036 as a logging saw

[Ryan Willock]

does anyone know of a pro using an 036 to fell timber??? I ask only because stihl advertises it as "a saw the the pro firewood and pulp cutter" lets here the replies!

 

[mikey]

A friend that I occassionally cut with has an 036,it would not be my first choice.However,with a 20"bar/sharp chain,cutting moderate sized Pine or firewood, this saw will get the job done.If I were buying a new saw,I would get one in the 71-85cc/24"bar for felling and that choice is restricted to my area.No offense to all the loyal Stihl guys that have and love thier 036's.Just my opinion

 

[Ryan Willock]

i have an 036 that i use for firewood but for logging i use my ms460 or my 066G. i was just wondering if any body actually used an 036 for production felling although i don't see why anyone would when an 044 only weighs a pound more.

 

[Jumper]

It depends..........

I used an 036 to clear some land for a parking lot last summer, and far as I was concerned it was overkill, given the job at hand and the strain of lugging it all day, all I needed was a 020. Out in the prairie provinces, I think this saw would do fine as there really are not too many trees, and those that are around tend too be conifers or "soft" hardwoods. On the other hand it would be puny for use on the west coast and for larger trees here in the east.

 

[eyolf]

First off, I must say I'm not a Stihl fan; nothing against them, I just like another brand better.
What is Stihl's price point on this saw? Their main competitor has a couple of choices in this size range too, so I imagine Stihl keeps it around for the buyer who feels he needs more than 50cc (some might feel 50cc saw is overtaxed as production unit) but wants to stay below the 044 price point.

I used a Jons 670 (68cc) for years as my main saw, until I siezed it. I've temporarily replaced it with a 60cc saw (used Jons 625) and admit that the 625 will do just about everything the 670 would. It is a little wimpy with a 24" bar, but I admit that the 670 could be made to grunt with it, too. Point is 60cc is a great firewood size, especially if there is a big $$$ difference between it and the 70+cc size.

 

[Newfie]

"a saw the the pro firewood and pulp cutter"

Are challenging Stihl's assertion Ryan? When I think of timber, pulp and firewood do not come to mind. Seems like ya could probably use something smaller though, or just get a 372xp and not worry about the Stihl.

 

[Ryan Willock]

Mike, thats my point!! the 036 (at least stock) while a great saw i think is a bit doggish to be production felling. i guess for thinning its ok but then what do i know!!

 

[Tony Snyder]

In our small town rural area, I know one fella who uses an 036 in his clearing work.I do not know anyone using anything that small for logging.

The loggers start with about 71cc (2171) or 046s, but more typical lately are 2186/385s. The 2186 fall half way between 046s and 066s and is what hardwood loggers want right now.

 

[046]

my 034 super with 20in bar will do the job in larger size hardwoods, but doesn't like it.

whereas 046 w/20in will rip into it like nothing

 

[thompson1600]

Not really production use, but the Parks & Rec Board here uses 036's for cutting the big boulevard Elm tree's down. I haven't seen them use anything bigger than an 036, not sure if they have anything bigger or not. Again, this isn't really production timber cutting, but urban tree management.

 

[NWCS]

i have used my 036 Pro as my main saw for a long time.. i use a 20" bar and full skip chain in Northwest softwoods.. saw does good but for production its not the right saw.i would go with an 044 for anything production or real heavy. if you wanted to cut hardwood with an 036, i would drop down to a 16" bar. dropping from a 24" to a 20 gave me a nice power boost due to having to spin less weight, a 16" would be darn near unstoppable. especially if the muffler was modded.

 

[lostone]

First off I'm not a pro, so this is my opinion. I have an 036 and it is a great saw for firewood, I like the light weight of it as well, I also own a 046 (heavy but plenty of power) I have ran the 044 (limited, very limited) but if I was to work professionally cutting all the time I would more than likely go with the 044 over the 036, the weight for the power I believe would be worth it. But again this is a non pro opinion.

 

[average joe]

The 036 is marginal in stock form for serious firewooding IMO. Much better off with a 70cc saw IMO.

 

[056kid]

How can anyone say that a 036+20inch bar is heavy?! comon!!!!

 

[SawTroll]

How can anyone say that a 036+20inch bar is heavy?! comon!!!!

Who said that?
It may be front heavy, but the saw as such isn't of course.
If you are referring to what dedcow wrote, I think he was referring to the weight (and friction) of the longer chain.....

 

[NWCS]

who said it was heavy? i like the 036+20" combo.

 

[Ryan Willock]

The 036 is a good saw and I use it for cutting firewood and pulpwood (which I try to stay away from). It makes a good skidder saw though.

 

[Butch(OH)]

When saws were a tool (and not a hobby like now)the saw that went to the fence rows and woods with me was an 036. Not a logger IMO but a serious firewood machine for sure. In the wood I cut the 036 has all it wants with a 20" bar and full compliment RS chain. For very occassional felling and bucking that required a longer bar I wouldn't be afraid to bolt one on the 036 and proceed at the pace it's power allows. For steady work I'd want 10-15 more CCs at least. I like to read these threads as the varying opinions are interesting but I am partial to the 036 since I own one and never made a mistake in my life, LOL

 

[CNYCountry]

who said it was heavy? i like the 036+20" combo.

Same here, seems like a 036/360/361 balances real nice with a 20" bar. A 24" bar, too long for it anyway really, makes it tip down.

 

[CNYCountry]

When saws were a tool (and not a hobby like now)the saw that went to the fence rows and woods with me was an 036. Not a logger IMO but a serious firewood machine for sure. In the wood I cut the 036 has all it wants with a 20" bar and full compliment RS chain. For very occassional felling and bucking that required a longer bar I wouldn't be afraid to bolt one on the 036 and proceed at the pace it's power allows. For steady work I'd want 10-15 more CCs at least. I like to read these threads as the varying opinions are interesting but I am partial to the 036 since I own one and never made a mistake in my life, LOL

Not a darn thing wrong with it if you have to just pick up one saw, it's big enough to get through the bigger stuff, even hardwoods, if you're patient and have the right bar and chain, but it's not too heavy to carry around when you're dealing with smaller stuff. I have run a 24" bar with full comp full chisel in 40" softer hardwood and as long as the chain is razor sharp and the rakers are not set too low it does not bog unless you dog in way too hard. It cuts fast enough like that. It would be too slow for production I would bet but it will do the job and is a very good comprimise.

With fast chain in smaller softwood it is quick and light, I think that was Stihl's intended purpose.