20" bar on an 026. Yay or Nay?

[FNG]

I realize there are theoretically better choices but I have 2 saws, one of them is an 026 and I don't want to buy another one. Is a 20" bar on an 026 OK for light duty use without harming the saw?

 

[Whiskers]

It won’t hurt the Saw, just have to have a light hand.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Let the sharp chain do the cutting and you will be fine, I run 20" bars on most of my 026`s, a few have 18" 3/8 chisel and do very well but keeping them super sharp is a must.

 

[Wood Doctor]

An 18" bar is max for an 026 in my book, but I guess guys here like to push it. I don't. For a 20" bar, I reach for my MS 361.

 

[2dogs]

I have had several 026/MS260 Pro saws. All I ever ran was 20" bars. No issues. I'll try to find a pic of my MS260 Pro with a 36" bar cutting underground on a big eucalyptus.

 

[cuinrearview]

I run 16" bars on my 50cc saws, many have been stronger than an 026. The only 50cc I would run a 20" on would be a Dolmar 5xxx, and that's only if it was your only saw and had wood that warranted it. Your mileage will vary.

 

[hanniedog]

Got a 16 on my 026.

 

[Armbru84]

Let the sharp chain do the cutting and you will be fine, I run 20" bars on most of my 026`s, a few have 18" 3/8 chisel and do very well but keeping them super sharp is a must.

Ditto. Small muffler mod and it will be less of an issue.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Ditto. Small muffler mod and it will be less of an issue.

Or a muffler mod with a full port job and several other mods and they will pull a 24 without a hiccup.

 

[Mntn Man]

My MS260 came with a 20 inch rescue bar. I put a 16 on it but it runs the 20 with no problem if I run it right. It feels and cuts better with the 16, though.

 

[Blstr88]

My 260 has worn a 20" for over 10 years now. Literally just swapped it over to an 18" a week ago to standardize my 50cc saws. I really don't think 2" makes a big difference to the saw to be honest.

 

[Country bumpkin]

Let the sharp chain do the cutting and you will be fine, I run 20" bars on most of my 026`s, a few have 18" 3/8 chisel and do very well but keeping them super sharp is a must.

I agree. I usually run a 18 on mine but use a 20 from time to time. Sharp chain is the key.

 

[drf255]

This is a 20” 3/8 Stihl brand RS chain on a 44.7 MS260

But the saws been modded a bit.

Wouldn’t try this at home kids.

 

[cuinrearview]

Wouldn’t try this at home kids.

That's how I buck all of my firewood.

 

[wyk]

Two words: Narrow Kerf