I don't swap chains in the field, I just dress it with a file in the field. I usually have 1 or two new chains for any of my saws and generally take 2 or 3 saws with me to cut. Never the same, sometimes I use all my saws on an outing, sometimes just one. Last load I cut I only used one and had 2 with me. Sharpened that 1 saw twice in the field. Also I do not keep track of how many loads for any given chain. I am not saying there is anything wrong with whatever anybody wants to do just commenting. I have to also say I have had a time or two when I just could not get the edge on a chain that suited me and just replaced it even though it was not worn out. I want a chain to cut well or else.
I don’t understand this one’s saw operation I always needed two because I always pinched a bar at minimum a Stihl with spare bar and chain.. but I am a hack and I know it!!
Stihls are easier on that regard because you can take the chain and bar off easily. An extra B&C and you are set
For me... cutting with the chainsaw & hoarding firewood is a hobby (not about saving money), so I want to enjoy the process. I would say I tend to sharpen my chains more often than required so they tend to never even get close to dull... i.e. i might put 1/3rd of a tank of gas on the saw and sharpen after use even if still sharp. As an example, I cut a EAB dead ash tree about two weekends ago, brought 5 different saws with me to cut. Used them all about 20 minutes each... when i got home touched up all the chains. For me, cutting with a sharp chain just makes the process more enjoyable.
That’s why I liked Stihl better.. I want to cut a tree not deal with the clutch especially if in road!!
We ran a 3 man crew today. My brother in law and I are partner's in a cattle ranching operation. And today, he asked me to fall a bunch of trees along one fence line in the woods, about a 1/4 mile of it. It's on his property line shared with a neighbor. His neighbor had it surveyed and is willing to build the fence, but we are putting in steel corners and decided we needed to remove several trees before the new fence got installed, because we wanted to head off any trees falling on the new fence. There were several Hickory's, and a few oaks, even a black locust or two. And the bonus for me is I get the wood for firewood. My brother in law hires a local farm laborer to help with brush and limb removal, and serve as gofer. I am the saw man, and my brother in law pitches in wherever. I didn't find out about this until about 2 hrs before we are to start. Fortunately, my 3 Stihl's are sharp, and I have gas and oil, so I load up saws, axes, wedges, rope, cant-hook etc. and we meet in the woods. He brings fence fixing tools in case we have to fix the existing fence so the cows don't get out if I have to drop a tree on the fence. I felled maybe 15 or so trees, plus several small saplings, in about 2 hrs. I de-limbed most of the trees, so we could drag them out to a field, later with a tractor, without them hanging up. Some trees I had to cut into 2 or 3 logs to be able to drag them out. Most of the trees fell where I wanted them to go. I had a couple set back on me, and I had to wedge them over. We had a bad one, actually two that got on the fence, but did not destroy the fence and when I cut them off, all we had to do was raise the wires back up, we didn't actually break the wires. One of them would have fell and missed the old fence but that was the worst one and I had a rope on it to help hold it off of the fence as it had a bad lean, but the rope broke as it fell. Still yet, all went pretty well. No one got hurt and we didn't tear anything up to speak of. I started out with my 261 since it was my lightest saw, for holding in awkward positions, while making various face cuts especially, on some tricky ground, but I kind of missed a longer bar when it came time for de-limbing and some other cutting. I finally got my saw in bind and threw the chain. The chain was still sharp, but I elected to just grab my 362 and keep going, as I didn't want 2 other men standing around watching me while I am burning daylight working on a saw, when I could be cutting. I still had my 462 for backup, but I never needed it and finished the day out with the 362. Anyway, we got a lot done in only a couple of hours, and I had a great time of it. I have begun to really love falling trees, it's kind of addictive, especially when I have someone to keep the brush and limbs dragged out of my way. But long way around the bush to make a point, I most certainly like having extra saws so I don't have to stop sawing to work on a saw in the field. I will work on my saws in the morning at my leisure.
This is why I need to get a second saw! Just today, I had it pinched and was thinking, “why do I keep doing this”
Yes sir. I must say I am getting a lot better at not getting my saw pinched but everyone still gets fooled once in a while, as those gaps can close up quick if you misjudge it. I got pinched a few times today but all were light and I was able to get out of it, except for one and I about went to get another saw, but my brother in law was able to pickup on the limb just a little and I pulled free.
