What Chainsaw do you run?

When I worked as a FF for the USFS we used Stihl

 

Im taking some days off to do long needed trimmings around the property after finishing the build yesterday. But I have plans to go back next week just north of Dove Spring OHV to run it hard core and not care too much about the noise I’ll be making, lol. Aside from that, I get to wheel in Joshua Tree country. So it’s a win win and probably another win with the cool temps. Looking forward to running it as the compression is starting to get tight from just pulling on the cord on different occasions throughout the build.

395 sounds tempting!!! Do you go to any GTG’s?

Testing out my big bore stroker motor @ 136cc’s this past Sunday. I love being in this area.

 

Im on the Makita battery platform and been looking to do the same, add a smaller battery saw to the arsenal.

 

What's the point of the giant muffler? Make it louder or?

 

If I remember correctly (don't roast me if I'm wrong) but it's an expansion chamber. It's for making more power.

 

I was on the fence for a while, but I've seen a lot of tree crews (the climbers) running cordless saws of various brands.

 

Not aware of any GTG’s in my area. I am sure my kiddo would love every second of one! I am near Charlotte, NC

 

Any video that I see lately has guys running battery saws for limping and topping trees and then running the bigger saws for dropping trees and processing the lower portions. I used one briefly for small stuff and it was great

 

It’s called an expansion chamber, and yes, they get VERY LOUD!!!

“On a two-stroke engine, an expansion chamber or tuned pipe is a tuned exhaust system used to enhance its power output by improving its volumetric efficiency.”

Good read.

https://www.motorcycle.com/how-to/h...ambers-work-and-why-you-should-care-3423.html

 

The sounds, smells, and energy a lumber jubilee produces he’d get a kick out of for sure.

 

One of the main things is it helps to increase compression.

 

Ahhh okay. Cool

 

I've been doing some reading and watching plenty of (too much) YouTube comparing various options for saws, but still can't settle on a value-for-money solution that fits my needs.

What is my "need"? Well, I enjoy exploring around relatively remote FSRs behind gates (when open) and on Crown Land on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. I have frequently encountered downed trees on these roads, sometimes making me turn around, sometimes causing me to break out my folding bow saw and using some elbow grease

I was wandering around North Island the past couple of days, and encountered more than one tree that WELL beyond my current capability to clear. One of them I was able to partially clear with the hand saw and some brute force, then drive over the rest. I'd like better options next time, as this took much longer than I'd have expected. My saw wasn't big enough, causing me to have to chop a wedge to keep sawing deeper. I used the truck to drag the whole thing but would have much rather left a completely clear road for the next person through.

My biggest concern is getting stuck out there. I travel alone much of the time, and yes I'm aware of the risks. I carry a lot of "what if" gear with me, but this particular area increasingly seems like I should be improving the tree clearing equipment that I carry. This isn't a unit that would be getting a lot of hard use. This would mostly be pulled out to clear medium to large (perhaps 20" diameter?) trees that have fallen across roadways a few times per year.

I really like the idea of the newer battery powered saws for being potentially cleaner and less hassle/mess. The price tag when you add up the tool, battery, and chargers is not so inviting. Also, I wonder if I should be looking at longer bars and more power to deal with some of the giants that might block my way out just at the wrong time. The vast majority of trees are softwood - red cedar, fir, spruce, hemlock, etc. Conditions are often extremely wet and muddy.

I'm generally quite safety conscious, but feel free to throw in some education on dangers I might not have thought of too. I'll consider everything that's well-intentioned.

So, I'd appreciate value oriented suggestions for this specific use case.

 

I’d go longer bar and a PRO GAS saw. If you have the time, you can mill these downed trees with an Alaskan mill(doesn’t have to be the entire stick).

For the taking from boards to beams for your next project.

 

I would highly recommend the Stihl ms261 with an 18” bar. You can put a 20” bar on it but it’s a bit of a dog at that length. That saw with an 18” is one of my favorites of all time. If you’re not felling any trees and just dealing with stuff already on the ground, I doubt you’ll run into anything that setup won’t handle without a problem. It’s super light, well balanced and a joy to run. I run mine essentially stock, I did a little fish gill mod on side of muffler to help her breathe a bit better and she loves it. There are some battery saws that have real power but I have no real experience with battery besides top handle stuff. But like you said, after batteries and chargers, you’re not really saving money. Regardless of what you go with I’ll suggest to you, like I do everybody, stay away from consumer grade saws. Buy once cry once with a pro saw. Buy a used pro saw before a new homeowner one. The difference is night and day.

 

The forest road you showed is better than my driveway!

 

Ok due to your unusual solution, this one deserves to be crossposted over at Trail MacGuyvering

 

^^ THIS ^^

Back in 2019 on a fall hunting trip, a freak wind storm blew threw. I counted well over 50 trees down on logging roads, some passable and some requiring clearing. I think I cut up a dozen or so just so I could get to where I wanted to go. Back then there were no battery saws, so I had my 261 with me. For work like this, I'll take gas over battery.

 

Lol this post topic would probably be less of a cantankerous debate if it were about guns, abortion or the covid vaccine. Joking aside, I prefer Stihl but have had Husqvarna and have been happy too. Over the past 10 years I've moved to only Stihl since I find all the parts are easy to find locally. Currently have a MS170 For small stuff, MS 251 and an MS391 for bigger trees. Also have a EGO electric which is nice for super small things but electric can't handle more than a few large cuts or many small cuts.

 

best disclaimer ever.