I got my hands on a MS 500i and took the optional 28 light bar. I have since put that 28L on my 461 and went with a 32 light for the 500. It pulls it like nothing before!
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 can’t wait to watch it. I went with the Sugihara because it was cheaper than the Stihl light bar by like 45 bucks. Though I love my 500i I usually reach for my Echo 620P with a Tsumura light 24” bar.
Just got a 500I came with a 20 inch light, got a 261 with a 16 inch and a 660 with 30 inch covers everything, did upgrade the 261 to 3/8 and square file my chains, bit more work but cuts better, am in New Zealand
Balance is real important for carrying all day,but i like the longer bars because it's easier when I'm cutting logs on the ground.It makes it easier on your back all day instead of bending forward or stooping down .The two bars is a great idea.
I did get a 25 light and love that too. Does change the saw. Pro and cons to both bar lengths. I did make a video if your interested in see it. It in my play list.
I'm getting my Ms 500i with a 32 inch bar very soon 🤘🏻 and for now getting a different muffler and will be getting the fallers suspension kit for the new saw ! I'm excited for my new 500i R !
save your back and get a longer bar if yer saw can oil it properly. The longer bar means you aren't bending over so much, and a shorter bar is actually more dangerous brother - if a small bar kicks back it goes straight back into you. A longer bar is more likely to swing up, out and over you due to the moment of inertia being further away from you; it swings like an arc. Stay safe brother and God bless!
I was told by my local stihl chainsaw dealer anything bigger than a 20-in bar has to be ran with an ultralight bar 20 in the only one that you don't have to buy an ultralight bar for that 500i and the reason why is they need to run them ultra light bars is because you'll mess up the crank that's why i haven't even operated a 500i i still in love with the old school 460s 066 038s and 44s i wish themselves would come back cuz themselves were made to work not overheat no vapor locking any of that other junk that happens with emitronics
Hi only seeing your video now, but you made the right decision getting the 20L and waiting for the 25L to come into stock. I bought a 20L for my 261 and honestly the saw now feels and handles better than with the 18R that came with it. My theory was that with the new RS chain being 1.3mm and a narrower kerf as opposed to the 1.6mm that it would be no harder on the saw. I honestly think that it is quicker now with the 20L than when I got it
Comparing bars without a chain mounted won’t give any kind of accuracy as far as balance. I personally run a MS460 with a 24” tsumura bar and it balances perfect. I would also recommend steel toe boots instead of sandals while using a chainsaw...
Agree, need a chain on for more accurate feel and balance. I think it showed me what I needed to know for my application. Yes, I always try to have PPE on when actually cutting. More MS 500i videos coming soon.
I feel like east coast guys favor short bars thinking it lighter and easier on the body to cut with, but my hypothesis having to bend over to buck logs is much harsher and fatiguing for the user. Searching for a 500i myself and I don't plan on putting anything shorter than a 28 on it, so I guess ill find out.
Thank you for your video as each and every one of us has a saw for different purposes. I use 550xp and 560xp with 15" and 20" bars however I have the 500i with the rap round handle WCS bark box and bar spring upgrade so it's not so sloppy on the bigger bars. I run the 25" still bar and a 30" Sugihara light bar. Nice little toy. I am waiting for my 592xp with a 36" bar and thinking do I put a 50" bar on it or just got for the ms881 for that size bar as they both push about 8.7bhp.
I was going to run a 24" and a 32" bar on my 500i, but then came upon a 400c at a good price. I'll run the 24" on the 400 and the 500i will be exclusively for the 32" bar and chain. I use to run the 32" on my 461, and it was a hungry combination. My 261 runs a 20" B&C with power to spare. A 20" on a 500? Seems a waste of money and power to get a 500 for such a short bar.
28 inch lightbar on a 461 all day long...like Trevorb said and Buckin Billy Ray...stand up and buck and save your back. Easier to control a kickback should one occur cutting in a pile of would like that with a longer bar on your saw. Just my preference...nice saw BTW enjoy!
i have a 28inch sugihara light type pro bar and its not as nose heavy as with the stihl 28inch regular bar i also have a 20inch sugihara light type pro bar and its perfect balance
Less teeth to sharpen 😂 People say that about skip chain, but forget the amount of cutters on a chain is directly related to the frequency it needs sharpening. You're not saving any sharpening time.
I have a ms660. Putting a 20 inch bar on it is a waste of fuel. You aren't using the torque that the motor has. I like a 20 on a 400c. On my 660 I leave a 30 inch on there all the time. On that saw I wouldn't put any thing smaller than a 25 on it.
