Longest Bar to use everyday on Husvarna xp 550 or equivalent t

[cessna]

I only do a a small amount of forestry clearing windblown trees for firewood. I use a Husqvarna xp 550 with a 15" bar  as a nice light saw ,the only problem is the bar is to short for some work, so I was wondering how long a bar I dare put on it before I run out of power. I don't want to buy another saw as so expensive.  Thanks for any suggetions

[Steve Bullman]

Wouldn’t go longer than 18” with .325 personally

 

[IronMike]

I run an 18 on my MK2 550 every day. Absolutely loves it, no problems whatsoever.

[coppice cutter]

You definitely need another saw, one with the 15in and one with an 18in (your existing saw could be either of these).

 

Another saw is always the answer to any problem.

 

Anyone here who doesn't agree with me 100% on this should be chucked off the forum forthwith.

Edited April 8, 2022 by coppice cutter

[gdh]

With the 550 I think 15inch is perfect. 18 at a push but I wouldn't go longer personally.

[Brushcutter]

18"  is as big as you want to put on it all the time. I think the manaul says it will go to 20" but that would put a lot of strain on it. If you could find some lo pro bars in the right mount then you might be able.e to go to 24" but you would need to change sprockets. I've not run long pro on a 550 so I can't comment on how good it would be, I doubt it would be good for the saw mind.

[adw]

Other things to think about here with using longer bars are, can the anti vib system take it, can the oiling system cope with it, can the clutch cope with it, as well as any the power issues.

[coppice cutter]

Also bear in mind that although the 18in may be more useful sometimes, quite often it'll be a pain the ass compared to the 15in.*

 

Ergo, you need another saw!

 

* - All joking aside, there's a serious point here.

[openspaceman]

1 hour ago, coppice cutter said:

* - All joking aside, there's a serious point here.

Definitely, when I only had one saw I would take a sharp axe too in case I got stuck but later I would always take two just in case something went wrong.

[difflock]

Pussies!

Same as that old saw:"beware the man with only one gun'.

As he sniffs in pure distain.