Saw Guru's Please Advise.

[yomax4]

I have 3 monster trees down from the storms the last 2 days. 1 is 35" Hackberry. 1 is a 30" Red Elm and the other is a 40+ inch Red Oak. All uprooted. I have a Stihl 044 with Muff Mod. Runs like a R'pd Ape. Currently has a 20" bar. How long of bar would I dare put on it to not rob it of it's manhood?

 

[s219]

I have a stock 461, which is 77cc compared to the 70cc of your saw. My biggest bar is an ES light 28", and the saw does fine with it. Would not hesitate to go 32" if needed. If your 044 is hot-rodded, it should be able to hang with a stock 461.

Just be aware that the long standard (solid) bars really kill balance. That is why I went with the ES light bar -- balances just the same as the standard 20" I normally run.

 

[yomax4]

I have a stock 461, which is 77cc compared to the 70cc of your saw. My biggest bar is an ES light 28", and the saw does fine with it. Would not hesitate to go 32" if needed. If your 044 is hot-rodded, it should be able to hang with a stock 461.

Just be aware that the long standard (solid) bars really kill balance. That is why I went with the ES light bar -- balances just the same as the standard 20" I normally run.

Perfect. I'll look into the ES light bar. I'm unaware of them.

 

[2458n]

I had some large ash trees and also needed bigger bar and longer chain. E-bay had a 36 inch bar with matching full chisel skip chain. 044 cut it.

 

[newbury]

IF you keep the chain REAL sharp you can probably go with a 32" and MAYBE a 36".

I started out Chain Saw Milling with a John Deere CS 62cc and a 28" bar milling 20" trees. CSM is tough on a saw and chain and I would hand sharpen/touch up about every 8 foot of cut.

If you are good at hand sharpening and chain selection longer bars pose no problems. But if you try using a dull safety chain and are making sawdust you can burn out any saw.

As 2458 wrote try a couple of loops of Stihl RSFK full chisel skip chain and you should have NO problem. And I recommend Stihl because it seems harder and keep it's edge longer. Stihl chain is generally more expensive but worth if if you are careful of dirt and rocks.

 

[yomax4]

Good info here. I know the 044 is fairly capable but it's nice to hear from people who have actually worked with the long bars. I am a stickler for sharp chains but usually use an electric. I have all the files and maybe it's time to do a little in the woods touch up again. I nearly bought a 25" bar on ebay but after reading this I think 28 minimum as previously said on here, It's been done. Thanks.

 

[motownbrowne]

They run 28" or longer on that size saw all day out West in softwood. They'll look at you like you're nuts for running a 20" bar on a 70-90cc saw like we do here in the hardwood.

If you're working with lots of wood that size, you're definitely into 90cc territory, but for occasional use your 044 will handle a 28" bar just fine. I'd strongly recommend semi or full skip chain and not being in a hurry.

 

[newbury]

But IF you are going to be bucking or CSM'ing wood that size often you might want to step up to a bigger saw.

I paid $450 for this Stihl 120cc setup:

But it came with a $200 Granberg Alaskan MK III chain saw mill, so I thought it was worth the price .

Got to love CL.

 

[yomax4]

They run 28" or longer on that size saw all day out West in softwood. They'll look at you like you're nuts for running a 20" bar on a 70-90cc saw like we do here in the hardwood.

If you're working with lots of wood that size, you're definitely into 90cc territory, but for occasional use your 044 will handle a 28" bar just fine. I'd strongly recommend semi or full skip chain and not being in a hurry.

This is my 1st dive into long bars. I have cut hundreds of 28" trees with a 20" bar. My 28" bar and chains are on order and I can't wait to try this out. It's not something ill be messing with often, I Hope! I burn 12 cords per year and keep 2 years worth on hand. I've just never looked into doing it the right way. Thanks.

 

[CobyRupert]

Ran a 28" on a 57cc, just for one tree on special occasion. Sure, bigger saws could of done those 16 trunk cuts faster, big whoop. 97.5% of the cuts required to cut up the tree will be other cuts, and lighter saw for me means going longer without a break and getting more done.
Had to turn up the chain oiler as much as possible on the small saw and make sure nothing overheated. Slow and steady might not win the race, but got it done for way cheaper.