Chain saws

[BigE_]

I've seriously considered a cordless saw a few times. I go snow mobile riding in the woods and quite often come across downed trees. A little cordless saw would be just the ticket at those times.

 

[CobyRupert]

The one problem is that you'll find out very quickly, you need two saws for when you get one stuck....happens all the time.

After 20 years of firewood cutting, I finally realized how handy having a couple wedges is to prevent this, or more likely, undo this.

 

[Baby Grand]

After 20 years of firewood cutting, I finally realized how handy having a couple wedges is to prevent this, or more likely, undo this.

Yes sir. For a still standing tree, the wedges can be a bar and chain saver.
But once the trunk is horizontal, there are times when that 2nd saw is much more helpful than the wedges.
So 2 saws & 2 wedges and see if I can still pinch the bar. Odds are I'll find a way.

 

[ultrarunner]

After 20 years of firewood cutting, I finally realized how handy having a couple wedges is to prevent this, or more likely, undo this.

Had wedges on my Christmas list... Santa must have forgot.

Anything to look for as far as material, brand and quantity?

 

[GManBart]

That is what you have an extra bar and chain for.

Sure, that works, but it takes more time, and that's the one of the few things I find they aren't making more of!

 

[GManBart]

High octane fuel should only be used for engines specifically designed for it. High octane has less power and more additives in it to prevent detonation in high compression engines.

When you sharpen your chain, flip the bar. It helps it wear evenly and increases its life.

Stihl lists 89 octane as the absolute minimum, and their proprietary MotoMix is 92 octane. Evidently, they think it's the best choice for their engines.

Your comment about higher octane gas having "less power" and more additives in it isn't correct. Octane ratings are not an indicator of the energy content of the fuel, they are simply a measure of the fuel's resistance to ignition/burning. If an engine is designed around a theoretical 90 octane ideal fuel, it will make less power with any octane level above, or below 90, but that isn't because of the energy content of the fuel. As far as additives, there are times when a higher octane will have fewer additives than lower octane, but that's not something we can tell readily at the pump. It will depend on the base they use, and sometimes they use a poorer quality base for the lower octane fuels, then add a bunch of additives to make them meet specifications. The higher octane might start with a much better base, and need less in the way of additives....so, it just depends.

 

[Coyote machine]

Had wedges on my Christmas list... Santa must have forgot.

Anything to look for as far as material, brand and quantity?

I like wedges that have barbs along the surface so they won't tend to back out on their own. Plastic, NOT metal for obvious reasons unless you tend to put your chain on backwards and then any material will work:laughing:
Bailey's and other companies sell them. Stihl sells the best ones, then Echo, then Husky.

Sure, that works, but it takes more time, and that's the one of the few things I find they aren't making more of!

Speaking of the idea of having an extra chain and bar and that being the solution to stuck/pinched bars?! So what, we're supposed to detach the saw from the bar/chain and install a different spare bar/chain?! Yeah, right, now that's a real time KILLER for sure. I'll wait for the video on that method....

Stihl lists 89 octane as the absolute minimum, and their proprietary MotoMix is 92 octane. Evidently, they think it's the best choice for their engines.

Your comment about higher octane gas having "less power" and more additives in it isn't correct. Octane ratings are not an indicator of the energy content of the fuel, they are simply a measure of the fuel's resistance to ignition/burning. If an engine is designed around a theoretical 90 octane ideal fuel, it will make less power with any octane level above, or below 90, but that isn't because of the energy content of the fuel. As far as additives, there are times when a higher octane will have fewer additives than lower octane, but that's not something we can tell readily at the pump. It will depend on the base they use, and sometimes they use a poorer quality base for the lower octane fuels, then add a bunch of additives to make them meet specifications. The higher octane might start with a much better base, and need less in the way of additives....so, it just depends.

I agree with this 100000%+/- .000000000015893827%
When youse right youse right!

 

[Chilly807]

Had wedges on my Christmas list... Santa must have forgot.

Anything to look for as far as material, brand and quantity?

I bought the cheap plastic ones. They do the job, and if you do run the chain into one they aren't expensive to replace if necessary. Buy at least 2, there are times when you'll want more than one.

I usually take two saws when I go cutting any distance from the house. One is used for cutting the other out of a bind.

Sean

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm a novice when it comes to felling trees and appreciate the chance to read and learn.

Dropped a few large trees around the homestead and paid to have others taken out because if something went wrong it could have taken out my place or a neigbors.

One comment on octane.

Gas BMW's are typically derated for North America and BMW cites lower octane fuel as the reason.

In Europe... premium is several points higher than what is typical here.

When I visited the factory I asked what would happen if 87 was substituted for 91 North American and learned the engine will compensate and performance reduced.

BMW is one of the few cars I know that require premium across the line.

 

[NightFire]

Stihl lists 89 octane as the absolute minimum, and their proprietary MotoMix is 92 octane. Evidently, they think it's the best choice for their engines.

Your comment about higher octane gas having "less power" and more additives in it isn't correct. Octane ratings are not an indicator of the energy content of the fuel, they are simply a measure of the fuel's resistance to ignition/burning. If an engine is designed around a theoretical 90 octane ideal fuel, it will make less power with any octane level above, or below 90, but that isn't because of the energy content of the fuel. As far as additives, there are times when a higher octane will have fewer additives than lower octane, but that's not something we can tell readily at the pump. It will depend on the base they use, and sometimes they use a poorer quality base for the lower octane fuels, then add a bunch of additives to make them meet specifications. The higher octane might start with a much better base, and need less in the way of additives....so, it just depends.

I didn't properly present what I what saying about higher octane fuel.

