Stihl 500I Maximum bar length

[421Altered]

I have a 500I that pulls a 36 inch bar in oak easily.  I was told recently that it will pull a 46 inch bar with no trouble.  Does anyone have real world experience with the 500 with bars longer than 36 inches?

[customsawyer]

In this video I put the 48" bar on mine when the MS660 started acting up.

Splitting a 42 inch poplar log. 661 compared to 500I - YouTube

[doc henderson]

I live in the real world, but do not have a 500i.  you can usually push things a bit, but you need to listen to the saw.  Wood density and moisture can affect your results.  you can push things too far if not careful.  you could go with a skip tooth chain.  Jake has a very relaxed way of doing things, at least when splitting a little cypress log.   :D :D :D   I have a 5-foot bar on an 880.  I could stall it easily in a 4-foot diam. log.  that is even with a skip tooth chain.