with you it will be sooner then later. But your just a kid anyway so you need to learn a few things the hard way.

 

[MCW]

Well if you get a kick out of belittling people for comments they make that's fine with me. I except and can deal with your imaturity, lack of respect and boratious attitude. Just remember this kid what goes around comes around and I have a feeling with you it will be sooner then later. But your just a kid anyway so you need to learn a few things the hard way.

I found your gay saw comment quite funny Some of us just have a different sense of humour than others I suppose...

I mean I even repped you for it

 

[stevohut]

I found your gay saw comment quite funny Some of us just have a different sense of humour than others I suppose...

I mean I even repped you for it

Yes it seems that way. It's usually the homophobia that lurks inside them that winds em up like that. lol Thanks for the rep mate appreciate it.

steve

 

[gallegosmike]

If you're swinging it to the side more it's probably OK but yeah reaching out would take it's toll. I do mostly felling and very little limbing so no expert...

I spend my week ends limbing these pain in the arse's! Ahh, pinon pine smells oh so good burning. It is "the smell of the southwest! They are a ton of limbs and some trunk. Call me the limbing master!

 

[SkipD]

Stihl saws are pretty gay from the factory...

What in blazes do you mean by this statement, Steve?

 

[Zombiechopper]

What in blazes do you mean by this statement, Steve?

It clearly means that all Stihl saws are born homosexual. They only have other manly Stihl saws to procreate with until they are brought to a dealer or home where they can discover all the girly Husky, Echo, Dolmar, Efco, Solo's etc.

 

[forestryworks]

Well if you get a kick out of belittling people for comments they make that's fine with me. I except and can deal with your imaturity, lack of respect and boratious attitude. Just remember this kid what goes around comes around and I have a feeling with you it will be sooner then later. But your just a kid anyway so you need to learn a few things the hard way.

You are one insecure man if you feel the need to threaten me over the internet. And if you thought my comment was belittling well you are in for a rude awakening in the real world. Apparently your ignorance knows no limits.

Yes it seems that way. It's usually the homophobia that lurks inside them that winds em up like that. lol Thanks for the rep mate appreciate it.

steve

This is the funniest damn thing I've heard all day! Thanks for the laugh Sally!

 

[JustinM]

now i wonder if i need another bigger saw.

You do realize where you're asking this question, right?