MS 880 big bar v smaller

[tree_beard]

088 is not built for small bars, its a torque monster designed to pull 42-84" bars.... chainspeed is low, a 066 will outcut it with a <30" bar...

 

a ported 066 will even out cut a stock 088 with a 42" bar..... (in softwood land)

 

if you were chainsaw milling hardwoods, then you would find huge torque on a shorter bar useful.

 

but really to get any gains from using an 088 with a short bar, it needs piston porting and lightening, exhaust porting and a 9 or 10 pin sprocket.... but then you have a race saw, not a work saw

[raafbeard]

088 with 36 " bar is indeed sweet and a bigger bar is useful for Larger stems

[Al Smith]

Most large saws ,Stihl 084/088.Husqvarna 3120 ,old Mac 125 etc are pretty well balanced using a 36" bar . They will all handle larger bars but they get real nose heavy .

 

These large saws are made for large wood so really running shorter bars is not utilizing the saws potential .Oh they are a hoot to run but the novelty wears off after you hoist one around for a few hours .Practicularly preforming tasks a smaller saw could do just as well .

[MattyF]

found the 42" bar just perfect for the 88

[Rupe]

42 inch? Is that a standard Stihl bar?

[THE88MAN]

42 inch? Is that a standard Stihl bar?

thats what i was thinking

[MattyF]

not sure myself now i know one of the most balanced 88 ive ran was not on a 48 and definietly not shorter than 40" and it was a standard stihl bar.

[THE88MAN]

not sure myself now i know one of the most balanced 88 ive ran was not on a 48 and definietly not shorter than 40" and it was a standard stihl bar.

could be an old one maybe or import? not sure.i think the big husky runs a 42".i find the 48" takes alot of manouvering and very nose heavy but once in the cut earns its salt

[Rupe]

could be an old one maybe or import? not sure.i think the big husky runs a 42".i find the 48" takes alot of manouvering and very nose heavy but once in the cut earns its salt

 

Thats what I found, so I thought the 36" ould be better. Do you think the extra weight is what helps the 48" to work so well?

[THE88MAN]

Thats what I found, so I thought the 36" ould be better. Do you think the extra weight is what helps the 48" to work so well?

quite possibly,especially cross cutting/ringing up,just watch the ground,takes some getting used to.as tree beard says i think its a torque thing.i have a 25" bar too for mine and although fun it feels awkward and harder to cut straight,better off with a 441 or 460 on 3/8.i'm thinking of selling my 88 as its use is getting more infrequent,but then i would have to change my user name to the460man