A Properly Sharpened Chain Works Wonders

[Section VIII]

So I rented a 391 from the local rental place because I was thinking my 450P was having a hell of a time cutting the tree that I've been working on off and on for the past 2 months. The 391 did well (only came with a 20" bar which I was disappointed with as I needed a 32"...24" minimum to buck the 44" rounds) and I was initially impressed.

The 391 wouldn't start again after going through a tank of gas until I gave it enough time to cool down. Then, while I was waiting, I remembered that a splitting wedge fell on the chain that was on the 450P in the middle of a cut a while back. I had re-sharpened the chain but it was still too much work bucking. So...I put a new chain on and fired the ol' 450P up to cut the smaller pieces. Amazing...I didn't need to rent the 391 afterall.

Lesson learned.

 

[flashhole]

Good on ya!

Saying a chainsaw works better with a sharp chain is like saying you see better when your eyes are open.

 

[zogger]

Best cheap and easy mod you can do to a saw really, just a sharp chain!

 

[tpope]

Buy a couple of plastic wedges...

 

[1Minute]

Yes! A truly sharp chain is literally a joy to run.

 

[Section VIII]

Buy a couple of plastic wedges...

I did. But they weren't enough to keep the log open without pinching. As it was, I had to double up on the splitting wedges to keep the bar from binding. That tree took me 9 months to process.