24" 550xp or 261cm?

[cary911]

Ive been running a 24" .325 bar on a 550xp and was wondering if that's ok for that small a saw? Its working well for the small softwood here in Michigan's upper peninsula. Would a 261 be more well suited for a 24" bar possibly? Thank You!

 

[stihlaficionado]

16-18, maybe also 20. But unported 24 is too long imo

 

[Four Paws]

Skip chain.

 

[blsnelling]

Why are you using a 24" bar on "small" trees?

 

[Raganr]

24" bar is 272/460 or even 390/660 range if you want to do it with authority

 

[old-cat]

Ive been running a 24" .325 bar on a 550xp and was wondering if that's ok for that small a saw? Its working well for the small softwood here in Michigan's upper peninsula. Would a 261 be more well suited for a 24" bar possibly? Thank You!

You can't possibly be near the cutting potential of the saw with that many teeth to pull, UNLESS you're cutting Balsa wood?
You need 60cc to pull a 24" bar with full skip chain in most soft wood.

 

[Homelite410]

Why are you using a 24" bar on "small" trees?

Come on Brad you don't have to bend over as far!

But seriously why would you waste your time with the 24" on a 50cc saw. I don't even run a 24 on a 60 CC saw.

 

[bryanr2]

This is how I run em and Im 6'5''. They are all ported. I use the shortest bar possible for the cut.
50cc is for 16''
60cc is for 18-20
70 cc is for 20-24
88 cc is for 24-28
93cc is for 32 and >
99 cc is for 24-36

 

[Toad22t]

I run a 24" on my 044 and it lugs it in oak. So now I put it on my 048 instead.

 

[bryanr2]

Randy's 261cms are supposed to run like 70cc saws.

 

[Toad22t]

Randy's 261cms are supposed to run like 70cc saws.

If that's the case I might as well sell my 2 044s, 036, pp 365 and 048 so I can get a new 261cm ported

 

[bryanr2]

If that's the case I might as well sell my 2 044s, 036, pp 365 and 048 so I can get a new 261cm ported

Id keep the 44s and the pp365 (just cause it's a little different). The other 2 could go though. No need for 60cc saw if you have a ported 50cc.

 

[redfin]

I run a 24" on my 044 and it lugs it in oak. So now I put it on my 048 instead.

Sharpen your chain man!

 

[Toad22t]

Brand new chain but it was on my nwp big bore saw and it hasn't impressed me at all. But I have a fix for it now. Just got new caber rings and a oem 046 cylinder to make it a true hybrid. Without a base gasket I only got .032 squish with the nwp cylinder. Which throws everything off.

 

[Toad22t]

Sorry for taking over your thread. I'll stop now.

 

[redfin]

That explains abit. Before my hybrid my 44 pulled a 25 well.

 

[XSKIER]

When I cut in the UP, a MS 260 PRO with 16" is as big as I care to use. Most of the time it's a MS 180 C-B with 14". There's not much old growth left up there.

 

[Gopher Hunter]

Ive been running a 24" .325 bar on a 550xp and was wondering if that's ok for that small a saw? Its working well for the small softwood here in Michigan's upper peninsula. Would a 261 be more well suited for a 24" bar possibly? Thank You!

After owning/using a 261 I'd stick with the 550xp (preferably with a 20" or shorter bar). JMO

 

[Matt81]

Why are you using a 24" bar on "small" trees?

My thoughts exactly. The 550XP is a light saw with awesome handling and balance, why wreck that with a huge 24" bar? I am awaiting delivery of a ported one soon....... can't wait!

I would not use a 24" unless the wood is at least 24" diameter. It would be with my 7900 too, but i cut mainly hardwood. Cutting softwood is like having a holiday for me.
Up to around 23" i would still be using a 20" bar with the 372XP. I only lug the big saws with a big bar when the wood calls for it. It's hard work already without making it harder for yourself.

 

[cary911]

I started carrying the saw with a 24" bar as I work for the railroad and I occasionally trim the snags left behind by the drivers when our pulp flats were ready to be pulled. The saw seemed to do ok for firewood as well? I guess I was wondering if it was bad for the saw and if anybody had good results with a 24 on a 550xp or 261cm? Thanks for all the input none the less. Stay Safe.