Chain for Stihl 441 Magnum

[Splorndle]

I have heated with wood all my life but this year moved to selling wood to keep the lights on. I have the following problem. All is well until I nick the ground while cutting a felled tree. Which chain would the pros here recommend on my 20" bar?

I appreciate any help you can give. I simply want a chain that resists going dull after touching dirt for 1/4 second.

 

[Gologit]

The only chain you can hit dirt with and not go immediately dull is carbide chain. Even carbide chain will dull with repeated abuse. It's extremely expensive and most firewood cutter find that it's not cost effective.

Work on keeping your chain out of the dirt...prop your logs up on runners or cut 3/4 of the way through and then turn the log over and finish the cut.

 

[Nemus Talea]

What Gologit said. Touching dirt and rocks with any spinning chain, full chisel or semi chisel, is bad form. Get yourself a cant hook.

 

[Splorndle]

I may not be the brightest crayon in the box but even I figured out that the best practice is not to hit the dirt. That is a given. My question is ultimately is there a practical option where you can saw through a hardwood the a large diameter after it has hit the ground? Practically speaking I have been unable to saw completely through 40"-50" downed trees without touching the the dirt.

 

[Nemus Talea]

Smart is only part. You need some info.
There is some techniques to bucking, but tough to describe without diagrams. Do a web search for treefellNZ.pdf. (It can be downloaded at another tree forum but I dont want to link it from this forum.) Plunge cutting, reaming, wedging are second to reading the tension and compression. If you cant get some qualified instruction, do some searches for chainsaw and logging methods. Careful with youtube, some are dangerous idiots and some are pros doing things that mere mortals should not attempt... myself included.
Heres a pretty straight forward instruction vid. Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 3 - Bucking: Bottom Bind - YouTube Be mindful that his vids are for forest fire guys, not production cutters.
The logging, firewood, or homeowner forums might be more use to you.
On a blocking deck, a cant hook would make your life easier blocking logs.
Be careful.

 

[HuskStihl]

A can say what not to use. I like the oregon JGX skiptooth chisel but even a little dirt on the wood will kill it in a hurry. Do you have a tractor? I cut the big stuff 3/4 through then roll it with the tractor and finish from the other side.

 

[HuskStihl]

Nice saw BTW and welcome!

 

[mdavlee]

When you're bucking and get close to the bottom watch the chips. You'll see bark a lot of times right before you hit the dirt. It's not fool proof but is better than just burying it up in the dirt.

 

[Splorndle]

Lots of great info. Thanks guys. I appreciate yalls concern for my safety. I am NOT a pro and know it. I will not drop a tree of any real size. I am afraid of them. I also where so much safety gear that I look almost silly. Arborist steel toed boots, chaps, a helmet and face mask and cut proof gloves. All that is exposed is my arms so if I can avoid a tree rolling onto me I should live.

 

[Nemus Talea]

Ya don't have to be a pro to use pro methods. Pros aren't just being fancy, best practices are safe and productive, a benefit to anyone using a saw.
Most people I know who have been hurt working a tree got zapped while limbing and bucking. (Saw chain bitten, twisted ankles knees, wrenched backs, spring pole smacks, eyes poked, etc...) Felling is pretty straight forward but the trick is assessing the tree. Hanging limbs, rot, roots, head lean, weight distribution,... Build the mental toolbox, then slowly get your experience.

Good job on the PPE, I wear mine, but it doesn't make you bullet proof. Don't trust it. Awareness will do more to keep you safe. Think of the kevlar and plastic as last chance defenses. A kickback off an unseen limb could put that spinning chain into your face and neck in a split second. Here's another vid for ya. Kickback demo at 15:30. Danger : Chain Saw - YouTube
Don't mean to spook you but wood can't be made from a hospital bed. Match your knowledge, and in time, experience, to the potential of your 441.

 

[Nemus Talea]

Keep your chain sharp. Dull chain is dangerous, among other things.

 

[Hinerman]

It is amazing how a chain can dull in such a short time when coming into contact with dirt. I use a log jack to elevate my logs. If you don't like that then just get a cant hook/peavey and roll the log about 3/4-7/8 through your cut. Here are a couple I have from Bailey's (an AS sponsor). They work well for me and are made in USA, if that matters to you.

Bailey's - LogRite 60" Aluminum Handle Cant Hook

with this attached Bailey's - 006

Also have this: Bailey's - Woodchuck Quad - 4 Log Handling Tools in One