48" bar on a 660?

[Mark Bolam]

I was subbing for a mate today and he got asked to price a job next door.

 

It is to fell a very chunky Holm Oak pollard that has just died, basically a 20' ugly stick - but - it is about 7 1/2' in diameter at the felling point above the flare.

 

We both have 660's, but no 880, and I hate them anyway. I could borrow one at a pinch, but would prefer not to.

 

Would a 660 push a 48" bar and chain, simply to get the thing on the deck?

 

I'm not keen on boring this beast with a 36" 0n the 660 because it is riddled with Gano and cavities, and would prefer to extend the back cuts stood to the side.

 

It is a lump!

[tommer9]

I think it would drive it, but will it be any advantage over the 36 given the reduced speed of the chain? (not saying that the chain would be that much slower, but that would be my concern)

[Charlieh]

can you even get a 48" bar for a 660?

[agg221]

Yes, it will pull it round and should be OK for a one-off if you let it cut fairly gently.

 

I'd still be inclined to borrow something bigger though - the bar and chain won't be cheap (offhand I can't even think which makes of bar you can get to fit a 660 at that length), and you don't want to be using them regularly. It would be much more comfortable with an 880 or an 076 (unless you hate these too?).

 

Alec

[josharb87]

wont a 48inch bar and skip chain be about 300 notes? quite pricey just to avoid a bore cut!

[agg221]

Having had a quick look, Carlton will do a bar up to 42", I know Stihl stopped doing long ones when they stopped supplying their mill, so the only option I can think of is GB. RobD stocks some of theirs, so is best placed to advise.

[Pat Ferrett]

A tree of that size in a garden has got to have foreign bodies in it so I would use the longest bar you've got and have a few spare chains to hand just incase you hit Metal or stone.

It wouldnt be cost effective to buy a bar and at least 2 chains just to save a bore cut IMO

[Rob D]

Alright Mark - I don't have any long bars that will fit the MS660....

 

The longer bars for the MS880 etc have different size tensioner holes and the oiler is in a different place.

 

I'm not even sure if there are any 42" bars.... oregon did some at one point available from Baileys US but no longer.

 

I can look into a 42" Cannon bar for you if you like as I know they do one - that's prob the best bet if you really want to stick with the MS660?

 

Sounds a beast of a tree.... if it's that large at the felling point I think you'll have to borrow a lovely heavy 880 with a 4 foot bar!

 

Don't suppose you got any pics of the tree?

 

 

 

 

 

[Mark Bolam]

Alright Mark - I don't have any long bars that will fit the MS660....

 

The longer bars for the MS880 etc have different size tensioner holes and the oiler is in a different place.

 

I'm not even sure if there are any 42" bars.... oregon did some at one point available from Baileys US but no longer.

 

I can look into a 42" Cannon bar for you if you like as I know they do one - that's prob the best bet if you really want to stick with the MS660?

 

Sounds a beast of a tree.... if it's that large at the felling point I think you'll have to borrow a lovely heavy 880 with a 4 foot bar!

 

Don't suppose you got any pics of the tree?

 

 

 

 

 

 

880 it is then.

 

I'll try and get pics tomorrow.