High Quality Chainsaw Bars Husqvarna Toys

Recommended powerhead for Milling 72"

jcf86mod

Super OPE Member
Local time
10:52 PM
User ID
14133
Joined
Oct 11, 2020
Messages
173
Reaction score
595
Location
North Canterbury, New Zealand
Country flag
Been helping out a friend who wants to slab some oak into flitch's. The Oak in question is between 5 and 6 foot across, so will require a 72" bar. Any suggestions on what the better powerhead would be between either an 088/880 or a 084. Front of mind on a 084 is that parts are harder to come by now.
Or change to Husky and the 3120?
Pros and cons based on experience would be great
 
Last edited:

BlackCoffin

Pinnacle OPE Member
Local time
2:52 AM
User ID
11676
Joined
Feb 6, 2020
Messages
421
Reaction score
2,391
Location
Washington
Country flag
I would recommend a 880 for parts availability, then get it ported. Even if it’s just woods porting the saw really needs it to be worth anything. They’re kind of dogs without it. Not sure what the budget is but for oak that big I would recommend a 84” double ended bar with dual power heads. I have a 72” bar in my ported 880 and did a 60” giant sequoia with it. Soft wood but was slow going. I did a 32” oak with a 41” bar and the same saw and almost seemed it was working it just as hard. Based off that and how hard oak is compared to the sequoia, you’ll be a long and slow process trying to cut with one power head. If it’s a one time deal then it will be fine you’ll just have to deal with the difficulties that arise. If it’s something he is looking to do more of I would recommend the 2 powerhead option. As I get into larger wood I desire to have a 2 powerhead setup.
 

Kiwioilboiler

346 Pic Examiner
Local time
10:52 PM
User ID
12322
Joined
Apr 20, 2020
Messages
8,550
Reaction score
52,534
Location
Marsden Pt, NZ
Country flag
Been helping out a friend who wants to slab some oak into flitch's. The Oak in question is between 5 and 6 foot across, so will require a 72" bar. Any suggestions on what the better powerhead would be between either an 088/880 or a 084. Front of mind on a 084 is that parts are harder to come by now.
Or change to Husky and the 3120?
Pros and cons based on experience would be great
Don't you know anyone with some of these options Julian?.....;)
 

Tim N

Super OPE Member
Local time
4:52 AM
User ID
448
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
228
Reaction score
387
Location
Illinois
Country flag
I'm surprised no one has said a 395 yet. Guys on here seem to think they will pull any size bar
 

Maintenance Chief

Disrupting the peace with an old chainsaw
Local time
5:52 AM
User ID
11378
Joined
Jan 4, 2020
Messages
3,753
Reaction score
11,845
Location
South Carolina
Country flag
I used a 395xp for milling white oak for a year and it performed wonderfully. The 395xp is no 088 though, I'd say with a 72" bar a 880 thats been worked over slightly would be my choice, or an 090 variety.
If its a one and done mill job I might be tempted to try a clone 090 , if done correctly they are violently powerful.
 

Wolverine

dilligaf
Local time
5:52 AM
User ID
373
Joined
Jan 1, 2016
Messages
6,987
Reaction score
35,089
Location
17325
Country flag
Dual 395’s/394’s would be pretty sweet. 72 divided by two is 36. 394/5 pull and oil a 36 just fine.
I milled up a large hard maple base with a 50” on my BGD/MM’d 394 (before it was ported). Saw had no issue at all chewing threw it. I did have my son drip oil on the end of the bar with an old gear lube bottle. Seems to me about 42 is max for good oiling.
 

markds2

Here For The Long Haul!
Local time
10:52 PM
User ID
6804
Joined
Jul 22, 2018
Messages
991
Reaction score
5,783
Location
Nelson, New Zealand
Country flag
I used a 395xp for milling white oak for a year and it performed wonderfully. The 395xp is no 088 though, I'd say with a 72" bar a 880 thats been worked over slightly would be my choice, or an 090 variety.
If its a one and done mill job I might be tempted to try a clone 090 , if done correctly they are violently powerful.
And produce violently powerful vibrations...
 

jcf86mod

Super OPE Member
Local time
10:52 PM
User ID
14133
Joined
Oct 11, 2020
Messages
173
Reaction score
595
Location
North Canterbury, New Zealand
Country flag
Thanks very much for your very valid input all.
Since posting we've managed to secure a very capable 3120 from Armbru84.
Huskihl has managed to get his midgy fingers into it, so I feel we're in safe hands.
So now the question remains- dual or single powerhead option....
I have a 394 that could help with the pull?
Hmmm, food for thought.
 
Top