Wee little chainsaw?

[Simkie]

I posted a thread about chainsaw prolly about a year ago, and you guys were very helpful. We wound up with a Jonsered CS 2245 with a 18" bar and a weekend of chainsaw classes for Mr S. I do not touch the chainsaw. It is a scary beast. A very capable scary beast.

But now we have 20 ish trees down with this storm and it is going to take FOREVER to get them all cut up into pieces. It would really help if I could get a wee little baby chainsaw for limbing. 16" bar MAX. Maybe 14"? The little battery ones seem SO tiny, though. Electric (with a cord) won’t work given the location of our trees.

Any recommendations on a gas saw that’s lightish and not a scary beast? It doesn’t have to do a ton, but it does need to start reliably and easily. Not opposed to spending some $$ to get a good machine, but just don’t need or want something huge. The Stihl MS 241 C-M looks super sexy, but really not sure I need that pro of a saw for this job.

[clanter]

given your reserve about operating a chain saw, have you thought about just using a trimming saw to remove the branches?

Here is one

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-40-volt-Lithium-Ion-8-in-Cordless-Electric-Pole-Saw-Battery-Not-Included/1000134401?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA_ONLY--SeasonalOutdoorLiving--SosChainsawsAccessories-_-1000134401:Kobalt&CAWELAID=&kpid=1000134401&CAGPSPN=pla&k_clickID=8addbe6b-f49d-458d-8521-7ea4e69280ef&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvp2XvrjB2wIVkMDACh1OsQ5cEAQYASABEgL0QvD_BwE

[dsedler]

We love the little Stihl chainsaws. We actually have 3 of their smaller models. They are fairly light, but powerful for it’s size. I won’t touch our big Farm Boss saw, but I love working with these little ones. All of our saws are at least 7 years old. Other than getting blades sharpened or replacing them, we’ve not had to do much maintenance on them.

If you are looking for something light, maybe look at the MS 150 C-E. It looks like it would work for just cutting branches. And it seems to have pretty good reviews. https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/farm-and-ranch-saws/ms150ce/

[Bluey]

Have you considered a small generator, so you can have electricity where you want it?

[buck22]

Oh, and you couldn’t ask for saw that starts more easily or reliably, its literally just holding two thoughtfully-positioned buttons.

[Guilherme]

Find and independent retailer that sells commercial quality Huskvarna, Stihl, or other quality brands.

A very lightweight chain saw is sometimes called a “climbing saw” as it’s used by the tree climbers to trim while they are aloft. They carry a significant premium over standard saws as they are VERY lightweight but VERY capable for their size. A fellow who worked for me for a while was a professional aborist and his climbing saw was amazingly light, powerful, and pricy! He cleared over 1000 feet of overgrown fence line with dozens of trees overgrowing the fence. He also trimmed several dozen more that were not along fence lines. The only thing he ever did to his saw was clean it, sharpen the chain, and put fuel in it (and maybe changed the spark plug).

The stuff you find at Home Depot or Lowes may have the same marquee as what you find from a professional dealer but the difference in quality is really noticeable. You will pay more with the pro but you’ll get even more in quality. One of the things you get is repair-ability. With the “big box” products it’s often a “one time use item” and if it breaks you throw it away and go buy a new one. For most consumers this is OK. I don’t think that way. This has been my experience with chain saws, weed eaters, and mowers.

How are you going to deal the tree detritus?

G.

[NancyM]

In Canada, available at Canadian Tire, is the battery powered Greenworks chain saw. I’ve had one for several years now. It has a 16 inch bar. There is no drama with this saw, it’s quiet, comes “on” when you press the button and runs when you pull the trigger, and is light and easy to use. Like all power tools, it can probably kill you if you are not careful. But it is not difficult to be careful with it. It is very useful around the farm, useful for fencing, 2 X 6 or fence posts are easy for it to cut. I use it a lot in clearing branches, willows, alder, and dead logs to build burn piles. It is not suitable for a professional logger, but for a farm owner looking to clean up crap around the farm, it’s great. We do a lot of firewood collecting, and we have dropped dead trees with it too. The charge in the battery lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on what you are doing with it. If you are not accustomed to operating a gas chain saw, this is a good introduction. If your partner has a gas power saw, this is a good alternative for you. I do not know if this sort of saw is available where you are, or if something else similar might be available. Google it and take a look.

