max bar reasonable bar length for a homelite 450

[chipsoflyin]

hi all, whats the max length bar i can put on a homelite 450 without turning it into a dog. i could also use chain recommendations for same. i plan on cutting alot of oak tops and rotten core trunks, some 36"-48"

thanks in advance

 

[dt6266]

according to specs the longest bar for that saw was 31 in. personally i think that may be pushing it a bit but should be able to handle it.

 

[habanero]

If you're cutting rotten core trunks, you could probably easily get by with a 36" bar, since only maybe half of that is going to be cutting good wood. For cutting oak tops, though, 36" is probably going to be overkill. If the biggest you're cutting is going to be less than 48", you could throw a 24" bar on it and get it in two passes. A little slower, but not much and it will be much easier to use on the smaller stuff.