Chainsaw alternatives.

[newbury]

You might try on arboristsite.com,
I think I remember someone there that modified a Stihl to start with an electric drill.

 

[Pack Rat]

I run a Fairmont hydraulic saw off my JD 3320 power beyonds... I don't believe Fairmont is still producing saws ,I think Stanley is now selling them. My saw is off an old utility truck, run it with a siamesed 50' hose. It's handy having it on the tractor in the woods, but isn't comparable to a gas saw, much lower rpms although more torque. If you're cutting firewood or felling, you wouldn't want to use a hydraulic, but for a quick saw on the tractor with no gas/oil cans to drag around ...it's pretty handy.

 

[Haywire]

There are PTO driven hydraulic pumps geared toward 3PH firewood splitters. You'd need one of them and a reservoir. I'd think it would be fairly easy to adapt them to a hydraulic saw.

Ian

 

[Rollcenter]

The company I work for sell's a BUNCH of hydraulic chainsaws, enough that I stock 5-6 in my East, KY whse at all times. They are used in many underground coal mines to cut mining timbers to length instead of a hand saw.

These little things are STOUT!!!

 

[jbooth]

I think there may be some misconceptions on the power and weight of hydraulic chainsaws.

Stanley's claim on a Model CS05
6.25 lbs without bar.
4-6 GPM at 1500-2000 PSI
4 GPM at 1500PSI = 3.5 HP
6 GPM at 2000PSI = 7 HP

Stanley's claim on a Model CS06
6.25 lbs without bar
7-9 GPM at 1000-2000 PSI
7 GPM at 1000 PSI = 4 HP
9 GPM at 2000 PSI = 10 HP

That is a lot of power in a light package.

 

[Ozark Hollow]

Yes Coyote Machine, I've tried hiring people, it has generally been an complete disaster. No shows, theft, poorly done jobs, you name it. It seems like a nobrainer to just hire someone, but after the experiences I've had I'd really just rather do it myself if possible.

Jbooth, that power to weight ratio is a lot of what I find so attractive about them. I just got this email from Sunrise Equipment about the Fairmount hydraulic chainsaw.

I cant say for sure it will work on your tractor without knowing the specs of the hyd system on it. You will need to contact the company that makes it and see what the specs are. If they are above what the saw can take you can still use the saw but will need a flow and or pressure reducing valve that you can get at about any hydraulic shop locally.

I have sold numerous hyd tools to farmers to use on their tractors in the past.

This is the saw in question: Hydraulic Chain Saw By Fairmont

I'm still going to go look at the Stihl easy start later this week, but I'm very intrigued by the hydraulic possibility. I'm going to also stop at my tractor dealer and see what he thinks about the hydraulic saw and what exactly the flow rate and psi is on my tractor. Honestly, if you can hook up something like a Limbinator or Limbhog to your tractor, is there any real reason why this shouldn't work as well?

 

[TripleR]

Yes Coyote Machine, I've tried hiring people, it has generally been an complete disaster. No shows, theft, poorly done jobs, you name it. It seems like a nobrainer to just hire someone, but after the experiences I've had I'd really just rather do it myself if possible.

Jbooth, that power to weight ratio is a lot of what I find so attractive about them. I just got this email from Sunrise Equipment about the Fairmount hydraulic chainsaw.



This is the saw in question: Hydraulic Chain Saw By Fairmont

I'm still going to go look at the Stihl easy start later this week, but I'm very intrigued by the hydraulic possibility. I'm going to also stop at my tractor dealer and see what he thinks about the hydraulic saw and what exactly the flow rate and psi is on my tractor. Honestly, if you can hook up something like a Limbinator or Limbhog to your tractor, is there any real reason why this shouldn't work as well?

Interesting, but I hate to be tethered to a tractor and can only imagine the difference in fuel costs between running a gas powered saw and a diesel tractor. I would really hate putting wear and tear on my tractor to run something as small as a chainsaw.

Always open to something new, so I will be interested in what you decide on and how well it works for you.

 

[Lloyd_E]

I would find an old saw to test this.

Take the cord and handle out. Remove the cog that connects to the engine and drill a hole in the centre and pass a 1/2 bolt throughout it. Reconfigure the casing to allow the cog to be inserted and removed. Place the cog , with bolt, in a cordless drill and than position it against the engine. Give the drill a couple of good pulses with pressure against the saw engine. If the saw is in tune it should fire quickly. The key is removed the cog quickly so as not to damage it or the receiving end on the engine...

 

[Lloyd_E]

Could you not make something that would turn the chain and start the saw that way. Kinda lot kick started or jump starting the saw. Maybe an old washing machine electric motor with a wide rubber pulley attached to it. Turn on the motor and press the saw against it.

Just thinking OSTB here.

 

[boggen]

type in manufacture name and model of your tractor into Google and also ad "spec" there are a couple websites out there, that might list all the details you need to know.

looking at the hyd saws. just some saftey concerns. is pictures i have seen. don't show any sort of shield / guard. for your hands. if the chain decided to break and come back and nail your hands.

it would cost more i am sure. but some sort of dead mans lever / switch. to kill the hydrualic pressure going to the saw. like a switch that would kill the engine of tractor if you let off of a switch or something on handle of saw. or perhaps shut a silionod valve. so you don't accidentally get the chain moving.

granted having safety chain saw pant covers are always nice to have, and a pair of good saftey glasses.

==============
on side note. if you have to much hydrulic pressure or GPM. you might be able to throttle back the tractor.