Chainsaw advice

[Bonzo Frog]

Firstly apologies if I've posted in the wrong forum but I'm after a bit of advice. I'm booked on a basic chainsaw course in April to enable me to get a licence.
Then I'll be looking for some employment after that. I'm hoping to borrow a saw for the course but thenI'll buy my own. Any advice on makes and size of bar appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

Bonzo

 

[Eric_Methven]

Firstly apologies if I've posted in the wrong forum but I'm after a bit of advice. I'm booked on a basic chainsaw course in April to enable me to get a licence.
Then I'll be looking for some employment after that. I'm hoping to borrow a saw for the course but thenI'll buy my own. Any advice on makes and size of bar appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

Bonzo

Stihl or Husqvarna are the two most common 'professional' makes of chainsaw. Because you are going to do just a basic course, make sure the bar is no longer than 15 inches. That's the upper limit for the basic course. Get as beefy an engine as you can afford.

Eric

 

[baggins]

Hi Bonzo,
it really depends on the type of work that your planing to do with it. If you're just getting used to handling a saw, DON'T go for the biggest machine you can afford, opt for a smaller saw that is easier to hold and move around. Somthing like a sthil 240 or 260 are very dependable, all round saws. Husqvarna also do very good smaller saws (both makes have their following, i prefer husqys, but there's not much in it). Again with the bar length, opt for a smaller bar than the biggest the saw will carry, you get a much better feel for the saw and less chance of taking on more than you are really ready for.
There are other makes out there, jhonsered (made by husqy) are good as are echo. I could go on.
Good luck on your course, it is hard ( i was the only one to pass on mine out of 15 students). And don't hesitate to pm me if you want any more help.
Cheers
Baggins

 

[Tekeeler]

Firstly, as you will be instructed on your course, get yourself some safety gear before getting a saw.

The pro choice is Husqvarna. My old man's first saw came with wheels on and he won't use anything other than a huskie. My brother and I use huskies and I wouldn't go elsewhere. http://www.husqvarna.co.uk/

Stihl make a good enough saw but I find they don't have the same feel or balance, and generally don't feel right to me. Just my opinion.

Bar should be whatever feels comfortable for you, and depends on the cc of your saw but certainly no more than 15-18''. I do have a 100cc saw with a 2 and a half foot bar on it but that only comes out once in a blue one.

Chains are also of high importance, and Oregon are the best bar none. Be prepared for a new chain to stretch and on your course pay REALLY REALLY close attention on the bit about sharpening. It makes the difference between a competent sawman, and a good one.

Good luck with everything, happy sawing.

 

[Lurch]

Who are you doing your course with?

Fancy a husky 412 myself, just for the sake of having one.

 

[pierre girard]

Firstly apologies if I've posted in the wrong forum but I'm after a bit of advice. I'm booked on a basic chainsaw course in April to enable me to get a licence.
Then I'll be looking for some employment after that. I'm hoping to borrow a saw for the course but thenI'll buy my own. Any advice on makes and size of bar appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

Bonzo

I've worked as a logger, but it was a long time ago, and my advice may be out of date. Even so, If you can find a used 08 or 07 Stihl (no longer produced) - you will have one of the finest chainsaws ever produced. They never wear out. I still have an 08 Stihl. I think that is why the company quit making them.

We always used Stihls or Jonsreds. We bought new saws every year. One year we bought all new Huskvarnas. They are a good saw, but they only lasted us six months. Fortunately, we hadn't traded in the last year's Stihls and were able to use them for the second half of the year. Unless you are logging, using the saw full time and doing a lot of hard cutting, this might not be an issue.

I guess my advice on motor size is somewhat different than that posted above. Get the largest engine you can carry (and afford). It will pay in the end. Nothing like zipping through a log with a larger saw - where you'd be dogging with a smaller saw. Same as axes - a saw that will zip through is less dangerous than one that dogs. As mentioned above - a sharp chain is also crucial in this respect.

We always used a 32 inch bar in Minnesota. This is adequet for most jobs and not so large it is unweildly to operate. When I logged in Alaska (rigging crew), I noticed the fellers used Stihls with a 48 inch bar. Big trees up there.

PG

 

[Bonzo Frog]

Thanks to everyone for their advice, Baggins I'll PM you for some advice on the course.
Bonzo

 

[ozzy1977]

In this trade you are going to come across those that use Stihl and then those that use Husky. The two are never mixed, and cause great argument as to which is better.(STIHL).

But you will proberbly be best of getting one with a 45-50cc engine and depending on the job, 12-16" bar, when I started I got a 12" with it and a 16" chucked in dont use it much but handy

 

[Laurence Dell]

Try this forum it is aimed at the arboricultural industry and there have been many discussions on there in the past that will answer all your questions.
http://proclimber.co.uk/forum/default.asp

Were you thinking of getting into arboriculture or forestry?

The forestry college up your way does full time courses in both, which would give you a good knowledge of trees as well as train you in using the tool of our trade.

I wouldn't reccomend a big saw for a beginner, a Stihl MS260 or similar would serve you well in the UK and be suitable for your course. For small felling, snedding and light cross cutting a relatively small saw will be more confortable to use safely all day.

 

[Bonzo Frog]

Cheers for the link Laurence. As for what use I'm going to put my new found skills to I'm not too sure at the moment. Although I'm up in the Lakes at present we're looking to move back towards the family (Gloucestershire/Herefordshire/Worcestershire area) and find some work in that area with a view to setting up by myself in a couple of years or so when I have some experience under my belt.
Any preference (bias) as to forestry or arbouriculture?

Bonzo