This length differs from the overall length, which manufacturers use less than the cutting length. A Poulan 14 chainsaw can operate with a bar that's 12, 14, 16 and 18 inches length. However, a larger bar may not always give the best cutting performance.
What is the average length of a chainsaw bar?
Most bars are measured according to their cutting length, which refers to the length from the power head to the furthest cutter on the chain. This length differs from the overall length, which manufacturers use less than the cutting length. A Poulan 14 chainsaw can operate with a bar that's 12, 14, 16 and 18 inches length.
Do chainsaws need power to cut bars?
The answer is yes and no. Chainsaws need to have sufficient power to handle certain length bars. The bottom line is that without this the saw will be underpowered and won’t cut properly. Some common power to size bars are: Many chainsaws are designed to take different size units.
What happens if you increase the length of your chainsaw bar?
Another thing to keep in mind, is that as you increase the length of your chainsaw bar, the cutting performance will decrease. So as you move towards the upper end of the bar range, you can expect your chainsaw to cut with a bit less power. It’s a trade-off between the length of the cut, and the power applied to the chain.
What size guide bar do I need for my saw?
Guide bars are measured in length, from the tip of the bar to the heel, and range in size from 14 to over 40 inches. Check the specifications in your model's operator's manual to see what size bars you can run on your saw.
Can you put a different size bar on a chainsaw?
Most chainsaws can operate up to three different bar sizes. Guide bars are measured in length, from the tip of the bar to the heel, and range in size from 14 to over 40 inches. Check the specifications in your model's operator's manual to see what size bars you can run on your saw.
Does bar length matter chainsaw?
Typically a chainsaw with a shorter bar around 14” and smaller is enough for property maintenance, trimming, pruning, and cutting down broken tree limbs. On the other hand, cutting down small trees, thick branches, and cleaning up storm damage will need a longer bar around 16”-20” to make the job easier and safer.
Is a longer chainsaw bar better?
The best chainsaw bar length is generally 2 inches longer than the average thickness of wood you're cutting. This is because it is better to have a smaller chainsaw bar that you occasionally also use for larger jobs, than it is to go the largest size chainsaw bar and try to use it on the smaller jobs.
Will any bar fit any chainsaw?
Not every bar or chain is right for every saw. For example, larger chainsaw bars work best with more powerful saws because it takes more energy to drive a chain around a long bar. That's why electric saws use bars 18" and shorter. Similarly, chainsaw chains are measured to fit certain bars.
Is a shorter chainsaw bar better?
A shorter chain doesn't compound torque like a smaller gear does. The amount of force applied at any point on the chain is identical. However, the shorter bar limits how much contact the chain can make with the wood.
What is the most popular chainsaw bar length?
12 to 20 inchesThe most common chainsaw bar sizes are 12 to 20 inches, but they come in sizes as large as 72 inches, typically for professionals. The longer the bar, the heavier the chainsaw.
How big of a tree can you cut with a 14 inch chainsaw?
Felling small trees – 12” to 14” Cutting down small trees in a yard or garden will require a chainsaw of about 12″ to 14” depending on the thickness of the tree trunk.
How big of a tree can a 16-inch chainsaw cut?
20 chainsaw would cut through an 18″ tree diameter. 16 chainsaw would cut through a 14″ tree diameter. 10 inch chainsaw for 8″ in diameter.
What is the best size chainsaw for cutting firewood?
12 to 16-inch chainsawWhat size chainsaw do I need to cut firewood? You can cut firewood with any chainsaw because the logs are on the ground, and you will have to turn them. So, ideally, any 12 to 16-inch chainsaw would be best for the job.
Can you put different size bars on a Stihl chainsaw?
Heavy-Duty Chain Saws Stihl calls this category of saws its "Farm & Ranch" models, and their engine sizes range from 50 cc to 64 cc. All of these models -- which include the MS 271, MS 291, MS 311 and MS 391 -- can take guide bars between 16 and 20 inches.
