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General Forestry => Chainsaws => Topic started by: randy_atx on January 12, 2018, 02:17:43 PM

Title: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: randy_atx on January 12, 2018, 02:17:43 PM
Greetings.  I currently have a 36" stihl bar for my 661 but I want to move up to at least a 48".  I can't locate a Stihl branded one that will work.  Can anyone point me to a lead?  Thanks
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: HolmenTree on January 12, 2018, 10:57:43 PM
Good luck finding a MS661/3003 Stihl mount bar over 36".
You have to go into the larger MS880/3002 mount 42" and beyond but they won't fit you 661.
Only option is a special order from Cannon with one of their Super Bars.
What are you cutting?
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: randy_atx on January 12, 2018, 11:09:08 PM
I've got some oak logs that are larger than what I can slab with by 36" bar and alaskan mill. I wanted to try and produce some wider slabs by upgrading the bar and customizing my current mill.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: YellowHammer on January 12, 2018, 11:27:51 PM
I couldn't find a Stihl brand bar that size.  However, this one works petty well with a Stihl skip tooth chan.  52" long and fits my MS661 no probelm.  I use it to split big logs.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/IMG_0253.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1498102152)

Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: DelawhereJoe on January 13, 2018, 12:27:58 AM
Baileys online has a 42"  in .375 (3/8) oregon B&C combo for $140 + s&h or a 50" in .404 but currently out of stock on it.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: Al_Smith on January 13, 2018, 05:12:14 AM
FWIW I have an Oregon 42" .404 originally sized for an 066 Stihl  with the slot milled out now fitting an 084 Stihl .It's an older bar but I could get the numbers from the bar if you like .It was fairly cheap off of flea bay a few years back .Less than 50 bucks with a chain .
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: randy_atx on January 13, 2018, 08:04:37 AM
Thanks, YellowHammer.  The saw sitting on the shredder deck wasn't obvious to me at first.  That is a  nice looking setup.  Do you have the part number of the bar?  That would be helpful as this size bar would be ideal for what I am envisioning.

Joe, thanks for the Baileys info.  I may contact them to see if they know when the 50" would be off backorder.

Al, I wouldn't mind getting the numbers from you in case I need to go with that option.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: YellowHammer on January 13, 2018, 08:53:34 AM
I forgot to mention the chainsaw and bar was sitting in the mower deck from a day of splitting logs.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/image~41.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1472229183)
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: DelawhereJoe on January 13, 2018, 09:37:55 AM
Last night I was unable to see the saw on the mower deck, but can definitely see it there this morning after getting sleep.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: 4x4American on January 13, 2018, 09:39:27 AM
I tried to get one of them 3003 mount canon bars from baileys I think it was $350 but they were sold out or discontinued at the time
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: HolmenTree on January 13, 2018, 11:27:51 AM
The last 3003 mount Stihl saw that could pull a 48"-50" chain with authority was the 056Mag2.
It was discontinued over 25 years ago.
Those old bars are available on eBay sometimes.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: Jesper Jepsen on January 13, 2018, 11:46:14 AM
You don't want to mill oak with a 48" bar on a MS661 it hasn't the power needed, beyond 42" you are pretty much in double powerhead territory with a MS 661 and then you can go big. A MS 661 and MS 362 can get around 72" bar cutting  when running double head.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: HolmenTree on January 13, 2018, 12:41:57 PM
Well said Jesper, best advice posted.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: ZeroJunk on January 13, 2018, 02:55:51 PM
Quote from: Jesper Jepsen on January 13, 2018, 11:46:14 AM
You don't want to mill oak with a 48" bar on a MS661 it hasn't the power needed, beyond 42" you are pretty much in double powerhead territory with a MS 661 and then you can go big. A MS 661 and MS 362 can get around 72" bar cutting  when running double head.

Curious how that works ?
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: Al_Smith on January 13, 2018, 03:48:24 PM
I just looked on flea bay and there are a bunch of 42" Stihl mount bars for 066 size .I only found one used one in .404 size .There is a Canon too if you want to pay the tarrif .They are very  proud of those bars  but they say they are a very good .Then again in my case the bar would cost about twice as much as any saw I've ever bought .Tight wad ya know . ;D
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: HolmenTree on January 13, 2018, 04:18:19 PM
Quote from: ZeroJunk on January 13, 2018, 02:55:51 PM
Quote from: Jesper Jepsen on January 13, 2018, 11:46:14 AM
You don't want to mill oak with a 48" bar on a MS661 it hasn't the power needed, beyond 42" you are pretty much in double powerhead territory with a MS 661 and then you can go big. A MS 661 and MS 362 can get around 72" bar cutting  when running double head.

Curious how that works ?
You don't need matched powerheads milling on a double ended bar.
Me and my buddy ran a 066 and 044 on the same loop of chain milling lumber quite a few times.
They cut like crazy together even though both run different rpm at WOT by themselves. They even out real nice together.

Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: Dave Shepard on January 13, 2018, 05:37:46 PM
It's no different than Arnold Schwarzenegger and DannyDeVito on a tandem bike. Arnold might be doing most of the work, but the bike is going to go faster than if just one of them was on the bike.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: 4x4American on January 13, 2018, 05:59:13 PM
Yup I have an 056 mag II, awesome saw still strong.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: Jesper Jepsen on January 13, 2018, 10:44:48 PM
Doublehead milling
https://youtu.be/haLdafp6ttc (https://youtu.be/haLdafp6ttc) and this one https://youtu.be/tZIlIz6CmMs (https://youtu.be/tZIlIz6CmMs) shows and explain it.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: YellowHammer on January 14, 2018, 08:51:43 AM
Quote from: Al_Smith on January 13, 2018, 03:48:24 PM
I just looked on flea bay and there are a bunch of 42" Stihl mount bars for 066 size .I only found one used one in .404 size .There is a Canon too if you want to pay the tarrif .They are very  proud of those bars  but they say they are a very good .Then again in my case the bar would cost about twice as much as any saw I've ever bought .Tight wad ya know . ;D
I looked for a long time for a long bar for my saw, finally found it at a place called "The Little Red Barn" on the web.  The Forrester was half the price of the Cannons.  Most likely an inferior bar to the Cannon, but I don't have any complaints.   Up until then I was using a 32" and having to double cut to split big logs to bring them down to size for my sawmill.  Total pain in the rear.  I visited Customsawyer, where he used a 48" bar on a 66 to split an oak log for the Sycamore project to quarter saw.  Went pretty fast, and uneventful.  So I bought this 52" for the same purpose, and it works quite well.  One cut, done, uneventful and predictable. I don't use a bar this big for routine use, but for what I intended, it works great. 

I wouldn't ever consider chainsaw milling entire logs with one, anyway.   

If I go bigger, I may get a double ended bar, seems I'm running into more 50" to 60" diameter logs these days.  Jesper, that an informative video. 

 
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: gspren on January 14, 2018, 08:59:19 AM
Quote from: Dave Shepard on January 13, 2018, 05:37:46 PM
It's no different than Arnold Schwarzenegger and DannyDeVito on a tandem bike. Arnold might be doing most of the work, but the bike is going to go faster than if just one of them was on the bike.
Remember, in the movie "Twins" Danny and Arnold are twins.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: Dave Shepard on January 14, 2018, 12:49:01 PM
That was my inspiration for two opposite humans.  :)
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: Skeans1 on January 17, 2018, 02:39:41 PM
Quote from: randy_atx on January 12, 2018, 02:17:43 PM
Greetings.  I currently have a 36" stihl bar for my 661 but I want to move up to at least a 48".  I can't locate a Stihl branded one that will work.  Can anyone point me to a lead?  Thanks
Last long bar I got was from Madsen's it's one place that specifically tailors to hand fallers so they keep up 84" bars in stock for big Stihl and husky. 066 on down seems like you can get a 50" cannon from a quick look in their catalog and at that I've been told they don't like to pull them even in Doug fir.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: mad murdock on January 19, 2018, 08:19:39 AM
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/18691/8941156D-FE84-45EA-895C-D0D91E35F194.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1516367858)
Large piece milled on a custom mill my friend built and used to mill this 144" wide black walnut. He used a custom bar and chain that has a cutter every 12" powered by a single 661
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: HolmenTree on January 19, 2018, 12:03:33 PM
Murdock, very interesting!
I heard stories from a few old timers running circular mill saws. When they got into bigger wood they'd leave out every second tooth.
Kind of how I like .404 full skip when the tough gets going.
Old picture here of round filed but have since switched to square file.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/20131216_130911.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1387242020) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/20140208_131919.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1391971130)
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: mad murdock on January 19, 2018, 04:55:57 PM
It was pretty amazing, took him a week or so, but he got several 3" thick slabs, weighing a bunch each. The uncut piece was about 20 tons.  It was a lot of wood, mostly solid, with one very small pocket of center rot in a portion of the heart.  Will make some absolutely one of a kind pieces when cured!  He has been doing this for some time, and he sets up his mill so there is no bar sag at all, and the cuts are perfect every time.
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: teakwood on January 21, 2018, 05:11:44 PM
 :o :o Impressive, thanks for sharing.

How much does a tree like that cost? That thing is gigantic!     
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: mad murdock on January 22, 2018, 01:10:12 AM
Not sure how much he had to give for it, I am sure he will be able to make some good bank on his efforts. It was a bigun'!!
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: Andries on January 26, 2018, 10:02:48 AM
Jesper;
As Yellowhammer said, excellent and info laden videos.
Well done!
At about 40 seconds into your MS 880/660 video, you mention that the new Granberg brackets allow for adjustments to minimize bar sag.
Can you give a bit more detail on that?
How does that work?
Title: Re: Largest bar available for a Stihl MS661?
Post by: Jesper Jepsen on January 28, 2018, 02:47:06 AM
Andries the videos are made by Rob who has alaskanmill.co.uk I'm only a happy customer. I haven't tried the new brackets as I like my quick adjustment for the old style to much  ;D but I do think that Rob have explained it in some other videos of his. But basically you actual bend the bar a little upwards when mounting the mill as I understand so when the pressure is put on it flexes and become level.
One thing i for sure Rob really knows something about the Granberg mills and how to use and tweak it.