Ambull01
Addicted to ArboristSite
Hello everyone,
I recently found this site and its been a huge eye opener. Before finding this place, I had never heard of the following: CAD, DBH, barber chair and widow makers as it relates to felling trees, open face notch, Humboldt notch, etc. I try to read through all the old threads until my brain hurts then I stop for the day. Thank you gentlemen for all the awesome info you've put on this site over the years. I never knew how freaking lucky I've been haphazardly felling trees.
I recently bought a fireplace insert and plan on burning wood to supplement my electric baseboard heat. I'm had my crappy Homelite 33cc chainsaw for several years but never really used it much except for the occasional limb cutting chores. I did however use it to cut several trees down in my yard (well previous yard since I sold that house). Cut down one tree where the trunk actually fell straight down onto my toes! Luckily I was wearing some cheap Kmart steel toe boots and it just bent the plate vice crush my precious little piggies. Am I the definition of "stupid hurts?" I also had to us a handsaw to get my bar out of a Magnolia limb I was trying to cut up on a ladder (actually I was sitting in the tree). The limb pinched my bar and I couldn't get that sucker out no matter how much I pulled and yanked it. In hindsight, I can't believe I'm alive and still have all my arms and legs.
Anyway, on to my questions. I'll probably never become a chainsaw guru like you awesome gentlemen but it would be nice to get out of the "idiot homeowner" category. Could you guys tell me if I'm missing anything?
How to learn about chainsaw maintenance/repair:
1) Clymer book.
2) Take saws apart and put them back together. See how they work/what makes them tick.
3) Ask questions/keep reading posts on AS. As problems with my chainsaw arises, try to fix it myself.
4) Read chainsaw manuals/IPLs.
How to lean about felling/bucking/limbing/dangers of wood cutting:
1) Read To Fell A Tree
2) Dent's Procedural Guide
3) Beranek's (sp?) Fundamentals
4) Practice? To be honest, I'm kind of scared of this option after reading and watching videos here lol. Had no idea all the hidden dangers of felling trees.
Anything I'm missing? Anything you recommend I do in addition to the above items? I'm thinking about volunteering at a state park nearby for trail maintenance. Hopefully they offer some kind of chainsaw felling course. I also know about using proper PPE.
Oh right, forgot to mention a few things. I'd like to cut and use about 4 cords of wood a year. Planning on upgrading to the PP 5020AV or the CS 590 TW after reading about them. Rational side of my brain is screaming buy the PP 5020AV, it's sufficient for my usage but the irrational side is screaming just as loud. If I compromise, I'll go with the CS 590. Stihl's are kind of pricey. Husqvarna's are nice but cost a little more than I need and all I'll do with it is cut firewood.
Thanks for any help/advice you can give.
I recently found this site and its been a huge eye opener. Before finding this place, I had never heard of the following: CAD, DBH, barber chair and widow makers as it relates to felling trees, open face notch, Humboldt notch, etc. I try to read through all the old threads until my brain hurts then I stop for the day. Thank you gentlemen for all the awesome info you've put on this site over the years. I never knew how freaking lucky I've been haphazardly felling trees.
I recently bought a fireplace insert and plan on burning wood to supplement my electric baseboard heat. I'm had my crappy Homelite 33cc chainsaw for several years but never really used it much except for the occasional limb cutting chores. I did however use it to cut several trees down in my yard (well previous yard since I sold that house). Cut down one tree where the trunk actually fell straight down onto my toes! Luckily I was wearing some cheap Kmart steel toe boots and it just bent the plate vice crush my precious little piggies. Am I the definition of "stupid hurts?" I also had to us a handsaw to get my bar out of a Magnolia limb I was trying to cut up on a ladder (actually I was sitting in the tree). The limb pinched my bar and I couldn't get that sucker out no matter how much I pulled and yanked it. In hindsight, I can't believe I'm alive and still have all my arms and legs.
Anyway, on to my questions. I'll probably never become a chainsaw guru like you awesome gentlemen but it would be nice to get out of the "idiot homeowner" category. Could you guys tell me if I'm missing anything?
How to learn about chainsaw maintenance/repair:
1) Clymer book.
2) Take saws apart and put them back together. See how they work/what makes them tick.
3) Ask questions/keep reading posts on AS. As problems with my chainsaw arises, try to fix it myself.
4) Read chainsaw manuals/IPLs.
How to lean about felling/bucking/limbing/dangers of wood cutting:
1) Read To Fell A Tree
2) Dent's Procedural Guide
3) Beranek's (sp?) Fundamentals
4) Practice? To be honest, I'm kind of scared of this option after reading and watching videos here lol. Had no idea all the hidden dangers of felling trees.
Anything I'm missing? Anything you recommend I do in addition to the above items? I'm thinking about volunteering at a state park nearby for trail maintenance. Hopefully they offer some kind of chainsaw felling course. I also know about using proper PPE.
Oh right, forgot to mention a few things. I'd like to cut and use about 4 cords of wood a year. Planning on upgrading to the PP 5020AV or the CS 590 TW after reading about them. Rational side of my brain is screaming buy the PP 5020AV, it's sufficient for my usage but the irrational side is screaming just as loud. If I compromise, I'll go with the CS 590. Stihl's are kind of pricey. Husqvarna's are nice but cost a little more than I need and all I'll do with it is cut firewood.
Thanks for any help/advice you can give.
