Need a small saw with a long bar.

[Crumm]

That is an example of a extreme situation that I hope to never be in. In the case of a log jamb like that I would be approaching from down stream and would have one guy running the boat keeping it up to the logs and another on the bow cutting a hole through. The best way is to do it from shore but even then you need a little more reach than a 16" bar provides. When going down stream it is best to hit the brakes, turn around and get the heck away from any log jamb.

Results of the last picture:

Happy ending:

 

[TimberPig]

That looks more like a job for dynamite than a chainsaw.

That is a pretty serious log jam to be trying to cut out with a saw from a boat. There are quite a few pieces there that are going to require a little more than 6" of bar to cut through by the looks of it too.

 

[Crumm]

Those pictures are on the upper Pitt River a couple of summers ago. Our trees are smaller up here. I was just using those pictures to give you a image of what kind of situations a guy can get into that require more than a handsaw on a river.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Glad someone finally understands.

It's you and me against the world bro!

Taking these log jams apart isn't as dangerous as what some would imagine...provided that some common sense is used. And often you aren't dismantling the entire mess, but rather, just enough to get your boat through. We float down, so frequently you'll come around a corner and it's all you can do to stay out of a jam. Paddling like mad to get to the bank and work it from there. The river'll suck a raft under in no time. It's gotten pretty hairy a couple of times, but man I love it!

You hunt don't you Crumm?

Jeff

 

[Crumm]

You hunt don't you Crumm?

Here is a picture of the inside of the boat while on the Wood River

A picture is worth a thousand words. For any non-hunters that is a meat bag with a half a moose in it

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Sweet!!

How far above the Tanana did you get it?

Jeff

 

[Crumm]

You are wanting me to disclose top secret information on the net? :greenchainsaw:

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

You are wanting me to disclose top secret information on the net? :greenchainsaw:

Ha! No, I was just curious if you go all the way up to the no-motor zone or if you hunt lower. Is that old trapper's cabin with the little porch hanging out over the river about ready to fall in still there? We spent our last night of our last trip there.

Jeff

 

[rb_in_va]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Very true! I was picturing someone haging over the side of a raft with a saw. It seems a lot less dangerous to hang off the bow and saw below you.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I was picturing someone haging over the side of a raft with a saw.

No, that's what I do...in a rubber raft.

Seriously. Gotta do what ya gotta do to get down the river.

Jeff

 

[Chris J.]

I didn't see that anyone mentioned this, so...the small 1xx series Huskys are orange versions of the small green Poulans. But I see that you're looking into a Stihl. And on that note, Jeff once again comes through with some solid advice. Jeff, psst, I'll PM you my address, cash is best.

Aw ra best!

 

[Crumm]

Ha! No, I was just curious if you go all the way up to the no-motor zone or if you hunt lower. Is that old trapper's cabin with the little porch hanging out over the river about ready to fall in still there?

Jeff

If we are thinking of the same cabin then yes it is still there but I would say it has fallen in rather than about to. We haven't got much snow this year so it might make it through break-up this year but I doubt it will make it for many more years.

The no-motor zone is above the Rex trail and to get there you either have to hate your jet boat and beat the crap out of it or take a air-boat. I hunted the lower end.

I haven't had a chance to get down to the Stihl dealer yet but I still have that 260 in mind Would the Stihl be better than a Husqvarna? The Husqvarna dealer here also carries Echo, Jonsered and some other brand that I forget the name of.

 

[ShoerFast]

To me it seems that when husky sold out there integrity to box stores that they had also jepedized the quality of a lot of there saws.

Stihl is by far a better dealer suported saw, there just seems to be a better moxie with the users.

You dont "want" a saw, you "need" a saw, if I were in the boat, I would be tugging on a Stihl's starter rope!

Kevin

 

[Crumm]

I was wondering about that. I can get the same husky at Lowe's for $30 less than it is at the Husky dealer. Makes me wonder about them and then hearing that the small husky saws are a Poulan with orange paint really makes me wonder. Stihl it is Only reason I was thinking Husky is because I read that they have standard bolts where the Stihl has metric but heck half my new Ford is metric and I have metric tools so whats the difference..

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Well, I'm a Stihl guy. No secret there. The Husky's are fine saws, but I'm a Stihl guy. Simple as that. As far as their hardware, they're a 27 Torx and a 3 or 4 mm Allen on the cylinder bolts. That's it. I say go with whichever dealer treats you better, because in the end that's what matters. I'm just fortunate that my Stihl dealer is a prince and I love dealing with them.

Jeff

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

If we are thinking of the same cabin then yes it is still there but I would say it has fallen in rather than about to.

I've got a pic of it on 35 mm. I'll see if I can scan it at Wal-Mart and post a pic here. I only saw one cabin hanging over the river, so I'd imagine it's one in the same. Small world huh?

Jeff

 

[Crumm]

Yep small world it is.

Talked to the local Stihl dealer and they tell me $470 for a 260 with a 24" bar. Would that be a good deal?

I am waiting to hear back from Madsen's before I take the plunge. I want to make sure there Simpson Capstan Rope Winch will fit the 260. The add states "A Simpson winch easily attaches to most small chain saw power heads which have standard 3/8ths pitch drive sprockets (NOT LOW PROFILE 3/8ths chain like Stihl 61PMN)". Does the 260 have a standard 3/8ths pitch drive sprocket?

I also saw that there add for the 260 says "In the Northwest, the Stihl MS260 Pro is often fitted with a 20" bar although it does have adequate power to pull a 24". :biggrinbounce2:

 

[TimberPig]

Yep small world it is.

Talked to the local Stihl dealer and they tell me $470 for a 260 with a 24" bar. Would that be a good deal?

I am waiting to hear back from Madsen's before I take the plunge. I want to make sure there Simpson Capstan Rope Winch will fit the 260. The add states "A Simpson winch easily attaches to most small chain saw power heads which have standard 3/8ths pitch drive sprockets (NOT LOW PROFILE 3/8ths chain like Stihl 61PMN)". Does the 260 have a standard 3/8ths pitch drive sprocket?

I also saw that there add for the 260 says "In the Northwest, the Stihl MS260 Pro is often fitted with a 20" bar although it does have adequate power to pull a 24". :biggrinbounce2:

The 260 can be fitted with either .325" or 3/8" pitch chain, so you will be fine there, so long as it will mount up ok.

Even in softwood, you are going to find it slow going if you bury a 24" bar on that size of saw. They are being a bit optimistic saying it has the power to pull it. A 24" bar on this size of saw is marginal.

 

[Crumm]

Yep I just talked to Madsen's on the phone and they say it will mount up.

If you read farther up this thread you will see that the 24" is for reach not for big timber. It will never be buried.

So is $470 a good deal or do I need to do a little dealing?

Edit: Just found another dealer in town and they want $449..... Guess $470 was high

 

[ShoerFast]

By all means deal away!

Thats part of the game! and even when the tickets down to the final line, thats when to ask if they'll throw in a gallon of bar oil?,,,,And then hit them up for a couple 7/32 files,,,,,, linger for a 6 pack of mix-oil. (it's all fun!)

Oh course your had a friend that had a bar cover throwen in on the deal,,,,get the picture,,,,,, cause you have the boat, he should be honing the deal! If he were smart and ever heading that way!


You may want to consider getting the "Pro" model, I have never ran either, but there are some that will swear by it being worth the extra few frog-skins!

Good choice on the Stihl!

Kevin