I finally got a day to rent a bigger saw and buck ash trunks too fat for my 18" MS290. Ash is said to start out relatively dry fresh cut, but these were all soggy and real heavy. Probably wet because they sat for two winters and a soggy summer waiting for me. I spent more time using a chain and Ford Ranger 4 X 4 rolling the trunks over and positioning for cuts than actual cutting. Maybe 40% or more of these rounds are knots and junctions, so there's alot of noodling in my future. That's fine - chunks burn just fine, so long as you can find a way to stack 'em. The rounds are really too heavy for me alone to manhandle onto the splitter, so they'll be busted onto quarters first. The rented saw was Husq 576XP wearing a 28" B&C and it had no trouble at all pulling the full comp. chain through wood, even totally buried. Impressive saw is an understatement.
Coooool. Nice work Gark. What does it cost to rent a saw of that size? Did rent it for the day or the weekend?
Nice work! Must feel good to get that project started... That was one huge Ash tree! You know the round are big when you can't even roll them by yourself.... I wouldn't be surprised if you don't need to sharpen that chain at some point cutting those rounds that have been lying there. Lot of work when you get them that big isn't it?
Heheh, I'm too sore today to even think about doin' any wood and it's raining. Sorry, can't help ya. Heheh. The saw rental was for one day at $91, but they included a gallon of their own pre-mix, a quart of B&C oil and an extra chain. Didn't need the extra chain because I spent time cleaning the trunks of dirt before cutting and luckily did not find hidden nails etc. The 576XP was making some powder near the end. I suppose the rental place provides gas mix with the saw to avoid someone straight-gassing it. Could happen, ya know...
$91!?! That sucks, cause you know you're gonna buy one now... That ash can be a dream to split, until you get to those big junctions. I've had them spit a wedge back out at me. Noodling is definitely the way to go on those ones.
Great work! I love working with ash but I've never run into one that big. I diced up a large maple trunk a few weeks ago with my little 251 - took forever..lol.. A bigger saw in the form of a 461 is on the way for me..
Yes. The chain being parallel to the grain pulls long skinny shavings from the cut instead of chips. Noodles. Not edible but boy do they burn nice. Have thought a million times about buying a stronger saw equal to the 576XP, but can't justify it. Only twice in 20 years I've got wood this big and eventially we will retire into a condo (OMG!!) and cutting days will end. That woll be a sad day indeed.
Sorry but when I saw the title of this thread I couldn't help but think of song that some probably know.
