Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[Ambull01]

Yes, lot's of work. But don't necessarily think in terms of getting there all in one cutting season. If you can gain one year at a time it's not too big a deal. I've been at that 3 year level for several years now, and once you get ahead it's easy to stay there. Just need to cut a single years worth each year to maintain the supply.

I'm busting my butt trying to get 3 years ahead. My wife doesn't really understand why. It never ceases to amaze me the mind of some women. They think because they don't know how to do something someone will help them. My wife thinks the firewood situation will just work itself out. Umm, no! Firewood will not magically appear c/s/s in our back yard unless we pay someone or we attend church and appear destitute.

Sometimes, when the fire goes out and the temps hits 80, the appreciation of being warm all winter is forgotten. Perhaps "mis-remembered" would be more accurate. Next time, after you have sold your chainsaws and stopped cutting wood, the oil/gas man delivers a load, hand her the bill. Bet she gets the point, right quick. Of course if you have 5 or 6 other expensive, hard to justify "man toys" , then all bets are off!

Mis-remembered lmao! You must be a news watcher/reader.

I have a 271 and a 441(non-cm), so I may be a bit biased. They'll both last long enough for me to wait on the 462.

I've never owned or ran a Hoosky or it's red-headed step brother, but I sure am impressed with the Dolmar and Makita line up.

So you think the BBK upgrade is worth it? The more I used the 6421, the more I'm realizing I really don't need anything larger. Only grip I have is the saw is a freaking pig fully filled with oil and fuel mix. Feels like a couple of bricks and a couple hours hoisting it above hip height.

 

[nomad_archer]

The 441 C and 461 are the same wt. The 441 has M-Tronic and a better AV and filter design (it will stay clean longer). The 461 has a little more cubes and more grunt, so it depends on what is important to you.

If the 441 has all the power you need, it is a more "maintenance free" saw. No tuning, and fewer filter cleanings. It will also operate more smoothly.

The people that I know that have em love em.

I wish I knew how much grunt I needed. But less maintenance is a good thing. I don't know how often I would need more than a 24" bar. I do like smooth nothing beats a smooth running saw. Honestly for what I would use it for the 441 is probably the better buy cost wise and based on usage. I have not had a need for a bar larger than 24" after three years of scrounging but there may come a day and I want to have a saw to handle that but also be fun to run with a 20" bar.

Mtronic is attractive since I never had a need to learn to tune a saw and without supervision I don't want to mess with it. My ms271 was on the adjustment stop for the H when I tried to fatten it up a little last year to see if I could hear the difference. I wasn't going to pull the limiter to experiment. I would love to learn to tune a saw but how much adjustment do they really need if run under similar conditions?

 

[Ambull01]

Got a few hours of scrounging in today.

Hoping I can burn this stuff next winter. The bark is falling off so I hope it means it's already relatively dry.

I think I posted this pic already but wanted ya'll to see it from the other side. That stupid log is still hung up on that split trunk. I really want that sucker to fall!

To be honest, I don't remember why I took this pic. It shows my gallon of milk that I drink while cutting though lol.

I'm still trying to figure out what's the smallest diameter I should bother with. I don't want to waste a lot of burnable wood but don't want to waste a ton of time messing with smaller stuff either.

I started splitting a few rounds towards the end. Figured there's no way I'll be able to take these rounds out whole so I have to get them into more manageable sizes. I also wanted to compete with svk. Since svk lined all the rounds up and place his truck in the back ground to give viewers a visual reference as to the round line length I tried to do the same. Took this pic with the camera held vertically and used the tree shadows hoping it would make my round line look longer. Guess it didn't work.

I was only able to split a few rounds before it was time to call it quits. You ever get so tired you become clumsy? That's what happened today. Started to stumble over things. Had to carry my chainsaw in one hand and the Fiskars in the other. Fiskars head got caught in a thorny vine, my forward momentum ripped the handle out of my hands, my other hand dropped the saw, and I fell to my knees. I don't feel too comfortable using a chainsaw or swinging a really sharp plastic POS when I can barely walk so I packed everything up. Until next Friday, sleep in peace downed trees.

 

[SteveSS]

So you think the BBK upgrade is worth it? The more I used the 6421, the more I'm realizing I really don't need anything larger. Only grip I have is the saw is a freaking pig fully filled with oil and fuel mix. Feels like a couple of bricks and a couple hours hoisting it above hip height.

In my mind, yes, it's worth it if you have wood big enough to justify it. I've ran into two trees so far that have been able to bury the 24" (?, it's either 24" or 25", not positive) bar and it ripped through them like they were nothing. I was shocked at how fast it cut. Then I handed it to my Dad and never saw it again the rest of that day. He wouldn't put it down until the big wood was gone.....LOL. Keep in mind though that it also has a DP muffler and the high flow air filter.....that plays a big factor as well. If I were able to find two cherry 6421's, i'd snatch them up and keep one stock and BB the other. A guy has to have two saws, right?

