Bow bar?

smithie55 · May 23, 2006

I have seen tree farmers use the bow bar for cutting christmas trees.
Not being very familiar with this type of bar, are there other applications for it?
Thanks

pitkas · May 23, 2006

They are mainly used for clearing out small trees and brush. Bow bars are so dangerous, I don't think they make them anymore. Its a great concept, but I would rather use a regular bar.

computeruser · May 23, 2006

They're still out there. http://store.baileys-online.com/cgi-bin/baileys/scan/arg=%22/fi=products/st=db/tf=sortorder%2cdescription/co=yes/sf=category/se=289/op=eq/ml=5.html

Check out these posts:

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=31466

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=23048

www.f_orestryforum.c_om/board/index.php?topic=5287.0 also includes some pictures of bow bars in use. Remove the _ to paste it in your browser. In an attempt to prevent cross-board posting, AS won't display the words forestry and forum and .com together otherwise.

Homelite Man · May 24, 2006

There are 2 types of bars like this...The narrow open bar is
called a clearing bar...The larger oval open bar is called a
bow bar used mainly for bucking small wood.

motti · May 24, 2006

I've never understood these types of bars, either. Is there an advantage to them over a regular bar?

Lawn Masters · May 24, 2006

the main advantage, is that when you're cutting something, if the log starts to pinch the bar it wont stop the chain because theres only one side of the chain in the cut.

they're about as dangerous as a regular bar, assuming common sense is applied by the saw operator along with safe behavior. the larger radius of the nose on the bow bar makes it more prone to kickback because of more space for the chain to contact something on, but as I said, kickback can be avoided by use of common sense, and safe working habits.

motti · May 24, 2006

I did some more research on these bars last night, and I was enlightened. I do understand them now. But, I read that a lot of people said if used right, when bucking on the ground, the chains won't even hit the dirt. How does that work??