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can i put a 16 inch bar on a 14 inch chainsaw

by Gertrude Labadie IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

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.

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.

Full Answer

How big of a bar can a chainsaw handle?

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. The Stihl MS 880 Magnum, for example, will handle a 59” bar.

What size bar does a Husqvarna saw come in?

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.

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.

What makes a guide bar compatible with a chainsaw?

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. To be further compatible with a certain chain type, a bar should also be matched to 3) the chain gauge.

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.

Does chainsaw bar length matter?

The Proper Size for a Chainsaw Another factor when considering the size of the chainsaw is the power of the engine. Typically, the power of the engine is proportional to the length of the guide bar. Meaning, the longer the guide bar, the more powerful the engine is to support it.

Will any bar fit any 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.

Is a longer bar better on a chainsaw?

1:418:02Why You NEED To Run A Longer Chainsaw Bar! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUm the pro is there's less bending over it it's more it's easier to buck logs.MoreUm the pro is there's less bending over it it's more it's easier to buck logs.

How many links does a 14 chainsaw have?

52 DriveOregon Oregon S52 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain for 14-Inch Bar -52 Drive Links – low-kickback chain fits Dolmar, Ryobi, Echo and more. item number 2. it has a rating of 4.25 with 28 reviews.

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.

Can I put a 20 inch bar on a 18 inch chainsaw?

3:276:59What size bar is right for your chainsaw? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if i was running a 20 inch bar it might be a little bit forward heavy if you like to run moreMoreSo if i was running a 20 inch bar it might be a little bit forward heavy if you like to run more nose heavy. Then yeah you could probably run a 20 inch bar.

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.

What chainsaw chain cuts the fastest?

full chisel chainA full chisel chain is a chain with square cornered teeth, and they're known for being the fastest cutting blade shape available.

Is a shorter chainsaw bar better?

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.

How many drive links in a 16 inch chain?

Oregon S56 AdvanceCut Chainsaw Chain for 16-Inch Bar – 56 Drive Links – fits Makita, Echo, Husqvarna, Craftsman, Poulan and more.

Can you run a chainsaw without the bar?

You can run a chainsaw without a chain, but I wouldn't recommend this for more than a few minutes. The engine will rev up higher, and these increases wear and tear. It can also run hot when the throttle is used. Ensure that you empty the bar oil tank, else oil can spray out of the chainsaw.

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.

Can you slap a longer bar on a Husqvarna?

You still have the ability to slap a longer bar on if needed for a particular task, but you don't have to carry it around all the time for those few instances where the extra length is actually needed. Attached is a picture of a couple Husqvarnas that I set up this way - short bar relative to the saw's power.

Is a saw better with shorter bars or longer bars?

Every saw is different. Some due better with shorter bars, and some due better with a bit longer. It just depends on the balance of the saw. This is very important as an improperly balanced saw is more apt to *bite* you when you get lazy/tired; especially if it is nose heavy.

Can you put a big bar on a small saw?

Obviously, you don't want to put a big bar on a small saw. But since most saws have longer bars than they really need, it's hard to go wrong with a shorter one. You'll get more power and it's easier to keep the chain out of the dirt and in contact with various obstacles if your bar is shorter. Click to expand...

Do you need a bar on a chain saw?

Yes, but you need a bar designed to fit on your saw. There are different designs for different saws, and the bar has to match the chain/sprocket configuration as well. Your best bet, if you want to do that, is take it to a dealerto be sure that everything matches up.#N#Obviously, you don't want to put a big bar on a small saw. But since most saws have longer bars than they really need, it's hard to go wrong with a shorter one. You'll get more power and it's easier to keep the chain out of the dirt and out of contact with various obstacles if your bar is shorter.

Do saws have longer bars?

The remark about most saws having bars longer than they really need (or want for optimum performance) is very true, and is a uniquely American behavior. For whatever reason we seem to equate bar length with capability, when engine displacement and power output are what really matters.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 does a chain saw chain move?

A chain saw chain moves by means of small lugs that fit into the sprocket that is attached to the engine and the guide bar. The sprocket has small holes that correspond to the size and width of the lugs, as well as how far apart they are from each other.

Where do lugs move on a chain?

The lugs move inside the groove located along the guide bar's outer edges, and, ideally, very little play, or looseness, should be between the guide bar and the chain. Measure the pitch, which is the distance between the lugs, and also measure the gauge, or the thickness, of the lugs.

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Wrap-Up

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