 

[cantoo]

Too much snow to do wood but I brought a load of skids home from work to put under wood when I finally get to it.

 

[Ambull01]

In my mind, yes, it's worth it if you have wood big enough to justify it. I've ran into two trees so far that have been able to bury the 24" (?, it's either 24" or 25", not positive) bar and it ripped through them like they were nothing. I was shocked at how fast it cut. Then I handed it to my Dad and never saw it again the rest of that day. He wouldn't put it down until the big wood was gone.....LOL. Keep in mind though that it also has a DP muffler and the high flow air filter.....that plays a big factor as well. If I were able to find two cherry 6421's, i'd snatch them up and keep one stock and BB the other. A guy has to have two saws, right?

Which reminds me, I find it slightly odd they have 24 and 25" bars. Why not just make even numbered bars? Who the hell really needs a 25" vs a 24" bar?

Does DP mean dual port? I've only seen DP in porn related conversations lol. I wonder how much of a difference a dual port makes? Is it just for noise like those huge mufflers on 4 cylinder cars or does it increase performance. More questions for Ambull to ponder lol.

Yep, today made me long for a really light saw.

 

[SteveSS]

Got a few hours of scrounging in today.

Hoping I can burn this stuff next winter. The bark is falling off so I hope it means it's already relatively dry.

I think I posted this pic already but wanted ya'll to see it from the other side. That stupid log is still hung up on that split trunk. I really want that sucker to fall!

To be honest, I don't remember why I took this pic. It shows my gallon of milk that I drink while cutting though lol.

I'm still trying to figure out what's the smallest diameter I should bother with. I don't want to waste a lot of burnable wood but don't want to waste a ton of time messing with smaller stuff either.

I started splitting a few rounds towards the end. Figured there's no way I'll be able to take these rounds out whole so I have to get them into more manageable sizes. I also wanted to compete with svk. Since svk lined all the rounds up and place his truck in the back ground to give viewers a visual reference as to the round line length I tried to do the same. Took this pic with the camera held vertically and used the tree shadows hoping it would make my round line look longer. Guess it didn't work.

I was only able to split a few rounds before it was time to call it quits. You ever get so tired you become clumsy? That's what happened today. Started to stumble over things. Had to carry my chainsaw in one hand and the Fiskars in the other. Fiskars head got caught in a thorny vine, my forward momentum ripped the handle out of my hands, my other hand dropped the saw, and I fell to my knees. I don't feel too comfortable using a chainsaw or swinging a really sharp plastic POS when I can barely walk so I packed everything up. Until next Friday, sleep in peace downed trees.

Looks like a lot of real nice wood there. You have to be stoked about that.

 

[SteveSS]

Hehe.....yes. Dual port. And yes, they help produce power. A typical gasoline engine is nothing more than an air pump really. The more air that you can supply and vent, the more fuel you can burn. Can't burn more fuel without supplying the air and getting rid of the spent gas. Burn more fuel, make more power.

 

[Marshy]

The more I scrounge the more I wish I had a trailer to pull behind my truck. That or I with I had a 1 ton bump bed truck. L

Too much snow to do wood but I brought a load of skids home from work to put under wood when I finally get to it.
View attachment 411675 View attachment 411676

You suck! I cant find free pallets around my area. I could use just a couple. You have enough to build a garage.

 

[svk]

The more I scrounge the more I wish I had a trailer to pull behind my truck. That or I with I had a 1 ton bump bed truck.

The more I scrounge the more I wish my trailer would hold two cords instead of 3/4 cord!!!

 

[Marshy]

Got a few hours of scrounging in today.

Hoping I can burn this stuff next winter. The bark is falling off so I hope it means it's already relatively dry.

I think I posted this pic already but wanted ya'll to see it from the other side. That stupid log is still hung up on that split trunk. I really want that sucker to fall!

To be honest, I don't remember why I took this pic. It shows my gallon of milk that I drink while cutting though lol.

I'm still trying to figure out what's the smallest diameter I should bother with. I don't want to waste a lot of burnable wood but don't want to waste a ton of time messing with smaller stuff either.

I started splitting a few rounds towards the end. Figured there's no way I'll be able to take these rounds out whole so I have to get them into more manageable sizes. I also wanted to compete with svk. Since svk lined all the rounds up and place his truck in the back ground to give viewers a visual reference as to the round line length I tried to do the same. Took this pic with the camera held vertically and used the tree shadows hoping it would make my round line look longer. Guess it didn't work.

