Chain size and number of chains you carry

So my hypothesis is that the bulk of members here carry two or more saws. I also surmize that most of us carry 18" or 20" bars/chains, with many of us carrying 24/28's and perhaps a 36 and or 48.
As homeowners, my hunch is that we won't generally hostle logs bigger than 20-ish inches around.

What length and how many chains do you typically carry with you?

I carry 5 or 6 18" chains, and a few 20" chains. I'll carry the 36" bar and chains only if I need them on a job. I'm not a pro, so I generally take trees less than 30"dbh.
Sca

 

Way too many bars and chains. In fact looking to sell some of my Tsumura L&T's is 0.063 Stihl mount.

 

Smallest bar I readily use is 18”. Largest bar is 28”.
What I carry depends on where I’m cutting. If on my own property I carry none. It’s an easy atv ride back home if need be. While out on a scrounge I like to have one of each size for backup. Scrounges usually eat up more chains anyway. All sorts of weird hard things can be found roadside.

 

If you have a 16" saw, you can cut a 32" log. I've cut logs greater then 20" and I'm sure other members have as well.

Until very recently, I've only had 16" saws. I keep extra chains in my saw box that goes with me when cutting. Now that I have the gifted 350, 18", I'll be taking it and a spare chain, when I cut away from our property

 

If I am away from home I will carry an extra chain . I have a small vise and field sharpen when needed. I can touch up a chain in about the same time it takes to change one. Most of the time when a new chain goes on a saw it doesn't come off till there are just little tiny triangles left.

 

What I take with me is dependent on the saw but I typically take 2 spare chains for each. Most times I’m using 24” and 28” bars followed by 20” & 24”.

 

Tend to keep 20" & 24" but will need to add 18" as that is what the 550 runs.

 

Same way I do it. Quick touch up on the tailgate of the truck with the double bevel keeps the chips flyin'. I usually clean the bar, flip it, and check the oiler at the end of the day.

 

My Stihl 261 is my go to saw and i run a 16" bar on it. The bigger saws start out at 20" and its what i usually run unless cutting bigger wood then a 25, 28, or even the 36" bar suffices.
Top handles run 12" and my limbing saws 14"

I dont like having more bar than i need on a saw.

Up until a few years ago all i ran was a 16" bar. Had an extra change if it dulled at the cut. Had a lot of bigger trees come my way and got the 460 with a 28" bar and game changer. Although a 16" bar can cut wood double its bar length it is nice to buck with one pass.

 

20"? Have to check the size on my bigger saws. May be .050

 

Aint that the truth. Been there done that numerous times.

 

Run an 18" on the 550XP, and a 24" on the 372XP. I typically bring the 550 out with me for cutting, and then grab the 372 if its needed. Only an estate owner, so I typically know whets on the chopping block size wise before I leave the house.

Currently waiting on a 592XP with a 32" bar for some large oak butt logs, and some 3' plus dia pine trees to take down and have flooring sawn.

 

Smallest I ever use is 20" normally bring 2 saws 20" and 28" that covers 95% of my needs.
36",42",48" and 59" come out if needed. I personally hate cutting from both sides.
As far as chains go a couple of spares for each of the saws I'm bringing.

 

Agreed. W/ a 42" in my arsenal, I usually don't have to.

 

16", 20", 24", 32". All 3/8 x 0.063
Check your PM, I don't want to hijack this thread too much.

 

Ever notice that if you bring spare chains you won't hit anything but if you don't......

 

YES

 

Always have a spare chain for the 16" bar on my 260, and a spare 20" chain for the 400 and the 461. I carry them in my small ammo box that I always take with me when I cut. Only swap out if I really ding up a chain-otherwise Ill sharpen the chain on the bar.