all right guys, i'm going to buy a smaller bar for my 440 magnum. right now it has a 25 inch bar on it as that is how it came from the dealer. it is quite the beast with the 25 on there and i am wanting something for smaller average size trees that i cut. i think 18 is a good universal size, but is that too small for the big beast? should i just go with a 20inch? what do you guys think? also, does anybody know the best/cheapest place online to buy bars?
18 too small?
- Thread starter my82cam
- Start date
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I would go with a 20". 18" and smaller are for limbing saws and racing IMHO.
i know i am going to show i much i dont know about chainsaws....but what are the differences in the stihl green box and yellow box of chains? all the guys at the dealer will tell me is that i don't want them, they dont have a good reason why. they just say i need the yellow box
sefh3
Addicted to ArboristSite
I would go 20" if it was me. Check out any of the sponsors on here. They have bars for sale.
Trigger-Time
Addicted to ArboristSite
Green box is "safer" to run, less chance of kick back (home owner type chain).
Yellow box will cut a little faster. But some of the new green
box stuff any more cuts just fine IMO.
Yellow means caution, Stihl bars are also marked with green or yellow
and that has to do with the shape of the nose of the bar.
TT
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joecool85
Addicted to ArboristSite
You and your big saws. The wood I cut, 18" is all I need. That's what I plan on putting on the 330. I suppose if I get a "big" saw (70cc is big to me) I would get a 22" bar.
Gypo Logger
Timber Baron
I'd go 16", you can cut twice as fast because the saw is so easy to handle in bucking cuts especially. This has been my finding anyway.
John
John
seems like it is more of what i want and like i guess. lol i didn't know if stihl recommended not going smaller than this or that size. looks like it is time to go shopping. i think i am going to go with the 18 and just put the 25 on if i have a big tree to cut down. i have always used the yellow, so i guess i'm gonna stick with that, it is just nice to know why.
o8f150
Tree Freak
18" to small??? not what my x wife says:hmm3grin2orange::biggrinbounce2:
SawTroll
Information Collector
18" should be just fine if it fits the wood - but try an 8-pin rim - it may perform better than a 7-pin with that bar length, even on a stock saw!
??? You call 20" on a 440 a big saw? I didn't tell him to run a 28" like I have on mine. 20" will balance nicely. Much shorted and you don't need to be carrying a power head of that size. Fit the tool to the job.
Trigger-Time
Addicted to ArboristSite
Almost all of my cutting is done on our farm.
So I flush cut as low to the ground as I can.
Thats when I use a 16" bar on 064, less chance
of getting short bar in the dirt. When I do get it in the dirt
it sure is a lot less to sharpen.
TT
So I flush cut as low to the ground as I can.
Thats when I use a 16" bar on 064, less chance
of getting short bar in the dirt. When I do get it in the dirt
it sure is a lot less to sharpen.
TT
SawTroll
Information Collector
Even modern "green" chain like RSC3 will suck for bore-cutting and in large cuts + for noodling - but with an 18" and crosscutting only, I think it is OK.
I would never even consider to use it though!
twocylinder
ArboristSite Lurker
i put a 20" bar on my ms460 and its a blast.
myself i run a 20 and a 25. my 441 gets the 20 as its more suited to the size of the saw and handles a bit easier. My saw that i run full time (066) gets the 25 since i dont like to bend over. i also run an 8 pin rim with 3/8 chain. makes for a nice combo.
Steveo_supremo
ArboristSite Guru
I like a 20" bar on a 70cc saw for hardwoods, and a 28" bar with skip chain for bigger softwood.
Trigger-Time
Addicted to ArboristSite
Even modern "green" chain like RSC3 will suck for bore-cutting and in large cuts + for noodling - but with an 18" and crosscutting only, I think it is OK.
I would never even consider to use it though!
All of my green chain I have was on sale.
Most I have is 16" .325 chain, it was $10 per box (chain)
I bought a bunch and re-sold alot of it.
So I ended up with 10 free chains
TT
SawTroll
Information Collector
All of my green chain I have was on sale.
Most I have is 16" .325 chain, it was $10 per box (chain)
I bought a bunch and re-sold alot of it.
So I ended up with 10 free chains
TT
The only "green" chain I use is the 95VP/H30 - but mostly for cutting up planks etc. as fire starters, and some brush-cutting - you have to be very careful when using "yellow" chisel chain for that!
Trigger-Time
Addicted to ArboristSite
The only "green" chain I use is the 95VP/H30 - but mostly for cutting up planks etc. as fire starters, and some brush-cutting - you have to be very careful when using "yellow" chisel chain for that!
I only use Stihl chain
I like it, it's easy to get and the dealer I get it from has good prices.
Maybe that I'm to lazy but I use very, very little chisel chain.
Semi-chisel just seems to cut so much longer before it needs hit
with a file.
TT
Gypo Logger
Timber Baron
I've got a 16" on my KD 362. Just say No to long gangley bars.
Lol
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Lol
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