Fuel Economy when milling?

[cmontana]

Okay, sounds like a dumb question (I've got plenty) but I wondering what the typical fuel consumption is for a chainsaw mill.

I cut some hard pine this morning using a Stihl 066 (magnum muffler, 32-inch bar, full skip chain) with an Alaskan mill. One cut I made consumed nearly 3/4 of the tank. The cut was 13-inches wide and 8-feet long. The saw is in great condition but I think may be tuned (per advice from others in this forum) a little rich at wide open throttle. BTW, it's hot here - 81 degrees and somewhat humid.

I understand that running a little rich is safer (get more lube and runs a little cooler) but 3/4 of a tank with the fuel prices in NY kinda takes the fun out of hobby milling.

Do any of you keep track of fuel consumption? Am I using too much?

 

[DanManofStihl]

Nope sounds like a typical 066 to me, my saw uses about the same amount during milling. I would look at you spark plug to see if it has alot of carbon build up if it looks tan color yours is fine if its black it is to rich and could use to be reset. I would also check the sharpness of your chain a dull chain burns alot of fuel.

 

[smcowboy1974]

Sounds like an 066 to me too! With that kind of power you gotta sacrifice fuel. You want the power you pay the price. Just the way it is. Take care, and let her hog all the fuel she wants as LONG as she does the job!

 

[ozflea]

Tut Tut you can't have eveything.

Mc Bob.

 

[cbfarmall]

Depending on the length and width of the cut, my 075 would get 2 passes to a tank. One log I had was about 18" x 15' and that used up a most of a tank of gas.

And I would have to sharpen the chain every time I filled up. At least I used semi-skip.

Next I set up to mill will be with my 084, just need a half-wrap for it.

Chris B.

 

[Newfie]

What gas hogs! When I used to chainsaw mill w/ my 3120 I could do 4, 8-10 ft logs averaging 16-18" diameter on two gallons of fuel. That included slabbing and cutting 4/4 lumber.

 

[cmontana]

Thanks everyone for your replies. DanManofStihl, I checked the plug - light tan on the side facing down and darker black on the side facing up. I've read other threads here describing a similar appearance of plugs. I richened the mixture a tad yesterday and it seemed to pull a bit harder in the wide cuts.

Speaking of plugs, has anyone ever taken the time to index the spark plug so the gap is facing into the cylinder? Any difference in performance?

 

[GAPULPER]

Sounds like you need a Homelite. I was getting 2 - 3 passes through 9 ft lenghts of 30" white oak with a 750.