chain saw suggestions?

[jtaylor]

Any suggestions for a light-weight, always starts, chainsaw. I hate waiting for a workparty when I can get a few hours in the afternoon to take care of a problem.

[driftwood]

I have no idea on chain saws...but I will say be careful, there are some mountain bikers who are very attached to logs on the trail, and cutting them will bring their wrath upon you.

[Angela]

And of course if it is Forest Service land (Modoc, Lick Fork, FATS, Turkey, Wine) you also have to be chainsaw certified to cut on their land! Once the weather cools a bit and folks quit vacationing the work parties will pick up.

[yetichick]

We do have several trails that are not on USFS property, and these include Baker Creek, the Lake Trail, the Canal trail, Hickory Knob, and Keg Creek. You have also been part of several discussions regarding logs, and know which ones to cut and which ones to leave.

Michael has 2 chainsaws. For smaller logs, he uses an Echo CS-300 (or 301). It is lightweight and has a 14" bar. He can carry it in a back pack, and because it "sips" gas, he doesn't have to carry any extra fuel. It is basically problem free and will easily cut logs up to 8" . We have cut larger logs with it--it just requires patience and a bit more time. For the big logs, Michael uses an Echo CS-510 with a 20" bar. We have to use the B.O.B to transport that chainsaw. Both of the chainsaws are easy to start.

[ted]

Here I am, always looking for a chainsaw discussion!!!
Stihl is the only way to go. If you look carefully at all of the landscape people driving around town, you'll see nothing but white and orange power equipment. There's a reason for that.
I personally own a Poulan, but really wish I'd gotten a Stihl. They just seem to run better and stronger than my Poulan.
Also, if you notice on your way out Martintown Rd, just past the interstate you'll see Laurelwood Landscape. They sell and service Stihl and others. It's very handy having a service center nearby when you have problems as opposed to taking it to a generic lawn mower shop.
Besides, Stihl was the only power tool used (for the most part) to construct FATS. It's also the choice of Long Cane Trails LLC.
Regarding using a chainsaw at HKSP,Baker Creek, and the Lake Trail, you may want to check in with the Park Ranger and Army Corp before you go out with a chainsaw.

Now to my new closing question on this subject; when is the next certification class being held? Hopefully I won't be overlooked this time.

[Angela]

Yetichick has a certified chainsawyer that she swamps for who is connected for sawyer work on all our SORBA-CSRA trails fortunately so they are good to go!!

I'm not aware that the USFS regularly schedules chainsaw certification classes (but you can check to be sure). Over the past 5 years our experience has been that we have to call them up and ask them to schedule the class and since the trainer comes in from out of state it has to be worked around his schedule. Then they check with all other potential chainsaw trainees from other interest groups (OHV, horse, etc) to see about when it will work for them as well since it has to be offered to all trail users. Generally they have about 10 openings and the people who come for training must have all proper safety equipment, helmets, eyeprotection, boots, hearing protection. The training takes place during the day on a Friday and then on a Saturday too. It can take several months to get things scheduled and can be a bit of a pain so most of the classes scheduled now we try to request when folks need to be re-certified and at that time they usually have room for a newbie or two.

[seenvic]

If I were looking for a chainsaw, I would buy a stihl.

I once had a brother in the firewood business in KY. He only had Stihls.

My partners in LCT insist on Stihl power equipment.

It may be all in our heads, but to date we are happy w/ the performance of these machines.

[dparrott]

I don't think you can go wrong with the medium and larger Stihls but my experience with a small one has been awful. The commercial sized Husqvarna's are excellent. My personal saw is a Homelight XL Automatic with 16" bar. I wouldn't recommend the brand in general but this model is the exception - not sure if it's made anymore. It's old - I bought it second hand over 30 years ago and then it was from a commercial lumber operation that used it everyday with a bark skinning attachment. The beast has no safety appliances and is loud and heavy but boy can it cut. It's the model that put Homelight on the map. In all this time I've had it in the shop just once. It's very dependable in starting. And it's cut a zillion trees. Used to cut 4-5 cords of wood/ year in PA and cut my wood here for the fireplace. Of course, on Keg Creek, I bet that saw has cleared 300 trees.
Dale