The last of my 2-stroke engines?

[jdbower]

In interest of full disclosure I have to start by saying I hate small engines - they tend to multiply in my garage and their seasonal nature makes them annoying to maintain. I hate 2-stroke engines even more. I thought I was good when I got my snowthrower and my trimmer (the latter was tougher to find, but both are 4-stroke). Then I realized I needed a chainsaw.

Dolmar actually had a prototype 4-stroke chainsaw in 2000, but none of the major players have a production model today so I decided on a Husqvarna 359. Blame it on the humidity or my own incompetence but last week I couldn't get the darn thing started so I took it in for a complete servicing. After a tuneup and a new spark plug and 20 minutes in the heat and humidity I still couldn't get it going so I decided to wait for a cooler day. Besides, I really should get some head protection since I need to take down some very dead small trees. And in the mean time I seriously contemplated a PTO generator and an electric saw.

While at Lowes getting a forestry helmet I happened to notice a Black and Decker 18V electric chainsaw. I had seen the Makita online but it always seemed like a toy. However, I already had a B&D 18V hedgetrimmer that uses the same battery so I got one on a whim. Other than looking a little silly with a toy chainsaw and a forestry helmet it actually performed better than I had expected. It took a while to get through the ~6" trunks, but even with with four trees I think the amount of time I would have spent getting the Husqvarna started would have evened things out. The extra force I needed to push the saw against the tree was also mitigated by the light weight of the B&D, I think I would be more tired lifting the hefty Husky. And the fact that it's a B&D gives me hope that there's a Dewalt version in a lab someplace, perhaps a 12" 36V saw (I can dream, can't I?).

While it won't handle everything I need it to do, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the little guy worked. For small trees and branches it's a lot less work to drag an electric out of the shed than it is to fill the Husky with fuel and get it started - especially if you believe 2-stroke engines are named for the number of cerebrovascular accidents you have trying to start them.

 

[Bird]

Jeff, I've never used a battery powered chain saw, and it's been a few years, but I've used an electric that my Dad inherited from his Dad. I think it may have been one of these remingtons. I know it worked surprisingly well for pruning trees.

 

[hudr]

I bought one of those little Remingtons a few years ago. I had much rather use it than one of my 2 stroke saws in most situations. With a little experience and practice I can even manage to not get the extension cord that runs to the generator tangled up in the slash. Of course, extensive logging still brings out the Husqvarna, but most of what I do any more is trim branches. It is nice to get away from the buzzing, roaring beast. The electric saw connects to the generator, which is a nice distance away w/ the exhaust blaring away from me and at the end of the day my fingers don't tingle for hours. They still tingle, just not near as bad.

 

[jdbower]

I had an electric in a previous house, a little slow but the torque on the motor was great! It worked well to clear the driveway after a winter storm knocked down a few trees (and hooking up the winch on my 4Runner was also amusing). The problem is on my current property an electric would be on the order of $2000 for the PTO generator or about half a mile of extension cords

 

[Bandybear]

JD,

A set of forks for the bucket and a portable generator could do for electrical power. You could then attach the chipper to the 3ph to balance the load and take care of the small brush right away.

When I had the woodburner at my other house, I would use the gas saw to fell and cut 8' logs up in the woods where there was no electric. (Also, I did not have my tractor then.) I would load the logs and bring them home, where I would use my 14" Craftsman electric to cut the logs into fireplace lengths.

Like hudr said, there was a lot less fatigue using the electric than the gas saw.

 

[Grrrr]

I think I hate 2 stroke engines on any kind of tool, more than any other peice of machinery, including muck spreaders.

Yuck, you get covered in the stuff

 

[RobertN]

I use my DeWalt 18V reciprocating saw for everything! I have some wet wood pruning blades I found at Home Depot. They are SKIL "Wood/Pruning" blades, about 10" long.

I would grab a bigger saw for a 6" tree, but these blades in a reciprocating saw work great for pruning or cutting roots and stuff.

The trick I find for 2-strokes, its to mix fresh gas in small quanitites; I never mix more than 1 gallon at a time. I always use Premium gas and good brand oil(Husky or Stihl). And, I mix to the ratio recomended by the oil manufacturer(the good Husky oil is 50:1).

Old gas will break down and oxidise, and old mix oil breaks down and does not lubricate properly. I have found this especially true out here in California, with the oxygenated gas we have. Even with stabilizer, it has a short shelf life. My mower, and my old Farmall A with hand crank start, are real finicky if the gas sits very long in the tank.

I have a Honda 4-stroke 31cc brush cutter, and an older Husky 2-strok that is similar. Both work very well, but the 4 stroke does not need mix, is quiet, and has plenty of power. It did take a little getting used to; the power band is different between the two.

 

[MossRoad]

I love 2 stroke engines! I've always been abe to get them to start in any conditions. The only time they fail to start is when I forget to turn on the switch and pull till I'm blue in the face. Then I check the switch, look around to make sure no one saw me, and start 'em up!

It is surprising how much power the electric chain saws have, though. If you have an electric supply, they work great.

 

[Bird]

forget to turn on the switch and pull till I'm blue in the face

I did that earlier this week with the Mantis. And it was the second time I've done that with this little machine.

 

[Bandybear]

I did that earlier this week with the Mantis. And it was the second time I've done that with this little machine.

That is the beauty of electric devices; hit the switch, it's on, release the switch, it's off. Of course ,then I can manage to forget to plug them in.