550 max bar length

[geezer]

Friend had a good running 550 that he loaned me for some time and I fell in love with it. Finally recently convinced him to sell it to me as he has some back issues and doesn't use it anymore. Has a 27" sprocket nose bar which works very well for what I use it for. We have large Torrey Pine trees (90-110' tall and 35 to 45" diam.) that we occasionally take out for firewood and clearance issues. It's a very soft wood and always just dropped when I cut it up. For years have looked for a larger saw but when I only use it once every 1 or 2 years it's hard to justify spending a lot of money for it. Wondering if anyone has advise on trying to use a longer bar on the 550 and if so, is one still available? The existing 27" has worked through the years and I can live with it but would help to have a little more length. Always amazes me how far off I can get coming back around to start of cut even when I'm trying to stay on point and think I'm right on. Usually pretty close but always a challenge.

Also have 150 auto that I inherited from my dad. Use it constantly for smaller jobs around the property and it just keeps going. Fun to keep the older stuff running when all my friends have new ones and I can keep right up with them.

Thanks for any input you might have.

[rowdy235]

First off, welcome aboard!

Per acres website the 550 was equipped with a max 31 in bar, and that’s about as big as I’d recommend going on it as well. Something marginally bigger like 33” or 36” may be okay, never had a 550. If the Oiler is not adjustable that could be a concern as well, don’t want to run the bar with a lack of oil. Guess it really depends on your personal preference.

The big NOS bars are getting rare but are still around here and there. If you don’t mind aftermarket there’s some decent ones on eBay for a fair price.

Good luck!

[undee70ss]

Homelite catalogs lists up to a 36 inch bar with 3/8 chain. You can convert a large mount Husqvarna bar if looking for a new one.

[geezer]

Thanks rowdy, I should have mentioned it has aux thumb oiler in addition to regular oiler. Only problem with that is the guy on the non rotating end of the saw needs to remember to pump it occasionally which seems to happen later in the day sometimes.

[geezer]

Undee70SS, great info, thanks. When you mention I can convert a large mount Husqvarna bar for the 550 do you mean I can simply use the Husqvarna bar in place of the Homelite or does that mean I need to do some modification to the Husqvarna bar to make it work on the 550. If so, what needs to be done to make it work? We're heading in the right direction, thanks!