[mmeqcenter]

We have the 16" Poulan Pro gas chain saw. When it was new, it was really difficult to get started for whatever reason, but once we finally got it started it starts up regularly without a problem. It is nice and lightweight, easy for me to use.
That pole saw looks awesome, I’m going to have to get one of those.

[Frog_Pond]

@buck22

Against the SO’s begging, I bought a little B&D 10" battery chainsaw. Because SO is fully aware of my accident-proneness, he (wisely) bought me a Ryobi battery pole saw and insisted I try it first.

I loff my pole saw!

Its only an 8" bar, but boy howdy it makes quick work of medium sized trees and limbs. It drinks bar oil, but the battery lasts all day. It’s easy to tighten the chain, and literally one screw to open the housing to clear any packed up wads of oily shavings.

Whats great about the pole saw is that all my soft, squishy parts are 5’ away from the business end. Keeping me well away from kickbacks, flying debris, or limbs that don’t behave nicely.

I have this saw, too, and love it for all the same reasons.

I started with the small Ryobi chainsaw and while it was a hearty and useful little beast at chopping up the 100~ pines we dropped, 4"-12" diameter, I got really sick of bending over with a running chain saw near my face. Even wearing a Stihl helmet with ear protection and a steel mesh face mask, and wearing plastic safety glasses underneath, I got nailed with a flying chunk of poison ivy vine that was tucked into the bark of one tree – it scratched my cheek, which swelled horribly, and I ended up in the ER for a benadryl IV. The pole saw keeps all that nastiness 5’ away, to quote bucks22.

I also find that the pole saw is easier to manage – it relies more on my biceps/triceps and less on my forearm strength, so I’m a safer operator of it. I no longer feel safe running the sawzall OR the chainsaw because I don’t feel like I have the same muscle power to control them. Or attention span. So, I’ve turned anything I can’t handle with my Fiskar manual pole saw or Ryobi power chainsaw-on-a-stick over to my tree guy & my husband with his Stihl. Best of luck dismantling your new england jungle!

[gumtree]

Just like any job around a farm. There are tools, saws that fit the job. If one is only needs a saw for things from time an 18 volt battery saw will probably suite. But no matter the brand or type a battery saw using present technology can never compete with a gas saw. The power demand needed to do any kind of real tree work, clean up etc will drain the battery pretty quickly. Even the largest lithium batteries on the market iME only last maybe an hour depending on what is being cut and how good the operator is at cutting up of things continuously, efficiently.

Soft wood requires less power drain, hardwoods a lot more power demand/drain. It almost all cases if the person wants to keep working they will need a second large battery. When the first battery is drained a charger needs to be near by. Even fast chargers IME using high end 18v lithium batteries take longer to charge than then the second battery will last in the saw So there is down time waiting for the batteries to recharge. 3 batteries is ideal IME. But at $75 to well over $100 each. That’s quite an investment.

To get the most out of a battery powered chain saw requires using and keeping the chain very sharp. A dull chain requires more power and time on a gas or battery saw. With a battery saw IME it is important to keep a couple of sharp chains on had to swap out before the saw starts kicking out “saw dust” instead of nice long “chips/flakes”. If the operator drops the tip into the dirt and or hits stones even for a second every cutting link on the chain will be dulled. This happens to even the best operators.

The only difference between a gas saw and a battery saw is the noise factor. Both are just as dangerous if not operated properly.

An easier “saw” to use for limbing most stuff and is very versatile for other things is a 18v Saw-Saw, Sawzall, reciprocating saw with a demo blade of appropriate length. Easy to operate and not very intimidating.

The Stihl MS 241 C-M like all Stihl saws is a very good saw. But at around $300 unless the it is going to be used a lot IMO a bit of over kill. My go too small light weight saws are 12" cheapo Homelite or Poulon etc. Can be had at the box stores for around $100+. They generally start easy enough. Will last plenty long enough for the average weekend warrior. I beat the crap out of mine and they still last a few years. When one becomes a PITA to start, and or parts get worn I just get another one. I’ve gotten more than my money’s worth out of them.

