HYDRAULIC CHAIN SAW

[BAGTIC]

I recall that someone (?) here has a hydraulic chain saw.

I always thought that they would be useful for cutting under water. After my recent experience cutting up downed trees in the pond I began to wonder. My experience was that running with the chain submerged in moderately muddy water caused the chains to dull very fast.

Also, how does one keep the chain lubed under water?

 

[J_J]

I have the hydraulic chain saw. They make a hyd chain saw for under water cutting, but just about any hydraulic device will work under water. The hyd motors, have anywhere from 1500 psi to 3000 psi to pressurize the system. Water is the lubricant for the bld.

 

[PTOuser]

OK did anyone mate a Stanley pole pruner, chain saw, etc. successfully with a PT? There are frequently used Stanley hydraulic tools on eBay at decent prices. If someone succeeded can you tell us if you had any hose fitting and/or pressure issues? J_J did you ever figure out who made your pole pruner? How's that worked over time? I'm interested in possibly driving rebar with a Stanley driver tool.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to use a PT to be a pole pruner, actually any tractor. Maybe I am ignorant but everytime I use mine by hand I end up cutting / nicking the wrong limbs. With the PT ROPS I would think seeing anything up high would be a pain right off the bat.

 

[kcook]

We use the Stanley hydraulic chainsaw at work for Urban Search and Rescue ops, it set up for cutting re-enforced concrete 14", cutter very quickly if you know what your doing. We have a large hydraulic pump and a water pump that comes with it as well. The saw needs 60psi of water pressure to move the slurry out of the way Blades are very pricy, $600 or so. I have used the wood saw but that was many years ago. Great unit!!

KC

 

[PTOuser]

woodlandfarms and kcook think standing beside the tractor with a pole mounted hydraulic chainsaw or rotary cutter attached via long hoses (see attachments)

 

[pajoube]

OK did anyone mate a Stanley pole pruner, chain saw, etc. successfully with a PT? There are frequently used Stanley hydraulic tools on eBay at decent prices. If someone succeeded can you tell us if you had any hose fitting and/or pressure issues? J_J did you ever figure out who made your pole pruner? How's that worked over time? I'm interested in possibly driving rebar with a Stanley driver tool.

I'm looking for a hydraulic operated hedge trimmer for my 425. Do they make such a thing that would work with the 425?
PJ

 

[PTOuser]

pajoube I don't remember having seen a hydraulic hedge trimmer but since I've not not been looking for one I probably wouldn't have taken notice. I'll post info for you if I run across a hydraulic trimmer.

 

[ponytug]

I think Charlie Iliff has a sickle mower that he uses to trim brush, like a hedge trimmer.

Of course, this might take some adaptation, but they exist;

Then there is one of my favorite You Tube videos, right up there with "Bird On A Wire"
showing a rather large hedge trimmer in action;
YouTube - Helicopter saw

Have fun, (and safe trimming!)
All the best,
Peter

I'm looking for a hydraulic operated hedge trimmer for my 425. Do they make such a thing that would work with the 425?
PJ

 

[SpringHollow]

I do not think a hydraulic chainsaw makes much sense for most of us. Running a 20 HP or larger engine instead of the small engine on pole pruners.......

Ken

 

[psj12]

I have used a hydraulic chain saw. They work great. One is supplied with the army's newest M88 Tank retriever.

 

[MossRoad]

A lot of tree trimming companies have hydraulic chain saws and pole pruners. Especially the ones with bucket trucks. You might want to look at supply houses geared towards arborists, tree trimmers, etc...

Hydraulic Chainsaws, Circular Saws, Limb Loppers & Pruners

 

[MossRoad]

Oh yeah... hydraulic pruners can be non conductive, making them safer for use around power lines, etc... That's why they use them in bucket trucks.

 

[PTOuser]

OK guys ... back to my original question. Has anyone succeeded in matching up one of these with the hydraulics on a PT? If so what's the fittings and pressure issues? Also if buying used how about the potential of contaminating hydraulic fluid?

 

[KentT]

The PT-422's and 425's hydraulic PTO is rated at 8 GPM at 2500 PSI. The PT-1430's is rated at 12 GPM at 2500 PSI.

Keep in mind that this is a closed loop PTO with no internal bypass or diverter valve -- it is simply on and off with no flow control other than by using the throttle, once it is turned on.

Any attachment like a chainsaw where you'd want to control the speed on the attachment itself (trigger, etc.) and not on the dashboard of the tractor (throttle, PTO on/off switch) would require its own bypass (open center valve, for example) or diverter valve to allow the flow to continue when the attachment is not in use or at less than full speed.

 

[BillCroasmun]

Any attachment like a chainsaw where you'd want to control the speed on the attachment itself (trigger, etc.)...

Although chainsaws have a variable speed trigger in my personal experience my saws are either idling (non-cutting) or I am full throttle (cutting). The only reason for an idle setting for me is so you do not have to restart the gas engine b/w every cut.

I think a hydraulic powered saw would be OK to have turn all off or turn all on. Then again maybe I don't saw properly.

Not to get too far off topic but I had another thread where I talked about converting a small electric chainsaw into a pole saw for the PT but my power invertor isn't beefy enough. My dad just got a big invertor ($150 price range) that he's been using with a Black and Decker Alligator Lopper pretty successfully. Alligator Lopper: Electric Lopper from Black and Decker

 

[KentT]

Although chainsaws have a variable speed trigger in my personal experience my saws are either idling (non-cutting) or I am full throttle (cutting). The only reason for an idle setting for me is so you do not have to restart the gas engine b/w every cut.

I think a hydraulic powered saw would be OK to have turn all off or turn all on. Then again maybe I don't saw properly.

Not to get too far off topic but I had another thread where I talked about converting a small electric chainsaw into a pole saw for the PT but my power invertor isn't beefy enough. My dad just got a big invertor ($150 price range) that he's been using with a Black and Decker Alligator Lopper pretty successfully. Alligator Lopper: Electric Lopper from Black and Decker

IMO, the biggest reason is safety -- both my gas chainsaws (Stihl & Husqy) have automatic chain brakes/clutches that stop the chain from running when the saw is idling -- in addition to the kickback protection that stops it in an "emergency." I certainly wouldn't want the chain to always be running "wide open" especially as I tried to maneuver a saw with hydraulic hoses attached to it...

 

[MossRoad]

Click on that link I gave above. There are diagrams of the spool for the hydualic chainsaw, loppers and circular saw. They can be run in an open center or closed center loop by adding a plub. They have a trigger on the spool. So they can be switched on and off like a normal chainsaw.

 

[SpringHollow]

other than for a tree surgeon working from a boom, i still do not understand why one would even want to do this - seems like a lot of wear and tera on the tractor engine and awkward to use.

Ken

 

[MossRoad]

Some of us want to eliminate as many motors to maintain as possible.