Chainsaws and those who use them

[Wyatt Smith]

I used the Stihl synthetic for years, but recently switched to echo red armor due to cost and like it more. My gas gets mixed at 37:1. I add an ounce of sea foam.
The echo seems to burn cleaner.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

@Tubby’s Canteen - I’ve used Stihl for past 15 years, it’s what I started with after buying some land and I got their professional level 362 with 20” bar. Now, I’m NOT a Lumber Jack by any means and had to “learn” a lot. I got decent at felling trees but that was after getting many hung up in other trees AND felling a few right-at-me …plus getting my saw “compressed” and “stuck” in the tree (had to finish felling tree by AX to get it out). Definitely got my money’s worth out of the Stihl and it still runs great after 15 years and a few trees fallin ON it. But what I really got my moneys worth out of were my chainsaw Chaps - cut into them twice !! They saved me a trip to the Hospital, I think I’m getting more proficient with the chainsaw now because I haven’t cut into my chaps in over 10 years !! (Also stopped felling trees over 30” diameter). I know Husqvarna also make profession grade saws and heard they are also great. I’m No expert but if buying any chainsaw - get the CHAPS, Helmet, face screen, and steel toe boots BEFORE you buy the chainsaw…and wear them regardless of heat or comfort - you might only need them once but that’s all-it-takes.

I wear the pants but same difference. Ear muffs are also often overlooked I know an awful lot of loggers that are functionally deaf from years of self abuse.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I used the Stihl synthetic for years, but recently switched to echo red armor due to cost and like it more. My gas gets mixed at 37:1. I add an ounce of sea foam.
The echo seems to burn cleaner.

I mix 40:1 in the winter an 32:1 in the spring 32 helps with the flies , foul the odd plug but what is the cost of the plug as compared to a ring and jug

 

[HankBuck]

I wear the pants but same difference. Ear muffs are also often overlooked I know an awful lot of loggers that are functionally deaf from years of self abuse.

@Tubby’s Canteen - Yes, I also always wear Ear Muffs, they are attached to the Helmet

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I found this video of a guy using a McCulloch with a bow blade. My dad had an old McCulloch he bought in the mid 1960s. It was a good size engine, but had a short blade on it. No anti-vibration and manually pumped the chain oil. In the mid 80s, I put a bow blade on it and used for a few years. Probably not the smartest thing I've ever done. Living life on the edge back then. The saw ended up getting stolen and I really didn't miss it at all.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I found this video of a guy using a McCulloch with a bow blade. My dad had an old McCulloch he bought in the mid 1960s. It was a good size engine, but had a short blade on it. No anti-vibration and manually pumped the chain oil. In the mid 80s, I put a bow blade on it and used for a few years. Probably not the smartest thing I've ever done. Living life on the edge back then. The saw ended up getting stolen and I really didn't miss it at all.

You pre date me with that one , I’ve seen a few mccullochs and homelites but they were all just chucked around in shops under benches and in the corner of wood sheds. The bow blade is an interesting design from the past I’ll have to research it a little I’m not familiar with it.

 

[GuttormG]

I remember, years ago, reading in a Land Rover Owner magazine about a Pom who bought diesel at a supermarket in/near London before his regular drive to Scotland in a fully loaded Series Land Rover . He got about 2/3 the normal distance before having to refill the tank. The supermarket was selling leftover winter diesel from Scandinavia!

Fun story but the Landie -owner need to look for a leak. The difference in calorific value between ordinary diesel and "winter diesel" makes is minimal (in the story in yards, not miles.)

and yes, I drive LandRovers, the very best piece of shit car in the world! (actually it my Dicovery2 is one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned!)

 

[fourfive8]

Hah I used a saw with a bow years ago. Very handy for certain types of work. IIRC not as durable for heavy duty work as a normal bar though.

No way, no how I’m a chainsaw nerd junky but I do appreciate the work a properly running saw can do and the engineering required to accomplish that incorporated in such a small package.

Proper maintenance, understanding how they work and attention to detail is everything for efficient operation and longevity.

 

[Daniel Cary]

I guess on the west coast, Stihl dealers are on every corner, above Husqvarna. They definitely dominate "marketing",

I wasn't a Stihl fan, necessarily. But the power to weight on that 462 & 500i is almost strange.
80cc's @ 13.5 lbs.

 

[Ravensview]

Well, the whole movie is available on YouTube .. Here it is. Hands down, my personal favorite.

And, the waters, shipping, navigation .. that's a whole other intrigue. Off the Great Lakes here In MI's Upper Peninsula.

enjoy! & stay safe!

I worked on a few commercial fishing boats on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan as crew in the early 80’s and it can be a fun ride, then ran a boat in the St.Marys river for many years and it can be interesting at times, when you have trawl nets out or traps you work with what nature throws at you.