I have an 18" Husqvarna that always gave me issues. Used to be an excellent brand.

My go too saw is a Stihl 039 with a 20" bar. I’ve had it for years. I don’t buy/run the VERY expensive non ethanol gas. Yes E gas can and does cause carburetor issues. But it took around 8+ years before mine gave me trouble. Hard start, poor performance etc. I bought a new carb, fuel/vent lines, gas and air filers, tank vet, spark plug kit for under $50 on line. Simple DIY to swap everything out.

My Stihl made short work of cutting up this oak that fell over in a recent storm Took me a little over an hour to cut up and clean up the area. But I also have a good size tractor with a FEL to work with. The FEL comes in very handy when the saw gets pinched.
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A Timber Jack like this one is handy to buck up logs into firewood size. Simple to use, lifts the log up off the ground which keeps the chain from getting “grounded” and dulled. There are different brands, sizes, $50 to over $150.
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[Simkie]

Thanks, all! Excellent conversation. The electric or battery saws are just a no go for this job. The constant recharging with the battery is just not going to work, electric is too limiting on the cord and a generator is just getting too complex. It’s also worth noting that chainsaw chaps don’t stop electric/battery saws due to the clutch mechanism (or something, this was discussed in chainsaw class.) I find that pretty scary. I’d rather have a small gas saw and a good pair of chaps.

Looked at the saw on a stick attachment for my Echo PAS but that sucker is 8 feet long all in and that just seems way too unwieldy.

@dsedler that does look like a nice saw. Spendy! But great reviews, much better than the 193. Do you have one?

@Guilherme yeah, the plan is to head to the neighborhood power equipment place and buy from there. They carry Stihl, Husky, Jonsered, etc. They’re really good guys who seriously know their shit. That’s where the big chainsaw came from. And my brush cutter. We also rent the splitter there. And the plate tamper :lol: The city is picking up storm stuff once, so I’ve been out with loppers for the smallest limbs and leaves. HUGE pile by the street now, and pretty much everything else should be burnable. We go though a few cords in the winter–this storm should keep us warm for awhile.

@gumtree yep, we’ve got a lot of trees that look like that now :lol: Well, the before pics. Working on the after Some came out with the whole root ball. In one place, four trees–big trees–just sheered right off about 10 feet up. Hundred year old oaks and hemlocks. Seriously intense. Funny you mention the timber jack–have been eyeballing one. Or this beast. You have a preference on brand?

We’ll be doing tree work consistently even after this storm cleanup, so a premium piece of equipment won’t gather dust.

I ordered up my safety boots. Will head over to the chainsaw store tomorrow or Saturday and see what they say. Thanks again for the tips!!

[tbchick84]

Stihl MS-180. Nice and light weight, but can get through some nice size limbs.

[Simkie]

Went and spoke with the guys at the power equipment place and came away with a 193 with a 14" bar. It’s SO light compared to the big chainsaw. The balance is great for me. They said they sell a boatload of them and have seen none of the problems reported on the Stihl site.

They also showed me the 180, but it was considerably heavier and the 193 is a better saw (and should be, for the $$!) Decided the weight and the power was worth the price.

Asked about the 150 but they only had the TC version (no rear handle) and really advised going with the 193.

Picked up chaps and the helmet, so once my boots get here will be good to go! Now for lessons with Mr S. :yes:

[Dressage59]

I’m limited to 10 lbs due to some elbow surgery. I bought a battery-operated Ryobi 12" chainsaw. I absolutely love that thing and it can cut a 10" limb. Of course, saying that I probably need to change batteries after. The thing really goes through smaller limbs like crazy! So glad I bought it!

[tbchick84]

@Simkie

Went and spoke with the guys at the power equipment place and came away with a 193 with a 14" bar. It’s SO light compared to the big chainsaw. The balance is great for me. They said they sell a boatload of them and have seen none of the problems reported on the Stihl site.

