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- Dec 20, 2018
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- 1,791
When I first saw this thread...I thought now what? Why would I put a chainsaw on my saddle and how much will it weigh me down.
What are you running? In scouring craigslist and other options, any thoughts or tips on what to look for?
I'll mostly be clearing small areas in an oak/history forest, likely not cutting much bigger than 12" diameter. I've been using an old Craftsman that does the job, but I've been toying with the idea of upgrading.What are you looking to cut? Your intended use makes a big difference in the answer
yes, and if you dont like the huge bar, a 90cc saw with a 16" bar will RIP.....Stihl MS440 or 460 ran them for hours on end and days on end. If you can find one from a homeowner used, they're nowhere near worn out. The bigger saws are heavier but you can run a longer bar and don't have to bend over as much.
The old Craftsmans were actually made by Poulan and are really solid saws! Not sure what chain you're using but If it has a "safety chain" or low kickback chain, throw that in the trash and run to a dealer (stihl, husqvarna, echo, etc.) with the saw in tow and get set up with some decent chains. If it has a lot of hours on it, compression might be getting low too and need a re-ring/hone job.I'll mostly be clearing small areas in an oak/history forest, likely not cutting much bigger than 12" diameter. I've been using an old Craftsman that does the job, but I've been toying with the idea of upgrading.
I have an old craftsman as well that I run as a limbing saw sometimes. ITs probably 25+ years old at this point. I replaced the oiler gear once and thats about it. It does vapr lock after running really hot though. Good saw though.The old Craftsmans were actually made by Poulan and are really solid saws!
I'm a Stihl guy, for your use you don't need a big saw. I started with a big saw MS391, she'll rip through full bar width oak without blinking but it was hell carrying that saw through the woods cutting small trees and limbs so I got a MS250 and had the dealer put a smaller bar on it (factory 18" but I reduced to 16"). Much easier to handle and run for longer periods of timeI'll mostly be clearing small areas in an oak/history forest, likely not cutting much bigger than 12" diameter. I've been using an old Craftsman that does the job, but I've been toying with the idea of upgrading.
That's my thinking too. And thanks all for the tips.I'll throw this out there...you can never have too many chainsaws...
Echo Timberwolf is best bang for your buck IMO if your buying new
I'm thinking of going this route. Only use a saw for trimming limbs never anything big and never for very long either. We have the Milwaukee battery saw at work and the thing is sweet.Yup. LiON tools make sense for me if you don't use them a lot of heavily. Carb motors don't like to sit in a corner for 8 months and then just pop out and do a 5 minute job and go back in the corner.
My dad's boss is a chainsaw nut. Used to work for the phone company trimming easements and owned a land clearing business. He strongly advocated for me getting an electric one, and said he used his 90% of the time just messing around in his yard.I'm thinking of going this route. Only use a saw for trimming limbs never anything big and never for very long either. We have the Milwaukee battery saw at work and the thing is sweet.
We use em for trimming out poles and cutting trees off wire. Easy to maneuver and actually has a decent battery life too. I get having a gas saw but for a fella like myself it makes more sense to have the battery saw. All depends on what your using em for.My dad's boss is a chainsaw nut. Used to work for the phone company trimming easements and owned a land clearing business. He strongly advocated for me getting an electric one, and said he used his 90% of the time just messing around in his yard.
Yup. I can run mine one handed while leaning over a canoe gunwhale or up in a treestand. But I'd hate to clear a lot with one.We use em for trimming out poles and cutting trees off wire. Easy to maneuver and actually has a decent battery life too. I get having a gas saw but for a fella like myself it makes more sense to have the battery saw. All depends on what your using em for.
Do yourself and sell all your other cordless tools if they are not milwaukee. Maybe that is a little too ford vs Chevy to say but they are that good.At work we have to clear/ limb trees away from our powerlines. We have gone away from Stihl and switched to Milwaukee cordless. Best thing we ever did. After doing so I told myself next time I have to cut down or clean up a tree in my yard I will be buying a milwaukee. I won't have to spend my money stihl's mixed gas, which if you dont run that gas in my opinion they dont start well. At least any of the new chainsaws.
They just don't make them the same anymore and I believe that is due to emissions standards. My 2 cents..
Almost forgot best part is no more ear plugs needed!