
The answer is yes, you can put a bigger bar on a chainsaw, but it's not as simple as just changing out the bar. You also need to change the chain. A bigger bar will require a longer and heavier chain, which means you'll need a stronger chainsaw to handle it.
Can you put a longer bar on a chainsaw?
There are two main things to look at, when considering if you can put a longer bar on your chainsaw. There’s also a section below, which explains what other chainsaw components you’ll need to replace when you change out your bar. We’ll dive into the details below, and in 5-10 minutes, you should have the answers you need. Let’s get to it!
What size chain do I need for my Chainsaw?
Many chainsaws are designed to take different size units. 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”.
What is the difference between 16-inch and 18-inch chainsaw bars?
It’s a trade-off between the length of the cut, and the power applied to the chain. As an example, imagine you’ve got a 40 CC gas chainsaw, and you put an 18-inch bar on it. Compared to a 16-inch bar, the 18-inch bar would obviously have a longer cut length.
Can you put a kerf bar on a 30 inch chainsaw?
If you had a 30 inch diameter oak tree to take down you certainly wouldn’t opt for the narrow kerf bar and chain. Can you put a longer bar on a chainsaw? 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.

Can you put a bigger bar on a smaller 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.
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.
Can I put an 18 inch bar on a 14 inch chainsaw?
Different Bar Sizes A Poulan 14 chainsaw can operate with a bar that's 12, 14, 16 and 18 inches length.
Can I put a bigger bar 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.
What is the best size chainsaw for cutting firewood?
As you learned, the best chainsaw for firewood is an 18-inch machine because it's one of the most versatile tools for this task. With that size chainsaw, you can cut down average size trees and slice it up into useable firewood pieces without having to grab another tool.
What is a good size chainsaw for cutting down trees?
If you want a general, all-purpose chainsaw that you can use to cut through thick branches and tree logs, you should chainsaw sizes between 16 and 18 inches. Alternatively, rural properties can often be better suited with a heavy-duty and larger chainsaw.
Does a shorter chainsaw bar cut faster?
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Can you put a 20 inch bar on a 18 inch Poulan Pro chainsaw?
Q:on this 18 in. can you replace the bar and chain with a 20 in? A: Yes, the bar can be replaced with a 20 in using a bar adjust kit.
What is the longest bar on a chainsaw?
The longest bar created is the Stihl chainsaw which measures 72 inches. However, it's not commonly available in hardware stores or chainsaw shops. Amazon only caters to one 72″ chainsaw bar, mainly the Forester chain, compatible with Husqvarna machines.
Will a Oregon bar fit a Stihl chainsaw?
Features LubriTec - Oregon's next-generation oiling system, designed to extend the guide bar and saw chain life. Compatible with a wide range of Stihl models, including (but not limited to): Stihl 024, 026, 026P, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, 034, 036, MS 260, MS 270, MS 271, MS 280, MS 290.
Will any bar fit a 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.
Are chainsaw bars interchangeable?
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.
Can you put a 20 inch bar on a 18 inch Poulan Pro chainsaw?
Q:on this 18 in. can you replace the bar and chain with a 20 in? A: Yes, the bar can be replaced with a 20 in using a bar adjust kit.
What size bars does Stihl make?
Length of the Chainsaw Bar Stihl chainsaws come in sizes that range from 10 to as much as 59 inches. Chainsaw bar lengths are typically expressed in 2-inch increments, most often as an even number.
How many drive links Stihl 20 inch bar?
72 Drive linksOregon Chainsaw chain for Stihl Chainsaw 20" Bar Length 72 Drive links 3/8 Standard 0.05 Gauge.
What is the longest bar on a chainsaw?
The longest bar created is the Stihl chainsaw which measures 72 inches. However, it's not commonly available in hardware stores or chainsaw shops. Amazon only caters to one 72″ chainsaw bar, mainly the Forester chain, compatible with Husqvarna machines.
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.
What size chainsaw bar do I need?
The size of bar required will depend on the type of cutting you are planning to do.
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 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.
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 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 ...
How long is a chainsaw bar?
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. While chainsaws could technically take any length bar with the right mount type and chain pitch, the recommended maximum indicates the upper limit for efficient and safe operation.
How to find out maximum bar length?
The best way to find out how long a bar should you be mounting on your chainsaw is to check the manufacturer recommendations for your saw model.
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 makes a guide bar compatible?
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 pitch as the saw.
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 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

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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…