I'm in the longer bar camp, but I'm not going to argue with anybody about it......everyone has their reasons for their preferences, and there are viable arguments on both sides. I especially like a longer bar when falling, it makes it much easier to do a good clean job, and in my opinion / experience is therfore safer. 33" on the 372, it pulls and oils it just fine.
I agree with the falling aspect. Reason I bought the 36" bar. Good for stumping too of course. I've felled trees with a shorter bar and can be a PITA cutting from both sides.
Well I certainly noticed a huge difference switching from an MS 250 to an 18” 550xp. I’m a short guy at 5’ 6”. Not as much bending over on a busted abused back. After that I’d agree with others weight and individual ability comes into play. My “big” saw is a 462 and running a 25” lightweight bar. For me with diminished physical ability it’s still a heavy thing to mess around with. Use it for felling and bucking bigger stuff. Not much limbing. Matter of fact after not cutting much and being out of shape I went out to fell a tree with it. Cut the hinge, gave it a flip to change grip for the back cut and just that little move wrenched my back Got the tree down, cut one 12’ length off and packed up. Didn’t touch a saw for 3 weeks after that. The little 550’s still have their place.