 

[HookMeUpII]

I guess on the west coast, Stihl dealers are on every corner, above Husqvarna. They definitely dominate "marketing",

I wasn't a Stihl fan, necessarily. But the power to weight on that 462 & 500i is almost strange.
80cc's @ 13.5 lbs.

In NJ, of all places, there are like 4-5 Stihl dealers within a 10 mile area. It's pretty wild considering this is well....NJ.

 

[Longwalker]

I use four different Stihl saws and they have served me well. Two industrial models at our British Columbia bush camp, a little electric one at home, and a light / cheap trail saw at our Saskatchewan hunting camp. Settled on Stihl because that's the brand local dealers stock and service. And because I have a good friend who is a professional forester from Germany, and he knows more about chainsaws than anyone I've met, and he likes Stihl.
My needs in Saskatchewan are light, but in BC we end up with a chainsaw in hand every week, sometimes for days on end. Lots of big trees to clear after a fire five years ago.
It's fun to turn deadwood into lumber and build stuff!

 

[Daniel Cary]

In NJ, of all places, there are like 4-5 Stihl dealers within a 10 mile area. It's pretty wild considering this is well....NJ.

I would imagine, just as well. Whomever is a better dealer, regardless of brand, really makes what one buys or uses ..

 

[Daniel Cary]

I use four different Stihl saws and they have served me well. Two industrial models at our BC bush camp, a little electric one at home, and a light / cheap trail saw at our Saskatchewan hunting camp. Settled on Stihl because that's the brand local dealers stock and service. And because I have a good friend who is a professional forester from Germany, and he knows more about chainsaws than anyone I've met, and he likes Stihl.
My needs in Saskatchewan are light, but in BC we end up with a chainsaw in hand every week, sometimes for days on end. Lots of big trees to clear after a fire five years ago.
It's fun to turn deadwood into lumber and build stuff!
View attachment 676363View attachment 676364

That is beautiful country & those BC Heli Loggers are a breed apart. Indeed, a good dealer makes it.

 

[Newboomer]

You pre date me with that one , I’ve seen a few mccullochs and homelites but they were all just chucked around in shops under benches and in the corner of wood sheds. The bow blade is an interesting design from the past I’ll have to research it a little I’m not familiar with it.

The first saw my Dad had was a Canadian built Precision with an 18" bow. It was big, awkward, slow and heavy, weighed about 40lbs. Manual oiler, pull rope you carried in your pocket. About the only good thing about it was for bucking on a yard. Set the damn thing on the ground and let it cut down through.
That one lasted only a few years and we went to McCulloch d44s and d55s for felling. I ran an old model 47 for yard bucking. That one was gear driven so there was a transmission that took oil. Manual bar oiler. Big and slow but it would cut. Pretty good yard saw at that time.(1950s).

 

[Daniel Cary]

I worked on a few commercial fishing boats on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan as crew in the early 80’s and it can be a fun ride, then ran a boat in the St.Marys river for many years and it can be interesting at times, when you have trawl nets out or traps you work with what nature throws at you.

This is really strange:
In the 80's, a Bronco went missing in Duluth, criminal activity. A storm forced "The Barker" to tie up in Lake Superior, outside of port. When it was safe to enter, it raised anchor & of all things, pulled up the missing Ford a few years later!

Callaway tied up in Escanaba this year

 

[1dirthawker]

I mix 40:1 in the winter an 32:1 in the spring 32 helps with the flies , foul the odd plug but what is the cost of the plug as compared to a ring and jug

still calls for 50:1 and their premix is 50:1.

do you think they your saws burn up at the 50:1? just curious, i have had great luck with 50:1 mix with my stihls, am i missing something

 

[Boyd Brooks]

Stihl and Husqvarna call for 50:1 mix. Use a good quality 2 stroke oil and ethanol free gas for best results. To much oil plugs the spark arrestor in the muffler, causing your saw to run like a shithouse. Also take the time to move the little air plate to summer or winter as needed near the carburetor.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

still calls for 50:1 and their premix is 50:1.

do you think they your saws burn up at the 50:1? just curious, i have had great luck with 50:1 mix with my stihls, am i missing something

Older jonsereds were designed for 45:1 or 40:1 depending on the saw I run it a little richer internally in the spring to make them smoke a little to help with the blackflies

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Stihl and Husqvarna call for 50:1 mix. Use a good quality 2 stroke oil and ethanol free gas for best results. To much oil plugs the spark arrestor in the muffler, causing your saw to run like a shithouse. Also take the time to move the little air plate to summer or winter as needed near the carburetor.

Depends on the husky 162se for example run 40:1