18" or 20" Bar for 562XP for firewood?

[scooby074]

Cutting on my sawbuck today, the 18" was way short even though my sawbuck is only 18" between uprights. Im starting to wonder if 20" might be too short a bar for the sawbuck???

 

[TreePointer]

???

If I'm cutting logs over 20" diameter, I'm doing it on the ground because I don't want to lift it onto a sawbuck.

 

[scooby074]

Sorry. I should have mentioned its a U style sawbuck. I stack all my smaller wood (<6" in it so I can gang cut)

 

[computeruser]

For the work you're talking about, 16" (3/8" chain) with an 8t rim seems about right.

As for your dealer not "stocking" 20" loops, last I checked you could spin loops at any length off a roll of chain - count out drive links, punch rivet, find preset and strap, spin/peen over preset, and wham-o, a loop of chain! What the heck kind of saw shop doesn't have the capacity to spin up loops on the spot?

 

[HittinSteel]

Because Baileys shipping to canada is foolish money. I called them once to order something (small) , I think it was a speed feed trimmer head, and shipping was $30. Then there is brokerage at the border because they wont use USPS, which adds another $30.

Now if they'd use USPS or get a Canadian warehouse, they'd probably get 90% of my business when it comes to chainsaw/small engine stuff.

Same to the east coast. I no longer do business with them because of their shipping costs.

 

[scooby074]

For the work you're talking about, 16" (3/8" chain) with an 8t rim seems about right.

As for your dealer not "stocking" 20" loops, last I checked you could spin loops at any length off a roll of chain - count out drive links, punch rivet, find preset and strap, spin/peen over preset, and wham-o, a loop of chain! What the heck kind of saw shop doesn't have the capacity to spin up loops on the spot?

They can make loops, they still have the gear, just since the downturn in manual logging here they dont stock any bulk chain. There is a little bit of Oregon bulk left but I wanted RSC. Theyve gone to pre-made loops because "its all standardized now" , plus he said bulk was no cheaper considering the work inviolved.

He said he could have added links to the 16" RSC on the shelf, but I would have had to buy another whole chain to cut up for the extra links to make it a 18". That makes a $35 chain a $65 chain.

 

[scooby074]

Got geared up with a 20" Powermatch and some RSC.

Ordered in the Powermatch from the dealer that sold me the saw. Much cheaper than local. $65 vs.$110 at the local Stihl dealer. $65 for a bar up here is a VERY good price.

The RSC I had to have made up at the local Stihl dealer. Since I was in last, somebody must have had a chain made up because there was a part loop of chain so I didnt have to buy a whole one. $29. Excellent!

Ran it for a couple hours today. I love the Powermatch (this isnt my first PM/ I just really like them:D). Its so much better than the POS factory Husky that came on it. Love the extra length, really helps the back. I mic'ed the side plates and the PM is about 0.010" thicker than the factory bar. This should help a lot to keep the bar straight and reduce the chain pinching I was fighting with using the stock bar. Chain speed seems faster too, likely due to less drag. Saws turning over 13500RPM out of the cut... she's a screamer!

 

[MasterMech]

I love the Powermatch (this isnt my first PM/ I just really like them:D). Its so much better than the POS factory Husky that came on it.​

Was your old bar an HT or FT series bar? Oregon makes Husky's bars.

PowerMatch is a great bar.

 

[scooby074]

Was your old bar an HT or FT series bar? Oregon makes Husky's bars.

PowerMatch is a great bar.

I was under the impression that they did too. Then I read somewhere that husky was making their own now?

I dont know the model off hand. Ill get that info though. The bar had a non-replaceable roller tip and the rivets along the bar are exposed on both sides.

 

[MasterMech]

The bar had a non-replaceable roller tip and the rivets along the bar are exposed on both sides.​

That sounds like the lighter duty FT bar to me.

 

[scooby074]

That sounds like the lighter duty FT bar to me.

Could be. It was complete garbage. Definitely not the HT. The HT is a PM. Wasn't labeled "Farm Tough" or anything, just "Husquvarna"

 

[Havendalefarm]

I have a 562 but went the other way. 16" bar. I also only have a 16" bar on my 372. Cut between 100 and 200 cord a year with bucking done on log piles. Gives a bit faster cut and less potential for contact of the end tip on other logs. Powermatch bars and stihl chain mostly because that is what our local saw shop, House Trucking, has always sold me.

 

[rotaxman]

On a log pile I say a shorter bar is safer. If you don't need the length then all it is doing is sticking out the back side of the log you're cutting & getting into something you don't mean to be cutting (another log, ground...).
Vote for a 16" bar & add a 20" if/when you need it.
BTW, I find felling wedges very helpful for stopping pinches when bucking from a pile. Everything I scrounge is on the ground so bucking is all I've used my wedges for. Not sure if they'd be any use on logs under 10-12" though.
Oh, and your Stihl dealer sucks man

like the wedge idea, that will save me a lot of time, never thought of that.

 

[rotaxman]

Because Baileys shipping to canada is foolish money. I called them once to order something (small) , I think it was a speed feed trimmer head, and shipping was $30. Then there is brokerage at the border because they wont use USPS, which adds another $30.

Now if they'd use USPS or get a Canadian warehouse, they'd probably get 90% of my business when it comes to chainsaw/small engine stuff.

if you know exactly what you need. Amazon has "original manufacturer supplies" and shipping is very cheap and sometimes free