Chain Saw Question

[copperhead1967]

Just thinking about it and I have tried and been successful with cutting thru smaller trees in one cut thru the tree. However, I have run into problems with pinching the chain when trying to cut with one slashing cut also. Maybe with this buckthorn, which I am not familiar with, you need to aproach it like a larger tree and notch and make a felling cut???
A somewhat different approach I use to trim trees along the drive in the bucket truck is a cordless reciprocating saw with a real aggressive pruning blade. (Alot safer and easier than a gas saw in a bucket) It cuts thru a 3 inch branch in about 10 seconds flat. Maybe use the recip saw to fell them and then the chainsaw to cut up into managable lengths for the burn pile after the tension is off them.

 

[copperhead1967]

Just thinking about it and I have tried and been successful with cutting thru smaller trees in one cut thru the tree. However, I have run into problems with pinching the chain when trying to cut with one slashing cut also. Maybe with this buckthorn, which I am not familiar with, you need to aproach it like a larger tree and notch and make a felling cut???
A somewhat different approach I use to trim trees along the drive in the bucket truck is a cordless reciprocating saw with a real aggressive pruning blade. (Alot safer and easier than a gas saw in a bucket) It cuts thru a 3 inch branch in about 10 seconds flat. Maybe use the recip saw to fell them and then the chainsaw to cut up into managable lengths for the burn pile after the tension is off them.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Amen!

 

[SPYDERLK]

Amen!

 

[copperhead1967]

off subject reply to Richard about the chain oil.

I use a quart bottle that 80- w gear oil comes in. The kind with the skinny tip at the top. I haven't had to deal with the overflowing oil on the saw and the dirty funnel for a long time. I refill it from the gallon jug and can't cut more than a quarts worth of oil in a day anyway. There's even a little snap cap to put on to keep from spilling it in transit.

 

[copperhead1967]

off subject reply to Richard about the chain oil.

I use a quart bottle that 80- w gear oil comes in. The kind with the skinny tip at the top. I haven't had to deal with the overflowing oil on the saw and the dirty funnel for a long time. I refill it from the gallon jug and can't cut more than a quarts worth of oil in a day anyway. There's even a little snap cap to put on to keep from spilling it in transit.

 

[FamilyFarm]

I have one of these for trimming small trees. It isn't perfect for every situation, but I have been more impressed with it than I expected to when I added it to my DR trimmer order 4 years ago.
Terry

 

[FamilyFarm]

I have one of these for trimming small trees. It isn't perfect for every situation, but I have been more impressed with it than I expected to when I added it to my DR trimmer order 4 years ago.
Terry

 

[Toolguy]

Regarding what size saw is best for a given job; I have worn out two cheap Poulans (14" & 18") and a McCulloch Model 610 with 3/8 pitch chain. I went through 3 bars and about a dozen chains on the MC over the years. The MC was a very good saw for me. It would start easily and no matter how hot I would get it when sawing stumps it never failed me. It finally gave up a couple of years ago. I think the crank seals or the carb is the problem as it will run when cold but quits after it warms up. Anyway, it served me well and is now retired. I now have a Stihl MS310. It is very comparable to the McCulloch 610 except it is a little lighter. I have found that while a larger saw is heavier and a little more cumbersome, it get the work done much faster than a smaller saw. The trade off is worth it to me. I don't use a chainsaw very often anymore but when I need to use it I want it to work well and get the job done without messing around. There is almost nothing you can't do with a larger saw versus a small one. You can't say that about a small saw versus large. The large ones cut big stuff fast and will cut the small stuff, too. I would take the little MS180 back to the dealer and ask to trade it back to him for a larger model. Nothing less than a MS 290 Farm Boss with a 3/8 chain. An 18" bar is just about perfect for most jobs. It will cost more, but you will not regret it after all of the screwing around you have been doing. You won't have to adjust the chain as much and if you keep it out of the dirt it will stay sharp for a long time. Just my .02. Good luck.

 

[Toolguy]

Regarding what size saw is best for a given job; I have worn out two cheap Poulans (14" & 18") and a McCulloch Model 610 with 3/8 pitch chain. I went through 3 bars and about a dozen chains on the MC over the years. The MC was a very good saw for me. It would start easily and no matter how hot I would get it when sawing stumps it never failed me. It finally gave up a couple of years ago. I think the crank seals or the carb is the problem as it will run when cold but quits after it warms up. Anyway, it served me well and is now retired. I now have a Stihl MS310. It is very comparable to the McCulloch 610 except it is a little lighter. I have found that while a larger saw is heavier and a little more cumbersome, it get the work done much faster than a smaller saw. The trade off is worth it to me. I don't use a chainsaw very often anymore but when I need to use it I want it to work well and get the job done without messing around. There is almost nothing you can't do with a larger saw versus a small one. You can't say that about a small saw versus large. The large ones cut big stuff fast and will cut the small stuff, too. I would take the little MS180 back to the dealer and ask to trade it back to him for a larger model. Nothing less than a MS 290 Farm Boss with a 3/8 chain. An 18" bar is just about perfect for most jobs. It will cost more, but you will not regret it after all of the screwing around you have been doing. You won't have to adjust the chain as much and if you keep it out of the dirt it will stay sharp for a long time. Just my .02. Good luck.