Islander
ArboristSite Operative
Time for a new saw, I'm thinking.
- 6 acre wood lot. Its second growth, starting in the 1930-40's, so most trees are on the smaller side. Lots of small growth makes it kind of thick woods.
- Largest trees are 24" at base, but typical trees are 10-16". Mostly ash, but some birch and DED Elms, and some softwoods like poplar and basswood too.
- Firewood is a combination of blowdown, and some felling of dead or less viable trees.
- 3-5 cord/year for my woodstove (BIS Nova) to supplement oil heat. I'm about 70% wood in the winter.
- Currently 2 saws: Makita 6401 (ex-HD Rental), and a cheapo Craftsman 18" (42cc I think).
6401 is big enough for anything in my woods. So got the high end covered as far as power goes. The power comes with weight though...
Craftsman saw is small and light and good for debranching and limbing. Good for the low end for zinging off branches and pruning. It's a cheap saw but has generally treated me well...probably over 100 tanks of gas.
Here's what I'm looking for:
I'm usually cutting up whole trees. Since I'm trying to clean up my woods in addition to hauling in wood, I usually cut and burn down to 3-4" diameter rounds. So at least 1/2 of my cutting time is on smaller stuff to prepare to block up the bigger trunks and limbs.
I always seem to find myself working in a tangle of saplings and branches whenever I cut. Of course, I always step back and look for the safest way to approach the job (and always use helmet and chaps). But seems like the tangle is unavoidable in many cases.
I'm looking for a saw that's good on the smaller stuff, but also big enough to not need the 6401 until I get to say 10" rounds.
My craftsman saw is great for this. It has a narrow, small radius 18" bar (oregon DG 91), so its easy to cut branches close to the trunk. It's long enough that I can stand most of the time. Its light enough that I can de-branch for an hour without stopping. But its also a cheap Poulin and not without its problems. I usually switch to the 6401 at about 6-8" diameter.
I'm thinking a light 50cc saw is just the ticket.
I've been looking at a Dolmar 5100S or a Stihl MS270. I would have already bought a 5100S (seems like a little hot rod), but there are no Dolmar dealers within 50 miles. And those at 50+ do not stock anything until you go over 100 miles (into NH and upstate NY). Seems Vermont is Stihl country...
Plenty of Stihl dealers around here. If there's anything I've learned from this forum, it is that a good dealer makes a difference. I've never needed either saw serviced, but its probably a matter of time...
Is the Stihl 270 a good bet for what I describe? Seems like the long thin profile would be a help. Easy to handle after an hour or two of continuous use?
Any other options I should consider? Thanks!!
- 6 acre wood lot. Its second growth, starting in the 1930-40's, so most trees are on the smaller side. Lots of small growth makes it kind of thick woods.
- Largest trees are 24" at base, but typical trees are 10-16". Mostly ash, but some birch and DED Elms, and some softwoods like poplar and basswood too.
- Firewood is a combination of blowdown, and some felling of dead or less viable trees.
- 3-5 cord/year for my woodstove (BIS Nova) to supplement oil heat. I'm about 70% wood in the winter.
- Currently 2 saws: Makita 6401 (ex-HD Rental), and a cheapo Craftsman 18" (42cc I think).
6401 is big enough for anything in my woods. So got the high end covered as far as power goes. The power comes with weight though...
Craftsman saw is small and light and good for debranching and limbing. Good for the low end for zinging off branches and pruning. It's a cheap saw but has generally treated me well...probably over 100 tanks of gas.
Here's what I'm looking for:
I'm usually cutting up whole trees. Since I'm trying to clean up my woods in addition to hauling in wood, I usually cut and burn down to 3-4" diameter rounds. So at least 1/2 of my cutting time is on smaller stuff to prepare to block up the bigger trunks and limbs.
I always seem to find myself working in a tangle of saplings and branches whenever I cut. Of course, I always step back and look for the safest way to approach the job (and always use helmet and chaps). But seems like the tangle is unavoidable in many cases.
I'm looking for a saw that's good on the smaller stuff, but also big enough to not need the 6401 until I get to say 10" rounds.
My craftsman saw is great for this. It has a narrow, small radius 18" bar (oregon DG 91), so its easy to cut branches close to the trunk. It's long enough that I can stand most of the time. Its light enough that I can de-branch for an hour without stopping. But its also a cheap Poulin and not without its problems. I usually switch to the 6401 at about 6-8" diameter.
I'm thinking a light 50cc saw is just the ticket.
I've been looking at a Dolmar 5100S or a Stihl MS270. I would have already bought a 5100S (seems like a little hot rod), but there are no Dolmar dealers within 50 miles. And those at 50+ do not stock anything until you go over 100 miles (into NH and upstate NY). Seems Vermont is Stihl country...
Plenty of Stihl dealers around here. If there's anything I've learned from this forum, it is that a good dealer makes a difference. I've never needed either saw serviced, but its probably a matter of time...
Is the Stihl 270 a good bet for what I describe? Seems like the long thin profile would be a help. Easy to handle after an hour or two of continuous use?
Any other options I should consider? Thanks!!
