Rookie97
ArboristSite Lurker
Hi, new to the site, I recently acquired a stihl 034 and I was wondering if running a 25 inch bar would be acceptable? It spins a 20 inch like crazy as it is. Also, how reliable are 034's?
Stihl 034
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Adam Smith
ArboristSite Operative
Your 034 is a great saw and reliable to boot. My favorite saw is an 034 super I have several of these saws and love the heck out of them. If takeen good care of and running good 90 plus octane gas in it it should last you a long while as long as you keep the carb in tune and the filter clean. As far as the bar goes you are beyond its limits with a 24 -25 incher. I assume your saw is the straight 034 ? I would stay with no more than a 20 inch bar myself. Thats just my opinion though
Frogfarmer
ArboristSite Operative
Several factors play a role in the length of bar decision. Type of wood and chain type being the biggest. Around here its mostly hardwood and an 034 can struggle with a 20" and an aggressive full comp chain. My 034 is all stock and runs as it should but for what I cut would not pull a 25". My 044 just barely pulls a 25" to my liking. I would say if you are happy with the performance of the 20" keep it and the saw will live a little longer. My 034 currently wears a 16" with full comp 3/8 and rakers set at .040-.050.
Preston
Addicted to ArboristSite
Right after I bought my 034, that was 22 years ago, I put on a 20 inch bar. It came with a shorter one that I just didn't care for. It's still going with the same bar. No way would I put the strain on my saw with a bar that length. It just not intended for a bar that size and I'm not gonna put the saw through it. It is possible you didn't get enough saw if you need a bar that size. Might should look around a little for a larger saw. The 034 will thank you for it. :msp_smile:
jmarheine
ArboristSite Member
25 years ago, I went to work for a tree service that had several 034's, every last one wearing a 24"bar. I remember thinking that these saws would have trouble turning the chain. Once I used one, I was rather impressed, considering the engine displacement. That being said, I don't remember cutting anything that couldn't be cut with a 20" bar.
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Rookie97
ArboristSite Lurker
Thanks for the input, I would assume mine isn't something special because it has a non adjustable oiler?
Non adjustable oiler?? did you have a "good" look on the base of the saw? as for bar size 20" would pull it up, great saw all the same!
Scooterbum
Addicted to ArboristSite
As said 20" tops. I run a 16" on mine. It's an 034S.
Never seen one without an adjustable oiler.
Good dependable saw.
Never seen one without an adjustable oiler.
Good dependable saw.
Rookie97
ArboristSite Lurker
Nope no oiler, my 44 has one but the 34 does not, made in west Germany
If it says 'made in West-Germany', it's one from before 1990. I'm not sure but I think some of the older 034s didn't have an adjustable oil pump, same for some of the 034AVs. My FIL has one without an adjustable oiler if I remember correct.
We used to have a 034 also, great saws! We ran it 15 years as our main firewood saw (also a 066) and the only thing ever replaced was the chain sprocket. Then my uncle bought it and we bought a new 034
. I wouldn't go over 20" unless cutting softwood, but even then, probably not ideal without an adjustable oiler. Our set-up was with a 14" bar, my FIL has a 16" bar on it.
We used to have a 034 also, great saws! We ran it 15 years as our main firewood saw (also a 066) and the only thing ever replaced was the chain sprocket. Then my uncle bought it and we bought a new 034
. I wouldn't go over 20" unless cutting softwood, but even then, probably not ideal without an adjustable oiler. Our set-up was with a 14" bar, my FIL has a 16" bar on it.
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darren_palms
ArboristSite Member
The stihl recommends using up to a 20" bar. If your cutting softwoods and you use a full skip chain you might be ok with a 24" bar. Good saw and they can cut some wood pretty fast.
Stihl 034 + 24" bar=:deadhorse:
OlympicYJ
ArboristSite Guru
I had an 034 super a year ago but traded it. I was spinin a 25 inch bar. If i had the regular 034 (non adjustable oiler) I don't think it would of oiled it. Mine pulled the 25 just fine (softwood) but it didn't have as much chain speed as I would of liked, plenty of torque though! I really needed a bigger saw capable of running a bigger bar, only reason I traded mine otherwise I would have kept it.
Keep the 20 inch on it. The only reason to go to a bigger bar would be so you don't have to bend over as much. If you're into something that your 20 inch won't handle you should be using a bigger saw and more than likely a bigger bar than a 25 anyways.
Happy cuttin man.
Keep the 20 inch on it. The only reason to go to a bigger bar would be so you don't have to bend over as much. If you're into something that your 20 inch won't handle you should be using a bigger saw and more than likely a bigger bar than a 25 anyways.
Happy cuttin man.
Rookie97
ArboristSite Lurker
Thanks for the input
Rookie1
Addicted to ArboristSite
Nice Handle. Welcome to AS. I put a 034 together when I started here on AS and I run a 20 inch bar. If I need bigger I use my 044.:msp_biggrin:
Set your rakers at 0.025-0.030" and a 034 will pull at 20" fine in hardwood.
Frogfarmer
ArboristSite Operative
Very true but then it doesn't cut as well as I like. Im sure an 034 would pull 25" of 3/8 LoPro safety chain no problem but I would never suggest it to someone. I gave my real world specs for that saw as a reference trying to help educate someone needing advice. I am fortunate in that I have many saws and can set up for different wood as well as bar length so I don't have to use a 460 to clear brush or a 261 to fell 4ft trees.
