Larger bar on my saw.

[Paulywalnut]

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,

 

[burnt03]

Don't have any practical experience but the Stihl site only shows 16" and 18" as options, so I would guess 18" is the max bar length. Also found this site that notes the same: (broken link removed)

 

[Jack Fate]

Want a bigger bar you need a bigger saw ,

There is no replacement for displacement


cheers

 

[ScotO]

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........

 

[Nixon]

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 .

 

[Boog]

Got to chime in with the rest of the folks, I have an 025 and a 250, both with the 18" .325 setup. I personally think they run great with that, but I wouldn't want to run them with anything longer. You might be able to find a longer Oregon bar or such to fit that saw, but not a Stihl. Here is one on ebay:
(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/STIHL-021-023-025-MS210-MS250-CHAINSAW-20-BAR-/230617044256#vi-content)

 

[Paulywalnut]

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.

 

[Nixon]

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

 

[MasterMech]

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.

 

[Angelo C]

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.