New used ms441 magnum

andrehoude123 · Jan 30, 2014

Just bought an ms441 from a friend for a good price it only came with a 18" inch bar what could it run to? 28 inch or 36? I want to cut some big poplar
And a full skip chain? Or semi-skip?
Thanks

motownbrowne · Jan 30, 2014

Nice saw, it'll run a 36" but that's a lot of bar to carry around. I'd put a 28" on it. If you're cutting big poplar a full skip full chisel will be the cat's meow. Get a few chains for different purposes to see what you like. I usually run a semi-skip semi-chisel on my 361 with a 25" bar. I cut mixed hard/soft wood. Semi skip is a lot faster to sharpen than full comp and less aggressive than full-skip.

andrehoude123 · Jan 31, 2014

Ok thanks!

FredH · Jan 31, 2014

Had older 041's and now a 441 . 28" is good , 25" also works . Depending on your experience , Be wary of full skip . I have another thread here about full skip , But I have been running saws both personally and professionally for 38+ years . Most often they are used in softwoods , at least professionally around here , I bought mine as I needed a back-up chain and that's all they had . I am running mine in a Truck load of Hardwood , Oak and Madrone , But again , Been around saws for awhile . I have had no issue's , kick back or other .

Fred H.

motownbrowne · Jan 31, 2014

Oh, almost forgot. USE CHAPS. They cost $80, but what're your legs (or your life) worth?

ruffdog · Jan 31, 2014

I run a 16" on the 026, 20" on the ms361, 25" on the ms460, 36" on the 2100cd. Some people want a bar that reaches all the way through the trunk of the tree. I would rather have a bar that reaches past the center of the tree and not have to carry a long bar all day.

s219 · Jan 31, 2014

I'd only go full skip if cutting evergreen softwoods and you have problems clearing chips from the cut.

For everyday use I like a 20" bar on my 461. I have a 28" bar for special occasions, and it's one of Stihl's ES Light bars, so it does not weigh any more than the 20" bar and does not disrupt balance of the saw. You do need to worry about weight/balance if you go with long bars of standard construction, as the saw can become unwieldy to handle.

For day to day use, pick a bar that's as short as possible, since it will be the most versatile, fatigue you the least, and the saw will be able to power it more easily (all else equal). Don't go with a long bar every day unless you are cutting big wood every day.

andrehoude123 · Jan 31, 2014

Ya for everyday use I use the 18 inch bar but we have so really big poplar that need to be cut and ya my chaps are always on

Treemonkey1000 · Jan 31, 2014

Isn't a 20" bar on a 046 a hoot s219! Sort of like putting a V8 motor in a small car. Like others have said not having too long of a bar to drag around helps a lot as far as fatigue and safety.

s219 · Jan 31, 2014

Treemonkey1000 said:
Isn't a 20" bar on a 046 a hoot s219! Sort of like putting a V8 motor in a small car. Like others have said not having too long of a bar to drag around helps a lot as far as fatigue and safety.

Yeah, it spoils me! Makes it tough to go back to my smaller saws.