Chainsaw alternatives.

Ozark Hollow · Feb 25, 2011

I'm looking for an alternative to the usual gas powered chainsaw.

Currently I use a cordless electric Ryobi chainsaw. While it's better than a handsaw or an ax, it's not THAT much better.

Two possibilities, somehow run an electric model off one or a set of deep cycle batteries, or a hydraulic chainsaw hooked up to the tractor.

Please, before you suggest I just get a gas powered saw as better, cheaper and more versatile, I physically cannot pull start a gas saw. I've had too many shoulder injuries, and I just don't have the required "snap" in my shoulder or elbow joints.

After much searching, I cannot find anything other than a thread on using a Hydraulic chainsaw as part of a firewood processor.

Does anyone have any experience using one hooked up to their tractor hydraulics? Is such a thing even possible?

How about the plug in electric run off of deep cycle batteries?

Any other suggestions?

I'm REALLY tired of having to call for help every time a tree falls over and blocks one of my trails.

Thanks!

Milton Burro · Feb 25, 2011

Like this?

Limbinator Saws Hydraulic Loader Mounter Chainsaw Attachment In Use | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

BandRRanch · Feb 25, 2011

Just get yourself a small 1000watt honda or yamaha portable generator. Some of these even have electric starters so no tugging. I have a Yamaha 3000 ei with an electric starter. Just push a button. Sips gas. And you can use this for a ton of other things besides just a chainsaw. Depends on what you want to cut, but you can mount this on your atv or tractor and take it off and go just about wherever you need to with an extension cord.

greg_g · Feb 25, 2011

Ozark Hollow said:
Does anyone have any experience using one hooked up to their tractor hydraulics? Is such a thing even possible?

On my tractor, no. But I watched disaster response crews use them cleaning up after our 2009 ice storm. Here's one. As you can see, they're not cheap. Take note also, that they'll also have to be sized according to your tractor's hydraulic flow rate. Electric? I think DC powered chain saws might be hard to find. For AC powered, you'd need an inverter. Considering the typical 25 to 40 amp alternators installed on most farm tractors, I don't think you'll get much serious work done through an inverter (that is safely sized to the alternator).

//greg//

TripleR · Feb 25, 2011

My shoulders are also shot and I had to give my old saws to my sons.

I now use Stihl saws with the "Easy to Start System". You can pull slowly on the rope and build up the pressure to release the spring starting mechanism. You can use two or more short, light pulls instead of one continuous pull. Without this, I could no longer start one. I have used the electric ones and did not like them.

radioman · Feb 25, 2011

TripleR said:
My shoulders are also shot and I had to give my old saws to my sons.

I now use Stihl saws with the "Easy to Start System". You can pull slowly on the rope and build up the pressure to release the spring starting mechanism. You can use two or more short, light pulls instead of one continuous pull. Without this, I could no longer start one. I have used the electric ones and did not like them.

yup - my dad has one of these things. he likes it, I dont. you still gotta have strength to pull on it slow which i doubt the OP has. I really dont think electric will work on batteries. batteries is too heavy to lift and mount on tractor if you gotta maintain them. IF I were the OP, I would get a pto generator like one advertised on TBN forum from IMD. it should be much easier as all you gotta do is hook it up and run it from tractor. doubles a home backup too :thumbsup:.

CharlieR · Feb 25, 2011

A friend of mine bought a Stihl with the easy start and loves it.
I've watched him start it and tried it myself.
It's really nice.:thumbsup:

Gordon Gould · Feb 25, 2011

Here is a hair brained idea but it is what I would try if it were me. I would build something that holds my saw solidly down. Or maybe something waist high that you can hold it against with your hands. I would put a pully above the saw. Hook or clip a rope on the starter cord up thru the pulley then back down to a hinged board you can push on with your foot to pull the starter. The idea needs some refinement and thought to do it safely but I think you could make it work.

DAY · Feb 25, 2011

Gordon gets today's Genius Award! A hand pulled chain saw is no different than a foot cranked ( "kick start") motorcycle. Somebody here can Rube Goldberg a diagram for us all to see. . .

cmhyland · Feb 25, 2011

It seems like the cost of the hydraulic saw and associated hoses and possible PTO driven pump and tank would make it less attractive. 3500 to 6000 watt gen with electric start and ecco mode where it will idle down when not in use, and a good electric saw is the most cost effective.