Are all 14 inch chainsaw chains the same?
The size of a chain saw's chain does not always correspond to the size of the guide bar. Determining the correct size of chain for a chain saw with a 14-inch guide bar involves several factors, including the size of the drive lugs and their distance from each other along the chain.
Is a chainsaw bar universal?
No, chainsaw bars are not universal. There is no one-size-fits-all chainsaw bar. When you have to replace your old or broken chainsaw bar with a new one, brand and model always play a role. In most cases, it is possible to use a bar from a Husqvarna as a replacement for the one you have on your STIHL chainsaw.
How many cc should a chainsaw be?
The larger the displacement, the more power generated by the explosion of the compressed fuel/air mixture that drives the piston. If you're harvesting and working up several cords of firewood a year, you'll want a saw with between 45 and 55 cubic centimeters (cc) of displacement.
What is the best chainsaw for a homeowner?
Top 10 Chainsaws for Home Use in 2022 Compared and TestedMakita XCU04PT [Editor's Choice] Cordless. ... Husqvarna 455 Rancher [Most Powerful] Gas Powered. ... WORX WG303.1 [Best for Money] Corded. ... HUYOSEN Gas Chainsaw. ... Greenworks 24V Chainsaw. ... EGO Power+ CS1401. ... Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Cordless Chainsaw. ... Echo CS-400 Chainsaw.More items...•
What size bars does Stihl make?
High-quality guide bars for your chainsaw 10 in. to 12 in. 14 in. to 18 in. 20 in. to 28 in.
How do you know when your chainsaw blade is dull?
4 signs of a dull chainsaw chainThe chainsaw chain does not pull itself into the wood. ... When cross cutting (against the grain of the wood) a dull chainsaw chain creates fine sawdust instead of coarse strands.The saw is producing smoke even when your chain is oiled and the chain tension is correct.More items...•
What is a guide bar on a Poulan chainsaw?
The bar on a Poulan chainsaw guides the chain around the drive sprocket, and gives it something firm to hold on to when it cuts through wood. Guide bars for chainsaws range widely in size to meet an even greater number of cutting tasks. Finding the right size for your Poulan chainsaw will help make quicker work of the job at hand.
Why do you need a longer bar for cutting logs?
Firstly, the type of wood and thickness of the wood you'll be cutting. If you plan on felling trees and bucking thicker logs, a longer bar will help keep the cut open, allowing it pass through the wood better. However, as the bar gets longer, the chain speed will start slowing down, which may result in a loss of power.
How long is a Poulan chainsaw bar?
A Poulan 14 chainsaw can operate with a bar that's 12, 14, 16 and 18 inches length. However, a larger bar may not always give the best cutting performance.
How does a guide bar work?
How the Bar Works. The guide bar rests on two metal bar posts and an oiler nozzle. It sits several inches in front of the drive sprocket and clutch on the chainsaw. On both edges of the bar, two slots allow the chain to pass over it. At the tip, usually, a nose sprocket allows the chain to pass to the other side of the bar.
How long is a chainsaw guide bar?
Chainsaw guide bars range from 12 to over 40 inches long. Most bars are measured according to their cutting length, which refers to the length from the power head to the furthest cutter on the chain. This length differs from the overall length, which manufacturers use less than the cutting length. A Poulan 14 chainsaw can operate ...
What is a nose sprocket?
At the tip, usually, a nose sprocket allows the chain to pass to the other side of the bar. Since the bar works closely with the clutch, drive sprocket and chain, the right size is crucial for efficient and safe cutting. Advertisement.
Where is Eric Blankenburg?
Eric Blankenburg. Currently based in Minneapolis, Minn., Eric Blankenburg has been a freelance journalist since 2000. His articles have appeared in "Outside Missoula, Outside Bozeman," "Hello Chengdu" and online at GoNomad.com and various other websites.
What are they made of?
Modern guide bars are constructed from a variety of strong and lightweight materials.
