pruning safely with stihl 028

[nljones]

I need to prune hedges that are 20 to 30 feet tall and then cut them into four foot lenghts so the county will pick them up. I have a Stihl 028 chainsaw that was never used but no manual. Is it reasonably safe to use this saw for cutting small diameter soft wood or is it likely to kickback and be hard to control. I used a small electic chainsaw once before so I'm pretty much a novice, but if it'll cut right through the small branches I shouldn't have a problem.

 

[computeruser]

It can be done but it won't be any fun. Small, flexible wood + chainsaw = PITA. If you decide to do this, make sure you are being very careful and are aware of your surroundings.

What kind of hedge is it that you'll be cutting? How big is the wood that will be cut? This may well make a difference in providing advice.

Some years back I had a bunch of forsythia and mock orange to cut down - a good 150', some was up to 15' tall. I found that it was easiest to cut it at ground level, gather it an armfull at a time and tie it with twine every few feet along the 15' length, and then cut it into 4' sections as a single, bundled mass. It was kinda like grabbing a handful of spaghetti noodles out of the box and breaking them in half as a single mass, instead of doing it noodle-by-noodle. If done this way, it will be much easier and safer than trying to cut a bunch of individual <1" pieces with a chainsaw.

 

[daemon2525]

I am with COMPUTERUSER. I would be very concerned about using your new 028 for a hedge pruner. The small stuff DOES seem to snag and grab a chainsaw.
The 028 , although considered small by this forums standards, is still a very powerfull saw. It takes practice and training to use properly, and small diameter wood is actually more dangerous than larger wood.

I would recommend that you reconsider. I have a friend that loves a sawzall type thing for little stuff.

I guess what I am saying, is that Yes, there is considerable chance of kickback.

If you were more experienced, then I would say, go right ahead, but if you were, you would not be asking the question.

Stay safe.

LLA

 

[Freakingstang]

I am with COMPUTERUSER. I would be very concerned about using your new 028 for a hedge pruner. The small stuff DOES seem to snag and grab a chainsaw.
The 028 , although considered small by this forums standards, is still a very powerfull saw. It takes practice and training to use properly, and small diameter wood is actually more dangerous than larger wood.

I would recommend that you reconsider. I have a friend that loves a sawzall type thing for little stuff.

I guess what I am saying, is that Yes, there is considerable chance of kickback.

If you were more experienced, then I would say, go right ahead, but if you were, you would not be asking the question.

Stay safe.

LLA

That was a really good post. Stay safe

 

[Lakeside53]

Rent a hedge trimmer - stihl of course! if it's tall like you say, rent the weedeater with the hedge trimmer attachment.

Much faster, safer and a better looking job.

 

[046]

don't do this!

small brush can get caught between bar and chain, causing chain to throw off bar. possibly causing bodily injury

 

[nljones]

thanks

I won't be using the saw for the job. I don't even know what the bushes are but they're pretty soft and a lot more smaller branches than bigger trunks, plus I want to cut them at around five feet so cutting them near the ground is not an option. I sure wanted to use the saw though. Maybe I'll volunteer the next time there's a big storm around here.

 

[computeruser]

I won't be using the saw for the job. I don't even know what the bushes are but they're pretty soft and a lot more smaller branches than bigger trunks, plus I want to cut them at around five feet so cutting them near the ground is not an option. I sure wanted to use the saw though. Maybe I'll volunteer the next time there's a big storm around here.

Sounds like a smart move in the long run. No sense putting yourself at unnecessary risk to trim hedges, and cutting at head-height would surely put you at even greater risk than just cutting hedges down at the ground!

If you're keen on using the saw in the future, get yourself outfitted with some good protective gear - safety chaps, eye/ear protection, good gloves - and some sharpening gear. And don't skimp on the protective gear - deaf, blind and all cut up are no ways to be!!!

Perhaps you could find something to practice on in the meantime, to get a feel for the saw and to be fully ready for the storm cleanup work that invariably will come your way.