Chainsaw advice

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

How do you do that? There is NO gas available that does not have up to 10% ethanol.

Maybe where you are there's only E10 or better.
Up here you have to know where to find it.
E85 is even harder to find.

Where I got that particular piece of advice was from a Stihl dealer/repairman - because ethanol and high detergent gasolines were the 2 biggest $$ makers for him as he put it -- they caused the fuel & oil to separate within about 10 minutes of starting.
I took the advice and never needed to take a saw to him except for sharpening the time I found a tree that had sand embedded in the bark all the way up the trunk and figured I was too lazy to do it myself with a hand file and guide.

 

[Scooby074]

Husky 51 is what im using. Wish it was bigger, but its been very reliable. I use Husky oil and prem gas. Running Stihl chain (much better than oregon chains IMHO) and bar oil (best stuff ive ever used) and oregon bar I guess its a bit of everything lol.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm using a poulan pro.. 18" bar. came with a nice hard case... has cut alot of fence tops and scrub trees down around my property... nice and light.. easy to start and carry around.. easy on fuel, easy to adjust .. etc. decently affordable too.

soundguy

 

[Wheatland KB]

I can't comment on the models that you are considering but I have a Stihl MS180 that has been a great saw. I let it sit for weeks on end in winter and it always starts right up even in -30C weather. It is my first Stihl and I would definitely recommend them to anyone.

 

[jd2305cd]

Got a husqvarna, starts every time now matter what temp and runs like a champ.. But you can't go wrong with stihl.. Both great saws...

Soundguy has good intentions, but I don't see to many weekend warriors in full chaps, climbers, helmets, goggles and ear plugs when cutting down a tree.. Common sense is most important...

 

[shane]

but I don't see to many weekend warriors in full chaps, climbers, helmets, goggles and ear plugs when cutting down a tree..

The truth of the matter is the weekend warriors are probably the ones who need that stuff the most.

 

[deere5105]

Another vote for the Stihl. Have had one for four or five years now. Use it on and off all year long for firewood and trimming limbs and clearing roads. Never drain the fuel. Just fill it with fuel and oil and cranks right up every time. I work for a utility company and we have to have dependable equipment for the most unexpected circumstances. By far the first choice is Stihl.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon samtmc,
Stihl is my choice, the 025 and the 029, great saws that never let me down !

 

[Soundguy]

Got a husqvarna, starts every time now matter what temp and runs like a champ.. But you can't go wrong with stihl.. Both great saws...

Soundguy has good intentions, but I don't see to many weekend warriors in full chaps, climbers, helmets, goggles and ear plugs when cutting down a tree.. Common sense is most important...

Common sense tells me to wear protective gear.

I'm a weeknd warrior when it comes to a chainsaw.. i only use mine 2-3 times a year.

You better bet i wear gloves, and the chaps when i use it.. If I'm in thick tangling brush.. i use the arm guards too. If I'm cutting limbs.. or working onthe ground while others are limbing.. i wear a ansi approved helmet.. ( have a nice full brim one.. helps keep the sawdust off the back of the neck and sun out of the eyes.

i also wear ear plugs to protect my hearing since I make a living with my ears.. sme with eye protection.. some sort of ansi approved eyewear is on my face..


I'd feel kinda stupid in the e-room missing an eye or hand when i OWN the correct protective gear.. and I don't feel any less manly wearing that gear using a device like a chainsaw... now that's common sense speaking..

soundguy

 

[jd2305cd]

Wasn't trying to get ya going sound or the safety police..... Just saying to use comon sense..

Don't matter how much protection you have on if the tree falls on ya!

 

[Soundguy]

And have a cut leg requireing a trip to the hospital and having a cosmetically damaged pair of chaps is a split second difference for someone who thinks common sense will absolutely protect him from all dangers.

soundguy

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I am a big fan of Husky's. I do own Stihl's and Echo's. For the price I think Husky is a better value. They aren't giving them away just the same as Stihl.
Depending on how often and how large of wood you are going to cut. If you will be out cutting for hours at a time then go with a lighter saw. Keep a sharp chain on it and you won't wear yourself out nearly as fast. As mentioned Safety gear should be worn. All of those brands will cut you up at a moments notice.
I use premium gas with ethanol or methanol they both taste the same. I do use a good gas mix called Opti2. That stuff works great for the mixed gas. Cheap bar oil works fine as long as you keep the oil channel cleared out. Also scrape out the groove in the bar when you change chains or flip the bar over for even wear and tear. Also keep the cotton picking air filter clean! I get plenty of Joe Homeowners wanting me to tune and fix their broken saw. Clogged air filters and fuel tank filters are the first thing I look for. Then I clean the bar channels. After that I send them off with a sharp chain.

 

[jd2305cd]

Didn't say it would protect from all dangers... A suit of armor wont either..

 

[Soundguy]

But you don't have to concentrate on your chaps for them to work when the chainsaw hits the part they are covering.. if you are wearing them, whatever protection they are made to provide is there.....common sense requires attention... if your attention lapses, things can happen.

Loud noise near your head.. falling branch.. wad of bees / hornets.. snake striking.. etc.. all those might make a knee-jerk reaction and break your concentration for a half second and let that saw touch somewhere it shouldn't.

Common sense is good.. and if you are carefull, and no unplanned events happen.. or no events beyond your control happen ( tree unexpectedly splits or top breaks out ).. you should be fine..

I can't think of a good argument AGAINST wearing common protection devices.

Are you saying you can? I say practicing both is good... neaither are a replacement for the other..

soundguy

 

[wingbone]

I've never even ran a chainsaw, but a guy I went to school with was doing it for a living and the saw came back and hit him in the neck. He died. A friend of mines dad, who I guess you could call a weekend warrior but has been cutting firewood for a lot of years, had his saw hit him between the eyes. Luckily, it hit him there or he would at least have lost an eye. I know he is not the careless type but I guess he wasn't doing something right. My point is, it could definitely happen to those who are just newbies.

 

[jd2305cd]

Agreeed.. Can't replace one for the other!

1. Sharp chain (should see big wood chips if not SHARPEN)
2. Always cut with saw wide open (can help prevent snags/kickbacks)
3. Never cut when windy or rainy
4. Know the c-saws kick back danger zone - image below.
5. Always cut with someone near by
6. Don't cut above your sholders
7. Use a wedge!

Done ranting...

 

[jd2305cd]

Go buy the Stihl!!!

 

[Scooby074]

Chaps and a helmet are cheap. Use them. You are NOT quicker than a chainsaw..

Helmets with the screen are great for running the weedwacker too.

 

[wedge40]

Agreeed.. Can't replace one for the other!

1. Sharp chain (should see big wood chips if not SHARPEN)
2. Always cut with saw wide open (can help prevent snags/kickbacks)
3. Never cut when windy or rainy
4. Know the c-saws kick back danger zone - image below.
5. Always cut with someone near by
6. Don't cut above your sholders
7. Use a wedge!

Done ranting...

How'd I get involved?

Since you brought it up, could you please explain the proper use of a wedge? I do understand the concept, just not sure I'd be using it right.


Wedge

 

[nunyabinis]

Like John Deere, Stihl is overrated.














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