Higher octane fuel than necessary is a waste of money. Higher octane fuels require more energy to ignite. Gas has a BTU around 114,000, 87 octane gas usually has a couple thousand more btu than 93 octane. Higher octane is typically blended with MTBE and other additives to reduce knocking.

When I've needed to call Stihl, I asked about what fuel to use. I was told using anything within a few points either side of 89 was fine. I've had the same answer from them each time I asked.

 

[Coyote machine]

I'm a novice when it comes to felling trees and appreciate the chance to read and learn.

Dropped a few large trees around the homestead and paid to have others taken out because if something went wrong it could have taken out my place or a neigbors.

One comment on octane.

Gas BMW's are typically derated for North America and BMW cites lower octane fuel as the reason.

In Europe... premium is several points higher than what is typical here.

When I visited the factory I asked what would happen if 87 was substituted for 91 North American and learned the engine will compensate and performance reduced.

BMW is one of the few cars I know that require premium across the line.

BMW makes chainsaws?! I never knew! They must be expensive:laughing:...

I didn't properly present what I what saying about higher octane fuel.

Higher octane fuel than necessary is a waste of money. Higher octane fuels require more energy to ignite. Gas has a BTU around 114,000, 87 octane gas usually has a couple thousand more btu than 93 octane. Higher octane is typically blended with MTBE and other additives to reduce knocking.

When I've needed to call Stihl, I asked about what fuel to use. I was told using anything within a few points either side of 89 was fine. I've had the same answer from them each time I asked.

Did you speak to different people each time you called? Were you calling numerous times to see if they would give you different answers?! How many...aw, never mind....

 

[Chilly807]

I'm a novice when it comes to felling trees and appreciate the chance to read and learn.

Dropped a few large trees around the homestead and paid to have others taken out because if something went wrong it could have taken out my place or a neigbors.

One comment on octane.

Gas BMW's are typically derated for North America and BMW cites lower octane fuel as the reason.

In Europe... premium is several points higher than what is typical here.

When I visited the factory I asked what would happen if 87 was substituted for 91 North American and learned the engine will compensate and performance reduced.

BMW is one of the few cars I know that require premium across the line.

Most anything with a turbo now calls for premium, VW for one. My Dodge Ram with the Hemi engine calls for mid-grade gas, although regular will work if that's all you can get. Fuel economy is slightly worse with regular I'm told.

Sean

 

[CobyRupert]

Yes sir. For a still standing tree, the wedges can be a bar and chain saver.
But once the trunk is horizontal, there are times when that 2nd saw is much more helpful than the wedges.
So 2 saws & 2 wedges and see if I can still pinch the bar. Odds are I'll find a way.

Bucking With A Wedge - YouTube

Here's a good video showing how to use one wedge to prevent the cut from closing up and pinching the saw when the trunk is horizontal.

 

[Baby Grand]

Bucking With A Wedge - YouTube

Here's a good video showing how to use one wedge to prevent the cut from closing up an pinching the saw when the trunk is horizontal.

That's the right way to do it!

 

[wmonroe]

Yep, that's a very good example. I like how someone in the video yelled "cheater".

 

[NightFire]

Did you speak to different people each time you called? Were you calling numerous times to see if they would give you different answers?! How many...aw, never mind....

I've owned dozens of Stihl machines and have called Stihl several times over the past 20+ years for a variety of reasons, mostly parts. Currently, I have 2 chainsaws and a cut off saw. Up until I retired, I used them for work. My MS280 is the only one that hasn't been used for work.

 

[ultrarunner]

Most anything with a turbo now calls for premium, VW for one. My Dodge Ram with the Hemi engine calls for mid-grade gas, although regular will work if that's all you can get. Fuel economy is slightly worse with regular I'm told.

Sean

2001 Corolla new... mileage would drop almost 2 miles per gallon on 87 vs 89.

With 89 car was solid 40 mpg highway... never 40 mpg with 87

 

[arrow]

I've owned dozens of Stihl machines and have called Stihl several times over the past 20+ years for a variety of reasons, mostly parts. Currently, I have 2 chainsaws and a cut off saw. Up until I retired, I used them for work. My MS280 is the only one that hasn't been used for work.

I didn't properly present what I what saying about higher octane fuel.

Higher octane fuel than necessary is a waste of money. Higher octane fuels require more energy to ignite. Gas has a BTU around 114,000, 87 octane gas usually has a couple thousand more btu than 93 octane. Higher octane is typically blended with MTBE and other additives to reduce knocking.

When I've needed to call Stihl, I asked about what fuel to use. I was told using anything within a few points either side of 89 was fine. I've had the same answer from them each time I asked.

4 posts NF and you gotta learn something. We all like to contribute and help out where we can. What is stated needs to be accurate and not all over the map. You mention MTBE as an additive as if it is still being used. It's not, being banned several years ago. Ethanol is the current joke now. They banned MTBE not because it was polluting the air which is ok to do apparently. It was banned because it was polluting our water supplies and still is.

 

[TomSeller]

Bucking With A Wedge - YouTube

Here's a good video showing how to use one wedge to prevent the cut from closing up an pinching the saw when the trunk is horizontal.

Yeah I need to have a couple of those in my hip pocket.

 

[BigE_]

4 posts NF and you gotta learn something. We all like to contribute and help out where we can. What is stated needs to be accurate and not all over the map. You mention MTBE as an additive as if it is still being used. It's not, being banned several years ago. Ethanol is the current joke now. They banned MTBE not because it was polluting the air which is ok to do apparently. It was banned because it was polluting our water supplies and still is.

Lighten up a bit. It's only his 4th post. Hopefully you didn't just make it his last. Everyone is mistaken in their facts every now and then.

I know if I got that kind of a welcome to a site I wouldn't be back.