Never and I mean never grab the scarab buy the bottom and top and slide it off. You will regret it. Pinch from the sides and pull off. The sides have no teeth to require stitches to fix later. Love the video though
If your primary application is bucking, then a heavy front end is a good thing! Let the weight of the bar/chain help you pull it through. Now if you were doing a lot of limbing...maybe not. Then again, you wouldn't have to bend over so far! 🤣
After 3 years of running my 500i with all regular and light bars up to 32”, I decided on the 28” light bar to be the bar that stays on it for normal use. The 25” light stays on my 462R C-m and the 20” light bar stays on my 362C. The 261c runs a 18” 04 light bar. Now just grab the right saw for the job.
The more teeth you have, the sharper they stay cutting the same amount of wood. It’s a simple matter of how much wood each tooth hits. So, running twice as many teeth is like running a spare chain too. Unless you hit rocks, then they all dull fast so don’t.
You may be sharpening fewer teeth on a short bar, but I wonder if you are having to sharpen them more often for the same amount of work. Just something to think about. Doubt you’re saving yourself any effort.
I have thrown that out there before. It makes sense to me, but I can see a situation. Big rock stuck in the bark of a tree dragged through the mud. Doesn't matter if you have 2 teeth or 400, they are all dull before you cut through the rock. If you tend to do that once a tank, short bars are the clear choice.
28” light with the wrap around handle is what I went with. Came with a 36” when I bought it from the dealer
I only use 28” and 32” light bars.will cut every tree in wv.
Don’t like to bend over to buck and limb. I use every power head from ms440 to 661
I got my hands on a MS 500i and took the optional 28 light bar. I have since put that 28L on my 461 and went with a 32 light for the 500. It pulls it like nothing before!
Awesome. Can't wait to get cutting
yes I think with that power a 32 inch is a really good choice 👍
i just got my 500i and have a 28" Sugihara bar, mainly bucking and firewood purposes.
love it so far.
Nice. I just got a 25" light and it works well. Will be posing a video soon on that. Compares the 20" to the 25"
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 can’t wait to watch it.
I went with the Sugihara because it was cheaper than the Stihl light bar by like 45 bucks.
Though I love my 500i I usually reach for my Echo 620P with a Tsumura light 24” bar.
Long bars all day, stand up and buck!
Buckin always says that. Ha ha!
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 yep that’s where I learned that method
Hey, what's the carrying case you have there? Looks like it'd also fit a ms660.
Just got a 500I came with a 20 inch light, got a 261 with a 16 inch and a 660 with 30 inch covers everything, did upgrade the 261 to 3/8 and square file my chains, bit more work but cuts better, am in New Zealand
Balance is real important for carrying all day,but i like the longer bars because it's easier when I'm cutting logs on the ground.It makes it easier on your back all day instead of bending forward or stooping down .The two bars is a great idea.
I did get a 25 light and love that too. Does change the saw. Pro and cons to both bar lengths. I did make a video if your interested in see it. It in my play list.
I keep an 18" on my 261, and then have the 500i setup with a 32"L. The 261 is still my general day to day saw.
I need to try a longer bar
I have a 32” on mine as well
Whatever size bars best for the job, personally I always use the shortest I can get away with to keep it running fast and least effort on the engine.
Great point!
I run the longest one it can pull. My back likes to lean on wood, not over it. Anything to stoop less.
Nice! Just got mine. Can't wait to review it
20 is what I always had in mind, I like any extra power.
I bought a MS 500i yesterday an opted for a 32" bar to cut up large oaks that were blown over in a storm. I plan on adding a 25" bar later.
i’ve got a 25” bar on mine and i cannot get it to big down even when buried deep into hard wood that’s much bigger than the bar
WOW, 32" is big. Have fun. I seriously love that saw.
I use the 32"bar and have the power to cut the big wood its nose heavy Cant get part's for a 38 year old 056 my favorite saw so got the 500 i
How much you buy the item guys
I'm getting my Ms 500i with a 32 inch bar very soon 🤘🏻 and for now getting a different muffler and will be getting the fallers suspension kit for the new saw ! I'm excited for my new 500i R !
