
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.
Should I Change my Chainsaw guide bar or chain?
Before you change your guide bar, you will also want to consider the other chainsaw components this might impact. If you increase (or decrease) the length of your bar, you will definitely need a new chain. This is pretty straight forward, if the bar gets longer, you’ll need a longer chain to wrap around it.
What is the maximum bar length for a chainsaw?
A short version of the answer is: The maximum bar length recommended by manufacturers for gasoline-powered chainsaws scales with engine size and averages to around 4” per 10 cc of cylinder displacement.
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.

Can you change bar length on chainsaw?
If you change the bar, you must also change the 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.
Can I put a 16 inch bar on my 14 inch chainsaw?
Different Bar Sizes 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.
Is a bigger 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.
Does chainsaw bar length matter?
When selecting a blade length for your chainsaw, it is important to take into consideration the nature of your work and the size of your work area. For most simple jobs, such as backyard pruning, a chainsaw with a saw bar or blade that can cut through an average tree limb will be adequate.
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 do I make my chainsaw chain longer?
0:003:47HOW TO MAKE A CHAIN LONGER - SIMPLE DIY HOMESTEAD HACKYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown here working on the gates. And thought I'd show y'all how to stretch up chain if it's not longMoreDown here working on the gates. And thought I'd show y'all how to stretch up chain if it's not long enough for your closure gates now what I do is I wrap my chain around the post.
Why are chainsaw bars shorter?
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. Herein lies the difference.
Should you flip your chainsaw bar?
Every chainsaw bar has been designed to be mounted right-side up or upside down. The reason for this is that it allows the user to extend the life of his chainsaw bar by 50%. Flipping the bar will give the heavily-used areas some relief from wear and tear.
Do chainsaw bars make a difference?
A damaged bar cannot only reduce the efficiency and cutting power of your chainsaw but it can also be dangerous to use.
How big of a tree can a 20 inch chainsaw cut?
20 chainsaw would cut through an 18″ tree diameter.
How big of a tree can an 18 inch chainsaw cut?
Felling medium trees – 16” to 18” Cutting down medium size trees with a trunk of about 14″ to 16” will require a larger chainsaw of about 16″ to 18” to fell the tree in one easy pass.
What is the best size chainsaw for cutting firewood?
Many homeowners find that a 14- to 16-inch chainsaw is a good length for them. That's long enough to limb-up trees, cut down small trees, and cut most firewood, but it's also short enough that it's easy to control the saw.
Are chainsaw bars interchangeable?
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.
How big of a tree can you cut with a 14 inch chainsaw?
Felling medium trees – 16” to 18” Cutting down medium size trees with a trunk of about 14″ to 16” will require a larger chainsaw of about 16″ to 18” to fell the tree in one easy pass.
How big of a tree can a 16 inch chainsaw cut?
How Big of a Tree Can a 16 Chainsaw Cut? In general, most professionals recommend sizing up by two inches when choosing a bar length. This means when considering how big of a tree can a 16 chainsaw cut, you can cut a trunk with a width of up to 14 inches.
What size bar can I put on my Stihl chainsaw?
Stihl's electric saws come in three different sizes: the MSE 140 can handle a bar between 12 and 16 inches, the MSE 180 can take a bigger 18-inch bar, and the MSE 220 takes a bar between 16 and 20 inches. The little battery-powered MSA 160 is equipped with a 12-inch bar.
How big of a chainsaw can take a 20 inch bar?
For example, the Husqvarna 460 Rancher is commonly sold with a 20 inch bar and chain. However, it is capable of taking anything between 13” and 24”.
How big is a Husqvarna saw bar?
They come in a variety of sizes. Typically, most homeowner saws have bars which measure between 10 inches and 20 inches in length, although something like the Husqvarna Rancher 460 can take a 24-inch bar. As you would expect, professional saws are capable of handling even bigger units than this.
How many teeth does a chain saw have?
On chainsaws, the number of teeth on the sprocket varies and those with up to 10 teeth tend to have low kickback qualities. Models with 11 teeth or more have a higher kickback tendency but better cutting performance, though these tend not to be found on homeowner saws. Most homeowner saws have sprocket nose guide bars and whilst these offer better ...
What size sprocket do you need for a carving bar?
Some carving bars have. very narrow tips. These ‘dime’ tips need a ¼ inch sprocket to run the small chains which will go round the tip of the bar.
Why do chainsaws have a hard nose?
On a chainsaw, the sprocket is at the tip of the bar (hence the term nose sprocket) and is designed to reduce friction and therefore increase cutting performance. A hard nose does not have any wheel at its tip, and these are usually favored when working in gritty, difficult conditions and when cutting dirty wood which might jam the sprocket.
What is a narrow kerf bar?
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.
What size bar should I use for tree trimming?
