Two chainsaws?

[campbellrw]

I'm looking at starting a small firewood business in my spare time. I currently have a Stihl MS260 and access to a 120hp 4wd tractor and logging trailer with grapple. I was thinking it might make sense to get an additional saw, something like a Stihl 461. If i had two saws, I could use the 260 for limbing etc and the 461 for felling and bucking. Do most people take that approach? Will also need to get a splitter at some point, but have several local options.

 

[Ironworker]

Sounds good. Good luck.

 

[mainewoods]

Looks like you got a good start. 2 saws won't be enough though. You need more, just ask us!

 

[firebrick43]

My two saw plan is a 660 and a 362. Limbing saw to me is one that can easily power a 20" bar without effort so I don't have to bend over. 660 doesn't get used often but it sure was nice on the 46" white oak I cut up the main trunk in less than an hour. A 461 would be nice as well

 

[HuskStihl]

If your business will be shut down if u'r saw is in the shop, you definitely need at least a back up

 

[Toxic2]

I have cut some big trees and while i debated buying a bigger saw all i have ever needed is an ms 362 with a 20inch bar..get a top handle saw for limbing/climbing. I run a 192t almost as long as i run my 362 every time i cut down a firewood tree. i love being able to hold and tub the branches while holding the saw

 

[chucker]

! if you are traveling more than a mile away from home ? you will need atleaset 3 saws!!!! lol

 

[GrassGuerilla]

I'm looking at starting a small firewood business in my spare time. I currently have a Stihl MS260 and access to a 120hp 4wd tractor and logging trailer with grapple. I was thinking it might make sense to get an additional saw, something like a Stihl 461. If i had two saws, I could use the 260 for limbing etc and the 461 for felling and bucking. Do most people take that approach? Will also need to get a splitter at some point, but have several local options.

Welcome to AS. Famous last words.

 

[Jim Timber]

Sometimes you need the second saw just to get the first one out of the tree.

If I'm felling and bucking/limbing at the same time, I run two saws. The larger for cutting trunks (vertically or on the ground), and the smaller for processing the tops. Having a smaller saw requires less energy input and keeps more available for moving the wood around so you can get access to the trunk, etc, and also prevents you from becoming fatigued as quickly.

 

[Freakingstang]

that's a good two saw plan, but at some point you'll end up with 5 saw plan if you stick around here... I run a 550xp and a 372xp as my go-to saws. but then you'll need a 90cc saw, a backup 50cc saw and a backup 70cc saw.. that's puts you at 5 real quick.

 

[Trx250r180]

5 saws Hahahahahahaha

 

[Jim Timber]

5 saws Hahahahahahaha

Yeah, that's a bit on the light side isn't it. Go with 10!

 

[Freakingstang]

5 saws Hahahahahahaha

there's only 8 in my sig... probably another 8 more between projects and backups to the backups..

 

[Mike from Maine]

The ms362 is awesome!!!

 

[campbellrw]

Hahaha 10 saws! You guys are a bad influence! Seriously though, part of my reasoning was to be able to use the lighter weight saw at least some of the time (ie. limbing etc). My 260 is a great saw with the 16" bar, but I think if I put a 20 on it it would quickly become under powered for the bigger hardwood trees. And also, to have a backup if one saw quit, since those saws would be about the only ones available to me.

I have also used an older cordwood saw at my great uncles, it was a real old belt driven model. And by belt driven, I mean the big 6" wide belt that's about 10 or 15 feet in diameter that runs directly off a PTO gearbox. It's pretty fast, but safety doesn't seem to be at the top of it's list of benefits. Has anyone used a newer cordwood saw with the tilting table and guards etc. Would that be quicker than blocking the the bigger chainsaw I wonder? At least using the chainsaw, I don't need to lift the log onto the table of the cordwood saw...

 

[VW Splitter]

I am on the 7 saw plan which works pretty good. You need to be able to use however many you have. It is hard on them to set idle for too long. Welcome to AS. Good luck.

 

[hamish]

Well seeing as your in PEI,

Your tree species will dictate the saws you need. Great that you have a tractor like that and trailer with a grapple.......what about a winch to maximize your forwarding capabilities? If you can get your wood to a landing after topping it, forgo the smaller saw, and get something in the 70cc range with a bar suitable to your timber, most like 20" in PEI. What do you have for a grapple on your trailer?

 

[campbellrw]

Yeah that would be a good idea, and could use that as a primary saw, would like to keep one around for a backup at least anyway. The trailer is pretty big, not sure on the specs of it, but I was told I could have the use of it if I wanted. Here's a picture of it. The hydraulics are driven by the tractor.

 

[Thornton]

The ms362 is awesome!!!

 

[campbellrw]

I thought Chuck only cut trees down with machine guns?