I'm picking mine up soon with the light 25 inch bar. I have a 16 inch bar to try out just for the fun of it. 😜
Here in Ireland we don’t have huge trees so we don’t really need to use long bars I’m happy to use a standard 18” bar which comes with the chainsaw 😁
save your back and get a longer bar if yer saw can oil it properly. The longer bar means you aren't bending over so much, and a shorter bar is actually more dangerous brother - if a small bar kicks back it goes straight back into you. A longer bar is more likely to swing up, out and over you due to the moment of inertia being further away from you; it swings like an arc.
Stay safe brother and God bless!
Typically Irish,only thinking to the next corner !
without question the light 28" bar is the go to bar. Its the best of both words
I was told by my local stihl chainsaw dealer anything bigger than a 20-in bar has to be ran with an ultralight bar 20 in the only one that you don't have to buy an ultralight bar for that 500i and the reason why is they need to run them ultra light bars is because you'll mess up the crank that's why i haven't even operated a 500i i still in love with the old school 460s 066 038s and 44s i wish themselves would come back cuz themselves were made to work not overheat no vapor locking any of that other junk that happens with emitronics
Not sure that is true. This saw came with a regular 28". I don't know for sure but I do know the 20" light is a nice fit and well balanced for it.
I'm using the hell out of 500 i 32" bar all day since Oct. No problems it is one hell a saw and one hell a gas guzzler
That 500 is a BEAST. I can’t justify it. Went with a Husky 450.... Someday though...
Yes, its like holding a small dirt bike. 80CC. Crazy power and really really fun.
Hi only seeing your video now, but you made the right decision getting the 20L and waiting for the 25L to come into stock. I bought a 20L for my 261 and honestly the saw now feels and handles better than with the 18R that came with it. My theory was that with the new RS chain being 1.3mm and a narrower kerf as opposed to the 1.6mm that it would be no harder on the saw. I honestly think that it is quicker now with the 20L than when I got it
I am planning to get longer bars at some point
Comparing bars without a chain mounted won’t give any kind of accuracy as far as balance. I personally run a MS460 with a 24” tsumura bar and it balances perfect. I would also recommend steel toe boots instead of sandals while using a chainsaw...
Agree, need a chain on for more accurate feel and balance. I think it showed me what I needed to know for my application. Yes, I always try to have PPE on when actually cutting. More MS 500i videos coming soon.
I got a 500, prefer the 25 light, using a 28 light now and started with 25.
I feel like east coast guys favor short bars thinking it lighter and easier on the body to cut with, but my hypothesis having to bend over to buck logs is much harsher and fatiguing for the user. Searching for a 500i myself and I don't plan on putting anything shorter than a 28 on it, so I guess ill find out.
Thank you for your video as each and every one of us has a saw for different purposes. I use 550xp and 560xp with 15" and 20" bars however I have the 500i with the rap round handle WCS bark box and bar spring upgrade so it's not so sloppy on the bigger bars. I run the 25" still bar and a 30" Sugihara light bar. Nice little toy. I am waiting for my 592xp with a 36" bar and thinking do I put a 50" bar on it or just got for the ms881 for that size bar as they both push about 8.7bhp.
Balance is nice.
I’d run a 22’’ light bar for every day use and perhaps a 28” light for the big stuff.
I run a 25” Sthil light bar on my Sthil ms 362 ! I my Sthil chainsaw . Sthil power 🤘🏻
the 500 with a 20 inch bar is a absolute monster
Agree. I just added a 25" and really like that one too. Did a video comparing both 20" to 25"
I would run 28 to 32 front lean takes the work out of cutting and your not bent over all day.
I was going to run a 24" and a 32" bar on my 500i, but then came upon a 400c at a good price. I'll run the 24" on the 400 and the 500i will be exclusively for the 32" bar and chain. I use to run the 32" on my 461, and it was a hungry combination.
My 261 runs a 20" B&C with power to spare.
A 20" on a 500? Seems a waste of money and power to get a 500 for such a short bar.
I run a 32 light on my 500i with a WCS BARK BOX & 60.1 95 octane fuel she SCREAMS!!
Need to get me some of those chainsaw Sandles for the summer
I cut barefoot on occasion
28 inch lightbar on a 461 all day long...like Trevorb said and Buckin Billy Ray...stand up and buck and save your back. Easier to control a kickback should one occur cutting in a pile of would like that with a longer bar on your saw. Just my preference...nice saw BTW enjoy!
I would love to try the 461. I have heard its awesome too.
Definately not a heavy saw for 80cc its light i use mine with 20 light bar day in day out for commercial felling
Good video
You can do a lot with a 20" bar. Less to sharpen and handles so nice.