If the OP has a 3pt carry-all it would handle everything and leave the FEL open for stacking wood.

boggen · Feb 25, 2011

i am actually kinda surprised now that i think of it. of not seeing a hydrualic chain saw that runs off of some hydrualic hookups on a tractor.

but if i start thinking about it.

first price would be the 2 hoses that would be needed and they would need to be long! say 100 foot.

next would be an hydrualic pump that could convert the fluid from the hooks from the tractor
along with some gears to change slower rotation of the pump to higher rotations so the chain will spin fast enough.

and most likely a bleeder valve to remove all the air from the long lines initially. and extra hydraulic oil for tractor as lines initially were filled.

the lines themselves hhhmmmsss. do they make anything rated for 2000 to 300psi that are double hose side by side, by have a small piece of plastic down center connecting them like. a torch might have?

weight of the hoses would be a concern. and wear and tear on the hoses pulling them around limbs, sharp corners on logs from cuts.

MarkV · Feb 25, 2011

Not sure what size lumber you are talking about and I can only guess that if you have bad shoulders you are not harvesting firewood. So what I do for trimming smaller things is a cordless reciprocating saw. There are even 12" blades made for trimming limbs. Just another option.

MarkV

TripleR · Feb 25, 2011

radioman said:
yup - my dad has one of these things. he likes it, I don't. you still gotta have strength to pull on it slow which i doubt the OP has. I really don't think electric will work on batteries. batteries is too heavy to lift and mount on tractor if you gotta maintain them. IF I were the OP, I would get a pto generator like one advertised on TBN forum from IMD. it should be much easier as all you gotta do is hook it up and run it from tractor. doubles a home backup too :thumbsup:.

I have three saws with this setup 180,210 and 250 and if I have the strength to use them, just about anyone can. My wife also uses them and loves them, we are both in our 60's. If a person has doubts, they can try one out at tthe store to see if they can use one. I noticed that Stihl now also offers this option in one it's arborist saws.

I can understand why someone who doesn't need the system would not like it, it really throws my youngest son off and he still, grabs and drop starts it like a regular saw which doesn't really work that well.

PTO and gas powered generators are options, but pretty expensive plus I can always manage to get caught up in power cords too.

PapaPerk · Feb 25, 2011

I thought Kubota has a hydraullic chainsaw that runs off their RTV900. Or is that my imagination?

The simplest solution would be to evaluate a Stihl easy start saw. They are pretty cool!

If that doesn't work... the generator/electric chainsaw is an intresting and workable solution. Plus you can use the generator for countless other projects. Have you looked at the Stihl electric chainsaws? They are well made I believe.

A hydraullic chainsaw sounds heavy and awkward. Especially if you are limbing, etc. The generator powered electric would be light, nimble, and easy to maintain.

Just my 2 cents.

jbooth · Feb 25, 2011

Power to weight ratio on hydraulics is very good when compared to gas powered.

Only drawbacks I see are the hoses, hose handling, higher initial cost, and your machinery's hydraulic capacity/flow/pressure.

Advantages are quiet, no gas mixing, no flamables, and durability.

I run a hydraulic chainsaw mounted on my Skid Steer bucket to side trim my farm tree rows. I sure don't have to push the button very hard on it to cut. I have the same issues with my shoulders.

boggen · Feb 25, 2011

MarkV said:
Not sure what size lumber you are talking about and I can only guess that if you have bad shoulders you are not harvesting firewood. So what I do for trimming smaller things is a cordless reciprocating saw. There are even 12" blades made for trimming limbs. Just another option.

MarkV

and longer blades. but boy is there a night and difference between a reciprocating saw, and a chain saw.

reciprocating saw, trimming blades tends to dull rather quick and take more time to cut stuff up with. and the vibration and kick back can be another issue. been there done that. give me a saw with a chain to cut with, when it comes to trees.

if it is plywood, and regular lumber 2x4's, trim then depends on what is being cut.

Egon · Feb 25, 2011

With shoulders and arms not to par pulling the hydraulic hoses may not have any joy.

Gordons idea seems eminently workable. Think about concentrating on refining it to a workable system.:thumbsup:

An alternative may be to use an external 12 volt starter motor much the same as is used on model planes. Some of those have chainsaw engines in them. Again you'd have to develop the idea.

vwnotrunning · Feb 25, 2011

I have seen some use a cordless drill on the flywheel nut with some type of a socket that would slip in one direction so it did not go crazy when the mower started.

jeffreythree · Feb 25, 2011

I thought I had seen a hydraulic handheld chainsaw once when looking at firewood processors that use stationary ones: Hand Held Saw ; so it can be done