Definitely. If your logs were mostly covered in mud, I’d say hose or pressure wash. I’m also am a stickler for keeping chains out of dirt. On a recent mill job, I used a bucket of water and a stiff bristle brush to get the worse off. If you can’t avoid some bad spots, brush off as much as you can.
Those debarker rigs are kinda pricey + then have to swap out bar and chain or dedicate one saw to it, Draw knife cheaper or the hatchet. Me, I generally do not have time to be that fussy just crank on through unless it really is caked on then a few wacks with a hatchet or maul is good enough.
Those debarker rigs are kinda pricey + then have to swap out bar and chain or dedicate one saw to it, Draw knife cheaper or the hatchet. Me, I generally do not have time to be that fussy just crank on through unless it really is caked on then a few wacks with a hatchet is good enough. pressure washer - that's too much messing around unless log are for a milling operation.
I think just about everyone was taught when cutting not to cut so the bar went into the ground when you think about the teaching it was more of control of the saw and paying attention to how you where cutting
I've got 9 gas saws, 3 battery powered saws, a Makita plug-in electric saw (don't laugh, it's a beast), two pole saws (gas), hand saws, logs jacks, mauls, splitting axes, splitting wedges, sledge hammers, other axes, hatchets, wedges, ropes, come alongs, a "tree jack," three splitters, a chipper, various 3-point firewood-related attachments... and I'm forgetting half of it. What do I actually use on a regular basis? My favorite two or three saws, one splitter, and my tractor. I really don't need anymore firewood related toys, and I would rather like to get rid of about 75% of what I've got.
Good point. I learned to be very aware of the angle of the bar when I'm bucking so the back of the saw handle touches the ground before the bar does. That's the no-brainer way to not cut into the ground and a good habit to develop.
QUICK UPDATE: I just ran my Dolmar ps-6100 (Makita version -- I forget the Makita model #) through a bunch of the logs with a light but visible dusting of dirt. The saw had a sharp .325 semi-chisel chain -- either Oregon 72 or 73 series, whichever one is semi-chisel. I used some of the techniques mentioned above and tried to avoid the dirtiest spots, but I didn't clean the logs and didn't pay too much attention to where I was cutting. Much to my surprise, I ran through a full tank of gas, which is a lot of cutting with that saw. I didn't have to stop to touch up the chain. It was definitely dull by the end, but still throwing chips (not dust). I started with some white oak and mulberry, and once I could feel it getting dull, I switched over to pine and soft maple. I just gave each cutter 3 light strokes with a file and they look and feel sharp enough to do some more cutting. I don't plan to cut dirty logs when I can help it, but everything I thought I knew about cutting through a little dirt was wrong. I'm no chainsaw expert, but I've probably got 500+ hours of cutting experience, so I'm no beginner either. Still lots to learn. These were the last cuts into the soft maple.
As I read your post you were well on the way to being one of my heroes. Then I read the last part. I want you to know that there is help and support out there for you. This can be found at Tractor Supply, any Loggers Supply store or Chainsaw shop (Preferably Stihl but in a crisis of this magnatude, even Husqvarna). If necessary, FHC can commission an emergency panel of expert enablers to help you. If all else fails, I will send you my shipping address and you can send me all of the equipment and tools that are weighing on your mind. I wouldn't offer this to just anyone. I also feel impelled to ask one question that may help diagnose your condition and mental state. Do you split horizontally or vertically?
I have a grapple load of cable skid logs sitting in the yard. The guy I usually buy from went up quite a bit in price so I tried someone new. The first guy used a forwarder so the wood was always clean. The cable skid logs not so much. Hoping the snow and rain over the winter has knocked some of the dirt down but its doubtful. I’ll just cut and swap out chains as needed. Thankfully I have a chain grinder and lots of extra loops.
My wife already cured me. I love chainsaws and related toys, but I love her more. If I were single I would have needed the support group, however. I really hate splitting vertically, so resist it as much as possible. I would rather cut 10" thick "cookies" of huge logs and use my tractor to try to get them on the splitter, or noodle big rounds into quarters, if that's what it takes to avoid going vertical. But when the logs get really big -- like 5' to 6' diameter, I do split vertically. I don't like it, but I've ever been one to turn down free but massive logs from tree service friends. 7' diameter cottonwood is my record. I couldn't buck it with a 36" bar, so I had to cut wide notches all along the log to get an extra foot of reach out of the bar. If the logs are huge, I prefer something like cottonwood since the saw cuts through it like butter. If you lived a little closer I'd tell you to stop by, but I don't have anything valuable enough to justify the trip from Washington.
I'm so glad to hear that you don't split the wrong way, it shows you are not a lost cause. I admit that going vertical is sometimes unfortunate but necessary but so are colonoscopes. I also totally understand and honor the Wife aspect. I will have the FHC expert enablers stand down. Thanks for the offer on your extra stuff but, well, I'm married also. We be friends!
Those look pretty clean but I guess the camera doesn't do it justice, if you have a pressure washer wash away! Not sure you'd be better off, ya know sharpening time V washing time.
I see a bunch of knock off ones for $70-90 and might give one a whirl. I have a bunch of dirt covered white oak I need to get bucked. Plus I like taking the bark off anyways.makes it dry faster and keeps it cleaner.
I tried to justify my last saw purchase by telling her it was light and ergonomic (top handle) so she could get in on the action. I may have called it an anniversary gift. She didn't even smile. Totally ungrateful.
