“Using the wrong size bar or chain can damage the chainsaw and injure the chainsaw operator,” says Vince Christofora of Woodstock Hardware. Read on to learn how to measure your chainsaw’s bar and chain. Sometimes called a chainsaw blade, the chainsaw bar is the metal “Arm” that holds and supports the chain during cutting.
To help you find the best chainsaw for your budget, I’ll help you figure out how to select the right chainsaw size for your needs. “If most of your chainsaw needs involve pruning small branches or trees with relatively thin branches, a 6″ to 10″ chainsaw is the tool for the job. 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.
“It’s important to note that not every bar or chain will work for every saw. For instance, larger chainsaw bars work well with more powerful motors because it takes more energy to drive the chain around the bar. This is also why most electric chainsaws are typically smaller at around 12-14”. Pictured below is my husqvarna with chainsaw bar and chain metrics detailed. In addition to determining the bar length of your chainsaw, you should be able to measure your chain’s pitch, gauge, and drive links.
what size bar on chainsaw Related Question:
What is the most popular chainsaw bar length?
A blade bar length of between 14 to 18 inches should serve you well in most cases. You can cut some fairly thick branches with that length of blade bar. It’s still not long enough to handle some of the toughest jobs, but it’s ideal for home use.
How big of a tree can you cut with a 16 inch chainsaw?
16 chainsaw would cut through a 14″ tree diameter. 10 inch chainsaw for 8″ in diameter. 6 inch chainsaw can cut a 4″ diameter.
What is the most common chainsaw size?
Most residentially used chainsaws fall between 16 and 24 inches of bar and chain length, and are supported by 32 to 62cc engine displacements (although 62cc is on the high end for most property management purposes).
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.
How long is a 20 inch chainsaw bar?
Measuring Your Chainsaw Bar To find the called length of your chainsaw bar, measure it from its front tip all the way back to the cutter closest to the body of the saw. Round this measurement up to the nearest even number in inches. For example, a bar that measures 18 3/4″ will actually have a called length of 20″.
What size chainsaw do I need for a 36 inch bar?
A good rule of thumb is that the diameter of the trees you cut regularly should be no more than twice the length of the bar on a chainsaw. That means a 20-inch chainsaw can handle a 36-inch tree (remember, effective cutting length is roughly -2 inches of the bar length).
How many cc do I need in a chainsaw?
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.
Can electric chainsaw cut trees?
Although electric chainsaws are smaller and easier to carry, most lack the power and stamina to cut down large trees. If you have big trees on your property that you want to remove or cut into firewood, a gas model is your best bet. Electric chainsaws come in two types: corded and battery-powered.
What size chainsaw do I need to cut 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.
How do I know what size chainsaw I need?
The usual guideline is to choose a chainsaw with a bar that is two inches longer than the diameter of what you need to cut. For example, if you need to cut a tree that is 10” across, you will need a chainsaw of 12”.
What size bars does Stihl make?
STIHL guide bars range from 10″ (found on our tree-trimming pole pruners) to an incredible 59″ (used in extreme felling operations).
Is a 14 inch chainsaw big enough?
The Proper Size for a Chainsaw A basic guide is that the chainsaw should be at least 2 inches longer than the thickness of whatever branch or tree is being cut. For example, if the branch is 8 inches thick, the guide bar (or blade) of the ideal chainsaw should be at least 10 inches long.
Can you put an 18-inch bar on a Stihl ms180?
Yes you can use any brand of bar and chains providing the mounting pattern suits the ms180 (3005 mount). You can also change gauge from .
How long is a 16 inch chainsaw bar?
Measure the bar from end to end to find its true length. For example, if the measurement is 16 1⁄3 inches (41 cm), then the true length of the bar is 16 inches (41 cm). Standard chainsaw bar lengths are between 8–24 inches (20–61 cm).
Are all 18-inch chainsaw bars the same?
General chain lengths, like 18 inches, are not interchangeable. That’s because chainsaw chains actually have three measurements: number of drive links, pitch, and gauge.