Any helper handle alternatives?

[Holy Mackerel]

Quick question.

I am waiting for my 50" bar to come in.

I am all set up to go with the mill. The one component I did not buy was the helper handle. For two reasons I guess. One money is tight, but also because I am not to excited about drill holes in a brand new and expensive bar.

Is there any alternative to the helper handle or should I just order now before the bar gets here?

Thanks,
Wes

 

[BobL]

What's the 50" bar being put onto in terms of a mill?

 

[Holy Mackerel]

Hey Bob,

Whelp I have a 4ft mill and a Stihl 660.

I elected to go with the 660 with the intent of not running the saw to the max and eventually upgrading to the an 880.

Figure I can always sell the 660 if I need more power.

Thanks for the quick reply

 

[BobL]

Hey Bob,

Whelp I have a 4ft mill and a Stihl 660.

I elected to go with the 660 with the intent of not running the saw to the max and eventually upgrading to the an 880.

Figure I can always sell the 660 if I need more power.

Thanks for the quick reply

I assume it's a granberg mill. If so, a 50" bar on a 48 mill will give you about 44" of cut and I'd have a go without a helper handle as the nose will be protected by the standard guard so any helper should be protected when lifting it onto the log.

There should be no need for 2 people to push a 44" cut on the flat - if it needs to always be pushed your setup is not right. if you get the log up on a slope then a lone operator should not even have to push the mill, just guide it down the slope.

 

[gemniii]

Hey Bob,

Whelp I have a 4ft mill and a Stihl 660.

I elected to go with the 660 with the intent of not running the saw to the max and eventually upgrading to the an 880.

Figure I can always sell the 660 if I need more power.

Thanks for the quick reply

Several questions/comments -
1. Have you upgraded the 660?
If it's not muffler modded or DP muffler it's an underperformer. A good muf mod may give 20% more power on a 660

2. Is the saw new or new rebuild?
If so run it gently for several tanks, preferably in a felling limbing situation where revs vary

3. What's your mix?
I run mostly 40:1

4. What size/hardness wood do you plan on milling at first?
Take this into account. Until you get your setup technique down pat it can be very frustrating to just barely get setup and then have to quit because it's dark. For the next couple of months up here it'll get dark soon. Larger logs are more difficult to get arranged and se tup for the first cut.

5. Do you have enough chains? You should have at least two, if not three. You use the first chain to find that nail buried in the wood, then cut a while with the second chain. Trust me, with a 4 foot bar it takes a while to sharpen a chain.

6 Do you have the right oil for your saw and aux. oiler? When it get's cold the aux. oiler will flow slowly.

Good luck, and it didn't happen if there are no pics

 

[Holy Mackerel]

Thanks you both for the thoughtful tips.

The 660 is new. It has been sitting at my friends store waiting for the bar to come. Now that you mention it I should go pick it up and do some felling with the stock bar.

I don't intend on milling anything close to 44" to start. Going to ease into it, but it's nice have the option.

Thanks again.
Wes