Running a Shorter Bar Stihl MS 251

[FoldedFrog]

I’d like to clear up a little confusion for myself. I just bought a Stihl MS 251 chainsaw which comes with an 18” bar. The manual lists Rollomatic E guide bars from 12” to 18”. However, when I go to the Stihl website they only list an 18” as “recommended “. I know most people ask if they can run a longer bar but I want to do some carving and a shorter bar would help with more if the delicate work. Are there any problems, that I’m not aware of, with using down to a 12” on the 251?
Thanks in advance.

 

[oldnslo]

As long as the chain is the same pitch and bar is same width the length should not matter.

 

[FoldedFrog]

As long as the chain is the same pitch and bar is same width the length should not matter.

Excellent. Thank you.

 

[s219]

The saw will feel balanced with one particular bar length, and becomes less comfortable when you go too long or too short. That's the main impact I have noticed. Sometimes you can counteract that with heavy/light bars.

 

[Captain Dirty]

My go-to saws for general woodcutting have been 50cc with 16" bars. As you noted the standard is 18", but I have used 16" for so long that is the balance I am used to. Twelve inches would probably feel short with that powerhead. On my top-handled 192 I went from stock 14" to 12"; the older I get, the better it feels.

 

[FoldedFrog]

The saw will feel balanced with one particular bar length, and becomes less comfortable when you go too long or too short. That's the main impact I have noticed. Sometimes you can counteract that with heavy/light bars.

Yes. I had read about balance. Since I’m planning to only use this for carving mostly with the tip, I’m hoping it won’t be too much of an issue. For the same reason, I was thinking that a shorter bar wouldn’t tend to kick back as severely when using the tip to create finer detail. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[FoldedFrog]

My go-to saws for general woodcutting have been 50cc with 16" bars. As you noted the standard is 18", but I have used 16" for so long that is the balance I am used to. Twelve inches would probably feel short with that powerhead. On my top-handled 192 I went from stock 14" to 12"; the older I get, the better it feels.

Good point. I’m old enough it should feel very good!

 

[Egon]

The shorter bar should handle much easier.

 

[art]

For the same reason, I was thinking that a shorter bar wouldn’t tend to kick back as severely when using the tip to create finer detail. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[art]

Kickback on saws is from the upper and lower corners of the bar end. A lower degree on the end of the bar lowers the kickback. Depending on bars some have a more square outer end verses a more pointed end with more rounded corners.