Chainsawing trees partially submerged...

[Podunkadunk]

We had a rain-storm come through Sat. evening and a few trees went down in the creek behind my house. Has anyone ever cut trees that are partially submerged? I have a saw that I use for cutting "dirty" wood, but I don't want it to die on me. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Podunk

 

[InlineDieselFan]

The one's that I have cut in the water have all been less than 8" in diameter. I just try to keep the blade depth at the least amount of depth as possible so I have less water coming back up onto/into the saw.

I place oil absorbant pads nearby to 'catch' the oil from the blade. After I am done I clean up the saw and spray it down with a good lubricant.

steve

 

[WTA]

Can you drag them out of the water? It sounds kinda dangerous to me if the water is moving at all.

 

[turnkey4099]

Yes I have. There is no problem keeping the saw running but do be prepared to get very wet. Give the saw a thorough cleaning afterward and dry it off good. Best to dunk the chain in a can of oil afteward also and then hang it to drip after a day.

Harry K

 

[Podunkadunk]

Can you drag them out of the water? It sounds kinda dangerous to me if the water is moving at all.

Not an option. Too muddy/swampy around the creek and the trees are too big for my little Kubota. Thanks though

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm going to whack 'em as soon as it warms up some.

Podunk

 

[Skyco]

I cut a bunch of stuff that blew down in my pond. Not very efficient- I'd estimate the water saps about 75% of the saw power, you'll make great rooster tails but cut slowly

 

[gordon21]

Keep in mind that some limbs may be under tension at the roots/base/stump up on shore. When you cut the top, the roots/stump may spring back. Be prepared. Another worry is where the cut pieces might go. is there any current? Will they float away or sink into the water? Be very careful in estimating where the cut wood will go.

Wear goggles and be careful. Don't let your legs or arms get pinned by moving wood.

 

[Champy]

I had similar problems......trees down in the creek, etc... Except mine were big sycamores.3-5' diameter and they were hung up on the bank too. I could not get to them through the woods with my tractor, and the creek was 2'-3' deep or more. I was afraid that cutting them would snag me and I'd be trapped underwater (forget the chainsaw / oil concerns).

My solution was to use a bow saw to hand cut the loose branches and tops in the creek so it reduced the opportunity to create a dam, and then do nothing else ........let nature take its course......until this past summer when all the creeks dried up due to the severe drought. Then I just drove the tractor straight up the dried creekbed and using the FEL as support, cut long sections and dragged them out with chains.

Can you wait for a "low tide" time of year?

 

[Champy]

some camera phone pics with my son on the tractor in our creek. Dragging smaller limbs out.

 

[scott_vt]

We had a rain-storm come through Sat. evening and a few trees went down in the creek behind my house. Has anyone ever cut trees that are partially submerged? I have a saw that I use for cutting "dirty" wood, but I don't want it to die on me. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Podunk

Evenin Podunk,
We use Stihl saws over the fire house with carbide chains for ice rescue work, winter time rural water supply etc... They work fine but as others have said be prepared to get wet !!! After use,oil your machine down real good !

 

[gotrocks]

Without a good picture of the site it is hard to make suggestions,BUT
have you considered using a good strong come-a-long and either lift the cut location out of the water, OR drag up on the bank?

I've go a leaver chain hoist that will pull more than my little B-2910.

Be carefull, Have a Merry Christmas!

 

[tommu56]

Years ago my fil and I had to cut 3 out of their in ground swimming pool we cut as much above waterline as we could then started cutting "under water".

Wear chest waders and be prepared to get wet!

It made a real mess of the water and bottom of pool but it was better than wrecking the coping or getting a hernia.

The saw stopped a couple of times we let it sit for 1/2 hr or so while we took cut pieces out of pool and started over

tom

 

[teg]

I had one tree pinch the chain and started to go underwater... lucky for me it finally released but when it did I almost fell out of the canoe that I was sawing from The chain took out a small chunk of the canoe but that makes for a good story.

My neighbor's Bronco spent a day or two underwater from Hurricane Fran... He got the water out and it worked fine. If your chainsaw goes under, don't just put it away... drain, dry and oil it. Even if it didn't go under, you should take the bar off and blow out the Clutch (dry it with air).

 

[chh]

Be VERY careful of limbs that may be under pressure. We have had a lot of stuff down here on OK from the ice storms the last few years and it can amazing how much pressure can be behind some of those limbs.

 

[Podunkadunk]

Lots of great advice. Thanks guys! I'll be careful.

The tractor option...well, it isn't an option. Too wet.

I don't have a come a long or nice hoist...(hmmm, xmas list)

The creek doesn't have much of a noticeable current. It's about 2.5 feet deep, I'd guesstimate.

I am definitely going to do it when it warms up...shouldn't be too long, it was in the 80's last week, was 20 this morning...go figure, supposed to be colder tomorrow morning

Thanks to all.

Podunk

 

[riptides]

Why don't you just wait until summer and let the next drought dry things up for you?

Or, if you have a wet spring, maybe the rains will re-arrange your trees for you?

Or are these trees you can use - like right away?

-Mike Z.

 

[Youare]

I have cut stuff that has been in the water and like everyone else said the saw chain is a very good water slinger. If you are worried about getting bar and cahin oil in the water for your in the water cuts use vegetable oil instead.

Randy

 

[Rara Avis]

Not an option. Too muddy/swampy around the creek and the trees are too big for my little Kubota. Thanks though

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm going to whack 'em as soon as it warms up some.

Podunk

HUD-SON Forest, Farmi Skidder Skidding Winch

 

[Podunkadunk]

HUD-SON Forest, Farmi Skidder Skidding Winch

Very nice! I wish I could afford it! A little one is on the way, can't justify spending the $

Thanks for the link though, right click, add to favorites!

Podunk

 

[Youare]

I bought a Farmi winch over 25 years ago, it's on its second tractor. I do not know what I would do without it. They are a little pricey but well worth the expense.

Randy