In terms of size, bars between 8-in and 14-in are best used for trimming, pruning and light cutting. They are also good for small tree cutting and removing tree limbs. Sizes 16-in to 18-in are best for small tree cutting and removing tree limbs. They are also good for medium duty tree cutting and storm clean-up.
Why do chainsaws have a 40 bar?
To give an extreme example, putting a 40” bar on a 30 cc saw would make little sense, as the engine would not have ...
What is the maximum bar length for a saw engine?
saw engine size can be formed: for gasoline-powered saws, the maximum bar length in inches is 4/10 times the saw engine displacement in cc. This can be expressed mathematically as
How many cc can a chainsaw run?
A chainsaw can run 1 cm of bar length per 1 cc of cylinder displacement. In the table below, you can see what kind of maximum bar lengths this 4”/10cc rule produces for common engine sizes. Engine size. [cc] Max bar length. [in] [cm] 30 cc. 12”.
What is the rule for saw size?
Using the rule. The rule is intended to give you a rough idea of the bar length each saw size can typically run well . A few points: You can use the rule to roughly determine the max bar length for your saw in case you find no info from the saw manufacturer.
What is the limiting factor of bar length?
Power output is the main limiting factor of bar length. In gasoline-powered saws, power output correlates well with saw engine displacement (which is usually easier to find out). Engine displacement can therefore be used to determine the appropriate bar length. The main benefit of the engine size approach is that it is not specific ...
When will chainsaws be available in 2021?
January 17, 2021. Most chainsaws ship with a guide bar that is reasonably sized relative to the saw capacity, but could actually run a longer one. Swapping the original bar for a longer model is often useful, as it may give you just the bit of additional cutting capacity you need in felling or bucking. But how much longer a bar can you fit on your ...
Can a guide bar be used with a chainsaw?
In short, a guide bar is compatible with a certain chainsaw if it has two things: the same bar mount type and the same chain pitch as the saw. So before rushing to get the first long bar to go with your saw, please make sure it is actually compatible.
Can you Put a Long Bar on a Chain Saw?
The official answer to this question is NO, because of the design and construction of the chainsaw itself.
Why You Might Want to Put a Longer Bar on a Chainsaw
There are times when it is simply not possible to cut something from the ground with your normal saw because of the height of the object that needs cutting or because of strong winds that make things dangerous.
Different Types of Bar Designs for Different Chainsaws
Before you go out shopping for a longer bar, it is important to understand that they are designed differently depending on the type of saw you currently own.
Bar Lengths
Remember that a longer bar will not always give you more reach. It all depends on the angle at which you cut too. For example, if your tree branches are growing horizontally, a 10-inch bar may be too long for you to use because of the angle.
Chainsaw Maintenance Tips for Longer Bars
Even if you have bought the correct length of chain for your chainsaw using a longer bar, you will still need to keep your saw well maintained.
Benefits of Having an Extended Bar on Your Chainsaw
There are some definite benefits of having an extended bar on your chainsaws. These include:
Conclusion
Can you Put an Extended Bar on a Chainsaw? An important thing to keep in mind before we begin is that not all saws are suitable for extended bars. It all depends on the length of your bar and how well it fits onto your particular chainsaw model.
How long should a chainsaw blade be?
To cut through a tree with a 10 inch radius, the blade of your chainsaw should be at least 12 inches.
What is the purpose of a chainsaw?
The longer chainsaw bars are more powerful but also heavier and more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. A chainsaw is a tool that has many uses. It can be used to cut down trees, clear land and much more.
How thick should a chainsaw be to cut down a tree?
For branches as thin as two inches, or less than an inch thick there’s no better way to cut them down than with the help of a chainsaw! A chainsaw with a 6″-10″ bar is the best choice if most of your needs involve pruning smaller trees or thinning out dead limbs.
How long should a guide bar be?
If your guide bar is too short then it will be very hard for you to make quick work of these tasks and it will become more frustrating as time goes on! Small tree branches are usually under 10” thick, so your guide bar should be 10″ to 12” long.
What are the two things that guide bars need to be compatible with a chainsaw?
The matching principles are simple, and can be summarized in one paragraph: To be compatible with a given chainsaw, a guide bar must essentially have only two things: 1) the right bar mount and 2) same chain pitch as the saw.
What should a replacement bar for a Stihl chainsaw have?
To fit, a replacement bar for a Stihl chainsaw should have the same mount type and chain pitch as the saw; the bar and chain should further have matching pitch. We will next start with a short recap of chainsaw bar compatibility.
What size bar mounts does a Stihl chainsaw use?
At current, Stihl chainsaw and bars use three (3) different bar mounts: the small 3005, the medium 3003 and the large 3002. These are not interchangeable: if your saw has a 3003 mount, so must your bar.
What is the minimum bar length for a Stihl chainsaw?
The minimum bar length recommended by Stihl is 10” or 12” for small (35 cc and under) gasoline-powered, battery or electric chainsaws, and 16” for medium-sized and large gas saws. I suspect this minimum is related to kick-back safety.
