Dealing with barbed wire

[coveforest]

We have a couple of large oaks that need to come down. Both have barbed wire from an old fence in them. Anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this without trashing our nice sharp chain?

C

 

[D&B Mack]

cut between the runs of barbed wire.

+1

 

[brisawyer]

Figure the cost of some chains into the job. I keep a few cheap ones from baileys around for this then just toss them if they r fubar.

 

[coveforest]

Thanks for the input.

What if we can't saw between the runs of wire? I was thinking I might switch to a saw with a crap chain on it when I get close to the wire, then finish with a saw and good chain.

When the wire is hit will the chain be salvageable?

 

[teatersroad]

Thanks for the input.

What if we can't saw between the runs of wire? I was thinking I might switch to a saw with a crap chain on it when I get close to the wire, then finish with a saw and good chain.

When the wire is hit will the chain be salvageable?

Deal with a fair amount, Felling cut above the fenceline, then cut low and kick that aside, burn pile whatever. I've hit wire a few times, never buggered the chain too much - just a pain fishing it out of the works.

 

[Saw Bones]

We have a couple of large oaks that need to come down. Both have barbed wire from an old fence in them. Anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with this without trashing our nice sharp chain?

C

Maybe if you have a metal detector, or maybe a compass or some sort of magnet you can figure out about where the wire is. Fences are usually between knee high and chest high. You might be able to cut above and below where the wire "Should be" using your best guess. The suggestion of using an old or less expensive chain that you can trash if it gets damaged beyond repair is a good one.

Wear PPE. Face and eye protection, Chaps and Gloves. Flying metal is a good possibility.

 

[prentice110]

Does the fence still run along the tree? cut above and as low as you can. If your worried, think about this, you know the metal is there. Ive seen too many cutters fly full bore into wood that they know is tainted. You can tell/hear when you hit metal. Cut slow at a lower RPM, that way if and when you hit your chain wont sustain as much damage. I watched a complete retard on a clearing try to cut threw a nail, you could almost hear that sound over the chipper.

 

[CWME]

Wear PPE. Face and eye protection, Chaps and Gloves. Flying metal is a good possibility.

:agree2:
Watched a buddy hit a hidden chunk of something at WOT. Cutter snapped in half and chain came whipping off the bar and out of the saw. Cleared him but it was an eye opener for sure.

Running at a lower RPM is great advice too!

 

[indiansprings]

I've done a bunch of them. Anymore I just put on a old chain and cut above and below where I think the wire is and don't mess with the section where the wire is. That chunk goes on the burn pile. It's not worth rocking a chain.

 

[mic687]

Thanks for the input.

What if we can't saw between the runs of wire? I was thinking I might switch to a saw with a crap chain on it when I get close to the wire, then finish with a saw and good chain.

When the wire is hit will the chain be salvageable?

No need to switch saws when you contact the old fence the chain you are using will be crap and you can just keep cutting. Stihl makes a carbide tip chain for rescue work that is pretty tough but expensive and need special sharpening. I cut red oak a while back that had a chunk of old fence in it and had to replace some links but the chain lived.:chainsawguy:

 

[teatersroad]

The lower rpm is good advice, side cutters at hand to clear away what wire you can. Cut well away from the wire, as said before - kick the bolt aside that has all the wire in it, slash pile. What'll often happen if you catch wire is that it will be pulled into the kerf - binding there along with your saw. a bugger to free up.