Echo CS-440EVL advice

[kreibach]

I'm new to fixing my chainsaw although I have been chainsawing for years. I enjoy getting out and spending time with my dad makin firewood and cleaning up the Hedge trees at his farm. This wood is rock hard and is tough on the chains. Consequently I wore out the chain, bar, and sprocket on my inherited Echo CS-440EVL chiansaw.

I enjoy this chainsaw and have had no problems with its performance. It runs and starts perfectly.

I'd like some advice on a few things.

I want to put a 20" bar on it to help reach branches. Is there any performance issues to consider?

Also, do chains that are NOT anti-kickback chains perform any differently? Better? Worse? Last longer? Cut quicker or more efficiently? I'm confident I can handle myself with one but want to know what I'm getting into first.

I'm considering getting the Oregon Power Mate Rim Sprocket System since I wore out my OEM Spur Sprocket. Will this be a good choice for improved performance, efficiency, longevity?

I'd like to see what I can do to help this chainsaw through the Hedge wood at the farm

Thanks,
Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
Steve

 

[Fish]

Yeah go to the rim system.
It should have .325 pitch on it. The non safety chain will cut faster, but the
full chisel chain is more prone to damage, so you might want to go with a semi-chisel.
Hedge apple{Osage Orange} is my favorite firewood to use, just a pain
to cut.

 

[kreibach]

Yep, .325 pitch

Yes, That's it. Osage Orange. I used to have a fireplace insert with cast iron doors and a big blower on it. I'd put some hedge logs in and it would heat the whole house till morning.

It makes good fence posts because they won't rot in the ground.

Also hear that it makes good cutting boards. I wonder if it might be TOO hard though...

You can take hedge apples and cut them into 8 pieces and place them where crickets are a problem. My dad tried it reluctantly to see if it worked and the next morning he had a big pile of crickets to clean up. Now he's sure there must be a way to harvest hedge apples and extract that stuff to sell.

 

[Fish]

The indians used the wood to make bows, and the settlers used them as kind
of a natural fencing, burns long and hot, but throws a lot of sparks.
Don't know about cutting boards...