How many different rollomatic bars are there?
There are really six different lines of Rollomatic bars, ranging from the small “E Mini Light” up to the “Super E”. The main thing to note here is that the Rollomatic model names indicate different bar constructions and profiles, not compatibility. Specifically, not all Rollomatic bars are interchangeable.
Can a Stihl bar be matched to a chain gauge?
To be further compatible with a certain chain type, a bar should also be matched to 3) the chain gauge. These matching principles apply to Stihl bars just as to all other brands: when searching for a compatible replacement bar for your Stihl, just look for bar s with the same mount and pitch as your saw.
Do chain and saw have the same pitch?
The saw, bar and chain all must have the same pitch. In practice, the drive sprocket on your saw determines the pitch of the bar & chain. The bar and chain must have the same gauge. (The saw powerhead does not care about the gauge.) You can choose your chains to match the pitch of the bar, or the other way around.
How to tell if chainsaw bar needs replacing?
A chainsaw’s bar should be replaced any time you notice any visible signs of wear. Specifically, the formation of a burr, or a fold-like deformation on the bar’s cutting edge, is a classic indication that a replacement is necessary. In addition to burrs, several other indicators can let you know that the bar needs to be replaced.
How to keep chainsaw blades from getting hot?
Take Breaks. Even with a properly oiled chain and bar, some friction will occur, causing your blade to get very hot. Therefore, to prevent the heat from building up to a level that can lead to temperatures that will degrade the bar, give your chainsaw some small breaks every few minutes to allow the bar to cool.
Why is my chainsaw bar splintering?
In addition, poorly cleaned bars and the buildup of debris can expedite and/or instigate the splintering of your chainsaw’s bar.
How to catch a chainsaw sprocket?
Catching of the Sprocket. On the inside of the chainsaw bar is the sprocket around which the chain rotates, similar to how the chain on a bike goes around sprockets to propel it forward. With the chainsaw off and the chain removed, try rotating this sprocket gently with your fingers.
Why is my saw burning?
Burning. Burning is caused due to too much friction, caused by an improperly oiled chain or repeated attempts to saw through materials that are too tough for a specific saw. Burning is characterized by heavy black smudging on the bar’s surface.
What are chainsaw bars made of?
Chainsaw bars are made from some of the highest quality steel on the market, designed to slice through thick obstacles in high volumes without ever cracking and breaking. With such a durable construction, it should last a lifetime, right?
How to tell if a bar is warped?
Warping. Another sign to look for is the presence of a bent or warped bar. If you can hold the bar and notice it curving or bending in either direction, it is time for a replacement. Warping is likely due to excessive force, although high temperatures are always a possibility.

Bar Length Based on Chainsaw Power
- The biggest thing that affects the compatible length of chainsaw bars, is the engine power of the chainsaw. That’s what we’ll focus on in this section. If you’d like to learn about pitch, gauge, and other bar measurements (other than length), check out our comprehensive chainsaw bar guide. …
Find & Use The Manual: The Easy Way
- I know, user manuals sound incredibly boring. Don’t worry, I’ve got an approach that I use to find and auto-search chainsaw user manuals, that should make it relatively painless. But first, here’s why this is important. No matter how you look at it, chainsaws are dangerous machines. So it’s critical to get the details right, and to use appropriately fitting components. Safety first. Using th…
What Else to Change with The Bar?
- Before you change your guide bar, you will also want to consider the other chainsaw components this might impact. Specifically, a new guide bar may mean you also need 2 other components: 1. New chain 2. New sprocket If you increase (or decrease) the length of your bar, you will definitely need a new chain. This is pretty straight forward, if the bar gets longer, you’ll need a longer chai…
Why Is Bar Length Limited?
How to Find Out Maximum Bar length?
- 1 Manufacturer recommendations
The best way to find out how long a bar should you be mounting on your chainsaw is to check the manufacturer recommendationsfor your saw model. This way is really the best as it takes all of the different factors limiting the bar lengthinto account: the saw maker has checked the power o… - 2 Based on engine size
A more generally applicable way of determining the bar length is based on saw engine size; this is what we are going to focus on in this article. The reasoning behind this approach is simple: 1. Power output is the main limiting factor of bar length 2. In gasoline-powered saws, power outpu…
Bar Length vs. Engine Size
- Rather than relying on my limited personal experience, I decided base the bar length to engine size connection on what kind of bars reputable chainsaw manufacturers recommend for their chainsaw models.
A Note on Bar Compatibility
- Last, note that bar length is not the only consideration you have when selecting a replacement bar for your saw: for any length bar to work on your saw, it has to be compatible with your saw. What makes a bar compatible? In short, a guide bar is compatible with a certain chainsaw if it has two things: the same bar mount type and the same chain pitchas the saw. So before rushing to get t…