Looking for a lightweight limbcutting saw...

[rustyshakelford]

For limb work a battery powered reciprocating saw is superior to a chainsaw.

It might be good for trimming a tree that's standing but I'm not about to be bent over with a Sawzall limbing a tree that I've layed over.

LOL. Superior in what way?

Sawzall is not even remotely close to being a replacement for a limbing saw IMO. Would be nothing but a waste of time.

Don't have to worry about getting gas or oil on your close is the only benefit I can think of.

Respect other opinions.

I do respect it but it's a poor choice for limbing trees. With a saw and 20" bar you don't have to lean down near as far or get wrapped around the limbs to get to the base. The limb could call on you if your not paying attention.

Op

261 is a good saw. If you want a really light saw and don't use it very frequently, or limb big trees a 180 would work for you. 14" bar and narrow chain. Just not pro or mid range.

Brett

 

[Coyote machine]

Look at my signature at the bottom of this post. I use all the saws listed in my collection. The 011AVs are great saws from the 1980-'90s, and work great with 14'-16" bars. I use the 180C now a lot because it is lightweight. I cut anything and everything I need with the various saws in my collection. Some of them are fairly close together in cut ability, and that is because I bought a couple of them at pawn shops, because they were available really cheap vs. a new saw of equivalent size/price.

Sawzall type cutters can be useful for pruning limbs, but are not suited to lots of limbing, though their weight and battery vs. gas/oil can be advantageous. Personal choice, I'd say; it depends on what you're cutting, when, and how, and how much you're doing at one time. I try to use different techniques for different situations, depending on the terrain, what the weather is, (wet or dry conditions, etc.)

 

[jeff9366]

I have pictured Sawzall.

I have two Stihls.

I am 67 years old and started using saws on trees about age 15.

For limb work a battery powered reciprocating saw is superior to a chainsaw.

Milwarukee makes a Sawzall blade called "THE AXE" which is amazing.

 

[Coyote machine]

'Superior' is relative to what you do and what your choice is. I've been doing tree work since my first real job working for a tree company. Various tools work for different jobs, for different people. There is no RIGHT thing for everyone.

 

[hslogger]

Differenttttt strokes fer diffferenttttt folks
I have found the Stihl 017, or Ms170 to be fine and dandy for knocking snotter limbs here and there. Stay away from the one hander saws. Even in the hand of a professional aborist, they are iffy and invite abuse of your body. I have mine set up with 14inch bar and , full compliment chain, and full floating sprocket like big pro saws. For my dollar they are great in this application.
Remember it ain't the size of the wand, tis the magic behind it.

 

[s219]

I think people must have different ideas what "limbing" means. For me, it means walking alongside dozens of felled trees, some perhaps 24-30" or more in diameter, and nipping off hundreds of large and small branches. For that you need a balanced, nimble, fast-revving chainsaw to be most effective. Not all chainsaws are good at limbing -- some simply can't rev fast enough or have lousy balance. Pro loggers tend to have just one saw, and it has to be good at felling and limbing. Funny to see these guys limbing with 70-80cc saws, but it's common. I'll limb with my Stihl 461 if I have to, but prefer a smaller saw.

Sawzall is great for pruning and dealing with roots. Would never choose it for limbing though, at least not where productivity mattered.

 

[jcummins]

I use MS270 with 20" bar.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

+ 1 for the MS 170. It is nicely balanced and is a lot easier to quickly move from limb to limb than my MS 290.

 

[roadhunter]

I think people must have different ideas what "limbing" means. For me, it means walking alongside dozens of felled trees, some perhaps 24-30" or more in diameter, and nipping off hundreds of large and small branches. For that you need a balanced, nimble, fast-revving chainsaw to be most effective. Not all chainsaws are good at limbing -- some simply can't rev fast enough or have lousy balance. Pro loggers tend to have just one saw, and it has to be good at felling and limbing. Funny to see these guys limbing with 70-80cc saws, but it's common. I'll limb with my Stihl 461 if I have to, but prefer a smaller saw.

Sawzall is great for pruning and dealing with roots. Would never choose it for limbing though, at least not where productivity mattered.

I think you must be right.

 

[hopm]

Power to weight on a small saw a 250 is hard to beat. 180 is also an light weight quick little saw that I really like.