Chainsaws, opinions on type and use.

[silkiechicken]

So I was thinking about a cheap chainsaw. Any suggestions for a small one to cut though branches that are at most 8 inches in diameter? What are your experiences and how hard are they to use/maintain. I want to do a lot of cutting of old wood on the ground that I want cleared so nothing is huge and everything is already about 6 years old and rotting on the ground. I would have to say there is about 5 full size truck bed's full of wood... that I can see... who knows how much more is hiding. In addition, I anticipate about 30-40, 60-80 foot tall evergreen trees to be downed with trunks taken only, so I'll have to have to chop up the left overs after they are taken down.

So the question is:

1) What kind do you have? Gas/Electric? Make/model?

2) What did it cost?

3) How do you like the one you have?

4) Is it easier or harder to use than a standard weed wacker? (I can't use one as I can't control it... maybe I am too short.)

5) How long did it last? What are it's problems.

6) What type of maintenance do you do on it to keep it happy?

Thanks!

 

[gardener]

Do you know anyone that has one you can borrow. To see if you like using it. Chainsaw is a bit more difficult than a weedeater. They can get stuck if you pinch the blade in the tree trunk. You have to be mindful of where the blade is and going to be when it goes through a branch. Keep the blade from touching the ground while sawing.

 

[lexustami]

Silkiechicken,

We have The Rancher made by Husqvarna. I bought it for my husband a couple of years ago. He uses it almost weekly. It was in the $350-$400 range if I remember correctly but I wanted to get him one that would last a long time.

Maintenance... tighten the chain when it comes loose. Sharpen the blade when it becomes dull. You can buy the sharpener kit and do it yourself. Saves the $20.00 on buying a new chain. Make sure you keep the chain lubed up.

Here is a mistake some people make when chainsawing. Don't try to go all the way through the wood. Start from the top and go halfway through. Remove the chainsaw from the wood and then come up from underneath. If it is a real thick piece of wood then make a V cut in the wood. This will help you keep the chainsaw from getting stuck in the tree. Don't use it on vines. You can't use it the same as one of those saws that are used for pruning and shaping bushes.


And this is the most important thing. Buy a pair of chainsaw pants.

My husband nearly lost his leg a year ago. The thing my husband was cutting down fell and nearly hit him. He didn't realize that when he moved to avoid the falling wood that the chainsaw hit him in the leg. He didn't even know he was injured until my kids told him he was bleeding.

By the time he made it to the house he started passing out. I had to call an ambulance to take him to the hospital. He was lucky. In the grand scheme of things, it was just a flesh wound but could have been a major disaster if it had gone any deeper.

I bought him a pair of chainsaw pants (which I didn't know existed until after this happened) and he doesn't chainsaw without them.

Take care,

Tami

 

[silkiechicken]

Ok, so within 1 hr into my big plan to decimate the world again, I am not allowed to get a chain saw because there is no way I can control it, if I can't even use a weed whacker.. If I wasn't afraid of burning everything down, I'd light the half I want cleared ablaze. I guess I'll give it a few more decades to rot and let the rat's live in the piles.

I've just been a big complainer as of late and just want to see things get done! So that leads me to hatch out terrible plans. Thanks for responding though!

 

[FrozenChicken]

I own a Stil Chainsaw they are also a good brand as is Huskavarna. The Biggest thing with chainsaws is to get one that you can handle. Get one that is light enough for the user and keep the chain sharp at all time. Keep your chain oil resevoir full and don't cut near the dirt or metal and follow all safety rules. Chainsaws are not toys, a lady in a town near by died when her saw kicked back cutting her artery in her neck. Never chainsaw alone!

 

[RubberChickenLubber]

My dh has a stihl farm boss 029. His grandfather has had one for many years and only the occasional tune up. they have a lot of power. We paid around $279 for it. Worth every penny, but i agree, if your only doing a small job see if you can borrow one.

 

[joanm]

Quote:
I have one. It's an electric one and I wish I would have bought a gas powered. I've cut down several small trees in my yard. I had no problem controlling it.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Silkie,

You can handle a small chainsaw. In my opinion they are easier to use
than weedwackers.

I own an 18" Echo I upgraded to a 20". It's around $190.


My suggestion is to check out an electric saw or sabre saw/sawzaw.

If you are cutting up brush or trees less than 5" in diameter and electric
chainsaw will work fine. They are also lighter, cheaper, and don't make you smell
like gas. It would be perfect to chop up a pile of brush.

I've also got a Ryobi cordless sawzaw (sabre saw) and cordless chain saw.
My 7 year old handles the chain saw himself to cut up to 3" trees, limbs, etc.
The chain goes REALLY slow but it does work nice.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...=10000003+90401&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

You can put a 6" blade on this and cut almost anything:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...=10000003+90401&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

You can get these corded or cordless. Corded is stronger but less convenient.


I'd offer to let you borrow mine but freight would be almost as much as to buy it.

Don


I re-read you post original post. Check out 16" electric chain saws. You can get one for
under $100.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

A small electric would be easy to control as long as everything you want cut is within a couple hundred feet of your house. And that would be with a couple hundred feet of GOOD extension cord, 12 gauge cord, not the cheap 16 or 18 gauge cord, A 1000' feet of extension cord won't run a good electric saw.

Echo sells a small 12" gas saw that weighs in around 8 lbs. You shouldn't have much trouble with that. They run around $200. You also need to figure in the cost of a gas can, tooth sharpener, ear and eye protection, and a pair of chainsaw chaps.

 

[silkiechicken]

Oh yeah, I can reach the piles from the house. Someone go convince Royicus that I can get one!