calamari
ArboristSite Operative
Maybe there is one but I don't think I've seen it. It seems like there should be a simple formula that you'd use to calculate the appropriate horsepower or cc equivalent to use for determining the appropriate sized saw for cutting various diameters of various species of trees. I've seen guys on here say you just can't cut 20" oak for example with anything less than a 70cc saw. I've cut lots of oak that size with a much smaller saw and did it quickly.
Each tooth being pulled through X amount of wood should take Y amount of horsepower. The larger the diameter the more horsepower you need because more and more teeth are in the wood or a reduction of teeth to keep the saw in the sweet spot. For example, I had the opportunity this summer to rip and buck up a very dry 28" diameter oak that I initially used a full toothed chain on. It was 104 degrees and the saw labored and the bar oil smoked. I went to a full skip chain and it cut faster and easier because the chain speed increased due to fewer teeth putting reduced drag on the engine. I'm surprised that manufacturers don't have a simple matrix for their saws that gives the break off point where a particular sized saw has reached the limit of its ability to cut with a bar of a certain length and tooth number in the wood. It would have more application on bigger wood but it would also show that 50, 60 and 70 cc saws just aren't needed if you adjust the tooth count on the saw you already have.
Each tooth being pulled through X amount of wood should take Y amount of horsepower. The larger the diameter the more horsepower you need because more and more teeth are in the wood or a reduction of teeth to keep the saw in the sweet spot. For example, I had the opportunity this summer to rip and buck up a very dry 28" diameter oak that I initially used a full toothed chain on. It was 104 degrees and the saw labored and the bar oil smoked. I went to a full skip chain and it cut faster and easier because the chain speed increased due to fewer teeth putting reduced drag on the engine. I'm surprised that manufacturers don't have a simple matrix for their saws that gives the break off point where a particular sized saw has reached the limit of its ability to cut with a bar of a certain length and tooth number in the wood. It would have more application on bigger wood but it would also show that 50, 60 and 70 cc saws just aren't needed if you adjust the tooth count on the saw you already have.