Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[BrokenTrack]

People scoff at me because I buy bigger saws and then replace the 20 inch bars with 18 inch ones, but I just let them laugh. To me, cutting wood is getting from point A to point B as fast as I can. With a 18 inch bar, I can cut through a 36 inch tree, and here in Maine, that does not happen very often so I have never wanted more.

There is always a case to build for filing less teeth EVERYTIME, and then the additional cost of 20 inch bars and chains.

But the biggest difference is in LIFTING the saw that extra 2 inches. I noticed it the most while limbing, while going from the bottom of the tree to the top. So one day I did the math, calculating how many times per tree I went from cutting off a limb on the bottom of the tree, to then cutting off a limb at the top of the tree. Adding up the number of trees per day, it became blatantly clear why I was far more tired with a 20 inch bar at the end of the day. It figured out that I was lifting that 14 pound chainsaw some 350 vertical extra feet per day.

That is a lot! That is a lot of extra work for the same amount of pay!!

 

[Jstpssng]

A friend told of putting a larger sprocket and 3/8 inch chain on a smaller saw. He said that it cut like a banshee, until the crank sheered off. It still ran good, it just wasn't connected to anything.

 

[PhysAssist]

That would be interesting to go to. There are still a few guys around who log with horses; I even know a couple of people who have cut loads of softwood pulp using their ATV.

We had a guy here [Amish I think] doing that in a neighbor's wood lot- the neighbor is one of those who has to have a "golf green" lawn, so the impact of the horse/mule team was much more tolerable for him than skidders.

 

[PhysAssist]

I used to cut firewood tree length, sell it and buy propane, but soon stopped that foolishness. Now I cut tree length firewood/hardwood pulp and buy COAL! All my stoves can burn both coal and wood so that I always have options. Wood...coal...propane...:drink:

Hi BrokenTrack,

We're [SWMBO and myself] getting old and decrepit enough [due to the sum of the injuries] to want to get out of the full-time wood-burning for heat "business", and because we like the way wood and coal both heat, we're strongly considering going to a coal system- all this is a preface to asking what manufacturer and kind of dual-fuel stove you have, and would you recommend it, or some other to us?

We know a couple of places around here where ewe can get coal delivered, or dumped into our pickup, so that's no concern.

Thanks in advance,
PA

 

[PhysAssist]

Generally people's backs get that way because for years they have been pushed to the limits and beyond.

In my profession, I have yet to met a patient who has significant osteoarthritis [wear & tear arthritis] who hasn't worked darn hard for a living.

 

[PhysAssist]

I replaced my Dad's Stihl 031 with a 029 circa 1998. I ran it right up until the spark arrestor rotted off & melted through the muffler bottom & into the oil tank. That was in 2015. Yes I used it, at least 10 cord worth average every year at my own property, plus various trees at all my buddies houses. I am the only one who regularly keeps a chainsaw. I was about to toss it since the oil tank is part of the engine housing. Then my boss ran his brand new 290 on straight gas & blew the motor. He was going to junk it also, but I happened to be at his house & he said I could have it. I put my perfectly good 029 engine into his practically brand new 290 case. I now have what I affectionately call " The Frankensaw". Still running, starts everytime & I won't trade it for anything. I've used brand new Huskys, was impressed, they ran like raped apes, I've even owned one until it unexpectedly just quit one day mid cut. But not impressed enough to switch brands. I don't know about the "pro" series as the largest I have now is a 039, never needed larger since I only do about 7-8 cords yearly now. This is not brand bashing, I fully realize everyone loves their brands, & how they will stand behind them. I have no ill feelings towards husky's or their brand loyal owners. This is simply a man sharing his good fortune owning a particular saw. This is a forum on tractors & wood and assuming the tools used to cut the above mentioned wood.

I second that emotion, after having purchased my Stihl 029 in either '98 or '99 also, and having used it to get done about the same amount of cutting done, including tying a rope to it, and hauling it up into trees I was topping because they were too near my house to simply fell.

The only thing I may do differently is that I have always run it with a 16" bar and chain because I rarely have any problem getting the job done with that and it spins with a lot more torque that an 18" or 20" [in my fevered brain anyway]...

 

[Sawyer Rob]

People scoff at me because I buy bigger saws and then replace the 20 inch bars with 18 inch ones, but I just let them laugh. To me, cutting wood is getting from point A to point B as fast as I can. With a 18 inch bar, I can cut through a 36 inch tree, and here in Maine, that does not happen very often so I have never wanted more.

There is always a case to build for filing less teeth EVERYTIME, and then the additional cost of 20 inch bars and chains.

But the biggest difference is in LIFTING the saw that extra 2 inches. I noticed it the most while limbing, while going from the bottom of the tree to the top. So one day I did the math, calculating how many times per tree I went from cutting off a limb on the bottom of the tree, to then cutting off a limb at the top of the tree. Adding up the number of trees per day, it became blatantly clear why I was far more tired with a 20 inch bar at the end of the day. It figured out that I was lifting that 14 pound chainsaw some 350 vertical extra feet per day.

That is a lot! That is a lot of extra work for the same amount of pay!!

Just think, IF you got rid of the 18" and put on a 16" you could STILL fell a 32" tree and then 350 would turn into what? 700?

You would be so fresh as the end of the day, you could get a second job!

SR

 

[sawyer andy]

Just think, IF you got rid of the 18" and put on a 16" you could STILL fell a 32" tree and then 350 would turn into what? 700?

You would be so fresh as the end of the day, you could get a second job!

SR

you better get him hired

 

[4570Man]

I moved some logs with the CTL. Those are 24” 8 long red oak. That thing is unbelievably strong for its size.

 

[goeduck]

I moved some logs with the CTL. Those are 24” 8 long red oak. That thing is unbelievably strong for its size. View attachment 548236

Impressive. :thumbsup: