Chain saws

[KenB2920]

This got me thinking. Obviously not all saws are equal, but neither is all work. Do you really keep a saw in your truck all the time? Do some of you guys use your saws at work? What kind of work do you guys do that requires some of these "HEFTY" saws? Just curious. Between this quote and seeing Those monster logs in the previous photo got me thinking.

I do industrial HVAC. A lot of times my saw finds it's way on the truck. Especially if I know I will be working through bad weather. A saw on my truck has got me home a few times.[/QUOTE]

Excuse my ignorance. You do HVAC and your saw has gotten you home? Is there alot of trees by the industrial areas you work? For instance, when weather gets slick here, I carry a tow strap. In the future, when weather gets bad, I shall carry a saw just so I can help out and collect some good wood. Maybe even make a few pennies.

 

[scott_vt]

I need to replace my chain saw. It will be used mostly on small to medium sized trees and branches just to maintain a 10 acre property. About 20-30 hours per year operation. Any suggestions?

Good Evenin dacoonz,
Well, its been said a dozen times or more, so I guess its OK to say one more time !

I have two Stihl saws, an older 025 and I also hae the 029 Farm Boss, I love both saws, but I usually grab the 025. Im only 5' 9" and about 180 lbs and that Farm Boss can get pretty heavy to me after awhile. A bigger man maybe might not notice it, but at 62 my arms get awful tired with a longer outing using the bigger saw...

My use is strictly homeowner usage, Im usually not cutting more than 6 cord of wood a year. In my opinion Stihl makes one heck of a product !

As others have said, there are a number of other good saws on the market, but my Stihls have treated me well !

 

[tessiers]

I have changed opinions on the power/weight issue a few times over the years. Right now I use two saws the most -- Stihl 461 (biggest, heaviest) and Echo CS-330 top handle (smallest, lightest) -- while my middle saws (Stihl MS-261, Echo CS-400) have been sitting clean on the shelf. The power of the 461 is intoxicating once you become accustomed to it, which offsets the weight issue quite a bit. There's no doubt I get done quicker with that saw, so I can do a day's work in less time.

I normally buck logs into 4 foot sections and then carry them to my wood area with the tractor, or skid them in as 8-12 footers and buck into 4 foot sections there. At that point, I stack as many 4 foot sections as will fit into my sawbuck, and do a mass-bucking operation with the 461 and a 20" or 28" bar to get my firewood rounds. Sometimes I can saw through as many as 4-5 logs in one cut. Not something I would try with a smaller saw.

I agree the power is intoxicating, but spend the day balls deep in snow and a couple of pounds makes a big difference, I never felled a tree a 60cc saw couldn't handle, and with very little lost to the 70+cc saws. We run a farm and most of our wood is cut in the winter so that makes a big difference, less heat, less friction, easier on chain and saw. When my wife asks how many saws (substitute tractor, gun, tools, beers) do you need, I just smile and say 1 more.

Not to criticize but cutting multiple logs at once is a dangerous practice, easy to get a kickback, and if she goes you ain't gonna hold that saw down. I've Done it, do it but that doesn't make it OK.

Here's what I think
15 years old, Gonna try grand dads little 50cc out, help cut a little wood.
20 years old, need a bigger saw 60cc, on top of the world
25 years old, bigger is better, 70cc anything worth doing Is worth doing fast
30 years old, in our prime, 85cc you can't stop me now
40 years old, 70cc just trying to get a load a day to pay the bills
50 years old, 60cc I would have taken better care of my self if I knew I was gonna live this long
60 years old, 50cc Let the young bucks do the heavy stuff, show the grand son how to cut a little.
70 years old, 40cc Gotta cut a branch or 2 every now and again, hate to get out of my heated cab, maybe I'll wait for the kid to cut it.

 

[6thgpSF]

I used a Sthil ms250 but it broke the flywheel key.second one to do that so I just bought a Jonserred.This one has the decompression start which makes it alot easier to start....russ

 

[ultrarunner]

This got me thinking. Obviously not all saws are equal, but neither is all work. Do you really keep a saw in your truck all the time? Do some of you guys use your saws at work? What kind of work do you guys do that requires some of these "HEFTY" saws? Just curious. Between this quote and seeing Those monster logs in the previous photo got me thinking.

I manage rental properties as a sideline and have a service van with shelves and racks to handle most of what I need anytime day or night. Chainsaw, Water Heater, Henry's Roofing Mastic, Outlets, OxyAcetylene Tanks, Thermocouples, Honda Generator, Inverter, Air Compressor, Defibulator, Medical Oxygen, Patient Monitor (My regular job is Medical Engineer at the local Hospital)

Never know when a limb or tree comes down and having the Echo Top Handle Saw makes quick work of it.

One thing I really appreciate is the Echo does not leak oil or vent fumes...

I had carried other saws before the echo and some just make a huge mess with a craftsman I was given being the worst.

 

[KenB2920]

I manage rental properties as a sideline and have a service van with shelves and racks to handle most of what I need anytime day or night. Chainsaw, Water Heater, Henry's Roofing Mastic, Outlets, OxyAcetylene Tanks, Thermocouples, Honda Generator, Inverter, Air Compressor, Defibulator, Medical Oxygen, Patient Monitor (My regular job is Medical Engineer at the local Hospital)

Never know when a limb or tree comes down and having the Echo Top Handle Saw makes quick work of it.

One thing I really appreciate is the Echo does not leak oil or vent fumes...

I had carried other saws before the echo and some just make a huge mess with a craftsman I was given being the worst.

Wow, very diverse, makes sense to always carry supplies. You never know when you'll need them. Actually I know when I need them. It usually happens when I don't have them and am far from home.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[Loadstar]

I do industrial HVAC. A lot of times my saw finds it's way on the truck. Especially if I know I will be working through bad weather. A saw on my truck has got me home a few times.

Excuse my ignorance. You do HVAC and your saw has gotten you home? Is there alot of trees by the industrial areas you work? For instance, when weather gets slick here, I carry a tow strap. In the future, when weather gets bad, I shall carry a saw just so I can help out and collect some good wood. Maybe even make a few pennies.[/QUOTE]

Cut a lot of equipment crates open with it lol. I am always out and I have cut trees/limbs blocking my path home during storm season.

 

[s219]

Isn't that Echo-330 top handle saw a gem?

Never let me down and has come through many times in a pinch... it lives in my truck and always ready to work.

It is a gem. Great little saw. Mine always starts on 1 pull, even cold!

 

[2458n]

Stihl makes a ms250 c. Bought one after my Kubota ran over a fine running 250. New easy start system is great. I thought this a dumb idea, much like the easy adjust chain tension. Both have worked well. The tool less fill caps not so much.

 

[TomSeller]

Stihl makes a ms250 c. Bought one after my Kubota ran over a fine running 250. New easy start system is great. I thought this a dumb idea, much like the easy adjust chain tension. Both have worked well. The tool less fill caps not so much.

Hey if it works for you, it is a great idea.