Best saw to pull a 40"+/- bar?

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Thank you. Do you have any advice on why you recommend the 3120? I have never owned a Husqvarna. I have only tried them out here and there and the do have a different feel from Stihl. I was thinking of trying to find a 088.

If a 395XP will be adequate, it may be the better choice for you, but at the price Dave is offering the 3120XP, and you are wanting to pull a 50" bar, the 3120XP is well suited to that size bar, and Dave's price isn't much more than a 395XP, for another 25cc's of Grunt.

I was seriously looking at the 395XP, as my "Old Reliable" 266XP was getting a bit small for some of the wood we cut, sometimes in the 30-36" range, it was managing, but slower than I liked, and I don't believe in Abusing my tools, use the right tool for the job, plus I prefer to cut from one side, again it is slower to cut from both sides, and not always practical where we cut.
Then I got interested in CSM'ing, before I bought a 395XP, and Dave's prices simply made the 3120XP a "No Brainer" I Stihl plan on getting a 395XP in the Future, but that got pushed back by a 390XP and 550XP, that I "Couldn't Refuse";). The 390XP has been a Nice compliment to my CAD Collection, handling what the 266XP is a bit small for, and now there is no reason to pack the 3120XP on Firewood forays, I can pack it with the 36" B&C mounted, and carry the 44" Bar and chains if I need them, which is rare.

I Stihl want to get a 395XP, mainly for lighter milling, and also because of an Advanced case of CAD/CSMAD (There I ADMITTED IT;):)) but the 395XP will likely go wood cutting with us as well as the 390XP.

What ever is the Best fit for YOU, is what I would suggest, I Love my 3120XP, and have heard Great things about the 395XP, and want one of those too, so I sure wouldn't fault you on either saw, they would both be Excellent saws.

Hi, My name is Doug, and I have a Problem,

(Not Enough Saws, YET;))


Doug :cheers:

Edit, Sorry I just noticed you are asking about 40"+ Bars, not 50" bars, I must have mixed this up with another thread.

A 395XP would probably be adequate, but Dave's price is still hard to beat
 
I just purchased a 36” bar w/3/8” chain for my 385xp and a 42” bar with 404” skip chisel chain for my 2100’s. The 2100 with a 20” will still cut with a dull chain at the end of the day. Power to spare.

Is your 385 ported and MM’ed...? Mine is.

I was not sure how it would handle a 36”. I just ordered a 32” with a full skip. I know it could do it but was not sure how well it would like it. I do know it would have no problem oiling the bar. That thing DUMPS out the oil on the high setting.


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]
 
Newer Stock 1124s are Turrible.

1124 is the family designation for 084/088/MS 880.


I kind of think I’m going to like this Ported 084.
6b339afd51471663c9cd085ca385870e.jpg





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Is your 385 ported and MM’ed...? Mine is.

I was not sure how it would handle a 36”. I just ordered a 32” with a full skip. I know it could do it but was not sure how well it would like it. I do know it would have no problem oiling the bar. That thing DUMPS out the oil on the high setting.


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

My stock, brand new when I purchased it, 385xp with a 32” bar full skip spins that chain no problem. My 575xp with a 28” bar is a tad slower.

We’re getting up there in cc’s it’s like cutting with a hand held dirtbike.

If your buying go bigger like the chainsaw guy is offering. You can always throttle back with a 24” bar if need be, but we can’t add cc’s
 
For the O.P.

I would run the biggest saw i could get away with.


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]
 
A 395 would be at home running a 42" bar all day, it wouldnt hesitate. I ran a brand new 395 with a 36" bucking some maple and that thing was an absolute animal. Your other options are to fine a good running Husky 2100CD, or a 394xp. I dont know Stihl so incant recommend anything there.
 
MS 880 will do up to 60" bar and you don't have to worry if will do or not...
MS 661...can do great with 32 bar. My 460 Magnum is great with 36 bar. Never try 40-42. Never have the chance...
That's a heavy combo, 880 w/60

I sold an 880 w/41 to Brian 22 & it was a handful
 
Maybe they'd pull it with 3/8 full skip and keep the rakers high, we'll in pine at least. lol Though, a couple of those WERE only lowly 6 cubes. Yea purdy sure they'd all pull 42" with authority in any north American wood. Though the Mac and Stihl would be way under barred at that length, almost to the point of being insulting to those machines.
 
MS 880 will do up to 60" bar and you don't have to worry if will do or not...
MS 661...can do great with 32 bar. My 460 Magnum is great with 36 bar. Never try 40-42. Never have the chance...

So can a ported 395 they’ll pull a 60 without issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Is your 385 ported and MM’ed...? Mine is.

I was not sure how it would handle a 36”. I just ordered a 32” with a full skip. I know it could do it but was not sure how well it would like it. I do know it would have no problem oiling the bar. That thing DUMPS out the oil on the high setting.


Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]

A 36” on a 390 isn’t an issue I run up to a 42” on mine stock with semi skip 3/8’s chain.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
So can a ported 395 they’ll pull a 60 without issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nope. Is not only the Power. You need oil for the bar to.
Would do 40 but not 60.
The 395 have 95cc
The 880 have 121.6 cc (7.42 cu. in.)
Bid different on the 2 saws.
The 3120 is 118.8cc close to 880 but the manufacturing recommend only 42" Max, don't know why.....
Here is what Stihl claim for the 880:
MS 880 MAGNUM® Specifications
DISPLACEMENT 121.6 cc (7.42 cu. in.)
ENGINE POWER 6.4 kW (8.6 bhp)
POWERHEAD WEIGHT 10.1 kg (22.3 lbs.)
FUEL CAPACITY 1300 cc (44.0 oz.)
CHAIN OIL CAPACITY 700 cc (23.7 oz.)
OILOMATIC® CHAIN .404" RM, RS
3/8" RS3
GUIDE BAR LENGTHS (Recommended ranges) 43 to 150 cm (17" to 59")
STIHL ROLLOMATIC®
POWER SOURCE Gas
STIHL recommends #3626 (36 RS3 75) OILOMATIC® saw chain and 21" 3002 000 9123 Ematic™ guide bar combination. The actual listed guide bar length can vary
 
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