What size bar should i get?

Am planning on getting a Stihl CM461 and need some advice as to the size bar should get.
My past saws have been 18 inch but now feel with a larger saw i need a bigger bar.
Any advice will be helpful.

 

How big are the trees/ logs you are cutting? I'd say for most uses, 20" works well and is the most affordable for a saw like that , unless you are routinely cutting bigger logs. For occasional 30" or so diameter logs, you just cut from both sides.

 

Stihl states you can use up to a 32" bar, If you expect to run into 48" plus diameter trunks, than get it, if you think all you'll see is under 48" than a 24-25" would be just fine.
I'd start in the 24" range and you can always buy larger down the road unless you need it now.

 

A 461 does best with a 20” or 25” bar. They’ll pull up to a 32” bar in hardwoods, but a bar that long is better suited for occasional use in big wood. I’d say get a 25”. Long enough to cut near any tree, yet still short enough to not be nose heavy or unwieldy.

 

What Size wood do you typically cut?

What Kinds of wood do you typically cut?

Where do you typically cut, are you able to cut from Both sides? that would allow you to cut a log larger than your bar length. Are You Comfortable cutting from both sides?

Where we cut, it is often preferable, and even SAFER to cut from just one side, so I prefer having bars long enough to do that.

I have saws from the 38cc “23 Compact” Top Handle, to the 119cc 3120XP, and Bars from 13”-72”. Typically the 44” B&C are the longest that I take cutting, and the 390XP and/or 395XP are the largest powerheads I take cutting, the 3120XP and 60” and 72” Bars are used for milling almost exclusively

I usually use a smaller lighter saws when I can, but will use the larger saws as needed. If I’m cutting a 30”+ Douglas Fir, I grab a 390XP or 395XP with either a 36” or 44” B&C depending on the log I am cutting

I typically run 16” on the 445 and 543XP, 18” on the 346XP and 353, 20” on the 550XP, 24” on the 562XP and 266XP, and 28” on the 372XP and 372XPW(75cc)

I will usually have take an assortment of saws to cover most needs, but sometimes I will be cutting somewhere I have cut recently, and have a good idea of what I will need and take fewer saws. For wood up to16-18” the 50cc saws are Great

Different saws and bars for different uses, it helps to have more information, to advise you on what is best for your situation



Doug

 

Don't take my advice too seriously, because it's probably a little biased. But I like longer bars, myself. I went with a 20" bar on my 261 and have no desire to go shorter. I went with a 25" bar (actually I think it really a 24", 84 links) on my 362, and when I got my 462 I went with a 28". But I like cutting and bucking standing up, and not bent over. And I just plain like the extra reach. I am now running a Lightweight bar on the 362 and will be running a Lightweight 28" on my 462 this next week when I get a chain, as I went with the .063 gauge chain on the 28" lightweight.
The Lightweight 24" bar balances out the 362 really well IMHO. I am sure it would be fine with a 20" but I do like the longer bar. Longer chains do cost a little bit more, but it's worth it to me. And there's more teeth to sharpen.

 

28" light weight bar is a good setup for a saw that size, less bending over too.

 

I have just been involved with small clean up of small storm fallen trees around 10 t0 12 inchs, cutting in lengrhs and helping with the bucking for firewood.
Lot of pine and some fir and oak, i watched some pretty good men take down a old dead tree with just a Stihl 391 Farm Boss and a 25 inch Bar.
Think i posted the picture before, so after talking with them i started thinking of taking on larger projects, so this is where the Stihl 462 would be involved.
I agree with the posters offering me advice that starting with a 20 or 25 might be the right choice.

 

IMHO, a 25" would be a good bar length for a 462. I think if I was going to run just a 20" bar, I would put it on a smaller saw, like the 362 or even the 261. The 261 CM with a 20" bar is wonderful sized saw, light and powerful enough, and has a pretty good balance if that is important. However, I don't mind a little bit nose heave saw, myself.

Although a 20" bar on a 462 would not bog down at all, I would think, but I believe a Kickback would be more violent and quicker if it happened with that short bar, and you would be closer to the tip. It might be a heck of a combination, I never tried that much saw on that short a bar, but if you find a new one in the store, a 20" bar is likely to be mounted on it.

 

I do 24", or in Stihl talk 25" on that class saw. The extra length helps with leaning over to clip the smaller stuff.
Since my saws are ported, it changes things a little though.
36cc - 16" n/k
50cc - 16"-18"
57cc - 20"
65cc - 24"
94cc covers 28"-42"

 

Normally run 28" on my 460. If i need to cut a lot of "smaller" logs fast ill put the 20" bar on it. It pulls a 36" bar with full skip chain pretty well too in the rare occasion i need to cut BIG wood. If weight an issue, go with a lightweight bar and/or a 25" bar.
What diameter wood are you planning on cutting?

 

25” seems to be the sweet spot for me for balance and performance. Pulls a 28” no problem, but gets nose heavy. I’m sure a light weight bar would balance with a 28”. If used a 32” bar, it gets the job done just takes more patience, my 660 wears the 32” now when I want to have a real good time!

 

A 460 magnum with a 20" works great, so a 20" on a 462 will be just as fine. But a25" bar would be just fine too., Just a little slower of he doesn't need that long of a bar ever.

We'll see what he replies with as far as the questions we have.

 

West coast softwood can at times be pretty hard. Old , sound, buckskin hemlock snags and similar. May not be a rock maple. But still plenty hard.
I've fell and bucked a lot of timber with 460 Stihls and before that I had an 046. Never ran a 461 yet tho.
I've run everything from a 16" to 36" bars on them . but mostly 28 to 32". My favorite bar length is the 30" Oregon. But they don't make it in a LW version. I've fell lots of big timber , over 60" dbh with the 32 and 36" bars running semi skip, chisel ground chisel bit . Mostly with 8 tooth sprockets .
I have 1 460 that has been juiced up real well. It pulls 34" of spruce with authority. Nice and light for a bushlin saw.
So it pretty much depends on the wood your in.
I've also used it with a 20" and 16" for cutting firewood in Interior Alaska. Mainly because it fits in the basket on back of my snow machine . And because cutting in dry snow destroys a bar and chain. And 16 s are Cheap compared to a nice 25" or 28" .

 

Are you planning on getting a 461 or 462?

 

WoW lots of really great help many here have so much experience using many lengths of bars.
Was asked if i was looking at a 461 or 462 have only seen a 462 at local dealers here, because of weight i think it will be a 462.

 

462 is sold with the 25” light bar. It’s a good setup, but would probably be amazing with a 20” bar.

 

Was curious. In your original post you mentioned a 461.
A 462 is a nice lightweight saw. Stick with a 20 or 25” lightweight bar on it

 

That was a mistake i made because of the weight i think the 462 will work better, trust me it's going to be a really big shift from my sweet Stihl CM261 C-M, and with the longer bar am sure it will get my attention as to how to handle it.

 

There is a new lightweight bar out made by Cannon called a Duralight. They are a little bit pricey, but I think they are worth it. Even lighter than the Stihl light bar. Definitive Dave is the dealer and used to be a member here, but I can’t tag him for whatever reason. If you’re interested, send me a PM and I will get you his contact info