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.

 

[ultrarunner]

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.

The tool less caps take some getting use too.

Trust me I'm very careful after I oil soaked my pant leg the first week I got my 250c

No problem since

 

[scott_vt]

The tool less caps take some getting use too.

Trust me I'm very careful after I oil soaked my pant leg the first week I got my 250c

No problem since

Good Afternoon Ultrarunner,
Ohhh, tough to get that bar oil off those pants I bet !

BTW, my Farm Boss has te tool less caps, and yes they can be a bit tricky !

 

[TomSeller]

I needed to start two of my Stihls in single digit weather last weekend to cut some wood and was impressed that they started the same as in warm weather.

 

[GManBart]

I needed to start two of my Stihls in single digit weather last weekend to cut some wood and was impressed that they started the same as in warm weather.

It's easy to overlook, but how easily a saw starts is right up there on my list of most important qualities. The only issue I've had with any of mine is when I run them dry, and they've been running a long time…seems like you can vapor lock them (or something similar). If I pay attention, and refuel when the telltale signs tell me they're almost out, I have zero issues hot or cold (outside). I've listened to my father, and brother-in-law curse their saws as being hard to start all the time, but they're not made by Stihl

Edit for certain people who don't understand humor, the smiley face was a playful jab at folks with other brands saws...not an insult.

 

[TomSeller]

Right. I don't ever have issues with any of my Stihls either, but I was expecting an extra pull or two. Not the case, they fired right up. I don't usually cut in cold weather and do use ethanol free gas.

 

[GManBart]

Right. I don't ever have issues with any of my Stihls either, but I was expecting an extra pull or two. Not the case, they fired right up. I don't usually cut in cold weather and do use ethanol free gas.

I suspect ethanol free gas is a big part of the problems many people experience getting their saws to start. Even if they run them dry every use, most have a can with premix that sits around for weeks or months before being used. That stuff degrades quickly, absorbs water, etc, and can't make for easy starting. I used to keep my premix in two 1gal cans so that I could limit how old it was, but finally found a source of ethanol free gas that's right on my way home…now I keep 5gal ready, and don't worry about it.

 

[murphy1244]

Echo 1st pull every time 365 days a year regular junk gas.

 

[GManBart]

Echo 1st pull every time 365 days a year regular junk gas.

Not my brother-in-law's Echo....

 

[murphy1244]

Not my brother-in-law's Echo....

This chest thumping stuff gets old

 

[GManBart]

This chest thumping stuff gets old

Evidently unless you agree with it.

If not, why the 1st pull, 365 comment?

My saws don't start the first pull every time, but they still start easily...couple of pulls, no problem. My BIL really does curse his Echo as being hard to start....although I don't know what model it is.