Anyone running a 20" bar on their 500i?

Just looking for some feedback from anyone who is running a 20" bar on their 500i (or has in the past). I've been using a 25" bar for the last year and a half and have no issues with that setup other than I don't need the 25" for most of what I come across as a scrounger or process at the home wood lot. I'm thinking of pulling the 20" ES Light off my MS400 to run on the 500i. I've run a 20" bar on my 362 for years and it's the perfect length.

The 400 doesn't get used much (I just like my 362) and I'll put the standard 20" bar back on it if I do the light bar swap to the 500i (the 400 was an impulse buy and I might even sell it).

 

I run a 20” on a 462.. not a 500 but close

 

25 on mine so can't help you. I do have a 20 but never run it with it on there.

I am willing to bet BRAD can give you some input on this.

And Yes! , Sexy saw picture !!

 

I'm of no help on this topic. However, that's a fine looking stack of rounds there!

 

If I had a 500, I'd have a 20 inch and a 25 inch for it. As you say, most of the time, a 20 inch will suffice. The 500 will certainly scream with that. Especially good for bucking big logs.

 

I’m running a 20” on my 500 but I have a mildly ported 7900 Dolmar with a 18” at the moment.If I wanted a 24” it would go on the 7900.

 

I run a 20" Sugi bar on my 500i most of the time and kick it up to 28" Stihl Light for the big stuff. Very happy with it either way...

 

Not the 500, but a couple years ago a group of us cut a ton of dead ash out behind a church that they wanted out of there. Took it all out in big pieces. Guys cutting, guy running loader, and couple guys driving trucks and trailers. My buddy came equipped with his 660 wearing a 20” bar. Let’s just say she ate about twice as fast as either of the other two guys cutting Cut a lot of wood that day!

 

I run a 20" on a regular basis on all my .375 saws (361 [wears an 18" normally] 400, 462, 460, 500) Try it, youll love it. 25" nice for one pass in big rounds but gets rather unwieldy in the field cutting smaller diameter wood.

I was cutting with the 25" bar a few weeks back with Sirchopsalot (the 20" was on my 460 he was trying out) and had to be very mind full as it was very rocky and doesnt take much with a longer bar.

261 with 16" bar and 20" bar on bigger saws ideal for most of my cutting.

Just picked up this lightweight .375 20" bar, but only fits the 361 & 400.

 

It sure does!

 

I didn't realize the Light 04 bar was sold in the US. Last time I looked it was European market only. This is great to see...

 

I appreciate the responses and feedback. The 25" bar comes in handy from time to time (such as in the pic below) however a 20" is the all-around perfect size for most of what I do (I keep an 18" on my old 290 for the smaller stuff). Just wanted some feedback as that's a lot of power for a 20" bar.

 

I didnt know either. I inquired at a couple local Stihl dealers about a 20" light bar and they were kinda clueless. Stopped at another father away and the guy ordered one (standard light weight bar) for $75.
Havent heard back. Stopped at a fourth and they had that one for $55. Wondering if it was an error?
Posted a thread on it.
What Lightweight Bar did i Get?

 

It is a lot of power, but man is it fun to cut with. I run an 18 on my 361, but have run the 20" on it.
Let us know what you think.

 

I meant to say I have a 16" on my 290 for the smaller stuff. I have an 18" bar, but with all the other saws running 20" and up bars, I just leave the 16" on the 290 for bucking.

 

Eliminating a bar length from the rotation, should help with chains and lengths.

 

More or less what i do with the 261. 16" all the time. I have a 20" for it but dont use it.

I kinda miss my 290. I cut a lot of wood with mine. One of two saws i owned until i got my 460 nearly fix years ago. Sold it a couple years ago.

 

It sure does. 16" & 20" SOP now. When i met up with Sirchopsalot and let him use the 460 with the 20" bar. I was running a 25". Poor Dave hit something and had to sharpen a couple times. Not fun field sharpening a long chain. Ive done it with the 36" as it was the only one i had at the time.

 

I'm up to 2 chain lengths. 16" for years and have several chains. The gifted saw now has 3 18" chains to keep it company.

 

Absolutely! Wasn't an issue back when I only had a couple saws, but now it's much easier to only have to get one chain length per saw (and some bars/chains are interchangeable between a couple saws).

I hear you; I haven't put the 18" bar on the 290 in years. As for the 290, I've had it for around 13-14 years and it's still going strong. A great saw to use for bucking and I still take it out in the woods sometimes.