I like the 20" but want to try the 25" too. Would be nice to compare them.
I have an older O36 pro with a 20" inch bar and it cuts great. Might have to consider a 500 in the future, but I would go for the 25" bar.
Yes, I will get a 25" bar too and compare them.
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 light bar or regular?
The shorter the bar the more often it needs to be sharpened.
But the numbers are nearly negligable.
Im running a 16inch bar, 25inch bar and a 36inch bar on my 500i the 36 is really for slabbing ; )
Yes, I need more bars too. i can see how each has a good use.
25 is perfect for that saw
Yes, Plan to get one of those too
Ran short bars for year. Once I switched 28 inch is the shortest ill run!
i have a 28inch sugihara light type pro bar and its not as nose heavy as with the stihl 28inch regular bar
i also have a 20inch sugihara light type pro bar and its perfect balance
Great tips
Less teeth to sharpen 😂
People say that about skip chain, but forget the amount of cutters on a chain is directly related to the frequency it needs sharpening. You're not saving any sharpening time.
I have a ms660. Putting a 20 inch bar on it is a waste of fuel. You aren't using the torque that the motor has. I like a 20 on a 400c. On my 660 I leave a 30 inch on there all the time. On that saw I wouldn't put any thing smaller than a 25 on it.
I’m thinking about getting one soon need about 300 more I save 50 a week
You will love it. such a great saw. Makes me smile every time I cut.
Never and I mean never grab the scarab buy the bottom and top and slide it off. You will regret it. Pinch from the sides and pull off. The sides have no teeth to require stitches to fix later. Love the video though
How is it for starting? My wore out shoulder can't take alot.
What type and size of carry case do you have?
Your right the chain is magic and weights nothing when you're talking about balance.
Why do you want your saw to be balanced, 32 inch lite.
If your primary application is bucking, then a heavy front end is a good thing! Let the weight of the bar/chain help you pull it through.
Now if you were doing a lot of limbing...maybe not. Then again, you wouldn't have to bend over so far! 🤣
Great advice. Going to get a 25" soon
I live in Lafayette, CO. Where do you live? Best wishes with your saw.
👍🤠👏
After 3 years of running my 500i with all regular and light bars up to 32”, I decided on the 28” light bar to be the bar that stays on it for normal use. The 25” light stays on my 462R C-m and the 20” light bar stays on my 362C. The 261c runs a 18” 04 light bar. Now just grab the right saw for the job.
Hit dirt less with a shorter bar
I didn’t think the 500i fited in those cases...
What fuel.mixture do you use?
50:1. Lately I have been using the pre mix Stihl sells. Runs really good on that stuff.
Put a 32” on it. Don’t run a kids bar on a big boy saw
Yes, a longer bar would be fun. Its on my wish list
How much the price guys
The 500i was all of $1300 with 20 inch light bar. Worth every penny. Just a fun saw!
The more teeth you have, the sharper they stay cutting the same amount of wood. It’s a simple matter of how much wood each tooth hits. So, running twice as many teeth is like running a spare chain too. Unless you hit rocks, then they all dull fast so don’t.
This is a great point. I just ordered a 25" light. Want to try it. Backorder....
You may be sharpening fewer teeth on a short bar, but I wonder if you are having to sharpen them more often for the same amount of work. Just something to think about. Doubt you’re saving yourself any effort.
I have thrown that out there before. It makes sense to me, but I can see a situation. Big rock stuck in the bark of a tree dragged through the mud. Doesn't matter if you have 2 teeth or 400, they are all dull before you cut through the rock. If you tend to do that once a tank, short bars are the clear choice.
Agree guys. I need to get better at sharping and get more bars
my 500i came with 32 inch bar, I ended up buying a 25 inch bar
the 25" would be great for it too.
my local dealer has a500i in stock. so prudy. i really dont need it. but me want.
I struggle with wants vs needs. Ha Ha!!!
We do 500 facecord a year
Try a titanium chain
Interesting. Are they hard to sharpen? Expensive? Do they stay sharp longer?
@@timbertimeoutdoors9836 not hard to sharpen stay sharp longer even in dirty dirt half price of Stihl where we buy how ever they do strich a lot
You said a lot of nothing
You wasted your money could of bought 2 saws to run that bar for the price of that saw
That's because you never ran a 500i to know why it's worth the money.
@@em4703 with a 28" bar it's worth the money not a 18" that's like having a 1000hp car running stock tires no point
How much you buy the item