I have both. The 24 is nice for the extra reach when bucking. If you do not have any bigger saws I would go with the 24. That way you have the reach and the extra length if you need it.
I'd go for the 24", but I already have a 365 special with a 20" bar... I like my 20" bar though, big enough for a lot of stuff but not so big it affects manouvering.
what bar do you have on your 262?
I do know someone who only runs one saw, a 371xp with a 15" bar :hmm3grin2orange:
Not sure how your getting your firewood, but I just recently picked up a Jonsered 2165 with a 20" bar. Most of my firewood is cut from a grappler load. I've run about 5 tanks through it and have ordered the 16" bar with 3 chains. In the grapller load it just seems longer than I need.
I'd go the 20" and get the 24" later if you need it. But that's based on my cutting, not yours.
Mine wears a 20'' and I have a 28''. So far, Ive only had the 28'' bolted up 1 time to cut 3 trees. The 20'' pretty much handles everything around my neck of the woods. Its pull both just fine so its up preffrance.
Mine wears a 20'' and I have a 28''. So far, Ive only had the 28'' bolted up 1 time to cut 3 trees. The 20'' pretty much handles everything around my neck of the woods. Its pull both just fine so its up preffrance.
The 24" bar is a LOT more usefull and changes the balance in a good way.
The 20" is much more handy in the tangles though, and it's a bit of a puzzle as to why. It just is, even if it dosn't make sense.
The best balance of speed and grunt seems to be a 24" bar, 8 pin rim and good skip chain, but get into twisted up and gnarly old Elm dropped into a bunch of Greenbrier and life is gonna suck without full comp on a 20" LOL!!!
Just the way it is unless ya brought along a 346XP, and then ya just don't notice.
Ya might want to try a 28 for a little while too. That way you can switch back to the 24 and justify a 395.