Gardening with 372XP & Canola Oil

[grover]

Engineeringnerd,
Have you ever dealt with Norwalk equipment? I will ask about the skip chain. I am also going to order some chaps, they have 2 types would you stick with the more expensive pair? If I was cutting smaller diameter wood with the 24" bar would that be easier for the break in or is it the chain running on the bar itself that creates more friction? I have a lot of limbs to cut to length for firewood that might be good for breaking it in. Are the links to the muffler mods on Arborsite? They are out of the saw at this point but expect more in soon.

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Grover,

If you are going to cut smaller stuff, you don't need the skip chain. I just know it took a few tanks before my saw could carry the 24" with authority in big wood.

I bought my 346 from Norwalk and got two spare chains for free. I purchased my chaps and Kevlar boots from Labonville (sponsor site). I saw a post where you can get their 10 layer competition chaps for $15 extra, which I would do. I think they are the best chaps and value on the market. Just make sure you order the length correctly. The length is from the bottom of your belt to the top of your shoes, not your inseam.

 

[SawTroll]

Grover,

If you are going to cut smaller stuff, you don't need the skip chain. ......

That sure is true, but I am a bit leary about very small wood for breakin - would prefere some load on the saw.

Maybe I am over-cautious, but..... (educate me if I am wrong)..........

I also think that you (Grover) should have a 20" bar as the "main" one, for the 372xp - balanse and handling will be better, but admittedly 24" isn't bad at all either.

 

[grover]

engineeringnerd,

Labonville showed a video and it has thier regular 6ply chaps as being the only ones that didn't cut through. I saw that about the length....I also need a helmet. I was going to get the woodsman from Norwalk when I got the saw. Which helmet would you get..how is the helmet from Labonville. Also which boot do you prefer. I have always cringed at the thought of cutting into my ankle...I have never come close but that would hurt and I know people who have been it motorcycle accidents and once you cut those tendons you are never the same.

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Grover,

I have the Labonville boots with the black toe caps. I don't know a lot about them or other boots, just liked the idea that they have some protection. As far as helmets, I have a Peltor, and have heard they are generally liked on the forum. I have a metal face screen. I also have an Elvex helmet, but it's not as good as the Peltor.

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Troll,

I don't have any facts on the right load for a new saw, but I would agree it probably needs more load than just limbing. I'd just hate to see Grover start off getting the saw in a bind with a heavy load on a 24" saw out of the chute.

My guess is that both of us are overly cautious. He can go out and cut whatever he likes, he needs to get some hours on the saw. I think both of us would like to see him not over rev (really he can't with the limiter....but that's another issue) or over-load it. In the end, he'll come out just fine.

I tell you though, 10 - 15 tanks of gas on the 372 is a lot of cutting! I hope he has plenty of trees or so to cut up!

 

[SawTroll]

....
I tell you though, 10 - 15 tanks of gas on the 372 is a lot of cutting! I hope he has plenty of trees or so to cut up!

Sure enough, but it drinks up the gas far faster than the MS361, anyway......

 

[Canyon Angler]

"My wife was happy ... the plants were happy ... the saw was happy ... I was happy ... and after 4 hours of running the saw on a Sunday afternoon, the neighbors were lined up outside the fence with shotguns and pitchforks!"

:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Forntunately I did it on a Saturday afternoon, but they were craning their necks as they drove by! Getting attention is half the fun!

 

[Engineeringnerd]

I cut some planks from oak logs today to let them dry to make birdhouses and such. The oak didn't create the long, wispy chips like the pine. I guess the oak rings are much thinner than the fast growing pine rings.

 

[Highclimber OR]

I took some heat on another thread for saying that I was gonna stick with petro exclusively. I must say that after watcing that video, i might be inclined to try it under the right circumstances. Nice post, nice vid, you kinda changed my view on veggie oil a little.

 

[dtnodya]

I don't know how I missed this thread ... Awesome video!!

I don't know if you noticed/have ever compared/ or whatever but I was wondering if there was more or less oil left in the resovoir when you got finished (like compared to conventional)? Or just, do you think it flowed as well or better than regular bar oil?

 

[Engineeringnerd]

Highclimber,

I must admit that after I saw the posts of others using canola, I thought Arboristsite had been attacked by granola heads or something; but the guys seemed experienced and competent in their other posts. I still didn't think much about it until I needed to keep from contaminating my chips with petroleum for garden use. I just cut again today, and it works really well! The chain stays wet with oil and it doesn't goo my saw up. Even in places like at the face of my saw (next to the dogs where the engine's metal casing is grooved for strength) the saw just wipes clean. With bar and chain oil those grooves required a screwdriver to scrape them out. When you take the bar cover off...it's simply amazing. Less mess, and what's there cleans with a wisk broom in about 5 seconds.

Canola oil is definitely thinner. After ripping again today for a long time, I stopped and checked the chain. It was very wet and clean in the groove and slid very easily on the bar. Perhaps the strangest part is raiding the kitchen cabinet to go cut some wood!


Dtnodya,

It uses about 20-25%% more canola than regular bar and chain lube. I find that after a full tank of gas, there is only about 10% canola left in the tank. With bar and chain lube I usually had about 30% of a tank left.