Guys, did I do something reckless?

Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
A nice hot shower over the muscles should relax them. I let it run down my lower back too.

When I’m not cutting, the first day back at felling and bucking I work only a half day to stretch my muscles again. Then two full days of easy cutting. By the fourth day I pour it on. In the past I’ve pulled muscles by not taking the time to limber up in the past.

One thing I was taught when breaking in was to carry a long bar like a 42 on the biggest saw you have till noon then drop to a 90cc or 70cc with a 32 or 36 the rest of the day to rest your back.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
If you're running a saw, wear a hard hat. It blows my mind running into firewood maggots on the way out of the job in ball caps.
I wouldn't be typing this if not for a hard hat on multiple occasions.
 
Lots of hard hats also have face shields.
100% I’d vote for a pair of safety glasses. You only have two eyes, getting a wood chip or splinter thrown into one will stop you real quick.
Ear muffs also come on many hard hats, but protecting your hearing is another important point of what you need to cover.

You said you have chaps, other than that a decent pair of boots and gloves is all that’s necessary.

I’m surprised the dealer sold you a 28” bar for firewooding. And to say your 45cc homeowner saw is insufficient and move you to a 76cc saw as a solution seems surprising (to me). I would have though if 45cc can’t do it, to suggest either a 50cc pro saw (MS261) or a bigger brother 60cc saw (MS362) would be more prudent solution. Those saws weigh less and cost less.

As for the bar, who wants to carry around 28” all the time if it isn’t needed. He’s right that if you only need a 20” bar you’d be better off with a smaller saw, but since he already sold you the MS461, asking you what you need should have already happened. Kind of backwards at this point. The good news is that you can definitely put a shorter bar on a big power head saw to lighten it up. Some people prefer it actually, as the saw can run a higher tooth sprocket and maintain chain speed better in small wood.

I’d suggest an 8-pin rim sprocket and a 20” bar combo.

I’d also suggest a different dealer.
 
We didn't do a whole lot of talking. I asked one sales guy a few questions before he went out to lunch - I asked about large saws that didn't have the M-tronic system. He called a tech guy out. They didn't have a 362 but there was one 461 on the shelf. I knew it was discontinued and got a little excited. It was the tech guy told me if I wanted a smaller bar, I might as well go with a smaller saw. At that point, I was already pretty into the 461 and the tech knew it. I went outside to think it over, and came back in to buy. I did it to myself... I don't blame the dealer. Maybe they could've asked a few more questions but they're not my babysitter, ya know? Anyway, it's my saw now.

I do my own firewood plus I'm responsible for two older neighbors. I will hire out for at least one guy's firewood. I did make that clear to them. Plus I've got to do some management work on a few 10+ acre properties. No doubt I could get by with a smaller saw but I'm happy.

How will a 20" or 24" bar operate on the 7-pin rim sprocket that it came with?
 
We didn't do a whole lot of talking. I asked one sales guy a few questions before he went out to lunch - I asked about large saws that didn't have the M-tronic system. He called a tech guy out. They didn't have a 362 but there was one 461 on the shelf. I knew it was discontinued and got a little excited. It was the tech guy told me if I wanted a smaller bar, I might as well go with a smaller saw. At that point, I was already pretty into the 461 and the tech knew it. I went outside to think it over, and came back in to buy. I did it to myself... I don't blame the dealer. Maybe they could've asked a few more questions but they're not my babysitter, ya know? Anyway, it's my saw now.

I do my own firewood plus I'm responsible for two older neighbors. I will hire out for at least one guy's firewood. I did make that clear to them. Plus I've got to do some management work on a few 10+ acre properties. No doubt I could get by with a smaller saw but I'm happy.

How will a 20" or 24" bar operate on the 7-pin rim sprocket that it came with?
The 20-24 will do great on there with a 7 pin, but the carb may need to be adjusted a bit as you will not be putting as much of a load on it as the 28 would.
 
We didn't do a whole lot of talking. I asked one sales guy a few questions before he went out to lunch - I asked about large saws that didn't have the M-tronic system. He called a tech guy out. They didn't have a 362 but there was one 461 on the shelf. I knew it was discontinued and got a little excited. It was the tech guy told me if I wanted a smaller bar, I might as well go with a smaller saw. At that point, I was already pretty into the 461 and the tech knew it. I went outside to think it over, and came back in to buy. I did it to myself... I don't blame the dealer. Maybe they could've asked a few more questions but they're not my babysitter, ya know? Anyway, it's my saw now.

I do my own firewood plus I'm responsible for two older neighbors. I will hire out for at least one guy's firewood. I did make that clear to them. Plus I've got to do some management work on a few 10+ acre properties. No doubt I could get by with a smaller saw but I'm happy.

How will a 20" or 24" bar operate on the 7-pin rim sprocket that it came with?

Just run it with the 28 they really aren’t that much heavier then a 24 or 20, packing around a longer bar is honestly easier then a short bar with packing it on your shoulder. All the years of falling I can only think of a few times of running a 28 even in small timber I prefer the 32 just because of balance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
If I do get a shorter bar, I would rather just adjust the carb then get a new sprocket.

I don't normally take such an interest in my power tools but this saw is exciting. I'm glad I found this site, you guys are great.
 
Congratulations on your new saw ! Sounds like you were dealing with a pretty decent dealer.
Seems like the newer electronic stuff gets run down by lots of folks but not me.
 
