Stihl MS660 Magnum Bar sizes?

[logger]

I am thinking of buying a stihl MS660 Magnum.  I already have a 440 and 460 with 20" bars on them.  What is the best size bar with the 660?  I was thinking 24"?  Thanks!!

[fishhuntcutwood]

What kind of wood are you cutting that you're gonna need a 660 to pull a 24"?  You can pull a 24" with ease with either 440 or 460.  Even in hardwood.  Alot of guys do prefer to use as small as bar as possible, and maybe it's just my West Coast mentality, but let the bar justify the saw.   They'll say that you can cut faster with a 660 wearing a 24" than with a 440 wearing a 24", and with the bar buried, the 660's hp should pull it faster than the 440.  But what's the point of lugging around a powerhead that weighs almost 17 lbs, just to pull a bar and chain that a 14 lb saw can practically just as well?  I'm also not saying put on the biggest bar the saw will hold just because you can, but I'd have no problem putting a 32" or 36" bar on that saw, and even bigger if you really need it.  This same thread came up on another forum recently, and there's guys running 40" and 42" on 660's.  Are you buying the 660 just to have a 660, or are you buying it because you need to run a 24" bar?  If that's the case, put the 24" on your 460 and have at it.  And the "best" size bar depends on what you're using it for.  If you're felling trees 25"-30" you don't need a 36", though the saw would carry it.  Go with a 28".   If you're milling, get a 32" or 36."  If you're cutting anything less than that, the 660 is overkill, and will tire you out.

Jeff

[jokers]

logger,

With a saw as powerful as the 660, what you plan to do with it is the determining factor in bar length. A 24"er ought to be able to take almost any tree in Pa. while not being too cumbersome.

What are 660s going for down your way?

Russ

[StihlDoc]

A 24" bar on an MS 660 is like buying a 1 ton truck to haul a couple of sheets of plywood and a few 2 x 4's. The MS 660 with a 36" bar is a good match of balance and performance.

[logger]

A 660 down my way is $909.00 and some dealers sell them for 850.00.  Depends on which dealer you like giong to.  I am buying it so I can bring down those 6 foot across red oaks and cherries down my way.  Some trees get very big down my way for some reason. 

[jokers]

I am buying it so I can bring down those 6 foot across red oaks and cherries down my way.  Some trees get very big down my way for some reason. 

You`re kidding, right?

You might as well go for the 36" bar, besides, the bars and chains from your 440 and 460 will also fit so you already have a couple of shorter bars.

Russ

[logger]

Nope, I ain't kidding.  Could probably take pics but camera ain't working.  Yea. there is a 5 foot across red oak, a 6 foot across red oak, almost 5 foot across black cherry, 6 foot across durand oak,  Whole bunch of big trees around my area!!  Can't remember them all.  I'll try to get some pics.  I am only going to cut the 6 foot red oak.

[Gypo Logger]

I am buying it so I can bring down those 6 foot across red oaks and cherries down my way.  Some trees get very big down my way for some reason. 

You`re kidding, right?

You might as well go for the 36" bar, besides, the bars and chains from your 440 and 460 will also fit so you already have a couple of shorter bars.

Russ

 Hi Logger, I wouldn't be listening to Russ very much. In other locals we call him the "Doubting Thomas".
Regardless, Russ has some pretty big conifers on his front lawn as well.
 John

[logger]

Thanks Gypo logger, Didn't know that.  I don't want to lug a 36" bar around in the woods all day long and get it caught in green briers and saplings.  I usually run bars in the 20" range.  That is why I was thinking 24".   

[Busy Beaver]

logger...if your not kidding you should be! BB

[logger]

Like I said I'll try to get pictures.  No, I'm not kidding.  I was shocked too when I found out that they where that big!

[Busy Beaver]

logger...show us a picture of you felling that 6'er with your 24" bar. Good luck! BB

[Mark M]

I have a 24" bar on my 066 and it is a nice combination. I've seen up to a 48" bar used for cutting stumps off close to the ground and it worked well but I could barely hold the bar off the ground. I'm thinking of getting a 32" bar for some of this big cotton wood we have around here.

[Captain]

I use a 32" bar with a full comp chain on my 066 occasionally.  Certainly it can handle 36" with ease.  I usually use a 24".

Captain

[logger]

I can't gaurantee me getting a picture of me felling it, but I'll try to get pictures of it standing with something by it, like a yardstick.  

[Busy Beaver]

How about a picture of your 066 sittin on the stump....after you cut it. BB

[jjmk98k]

Only place left in PA that I know of trees that big is in the ANF up north.

 I too would like to see these huge trees, not doubting you, I just have spent a lot of time in PA's woods hunting and otherwise and dont recall seeing trees that big...

[rahtreelimbs]

Jokers knows quite well how I feel about saw performance............the more the better!!!


Having 10 or so modded saws states that pretty clear!!!


Around my parts.......western Pa...........a 32" bar does everything we have ever run into!!!


But............running a 16" bar on a geared up 066 is cool too, just for the fun factor!!!

[fishhuntcutwood]

I can't gaurantee me getting a picture of me felling it, but I'll try to get pictures of it standing with something by it, like a yardstick.  

Any pics yet?

[logger]

I will try, but computer has a virus in it.  I am working on trying to get it out.