saw progression while climbing

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crotchclimber

crotchclimber

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What sizes of saws do you climbers use while climbing? For me, I prefer a hand saw for <2", top handle chainsaw for 2"-12", 50 or 60cc saw for 12"-20", and 70cc+ saw for anything bigger. My coworkers use their 201T up to the bar length (14 0r 16in) then go up to a MS461.
 
Silky Zubat for the real small stuff. Carry an MS150 with a 12" bar and use it on timber up to about 16" diameter. Then I'll haul up an MS201TC-M with a 16" bar and use it until the diameter exceeds 24". After that, MS261C with 20" bar, MS441C with 25" bar ... and thankfully, have only used the MS661C with 36" on the ground.
 
Echo CS-350TES with 14" bar for anything up to 14".
Echo CS-510 with 18" bar for 14" - 18"
Echo CS-750VL with 20" bar for 18" - 24"
Another Echo CS-750VL with 24" bar on the ground for 24" - 48".
 
Hand saw, 201t, 562xp, 660. I used to use a 260 but that sits by the chipper mostly now. I almost always grab the bigger saw when bar length runs out vs using a 16" bar for 24" wood. I just like the faster chainspeed and don't mind the extra weight.
 
Hand saw, then all huskys depending on size of tree/ taper/ amount of cuts.
335, 550, 562, 372, 395
Although the 550 and 562 are nice weight/ power / balanced saws in my opinion. Depending on what I gotta do, sometimes better to double cut than swap up to a bigger saw.
 
For the most part:
Zubat for 1/2" and smaller (unless there's a lot in one area, then it's chainsaw time)
200/201 up to 16" in softwood 12" in hardwood.
026/261 - anywhere from 12" to 20" depending on how quick it's cutting.
Then it's the 046 up to 24" and the 660 to 36".
Rarely does the 088 come up when climbing (thankfully).
I hate changing saws so, if I'm not making tons of cuts, say just bombing long lengths of the spar, I'll push the 201 further.
I just bought a MS150 and only climb with it if pruning up to 4". However it's the first saw I grab when cut and chucking from the bucket while working the tips.
The 046 is modded. The 201 and 150 are getting done soon.
I have CAD, but these are the saws that work for me when the tree is vertical. :)
 
200 - 261 - 441. 660 up a tree is past tense for me.
MS150 not getting used as often as it could be.
photo of poplar dismantle from early Dec last yr. Went directly from the 200T to the 441 (20"bar)


image.jpeg
 
MS441 seemed like a nice saw for climbing. My former employer had one set aside for that purpose but I only ran it once. He also had a MS150 and I can't imagine using it for anything other than light pruning, which I'm pretty sure what it was designed for. I haven't used a MS660 or the 3120 off the ground yet.
 
crotchclimber said:
What sizes of saws do you climbers use while climbing? For me, I prefer a hand saw for <2", top handle chainsaw for 2"-12", 50 or 60cc saw for 12"-20", and 70cc+ saw for anything bigger. My coworkers use their 201T up to the bar length (14 0r 16in) then go up to a MS461.
Click to expand...

Why go from a 201T to a MS461 ?
A MS260 or a Ms362 C-M would make for a happy climber.
Jeff :confused:
 
jefflovstrom said:
Why go from a 201T to a MS461 ?
A MS260 or a Ms362 C-M would make for a happy climber.
Jeff :confused:
Click to expand...
The company has had 261, 361, and 362 saws which broke and nobody liked using them enough to bother fixing them. There's still a 362C in circulation which won't idle and you have to redneck start it at full throttle. 261C had same issues. Company has four 461s and a 660 and everyone likes their power. I like using my smaller saws for climbing but don't usually bring them in for company jobs. I bought them back when I was doing side work.
 
crotchclimber said:
The company has had 261, 361, and 362 saws which broke and nobody liked using them enough to bother fixing them. There's still a 362C in circulation which won't idle and you have to redneck start it at full throttle. 261C had same issues. Company has four 461s and a 660 and everyone likes their power. I like using my smaller saws for climbing but don't usually bring them in for company jobs. I bought them back when I was doing side work.
Click to expand...

Go Echo or Husqvarna and you won't have that iddle issues...
 
I'll usually start with a 150t if I'm on a sweet gum, pine or other softer tree. If it's a larger tree I'll start with t540 then step up to a ms241 or 550. Just depends, typically I'll pick 2 saws that can do all the cuts. Largest I've had hooked to me is a 372 with 28 inch bar, in the bucket it was a 395 with a 42 inch bar which is not ideal you can't put it back in the bucket unless you have a scabbard for outside the bucket. Plus starting it is difficult, the bar and power head must be held outside of the bucket...
 
We are currently running 201's 261's 460's and 660's.
I'm thinking of speaking to the boss and slowly changing from 261's and 460's to 362's.
I'm thinking to by running 362's we could do away with the 261's and 460's. What are your thoughts???
 
scheffa said:
We are currently running 201's 261's 460's and 660's.
I'm thinking of speaking to the boss and slowly changing from 261's and 460's to 362's.
I'm thinking to by running 362's we could do away with the 261's and 460's. What are your thoughts???
Click to expand...
562xp.
 

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