Larger bar on my saw.

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Paulywalnut

Minister of Fire
Nov 29, 2012
2,660
Kennett Square, PA
I know there are plenty of chain saw pros on the forum:)
I would like to have a second bar for my Stihl ms250
What would be the largest bar I could safely use on the saw.
I presently use an 18, sometimes I'd like to use something larger.
Any help would be greatly appreciated . Thanks,
 
Yeah, your gonna be pushing that saw to the brink with anything bigger than an 18" bar. You MAY be able to torture it with a 20", but it'll frustrate you.....
Time to lay out the jingle for a 60-70cc class saw........you'll fall in love with it too! For most cutting I do, I use a 28" bar nowadays unless I'm up in the tree limbing........
 
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I know there are plenty of chain saw pros on the forum:)
I would like to have a second bar for my Stihl ms250
What would be the largest bar I could safely use on the saw.
I presently use an 18, sometimes I'd like to use something larger.
Any help would be greatly appreciated . Thanks,
Why do You want a bigger bar in the first place ? You can cut some fairly large wood with an 18" bar ,provide the saw is up to it . One thing to bear in mind is that even though a saw may tolerate a larger bar as far as power goes ,its clutch might not . That can get expensive . This is just My opinion ,so take it for what it costs ...... If You are going to run a 20,or larger Bar, look for a 60-70 cc saw .
 
Thanks all. Thats what I expected, I love the saw and the size bar.
Sometimes I pass up some big stuff because of the bar size. Maybe
next year I'll get the big brother. Thanks again.
 
Thanks all. Thats what I expected, I love the saw and the size bar.
Sometimes I pass up some big stuff because of the bar size. Maybe
next year I'll get the big brother. Thanks again.
Gotta ask what You are leaving ! with an 18 inch bar , 33-34"logs are possible with a bit of planning . At any rate, forgo any birthday ,and anniversery ( SP) and Christmas presents ,and ask for an MS461 .If You get the stink Eye ... go with the Ms 441. If things are, still in doubt Go with the MS362 . It won't hurt to take Your loved one cutting ,and while doing so ,just run the 250 at part throttle and really lean on it to make it sound bad . Then look all hang dog and exclaim how You are worried about heating the abode with a saw that is dying !:)
Disclaimer : I've never tried it . YMMV
 
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I know there are plenty of chain saw pros on the forum:)
I would like to have a second bar for my Stihl ms250
What would be the largest bar I could safely use on the saw.
I presently use an 18, sometimes I'd like to use something larger.
Any help would be greatly appreciated . Thanks,

You can go 20" on the MS250, but it's not "official". Probably going to involve converting your clutch drive to 3/8 Picco as well. (Which I would do anyways if you really wanted to go that long.)

IMO it's no worse than the 20" 46cc Poulans that are populating the box stores.
 
I would not go larger then a 18" on a 250 unless I was certain it was only on a pine or cedar or other green soft wood. No oak or ash or anything aged/dry. Also don't dog in too much. Please keep that chain VERY sharp. Tooth/raker condition ultimately matter more then 2" of extra guide /chain length.
 
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