Top Handle trimming Chainsaw.

[Podunkadunk]

It is more top handle or rear / back handle.

A top handle saw has the trigger directly over the center of balance, a "standard" or rear handle saw, the trigger is at the back of the saw, usually literally hanging behind the motor.

A top handle saw allows you to single handedly use the saw "fairly" easy, while a standard saw, you pretty much have to have both hands (or extremely strong wrists) as the weight of the saw is in front not underneath your hand.

I can go find pictures if you would like.

Here, look where this handle is in comparison to the one linked above, more specifically where the trigger is.

Echo outdoor power equipment Chain Saws, lawn care tools and more

Sorry I do not know how to put the pictures in here, but if you go too the two links you will see what I mean I believe.

I see what you mean now... the light came on for me. Thanks.
Podunk

 

[WayneB]

Hey Alan, I sort-of missed the whole idea of the top handle, sorry about that.

 

[shaley]

OK, Now that you have a saw how are you going to get up the tree to cut the limbs? If you use a ladder make sure you tie the top to the tree. Limbs have a way of knocking the ladder out from under you as they fall.

 

[BigE_]

I've got a Shindaiwa 357 top handle saw, and I haven't looked back. That thing is great for limbing trees, as well as cutting up smaller pieces of firewood. I've got a Stihl 036 that I use for the bigger stuff, but the Shindaiwa is what I grab first.

I've also got a Stihl 020 (take a look at the MS 200) that I *never* use. Weighs about the same, but it is louder and doesn't cut as fast.

 

[billbill1]

I am looking at the top handle saws as well. I priced the MS 200T Stihl, that saw is almost $600 by the time I pay the sales tax. A little too spendy in my way of thinking. Looking hard at the Echo. The box stores around here don't carry the 338 Husky. Do you guys have the 330T or the 360T in the Echo?

 

[AlanB]

OK, Now that you have a saw how are you going to get up the tree to cut the limbs? If you use a ladder make sure you tie the top to the tree. Limbs have a way of knocking the ladder out from under you as they fall.

Safety police, close your eyes, I am a consenting overage adult and luckily OSHA is not in my personal life (yet)

Thats what they make backhoe's for

And when higher then that, I am ordering this

Bailey's - Weaver Northwest Dee Saddle

This morning.

My buddy the Arborist has all the climbing gear, and I went over to learn to gaff up a tree last Friday, and lets just say that my girth is a bit more then any of his guys and the 6 belts he had to choose from

My Dad was probably right, a guy my size 6' 260lbs probably does not belong in a tree on gaffs. Then again, I reminded him, that he went to pole climbing school at 41 of course he reminded me that he was a bit more svelte at my age.......

Anyway, to play the game, looks to me that the price of admission is to buy a belt. I can borrow the rest (and I actually own a set of Gaffs somewhere) If I get doing it more (I seriously doubt it) I will buy my own.

Billbill,I bought the 330T

 

[nolefan]

billbill - I own both a Echo cs-340 and the cs-360T. I have quite a few hours on both and highly recommend them. They have plenty of power and are fairly lightweight and well-balanced. I own plenty of Echo power equipment and have always been extremely satisfied with their reliability. I own a few Stihl products as well and they also are excellent machines. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Egon]

Here is another old man up a tree with no saw but he is tying a rope to the tree so it will not fall on a power line.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I am a little late to the discussion but my grandfather uses wood for his only heat source and lives up on the hill where they get 10' of snow and is always cold. He uses an old Homelite to drop the trees but uses his top handle Echo (don't remember the model but it is a few years old now) for de-limbing the trees. He uses that Echo a lot, he doesn't cut a lot of wood in one day but he usually cuts a three point hitch carrier load of wood every day if the weather is somewhat decent. So far he only had one problem which was covered under warranty.

The Echo was the first chainsaw he bought that wasn't considered a cheap saw. Our old Homelites have served us well but the new ones just do not hold up. I am planning on buying a top handle chain saw for working in the orchard but haven't decided on which brand. I have a friend who owns a Husqvarna shop and we have bought a couple items from him last year and have been happy with the Husqvarna brand and if we have any trouble he is only 6 miles away.

 

[gsganzer]

I put myself through college as a certified arborist. I'm not sure if they still make them, but a Stihl 011 is the best there is. I wore out my first one (literally 100's if not 1000's or hours) and I've had my second one now for almost 15 years.