Stihl 271 bar lenght

[navipro]

HI guys, I am considering taking advantage of 499 price deal on ms 271. My dealer offers any bar length 16, 18 or 20 for the same price. I am looking for a general use home saw. It will be my only one. Which length would you recommend? Would 20 inch be too big?

[Woodcutter_Mo]

 I don't have that saw but a Husqvarna 455 which is similar in size and power. I really like the 20" bar for my purposes but I'd say the 18" would be plenty sufficient for general use around the house. You could always buy a 20" bar and chains later on if you thought you needed one.

[marine5068]

HI guys, I am considering taking advantage of 499 price deal on ms 271. My dealer offers any bar length 16, 18 or 20 for the same price. I am looking for a general use home saw. It will be my only one. Which length would you recommend? Would 20 inch be too big?

I bought the Stihl MS291 and same thing with my dealer offering any length bar. From my research of opinions of other fellows saw/bar combos, I found that the 18" bar was a good toss up. It will cut all but the largest trees and at the same time not too big or heavy for long days of blocking stove-length rounds. Up to you but I like the length and weight of the 18" bar. Get a case for it too and you'll be all set.

[ButchC]

Mostly matter of preference. I wouldn't want a 271 to run a 20" bar that was buried all day long but for an occasional cut it would be OK. The chain hanging out the far end of the wood isn't consuming any power, or for the technical, very little power. The longer bar saves some stooping when working over the branch wood. Disadvantages are chains cost more, take longer to sharpen and there is a definite handling difference between a 16 and 20 " bars on same saw.  Guess If I only had one saw and bar I would go with the 20, otherwise I'd go with a 16

[DelawhereJoe]

What size and kind of tree are on your list, you may be under powered / under sawed right from the start. If 20"+ hardwoods will be your normal then you need a bigger saw.

[GrizG]

I've got an 18" B&C on my MS271. When I need more I use my MS461 with either a 25" or 36" B&C. 

On that note, the MS271 sees the most use due to the typical size of the trees I encounter and for limbing/trail clearing. For my conditions it was a good choice...

[navipro]

Thank you all for the input. I will go tomorrow and try to handle all bars at the dealer. If 18 or 20 is a toss up then I will go with 20 and will add 16 inch one later. Looks like 16 inch b/c are  cheaper

[navipro]

20 inch hardwood is not normal, mostly 10_16 inch, but sometimes 20 comes along.

[Ianab]

Get an 18" for that size saw. It will balance better, and not bog the saw down as easily.

You can easily handle trees up to 2X the bar length with a bit of patience, so if you do have to drop a 30" monster one day, it can be done. If you make a habit of cutting bigger trees, then you probably need a bigger saw  ;)

[teakwood]

X2 what Ianab said!

[bladerunner]

Thank you all for the input. I will go tomorrow and try to handle all bars at the dealer. If 18 or 20 is a toss up then I will go with 20 and will add 16 inch one later. Looks like 16 inch b/c are  cheaper

i think it would be wise to choose a bar length that suits your needs..then a machine to match

the stihl ms 271 recommended bar lengths are a minimum of 16" to a of maximum 20"

this machine will perform sweetly with a 16 or a 18" bar

if you want to use a 20" bar i'd go a bigger machine

[DelawhereJoe]

Have you priced out a ms 311....I think they run around $520 or so, could be just the saw you need.

[kenskip1]

If I am not mistaken this saw does not have a adjustable oil pump.These things are very stingy with the oil to begun with.Anything above 18 is pushing the limited oil supply to the limit.Ken

[navipro]

Hi guys, just an update. Went tout the dealer and tried different types bars. Ended up with 20 inches. It felt very balanced. Dealer gave me a Rollo a ticket bar instead of oilomatic., which was a nice touch.
I have figured that I can add 16 inch bar later. I will keep an eye on the oil supply.
Took down 20 inch ash this weekend and loved it. It cuts smooth and fast.
Starts on the first pull even without the choke.
Thank you all for an input.

[Texas-Jim]

It does not have adjustable oil, and in my opinion its a tad light for a 20 inch bar if you cut larger trees. I sent one to Stihl for eval today which they replaced the saw. Main bearing failure. One best pieces of advice is run synthetic oil if you can, Stihl ultra or another brand. It does tend to prolong the life. You paid $499.00 for a MS271? I sell them for $399.00/