Got to spend some time on the trail. Decided to have a go at the big Alder with the Shindaiwa 577. If you're after chain speed, the Shindaiwa saws aren't the fastest. This saw did have the low end torque to muscle through the log while the bar was fully buried in the wood. I am running a chain I got off the bargain table at Madsens saw shop. it was a square chain that for some reason they had filed round. After running it before I put it on the Oregon grinder and am happy with how it is cutting. Held the edge well with no stretching and was still cutting well when I finished for the day. Was making decent chips I hate getting a bar stuck so I was using a wedge when finishing the cut on the rounds. Ran the saw until nearly out of oil. Was glad to get this done and can finish the rest later. Also found another small Alder that will give up some btus some future Winter. Will take the portable winch up to pull the piece off the bank.
I ran a Shindaiwa years ago. They were one of the first to use the tea kettle design for their climber saws. I think the reason I went back to the Stihl was the same reason you have stated. They seemed underpowered.
The handle being directly on top of the saw as opposed to the handle being set back. Larger powerheads all have that set back design and the smaller trimming saws that I first used were the same.
To be honest I don't know if that's a term that's used among arborists. It's something I heard along time ago when describing a saws build. It stuck with me because it made sense.
