best bar length for a ms461

[mdavlee]

A 28" light weight bar keeps you from bending as much when bucking firewood. The preference on chain is going to be how much do you like to file or sharpen really.

 

[Schneider]

I run full comp up to 36"

Hate to sound like such a rookie but can you explain what "full comp" is.

 

[DavdH]

32" .404 full skip semi chisel

 

[mdavlee]

Full comp is one tie strap between teeth. Skip has 2 and semi skip has one and then 2.

 

[rwoods]

View attachment 311867

Ron

 

[harrygrey382]

what they mean is full comp = standard config. chain. If I were you I'd get a 20 and 28"

 

[deye223]

I'm gonna be purchasing a ms461. Not sure what lenght bar to go with. This saw will be for falling and bucking larger( 24" and larger) trees for firewood. I have a ms200 with a 16" bar for limbing and a ms261 with a 18" bar. I will be cutting mostly oaks,hickory,ash,gum,maple. I would like to hear from guys that are using the 461. Thank you for your advise.

this is a question only you can answer

 

[Philip Wheelock]

There are reasons Stihl recommends a 25" bar for the MS461; start with 25" ES bar with a 3/8" pitch RM chain and see how that works for you. Should balance well and make short work of those 40" red oak snags with a sharp chain and proper technique.

 

[mdavlee]

If you're going 25" might as well get the 28". There's only 2.5" difference in actual length plus you can get the light weight bar that weighs the same as a 20".

 

[Philip Wheelock]

If you're going 25" might as well get the 28". There's only 2.5" difference in actual length plus you can get the light weight bar that weighs the same as a 20".

This is true. Where I differ is the length of chain to sharpen.

 

[deye223]

This is true. Where I differ is the length of chain to sharpen.

full skip:msp_biggrin:

 

[mdavlee]

It's only 3 more cutters

 

[ttyR2]

I haven't noticed much difference in cutting performance running either regular or full skip Stihl RSC chain on a 32" bar on my 046. We have mostly softwoods around here, and the saw runs a 32" bar with authority.

 

[2dogs]

If you're going 25" might as well get the 28". There's only 2.5" difference in actual length plus you can get the light weight bar that weighs the same as a 20".

True dat.

 

[WhistlePunk99]

Bar lenght

Get a 3 footer for falling and a 28" for the general work duty.

 

[Juliano]

Not trying to stir the pot or start a long bar short bar fight as I don't have a 461 and I am not a pro, but I believe there is another question or two to ask yourself - what bar length do you need for your cutting conditions and your style of cutting? As I said, I'm no pro but for falling I believe generally a bar length as long or longer than the diameter of your cut is safer (and quicker) than using a short bar (less time behind a partially cut tree, easier to line up cuts and create/protect a good hinge, and can give you just a little more distance from the tree if needed). As to bucking a stable log, a short bar is probably quicker and safer (less likely to stick your chain into something else). Unstable logs, I would say a long bar is generally safer for the operator (added distance from the hazard and possible slower kickback). Note my emphasis on your cutting conditions and style; there are many things that just come down to you, your cutting conditions and your preferences - bar length is one of those things. After you decide on the bar length then how much saw do you needed, and in your case is a 461 enough? Sounds to me like it is. :msp_smile: Ron

I agree this has definitely been my experience, but inevitably there is the rare occasion when you need to fell a large diameter tree with a smaller bar for the reason of say being too far from the road to grab a saw with a longer bar. and there is a proper technique for this Jeff Jepsom got it right in his book called to fell a tree otherwise sir you are correct. I am grateful you guys actually care and are going to great lengths to build great saws. Many of the the things I read about You guys doing are highly advanced and I consider more advanced than current engineering, yet ironically much of this goes back to Mr. Bell and Mr. Jennings so long ago. I am a former logger and current tree service owner and professional climber. Quite frankly the stuff You guys post, much of it goes right over my head even though I am currently receiving formal training as a small engine mechanic. I am currently repairing and attempting to repair and port 2 200t,s repair 1 201t ,then woods port my 880,
my saws are. 395 xp, ms 362 x2, 201 t x2, 200t x2, 390 xp, Husqvarna 051, 335 xpt, another 335 xpt for parts, and ms 880 magnum. sorry for ranting and getting off topic a few beers were involved. bottom line the respect is there and I am grateful. thank you. Ps I hate typing because its a big part of my job is doing written quotes for residential and government clients .I am sick of typing but I love to operate a chainsaw, that revving spooling sound that calls my name.

 

[splitpost]

It's only 3 more cutters

Yep,but its the drive link count that scares em

Sent from my GT-S7500T using Tapatalk 2

 

[rwoods]

I agree this has definitely been my experience, but inevitably there is the rare occasion when you need to fell a large diameter tree with a smaller bar for the reason of say being too far from the road to grab a saw with a longer bar. and there is a proper technique for this Jeff Jepsom got it right in his book called to fell a tree otherwise sir you are correct. ... I am sick of typing but I love to operate a chainsaw, that revving spooling sound that calls my name.

You mean a tree like this:



I hate typing as well and love running a saw.

Ron

 

[lly_duramax]

Here is the 24'' Total on my 461.

 

[SawTroll]

32" .404 full skip semi chisel

Sounds like a bumpy road?