trail clearing technique and tools

ArlyA · Sep 25, 2021

airbiscuit said:
Can you see well enough to match the angle? Does it seem to get the rakers just about right?

Since many people do fine, just hand filing there chains, I'd guess that file holder works great. I thought about getting one but haven't yet. Not sure they could hold the super tiny 1/8th my Stihl pole saw uses anyway. Yes, I'm awaiting parts to swtich it to larger chains. I'm not happy with the micro ones it came with.

ultrarunner · Sep 25, 2021

I switched the 10" pole saw to 12" and the battery saw from 14" to 12" for simplicity... also one of the national stores sells the 12" much cheaper than the saw shop.

CADplans · Sep 25, 2021

For SOME reason,, my trails stay 90 inches wide,,,,,,,,,,

ArlyA,, please do not drool on the paint,, my wife makes me wax this thing every time I use it,,
Drool leaves marks in the wax,,,,,,,,,,,,

My granddaughter was over Thursday,, and she wanted to ride the ATV,,
She was SO happy, the trails were freshly mowed on Tuesday,,,
I think she would have fought the weeds, but, mowed trails were enough to get a "Thanks! POP POP !" out of her

Root Cause · Sep 25, 2021

airbiscuit said:
Can you see well enough to match the angle? Does it seem to get the rakers just about right?

Yes, you can align it with your eyes and pretty quickly learn to feel the drag when making full contact.

I truly had no experience doing this and after the first sharpening, it was like new. It has saved me probably $2 or 300 hundred dollars this summer. I used to use a chain well after it was dull just because I didn't want to and change out chains. This is easier for me anyway.

jjp8182 · Sep 26, 2021

ArlyA said:
Since many people do fine, just hand filing there chains, I'd guess that file holder works great. I thought about getting one but haven't yet. Not sure they could hold the super tiny 1/8th my Stihl pole saw uses anyway. Yes, I'm awaiting parts to swtich it to larger chains. I'm not happy with the micro ones it came with.

The tools are made in different versions to accomodate the different chain pitches: https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/filing-tools/2in1file/

So if a person has saws using different pitches of chains they'd need to buy (& remember to use) the one specific for each chain pitch. It's noticeable when the wrong one is used on a chain pitch it wasn't intended for as there's a difference in the drag (at least that I've felt the few times I've grabbed the wrong one for the chain I was sharpening).

ArlyA · Sep 26, 2021

CADplans said:
For SOME reason,, my trails stay 90 inches wide,,,,,,,,,,

ArlyA,, please do not drool on the paint,, my wife makes me wax this thing every time I use it,,
Drool leaves marks in the wax,,,,,,,,,,,,

My granddaughter was over Thursday,, and she wanted to ride the ATV,,
She was SO happy, the trails were freshly mowed on Tuesday,,,
I think she would have fought the weeds, but, mowed trails were enough to get a "Thanks! POP POP !" out of her

We do not own a compact tractor and no plans to get one. Sure, I'd like one, but no $$$ for it. Is there a "Go fund me" someone would like to set up?

ArlyA · Sep 26, 2021

Seems that some people might not know how we change these crazy cam lock whacker strings so today, I took a few photos to demonstrate the process. Ya, its crazy complicated!

Back at the 6x6 for a snack, I note my strings are looking a bit ratty so I place the unit in the machines box.