Idle Time

I was bucking the load of black locust on Tuesday using the 261 and thought of this. Having to cut, move rounds then unload next log from truck, i was letting the saw sit and idle between cuts. When limbing a big tree ill usually shut it down to move brush, mark the logs, etc.
What is your normal MO in similar situations FHC? Does it save much gas when shutting the saw off? Not that its that important or why i shut it off.

 

I was taught to shut the saw off when not being used to eliminate the possibility of tripping and falling on a moving chain.

 

Same here. If the saw starts properly its very easy to give er a pull and start cutting again.

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

The chain shouldn’t be moving with the brake on?

 

I always shut the saw off. My saws always start on one or two pulls. Too many things can go wrong with an unattended running saw. Why tempt fate?

 

Yup. I always engage the brake when putting it down or moving with the saw in hand and its running.

 

I shut my saw off before putting down.
Chain brake should be engaged if your moving/walking with running saw.
I think the ansi standard is brake engaged whenever your not cutting.

 

If it's just to shuffle a few things around, 10-15 seconds, then I set the brake and place it down, running.

Any longer than that, I shut it off.

 

When I started operating saws brakes were not around and saws could not be run on their side you turned the bar to put in the under cut!

 

It does seem to save gas by shutting off.

 

I’m pretty much in agreement with the others. If it’s only a few seconds I’ll leave it running. Otherwise I shut it off.

 

The newer saws are much easier on gas, the 562 it burns a lot less than what the 570 burned to get half a cord of wood less than a tank full !

 

If the saw has been run hard, I will idle 20-30 seconds before shutoff to cool down. And if it is below 32* I will let it stay at idle to stay warm and the colder it gets, say -50* If it idles a few minutes to me its better than putting a hot saw down on the snow/cold ground. Like everyone else if the bar is not in wood I engage the brake. I am personally not worried about the amount of fuel a saw used at idle.

 

The coldest ive cut in was maybe in the teens. I cant even begin to imagine how cold that is.
Do they make a 170 with heated handles?

 

No. I'm good down to about -20°F with lined roper gloves. Quiting the snuff gained me about 15 - 20 °F. I should have quit long before I did, but some days in the oil patch make you nervous.

 

This is how I do it too.


It's not just a safety thing with a running saw, it is wasting gas, and it's noisy. That saw noise could cover up the sound of a round sliding off the pile, or something other noise that you should be hearing.

 

I never set the brake, and rarely set the saw down running. If I do, it is only for a few seconds.

Not saying it is the best way, just what I do.

 

I don't use the brake, I guess I should. Living in the south, I don't cut in real cold weather either, but I will carefully set the saw down running for maybe 30 seconds or so at the most if I need to, otherwise I shut it off. Some old saws, years ago, I was always afraid to let idle for long, as I was worried about the carb loading up.

 

Warner is right on.Brake on, chain stopped.
However ( big "however" ) in the CLP pro classes instructors mandate always braking when moving such as from front to rear of a cut.
Or walking while limbing along the trunk. It's an easy forearm motion to kick the brake on.
More, they mandate never to start without the brake engaged ( think starting torque ) no matter how you start. Includes the famous groin start.
Chain needs to be still at idle. Simple adjust.
So why use the brake when moving ? How many times have you tripped with a running saw ? Recall where your trigger finger is on the saw ?

 

I prefer the throw start.