I was only able to split a few rounds before it was time to call it quits. You ever get so tired you become clumsy? That's what happened today. Started to stumble over things. Had to carry my chainsaw in one hand and the Fiskars in the other. Fiskars head got caught in a thorny vine, my forward momentum ripped the handle out of my hands, my other hand dropped the saw, and I fell to my knees. I don't feel too comfortable using a chainsaw or swinging a really sharp plastic POS when I can barely walk so I packed everything up. Until next Friday, sleep in peace downed trees.

Common now, that's only a few hour of work there to buck and split it.

You might want to consider alternating between cutting and splitting more often. I find it takes longer to fatigue. I usually start with running the saw one tank of gas then switch to splitting. If I get winded or a heavy sweat going then I'll go back to bucking for a "break". Once I start to cool off I'll go back to splitting. Looks like you got the right idea on size. I try to make my splits as large as reasonably possible for handling sake. I'll get resplit when it get stacked back at the house. Also, you might want to consider some firewood grabbers. I love mine even the little bit I've used them.

 

[Marshy]

The more I scrounge the more I wish my trailer would hold two cords instead of 3/4 cord!!!

I can fit that on my truck but its stacked to the max. If a cop ever saw me he would probably have words with me about it. That and C load range tires are maxed out. I have a class 3 hitch that I need to do a little re-fab work to so I can pull a trailer first.

 

[Ambull01]

Common now, that's only a few hour of work there to buck and split it.

You might want to consider alternating between cutting and splitting more often. I find it takes longer to fatigue. I usually start with running the saw one tank of gas then switch to splitting. If I get winded or a heavy sweat going then I'll go back to bucking for a "break". Once I start to cool off I'll go back to splitting. Looks like you got the right idea on size. I try to make my splits as large as reasonably possible for handling sake. I'll get resplit when it get stacked back at the house. Also, you might want to consider some firewood grabbers. I love mine even the little bit I've used them.

lol. Told you I'm slow.

I was alternating between cutting and cutting limbs/vines. Vines, branches, and leaves are all on the downed trees. It was actually the saw that really kicked my butt. Lots of lifting it above my waist. Always thought I was in shape but that Makita kicked my butt.

Yeah, just wanted to split them a bit smaller. Don't want a thousand little pieces that I'll have to lug out of the woods. What do you use to get the wood from the scrounge site to your truck/trailer? What do you use the firewood grabbers for?

 

[Marshy]

I've always been kinda fortunate and could always get my truck within 20 ft of the tree Im cutting. I would just carry each piece to the truck and throw/stack it on. Now I have these firewood grabbers that I will use to carry the chunks.

 

[Marshy]

I have 2 Lockhart firewood grippers for 18-21" firewood. I've used both grippers on the same chunk if it was too heavy for one arm carry. But the benefit is you can pick up 2 large chunks and farmer carry them to the truck.

Search for log jaw too.

 

[zogger]

Too much snow to do wood but I brought a load of skids home from work to put under wood when I finally get to it.
View attachment 411675 View attachment 411676

Great score!

I'm gonna have to actually buy used decent pallets around here. I can scrounge oddball size thin wood junk cheapos, but all winter I only managed to scrounge two good heavy duty ones.

 

[Ambull01]

I've always been kinda fortunate and could always get my truck within 20 ft of the tree Im cutting. I would just carry each piece to the truck and throw/stack it on. Now I have these firewood grabbers that I will use to carry the chunks.

20ft would be nice. I've seen those grabbers before somewhere. I thought you were talking about those hooked grabber things that you use to pick things up.

 

[Ambull01]

I have 2 Lockhart firewood grippers for 18-21" firewood. I've used both grippers on the same chunk if it was too heavy for one arm carry. But the benefit is you can pick up 2 large chunks and farmer carry them to the truck.

Search for log jaw too.

Farmer carries. Excellent grip exercise right there! Thanks, I'll look it up.

 

[tylorklein]

When it rains is pours i guess. Got another two oak today from the scrounge earlier this week today. While talking to dad on the phone about wood a coworker got interested and i found another several cord he had a tree service cut but never remove two years ago . Wife told a coworker i love oak and she and neighbors have a bunch of red and white plus sugar maple already down they want gone.

 

[olyman]

Got some more scrounging lined up. Got a coworker with a few maples that wants them removed


Dealer shmealer, I bought my Jred from my local dealer in 2011, want to know how many times I've been back for dealer service? None. And I cut 6-7 cord a year with my saw. Im about due for a new chain and an air filter. If I could do it all over again I would probably buy a new Jred from a site sponser (Terry to be exact). The only thing a dealer is good for (for me) is so I can stop in once in a while to pick up and drool over his saws. Just my $0.02. IDK maybe Stihls need more dealer service than Husky/Jreds?