Need a longer bar... so need a different saw

[Dadnatron]

I have a great general farm Stihl 251C 16" saw which, up to this point, has always done what I needed.

However, I have 2 large trees which are simply too much for it and I need to do something else.

There are not a lot of trees on my property, so this isn't for logging or big long term need. In fact, If I knew where I could simply rent a saw for the weekend, I'd likely go that route. But I need something which will handle a bar of at least 28-30" if not a little more. These trees are on the ground, but need to be cut up in a more manageable fashion for movement and/or disposal. My saw will limb some, but there is no way it would take a big enough bite out of the trunk to do any real good. I guess, unless I cut notches then cut more and more, now that I think of it. But, in all reality, I don't want to overtax my little saw when it will do almost everything else I need on the property.Especially, when I really need something with more heft.

So, I'm looking for information on how to purchase a 'bigger' used saw or find a rental who might be likely to have one available. The local rentals have a 24" which would certainly be better than my 16", however, it still would not do the job well.

I'd like to find a rental or a good used saw. I know the big saws are expensive, and even a used one might be more than I'd really like to spend... but it will certainly be less than the cost of hiring an arborist. Any other thoughts are welcome as well.

Lexington KY area

 

[EddieWalker]

For just two trees, and never needing it again, I would look at hiring a tree guy to come over and do it for you. Last guy that I hired had half a dozen saws in his truck, from crazy long to tiny. I paid him $200 and he had a pine with a 4 foot trunk on the ground in two hours exactly where I wanted it.

I've never seen a used chainsaw that was worth buying. I cant imagine of any other engine that is more abused then a chainsaw.

If you did buy new, have you priced what a new chain would cost for a saw that big?

By the time you buy the used saw, get it into running condition and put a new chain on it, you could hire somebody to do it for you.

 

[RNeumann]

These “repair”’kits are an entire new saw. I have had and have heard of zero issues with them. A logger turned me on to them. If you have an afternoon and don’t want to rent this would be a good option-

https://m.huztl.net/cateList-2971.html

 

[ericm979]

A 28-30" bar is pretty large. You can cut a tree up to 2x the actual bar length minus a few inches for slop and irregularity of the tree cross section (depends on species). A peavey or cant hook to roll the log helps. Stihl nominal bar lengths are often an inch or two longer than the actual length.

I got a decent used Stihl 460 from a seller on AS. Look for a compression test. It needed a few small things like a new clutch drum and a good cleaning but it's cut some big stuff for me.

 

[ericm979]

These “repair”’kits are an entire new saw. I have had and have heard of zero issues with them. A logger turned me on to them. If you have an afternoon and don’t want to rent this would be a good option-

Holzfforma Chainsaw | Stihl Chainsaw Parts | Holzfforma Farmertec Huztl Official Store

Unless you like the challenge of assembling a saw from parts, buy the blue pre assembled one. I had to do a bit of tuning of the parts on my MS660 kit. It's idling really high so I have to check for air leaks. The assembled ones seem to be pretty good from reports.

 

[Dadnatron]

I've definitely thought about hiring it out, and I would be very happy if I could do so. But the cost of an 'arborist' is far too expensive. Any advice on hiring 'a tree guy' that isn't a big business? The arborist I used ONCE cost $600 to remove a broken limb which I could not reach, but was overhanging a road. If it's cut up, I can manage the pieces. Or he can take what he wants...

 

[CobyRupert]

You could get the local rental 24" and buy a 28"-30" bar and chain for it. This still might be cheaper than buying a saw or hiring it done.

I had "one big tree" and I put a ~28" bar (don't remember exactly) on a 57cc saw just to saw up the trunk. I probably wouldn't do this with your 45cc saw.

I'd pull it out of the cut often when cutting through large trunk and test bar temperature with the back of my hand or run it with no load often to make sure the bar was getting oil from the now undersized oiler, and to make sure saw wasn't getting too hot from doing extra work with a big chain.

The 57cc didn't set any speed records on sawing it up, but who cares, my muscles and wallet didn't hurt as much the next day.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Rental places don't have the professional saws due to the casualty rate in the rental market. a 24" saw at Lowe's is under $500. A 30" professional Stihl or Husqavarna costs upwards of $1500. Around here there are rental places that cater to the logger trade that have the bigger saws. They are in the sales and repair business also.
Cody has a great idea. Just don't tell the rental,place what you did when you return it not working well. :thumbdown:


Ron

 

[bcp]

Sponsor a chainsawing contest with a $100 prize.

