Chain saw bar length.

[ernemats]

If you have an 18 inch bar on your chain saw and change to a 16 inch bar how will that affect your saw or its performance? I realize it will effect the balance some but other than that what difference could I expect. Most of my cutting with it 16 inches is more than enough length and I have larger saws for bigger trees.

 

[Roadworthy]

There should be no noticeable effect on performance other than the balance. Some chainsaws come in two or three different bar lengths - same saw, choose your bar length. Reducing bar length is certainly better for saw longevity than increasing it.

 

[old and tired]

In theory, cutting performance will increase going from 18" to 16"... How much and if you'll notice it, is another story, please let us know!!!

 

[ericm979]

The only difference in cutting performance will be from the small decrease in losses from friction with the smaller bar. Taking a couple inches out of the middle of the bar where friction is lowest isn't going to change much. The saw will rev a little quicker since there's a little less chain to be accellerated but that won't affect performance one the saw is revved up and in the cut. Overall, if you measure the actual cutting time the difference will be so small that it will be within normal variation due to technique and thus not a measureable improvement.

I think a lot of guys mistake faster revving for a power increase. When I bought an 18" bar for my MS362 the shop owner warned me that with such a small bar the saw could rev up "too fast" and blow up.

 

[radios1]

longer bars have more teeth, so they will last longer before needing resharpening. each added tooth adds another cutting surface which will share the wear..

 

[dfkrug]

When I bought an 18" bar for my MS362 the shop owner warned me that with such a small bar the saw could rev up "too fast" and blow up.

Well that's a new one!

Note that the "proper" method to set the HI mixture is to fully open the throttle for a few seconds, with only the bar/chain as load. I don't like maxing out the revs on a hi-reving saw, so I usually don't do it for more than a couple of seconds.

 

[xyz123]

The only difference in cutting performance will be from the small decrease in losses from friction with the smaller bar. Taking a couple inches out of the middle of the bar where friction is lowest isn't going to change much. The saw will rev a little quicker since there's a little less chain to be accellerated but that won't affect performance one the saw is revved up and in the cut. Overall, if you measure the actual cutting time the difference will be so small that it will be within normal variation due to technique and thus not a measureable improvement.

I think a lot of guys mistake faster revving for a power increase. When I bought an 18" bar for my MS362 the shop owner warned me that with such a small bar the saw could rev up "too fast" and blow up.

SMH Gee I wonder what that shop would have said if I showed them a 16" on my 066 or a 16"-20" on a 084. They are full of crap.

 

[ericm979]

Yes, that sales person was full of it on that.

I like the shop but they mostly cater to the professional gardener trade. They're not all that experienced with larger saws.

I also feel funny free revving saws- when I was working on two stroke motorcycles that was something to be avoided because it would kill the motor. Saws are tuned richer than bikes.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Guys differ, but I get the longest bar you can get for a given saw.

Less bending down and moving toward your work.

Also, you quite often need the length when cutting a stump close to the ground.

Plus, if you have your chains sharpened, they never go by length, so you get a better deal.

 

[Motorboatin]

IMO the max recommended bar length for a saw is to much in most cases. The balance is all screwed up and pulling the chain through hard wood is laborious. If the manufacturer says max bar is 20” then go with a 16”