You may have heard the term "noodling". This technique can be used to cut large rounds down to a more manageable size. The saw is oriented parallel to the long grain of the wood, and sawn this way the chips end up in long strands or "noodles". This technique places an intense load on the saw, so select the most powerful chainsaw available. The round is laid on its side, and the cut is made top to bottom lengthwise. Sometimes the noodles can start to jam up behind the clutch cover, especially if your saw has an outboard clutch or narrow cover. Varying the pitch of the saw cut will produce shorter noodles that clear easier. To avoid dragging your chains through the dirt, an axe or wedges can be used to finish the job.
LOL I was noodling 30 years before I heard the term..... I solved the jamming problem on my Mac 125C by swapping out the original clutch cover for one I modified. The 125 has more power than any stock saw sold in the past 40+ years,chips/noodles will really pile up fast. Didn't want to destroy the original one so I located a cheap slightly battered one from one of my West Coast contacts... All that mattered is that the bar stud holes were intact & hold securely.
I don't usually go full noodle. I'll put a notch in it and then a wedge and a sledge. Couple shots and it's split.
I find that my inboard clutch 576 packs up much worse than my outboards 395 did. The stock 576 clutch does have ventilation ports, an unvented clutch might not have as much issue. The 576 is able to pull 24" full comp 73LGX with an 8 pin sprocket in the Norway pine that are predominantly the large trees I deal with.
I wouldn't advise wearing headphones while watching this video.... Disclaimer - Video filmed Oct. 2014.Reason that nasty black stuff is on the bar at beginning of video is I'd run out of my usual canola/soybean/salad oil a couple days earlier,hadnt bought a new jug yet.So I found some old oil in a jug behind my shed to use for a couple cuts.Immediately afterwards the oil tank was flushed out twice,new oil added..Also at end of video where I'm a bit disgusted while looking for something - At least 1 of the nut/bolts holding the inner spike on had vibrated loose,it was lost in the shavings someplace.... The next day I went to neighborhood hardware store & replaced all SIX of those nuts with nylon insert lock nuts.Three nuts/bolts for each spike. Now no matter how much heavy use,NOTHING works loose.
Shawn, those pictures are keepers! Judy really likes the one with you laying down on the job. I called her over to the computer and she said, "Hey! That's Shawn!" Yes, she remembers you.
Awesome Shawn I made an open "clutch cover" from a 2x4x1/4" blank of aluminum plate specifically to noodle. You just need bar stud holes, and an additional hole for newer side tensioners, all edges chamfered with a hand file. It works like a champ but if your saw needs extra supporting structure find a beat clutch cover and follow thistle lead
It's true.... My pile of black walnut slabs is smaller than I'd like it to be. But I'm working on it... These ones are about 50" wide.