They also showed me the 180, but it was considerably heavier and the 193 is a better saw (and should be, for the $$!) Decided the weight and the power was worth the price.

Asked about the 150 but they only had the TC version (no rear handle) and really advised going with the 193.

Picked up chaps and the helmet, so once my boots get here will be good to go! Now for lessons with Mr S. :yes:

Enjoy! Do yourself a big favor and buy the ethanol free gas for it, or at least run it though before the you shut down the saw for a period of time. The ethanol really messes up chain saws quickly. It’s much more expensive, but cheaper than a saw that won’t start or stay running.

[goodhors]

@Simkie

Went and spoke with the guys at the power equipment place and came away with a 193 with a 14" bar. It’s SO light compared to the big chainsaw. The balance is great for me. They said they sell a boatload of them and have seen none of the problems reported on the Stihl site.

They also showed me the 180, but it was considerably heavier and the 193 is a better saw (and should be, for the $$!) Decided the weight and the power was worth the price.

Asked about the 150 but they only had the TC version (no rear handle) and really advised going with the 193.

Picked up chaps and the helmet, so once my boots get here will be good to go! Now for lessons with Mr S. :yes:

Husband has this model, though he thinks his bar is only 12" long. He loves it! Works hard, cuts all types of dense wood around here easily. Lots of dead Ash trees and they fall at a puff of wind, need removing. The VERY light weight, ease of starting make him happy when he goes out to use it. He uses it on bigger trees too, not just small diameter trees.

I think you made a great choice in saw models and will be very happy using it after a bit of practice. Have a few extra chains on hand for changing out a Diller chain. You are better off using SHARP chains and staying safe. Less likely to bind up, along with other issues that dull chains get.

First rule of cutting is “Look up!!” What is going on with the top of your planned tree to cut? Tangled tops, branches, dead limbs, interwoven branching? Then plan your cut to lay selected tree down without catching on other trees. Lots of snagged trees here with those dead Ash trees turning into Widow Makers, just because they never fall all the way down.

[Simkie]

Boots came today! Now I’m fully outfitted for chainsaw safety

I did get the chance to work with Mr S this weekend with the new saw. Lessons in safety and stance and cutting etc etc etc. Then we got to work. About four hours with both saws out and made a small dent in the area where four trees sheered off. So much work yet to do still but…progress.

The little saw was very nice to work with. Really glad it’s so light…I have a bit of tennis/muckers elbow and straightening my left elbow with weight is hard. More weight would be impossible for any length of time. The 14" bar was plenty and plowed through ~10" stuff without difficultly. Could handle more, but that’s all I gave it. Started easily every time. Felt like it’s built for someone with slightly larger HANDS…the chain brake is just a little bit of a reach, both to engage with the back of the wrist and disengage with the fingers, but was manageable. Overall, pretty much exactly what I was looking for

@tbchick84 interestingly chainsaw guys did not advise ethanol free fuel. They did say midgrade or better. Ran three tanks through on Sunday, no problems.

[tbchick84]

@Simkie

@tbchick84 interestingly chainsaw guys did not advise ethanol free fuel. They did say midgrade or better. Ran three tanks through on Sunday, no problems.

Oh it will run fine on any gas. Just don’t leave the ethanol based stuff sitting in there for any period of time dormant. Run it dry before letting it sit or you’ll have a gunked up carb for sure.

[Simkie]

@tbchick84

Oh it will run fine on any gas. Just don’t leave the ethanol based stuff sitting in there for any period of time dormant. Run it dry before letting it sit or you’ll have a gunked up carb for sure.

We always run all of our little stuff dry That’s the best quitting point. :lol:

[allons-y]

I have a cute little Black and Decker 10" battery powered chainsaw. I use the heck out of it on my Pecan farm. It keeps us in winter firewood, trims the palm trees, and limbs up the Pecan trees from my tractor. Big stuff I leave to the neighbor with his serious gas saws. I just had two big trees taken down by a tree company . - huge trees near the fences.

I have two batteries for mine, my energy and their’s match so that works well, lol.

Now that I have a year’s experience with it I do want to buy a bigger one…