Just run it with the 28 they really aren’t that much heavier then a 24 or 20, packing around a longer bar is honestly easier then a short bar with packing it on your shoulder. All the years of falling I can only think of a few times of running a 28 even in small timber I prefer the 32 just because of balance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Liked because its funny, you gonna pack in with him on the section next to you lol.
A greenhorn cutting in a log pile with a 28 seems like a problem waiting to happen.
 
Liked because its funny, you gonna pack in with him on the section next to you lol.
A greenhorn cutting in a log pile with a 28 seems like a problem waiting to happen.

When I got broke in, in my late teens at 100lbs soaking wet I had to pack and run a 42. If I was still faking everyday sure I’d let him hike and learn with me for a week or something it’s great teaching a guy to look ahead at everything can happen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
When I got broke in, in my late teens at 100lbs soaking wet I had to pack and run a 42. If I was still faking everyday sure I’d let him hike and learn with me for a week or something it’s great teaching a guy to look ahead at everything can happen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There's always exceptions, its obvious your one of them. I do agree one could learn a lot quick having someone to teach them like that. It would have been great to have someone to help me learn to file and to cut firewood, but as the adage says "it takes a yr to get a yrs experience".
I'd like to see some pictures of that 100lb kid with the 42 :surprised3:.
Guessing you meant falling every day not faking or am I going to learn anew term today :reading:.
 
Wow, this saw is something else. Where do you guys buy the good dogs? The stock ones stink.
I've taken all the dogs off all but a few of my vintage saws. I can use the extra inch more than I need the extra forced pull. If your chain is good and sharp, you really don't need dogs. They just look Bad Azz.
 
When I got broke in, in my late teens at 100lbs soaking wet I had to pack and run a 42. If I was still faking everyday sure I’d let him hike and learn with me for a week or something it’s great teaching a guy to look ahead at everything can happen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When I started working full time with Dad, in 1972, at 16 years old, I used a Homelite Super 1050 with a 24" bar as my ground limbing saw. I got tired of the other guys grabbing my XL12 and dulling it, then putting it back on the truck. Nobody liked starting the 1050, being 100CC's with no decomp. I got used to it and used it as my go to saw until I was well into my 50's. Now I use my MS 170 whenever I can. I'm retired and in no hurry. I still have 3 Super 1050's, one with a 24", 36" and 45". Sorry if I don't jump on the big saw for new guy band wagon, 50 years of tree work, I've seen too many young guys cut up not knowing how to use powerful equipment. You will probably be just fine. Like every one else, I'd say be careful. But after working with young guys who all say they are careful, I know they are not. Being careful around trees is not like being careful around anything else. I guess just like a steel mill or coal mine. You may think you are being careful, but you don't know you are screwing up, until you screw up. Live and learn. Good luck. This is one of the original Super 1050's my Dad bought new in 1972, I still use it for big wood and milling. Hope you get 50 years out of your new saw.
4laqa2f.jpg
 
There's always exceptions, its obvious your one of them. I do agree one could learn a lot quick having someone to teach them like that. It would have been great to have someone to help me learn to file and to cut firewood, but as the adage says "it takes a yr to get a yrs experience".
I'd like to see some pictures of that 100lb kid with the 42 :surprised3:.
Guessing you meant falling every day not faking or am I going to learn anew term today :reading:.

67d519f18fefb9b5114d091cd2b86906.jpg
ceea085e0b86015d3623df9092151031.jpg

Early 20’s probably 105/110lbs running a 60. Yes sorry meant falling. This is a couple years ago at about 130/140lbs.
733b8b6877c218f4ff6e96951cec4a1a.jpg




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I've taken all the dogs off all but a few of my vintage saws. I can use the extra inch more than I need the extra forced pull. If your chain is good and sharp, you really don't need dogs. They just look Bad Azz.

Depends on what you’re cutting as well as how thick the bark is or what you’re doing like rocking from a sight cut to take your undercut. Another good use is if the tree is a lot larger then the bar you can feel where post is in the face or back cuts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
67d519f18fefb9b5114d091cd2b86906.jpg
ceea085e0b86015d3623df9092151031.jpg

Early 20’s probably 105/110lbs running a 60. Yes sorry meant falling. This is a couple years ago at about 130/140lbs.
733b8b6877c218f4ff6e96951cec4a1a.jpg




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's sweet.
Is that last picture the one from a video you did.
Didn't think you were gonna take him out faking, but sometimes you do gotta fake it til you make it so to speak, that being said it can get you killed doing tree work.
 
And keep limbs & branches smacking you in the face, yada yada.

The 460 & 461 dawgs mount up the same, the cases are very similar. The outer is the same as most Stihl saws but the inner is different.

Actually the 461 shares an inner with 440/660 and it's variants.

The outer is different.
 
That's sweet.
Is that last picture the one from a video you did.
Didn't think you were gonna take him out faking, but sometimes you do gotta fake it til you make it so to speak, that being said it can get you killed doing tree work.

The video is from the same patch of timber same saw different bar, I’ve broke in a few guys most running 32’s it helps teaching if the bar reaches all the way across then start teaching the guys to swing or push the tip to open up the sight cut in smaller timber. There’s different ways to do the same task I still think a longer bar is safer then a short bar on a big saw.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top