Around the World with Stihl

[buckwheat]

Lazy afternoon so I started surfing Stihl's different sites. Turns out you can still buy a 38mag or an 051 in South America, but not too many other places. In Norway, the FarmBoss is the 026, not the 029. The 064 is still available south of the equator, but nowhere else. And what the heck is that 046 rescue saw that you can buy in New Zealand? Didn't see the 090 anywhere.
Other than EPA, I really wonder sometimes what determines the product distribution around the world.

 

[buckwheat]

'and the Netherlands has an MS240 tucked in between the 021, 023, 025, and MS260

 

[daveb]

If you look at Husqvarna's sites around the world you will find you can get models discontinued in the US also. Like the 51, 61. 257, 281,268, etc.

 

[treeclimber165]

I had an old 024 once, loved that saw. But all my saws were stolen 3 times in two years and I don't have any of those good saws any more.
Anyway, if you ever see an old 024 with good compression, grab it. A lot lighter than the 026's and just as strong as the new EPA 026 if not stronger.

 

[jokers]

An odd thing is that the new MS260 boxes say MS240/MS260 in big bold letters on the side and all of the text on the box is in US english. Guess it doesn`t really mean anything, just a curiosity, just makes you wonder why they bother labeling the boxes like that. Russ

 

[slabberman]

G'day buckwheat,
The 038 and the 090 are available in NZ too, although not advertised much, or at all!
The safety saws are used by emergency services for cutting through walls or roofs, or even the top off a crashed vehicle if need be. Carbide tipped teeth for the chain.
Cheers
Charlie

 

[lostone]

they have an 024 listed on ebay right now.
024

 

[slabberman]

G'day,
Cosmetically, that 024 looks in good nick.
cheers
Charlie.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

RE: Jokers

Must be Stihls way of cutting done on the number of boxes they need. Rich.

 

[jsikkema1]

Martha

Hey Buckwheat...
See the latest magazine with Martha on it??

<img src=http://www.wkhy.com/images/currentstuff/martha.jpg>

 

[Robert Doubrava]

The 046 Rescue Saw is most likely used for cutting ventilation holes in buildings and sawing up boards and such.


Here's a Vent Master chainsaw availible from Darley Firefighting Equipment Co.

www.edarley.com/darley/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=15488&secid=84&linkon=category&linkid=388

Real cool, looks like they were made by Husqvarna!

Later

 

[buckwheat]

I used to be a fireman assigned to a ladder company, and we used the Partner and Homelight construction saws with carbide tipped blades for ventilation. I don't like the idea of using a chainsaw on a built up roof, and I particularly don't like Stihl's set-up. First, I'd be really worried about kickback when making a plunge through asphalt shingles or anything else for that matter. Next, I would think that the chain would get gummed up pretty fast with tar; and finally, I can just picture someone trying to adjust the depth shroud with the saw still running while sitting on an angled roof...disaster waiting to happen.
If I had to use a rescue chain saw, the best design I've seen is Echo: http://www.mayberrys.com/echo/saws/quickvent.htm

We had full carbide blades available for cutting through metal doors and grates, but on cars we usually used an air chisel. The sparks from the saw tended to catch the interiors on fire.

 

[buckwheat]

Jeff, if I needed someone to cook my books, who better than Martha? George

 

[WRW]

Buckwheat,
Those construction saws can kick back too. Worse, they have no brake to slow, much less stop, the blade as it comes back. Further, the initial cut with a chainsaw should be made at an angle, similar to the way one would start an inside cut with a jigsaw. That should reduce the chance of a kickback.
As for adjusting the depth shroud, if you opt for one, that should be done prior to ascent to the roof.
And as for the gummed chain, I've never seen it happen. I have seen lost or broken teeth on less well built chains, but there are better chains out there. Now, on a tarred roof, a cutoff saw is the way to go.
Cutters Edge and Vent Master are fine ventilation saws. The Stihl product seems to be made along the same lines.
If you get down to Va. in the next couple of years, I'll introduce you to a man that had a cutoff saw kick back on him.

 

[buckwheat]

Bill,
If I have the opportunity, I'm going to stop in at one of the truck companies in town and ask about what they're using and opinions. Admittedly, mine are pretty subjective and its been ten years since I slid down a pole. At that time, no one in our area was using the chain saws. Plus back then, I tended to take a lot more risks with power tools than I do now - you're right about those construction saws not being the safest things either.
Its interesting you mention VA. Years ago I took the test for Fairfax County and got the call, but I just couldn't pull myself away from the ghetto, and I was up for captain. Fairfax had a residency requirement and I didn't know anyone. I'd be looking at retirement right now if I'd have taken the job. George

 

[WRW]

George,
I don't know if it is Fairfax county or the City, but I know of a lot of department members that live halfway to Richmond. Washington DC tried that residency thing and it just didn't work for them either.
BTW, I think Charlottesville has one of those Echo vent saws.

 

[HUSKYMAN]

I have used the Cutters edge ventilation saw twice on a roof and they cut awesome. The key to prevent kickback and gumming is rpms. Also ours has an adjustable bar guard for added protection. The Jonsered 65cc saw that the Cutters edge uses really screams.

We used to have a K12 rescue saw and the new saw is MUCH safer and cuts faster.

 

[WRW]

Huskyman,
Cutters Edge, with the bullet chain and 2171 Jonsered, and Vent
Master, with 372XP Husky, titanium bar, and Raptor chain are both screamers (relatively speaking). I'm just not sold on the bar guard or the heat shield. The stock saw with special chain can be had for 75% of the price of the "package".
By the way, I did a couple of plunge cuts using the top of the tip of the blade and felt little inclination of kickback with the Cutters Edge. Not to be done in the field, but it gives an idea of reactive forces of the chain.