Bruce

 

[Diggin It]

A 28-30" bar is pretty large. You can cut a tree up to 2x the actual bar length minus a few inches for slop and irregularity of the tree cross section (depends on species). A peavey or cant hook to roll the log helps.

Get the 24 rental. Cut it, roll it, cut it. Repeat if needed.

A 24" saw should cut a 40" diameter that way.

You don't mention the diameter, length or how many cuts you way to make though.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I found a chain left by one of my rental tenants that fit my saw but was for a 22" bar. They dont make a 22" bar for my Stihl 025's, so I made my own. Used 2 old bars, cut them and welded them together at the correct lenth for the chain, now I have a 22" bar that can be used in the rare occasion I need on longer than 16". Ive used it once, otherwise it hangs on a nail in the barn, gets a shot of oil once in a while to keep it from rusting.

How big diameter is the log you're cutting? Like others have said, 16" bar will cut 32", you just gotta go at it from both sides so the tip of the bar meets in the middle.

 

[crazyal]

Are there any chainsaw shops (not box stores but a real chainsaw shop) near you? There's two within a half hour. Both of which I have gone to and talked with the sales and parts guys. You could go to one and ask if they either know of a guy or have a place where you could put up a flier looking for someone to cut the trees. Maybe you could find someone who didn't mind doing it on a day off. Not knowing the details (like diameter and how easy it would be to drop them without doing damage) it would be up to you to decide if a person seams qualified as chances are they aren't going to have insurance.

 

[Egon]

[video]https://goo.gl/images/1TpjUJ[/video]

Drill vertical holes across the log and then drill horizontal holes through the vertical holes for air. Takes time but does not require a new saw. Make a proper video and post on YouTube.

Slots with the saw should also work.

 

[Jchonline]

What is the diameter of these trees?

 

[EddieWalker]

I've definitely thought about hiring it out, and I would be very happy if I could do so. But the cost of an 'arborist' is far too expensive. Any advice on hiring 'a tree guy' that isn't a big business? The arborist I used ONCE cost $600 to remove a broken limb which I could not reach, but was overhanging a road. If it's cut up, I can manage the pieces. Or he can take what he wants...

Around here, you just ask one of the guys that are mowing lawns for a living. I would be surprised if they wanted more then a hundred bucks to do what you want done. I was working on a fence project for a client last week and he asked me what I wanted to remove a huge patch of cactus that was blocking access to the side of his house. It's probably 20 feet wide and 50 feet long. I said that I would rent a mini excavator and the cost would be based on my time and the rental. Then he asked the guy mowing his neighbors house what he would charge to dig it out and haul it off. He said $120. It's a no brainer, pay the lawn guy to do it and save money.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Post on CL to hire someone. When I cut firewood on a regular basis I ended up buying a used Stihl 660 magnum, I put a 25in .404 bar on it and double dawgs. It’s a really sweet saw.

When I was in a pawn shop one day I came across a Stihl 460 with a shot bar and a new 192TC saw, I called a buddy to see what they were worth, he said buy them both, he wanted the 460 and I wanted the 192TC, got them both for $300 and sold the 460 for $200.

I love my 192TC for anything under 12in, above that the 660 comes out and eats wood.

My point is, I have these saws sitting around, if I saw a post on CL to cut up two trees for $150, I would be over to cut them up, my saws don’t see much use these days, I like to cut up good size trees at least twice a year if I’m not cutting wood.

A CL person wouldn’t be insured though, just a good ol boy with a saw lol.

If you want to use your saw, you could prob get away with a 24in bar on a skip chisel chain.

Also my 25in bar has cut all the trees I have had to in Ohio. There is trees out there that need bigger than 25in but I haven’t found one yet. We have big mature hardwoods (oak, poplar, cherry, beech, Birch etc) and pine (Canadian hemlock, western pine, white pine etc.). We get some big old trees here. But here they get so big and fall over, usually less than 150ft tall and 50in at the base before they are too heavy.

 

[nyone]

Having a bigger saw is great if you cut any firewood. I recently bought a stihl ms460 on ebay for $430. It needed a $12 oil pump. I have 20, 25 and 28in bars for it. Mostly keep the 25in full comp on.

I also have a ms193t and ms290. The 193t is great for trail maintenance and cutting up small limbs quick. The top handle is really nice for cutting and throwing things too.