What is a sprocket nose bar?
There are basically two types – those with sprockets (called sprocket nose bars) and those without (generally referred to as hard-nosed).
What is a narrow-kerf bar?
The kerf refers to the width of the bar and therefore the type of chain it can carry. As the name implies, a narrow kerf means it has a smaller width than the standard kerf unit. As the saw cuts, it creates a channel or groove and this is the kerf. The narrow kerf bar removes less material than the standard kerf, thereby creating a narrower groove.
What maintenance should I do on my bar?
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the saw’s cutting components get some pretty rough treatment. As well as supporting a fast moving chain, the blade can often get pinched in wood and bent with heavy use.
What size chainsaw bar do I need?
The size of bar required will depend on the type of cutting you are planning to do.
Do I need a specialist bar for carving?
When it comes to chainsaw carving, specialist bars have been designed to help with all that detailed work. They allow the user to take small bites out of the wood, as well as enabling you easily make plunge and bore cuts. (This is where the tip of the saw is pushed into the wood. Care is needed as kickback can occur when the tip of the saw comes into contact with wood).
Who makes the best chainsaw bar?
Many chainsaw manufacturers produce their own cutting components. Stihl and Husqvarna are just two manufacturers who have quality products.
What happens when the guide links on a chain are too small?
If the guide links on the chain are too small, the chain will grind down the sprocket and the drive links.
How to change a bar chain?
The chain needs to fit precisely onto the bar in two ways. First, it must be exactly the right diameter to fit snugly around the bar and sprocket. Second, the drive links, on the inner ring of the chain, must fit exactly in between the guide slots on the new bar. If the guide links are too small, you'll throw your chain off constantly; if they're too large, you'll create a lot of pressure, which can bind the chain and snap it in half at dangerous speeds. The pitch and measurement of the bar is located on the heel. The pitch of the chain will be located on the box it came in. These measurements must match; if they don't, you will create an extremely dangerous cutting situation.
What does the number on the chainsaw heel mean?
Chainsaw bars will generally have a string of letters and numbers on the heel, which indicate the size and pitch of the guide slots.
How big is a chainsaw guide bar?
Guide bars are measured in length, from the tip of the bar to the heel, and range in size from 14 to over 40 inches. Check the specifications in your model's operator's manual to see what size bars you can run on your saw. Advertisement. Video of the Day.
What happens if the oil bar is too small?
The new bar must fit tightly on the metal bar posts so it doesn't wiggle around, which, if the bar is too small, will create a dangerous situation. The replacement bar also must align properly with the oiler nipple. This nipple sits just beside the bar posts and connects the oil pump to the bar. If the bar doesn't rest directly on ...
Where is the pitch of a chainsaw?
The pitch and measurement of the bar is located on the heel. The pitch of the chain will be located on the box it came in. These measurements must match; if they don't, you will create an extremely dangerous cutting situation. Advertisement.
Where is Eric Blankenburg?
Currently based in Minneapolis, Minn., Eric Blankenburg has been a freelance journalist since 2000. His articles have appeared in "Outside Missoula, Outside Bozeman," "Hello Chengdu" and online at GoNomad.com and various other websites. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from the University of Montana.
How does a chain saw chain move?
A chain saw chain moves by means of small lugs that fit into the sprocket that is attached to the engine and the guide bar. The sprocket has small holes that correspond to the size and width of the lugs, as well as how far apart they are from each other.
Where do lugs move on a chain?
The lugs move inside the groove located along the guide bar's outer edges, and, ideally, very little play, or looseness, should be between the guide bar and the chain. Measure the pitch, which is the distance between the lugs, and also measure the gauge, or the thickness, of the lugs.
Where is Rachel Lovejoy?
Rachel Lovejoy has been writing professionally since 1990 and currently writes a weekly column entitled "From the Urban Wilderness" for the Journal Tribune in Biddeford, Maine, as well as short novellas for Amazon Kindle. Lovejoy graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
