The working man, and chainsaw thread!!!!!!!!!

[NORMZILLA44]

Whats up gang. Im beat up and tired today. My saturday am today is, like my usual sunday morning. Of being beat up and tired. Nice to have had my work day, on one of the hunting ranches on a friday again. I cut almost all pole saw work, the owner piled all the brush. Hard working ole guy. Broke my pole saw, but can't complain 5-6 years of earning its keep in big, and oversized wood. Broke a stihl at work the same way, gave up in a big limb. The Stihl ended up being the shaft, that goes between the clutch, and main shaft. Like a little driveshaft. So I think my Echo will have a similar issue. Then we cut up a tree that came across the road, and Bruce had admired the 2101. Had to leave all my gear, but the two saws, and take his little blazer. I explained after he said wow that is a big saw, I said if you grab one you want the one that will do it all. After we cut the tree, which was bigger than he remembered, Bruce says, looks like you brought the right saw LOL! Frasier nice face on the cut, and even though butt rot, nice to cut a biggie! Brian and Randy speaking of jogging, realized i have been out of running with my dogs, which gives me much needed exercise, so similar to jogging I guess. Dennis, and Alex speaking of the timber out your way, be cool to see some pic's of the country.

 

[NHlocal]

Whats up gang. Im beat up and tired today. My saturday am today is, like my usual sunday morning. Of being beat up and tired. Nice to have had my work day, on one of the hunting ranches on a friday again. I cut almost all pole saw work, the owner piled all the brush. Hard working ole guy. Broke my pole saw, but can't complain 5-6 years of earning its keep in big, and oversized wood. Broke a stihl at work the same way, gave up in a big limb. The Stihl ended up being the shaft, that goes between the clutch, and main shaft. Like a little driveshaft. So I think my Echo will have a similar issue. Then we cut up a tree that came across the road, and Bruce had admired the 2101. Had to leave all my gear, but the two saws, and take his little blazer. I explained after he said wow that is a big saw, I said if you grab one you want the one that will do it all. After we cut the tree, which was bigger than he remembered, Bruce says, looks like you brought the right saw LOL! Frasier nice face on the cut, and even though butt rot, nice to cut a biggie! Brian and Randy speaking of jogging, realized i have been out of running with my dogs, which gives me much needed exercise, so similar to jogging I guess. Dennis, and Alex speaking of the timber out your way, be cool to see some pic's of the country.

Good afternoon Norm,
.....beat up and tired, broke your pole saw, broke a Stihl at work, oh boy Norm sounds like your working too hard. :hmm3grin2orange: Equipment does wear out sooner or later, will you repair 'em or replace 'em? Sounds like you got a good bit of work done, being tired and worn out kinda goes along with a day like that, no more injuries I hope? I'm with ya on bringing the big saw, if you're gonna bring just one bring the one that will cut it all. :msp_thumbup:
Norm, believe it or not, on my way to work in the morning(5:30am) I see people running and walking with their dogs, a lot of people enjoy doing that, probably not quite the same as you run your dogs, but definitely great exercise. :msp_thumbup:
Have a good weekend!

Work safe. :msp_thumbsup:

 

[Alex D]

Whats up gang. Im beat up and tired today. My saturday am today is, like my usual sunday morning. Of being beat up and tired. Nice to have had my work day, on one of the hunting ranches on a friday again. I cut almost all pole saw work, the owner piled all the brush. Hard working ole guy. Broke my pole saw, but can't complain 5-6 years of earning its keep in big, and oversized wood. Broke a stihl at work the same way, gave up in a big limb. The Stihl ended up being the shaft, that goes between the clutch, and main shaft. Like a little driveshaft. So I think my Echo will have a similar issue. Then we cut up a tree that came across the road, and Bruce had admired the 2101. Had to leave all my gear, but the two saws, and take his little blazer. I explained after he said wow that is a big saw, I said if you grab one you want the one that will do it all. After we cut the tree, which was bigger than he remembered, Bruce says, looks like you brought the right saw LOL! Frasier nice face on the cut, and even though butt rot, nice to cut a biggie! Brian and Randy speaking of jogging, realized i have been out of running with my dogs, which gives me much needed exercise, so similar to jogging I guess. Dennis, and Alex speaking of the timber out your way, be cool to see some pic's of the country.

Norm, here in Ontario in terms of timber you could essentially divide it into 2 or maybe more accurately 3 zones. Here in the south where I am located its mostly mixed stands hard and softwood. For example http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p547/stihl1/639.jpg you can kind of see it in the background of this pic i think i already posted it on here a few years back. That particular stand had not been logged in quite a long time. It had some decent sized hemlock like 20-24" base and prob a hundred or so feet tall. I would say its in this area of Ontario that most of the giant trees are found but ones in fields and residential areas and in stands. You also have small probbaly even large scale scale to tree farms of sorts- while this isn't a tree farm pictured this is what they usually look like. Usually white pine and trees like that.
http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p547/stihl1/Picture_874.jpg

Now once you get into Northern Ontario the climate is much harsher, poorer soils etc... and trees dont get that big. Plus some of the species that grow to giant size are absent or rare. Here forests are usually a mix of evergreen and birch. Not the best photo but an example http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p547/stihl1/P1030050.jpg here in these stands the avg tree is maybe a foot or so diameter. And there is a lot of logging going on mainly with harvesters from what ive seen and the pulp industry is big in northern ontario. And another picture from winter http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p547/stihl1/P1030144.jpg

The third zone in the very far north would be tundra and there are very few trees there and the ones that do grow are extremely stunted.

 

[NORMZILLA44]

The HT 101 Stihl at work was a few months ago. It was a little hex looking driver shaft, comes out of the clutch side powerhead, and fits in the main shaft near throttle and handle assembly. Thought it would be same trouble on my Echo, but that looked good. Now Thinking maybe shaft connector, never pulled this one apart, but thinking that is it, does not look to bad. If all else fails Darin at saw shop is an all out expert on the shaft and parts replacements. Alex nice pics and info thanks for sharing

 

[Eccentric]

Yesterday I went to a buddy's ranch and we cut up a big oak that'd fallen accross a fence. Got my workout for the weekend. Norm I'm really liking that SXL-925. May be my current favorite in my working stable. That may change when the big dogs com back on line, but for now I think this saw puts the biggest smile on my face, followed closely by the SP-81.

 

[NORMZILLA44]

Good deal Aaron, great pictures my friend. That is decent size wood, just enough probably to give the saw a stretch of there legs. Looks like a fun day. 925 is looking good.

 

[NHlocal]

Thanks for that great explanation and great pictures Alex. :msp_thumbup: I always enjoy learning and hearing more about trees and how they grow in other areas of the country. Look forward to seeing more.....:msp_thumbsup:

Aaron we would be very excited to get our hands on Oak like you've got there, that would make great firewood! :biggrinbounce2: Thanks for the great pics!

Norm, hope that repair isn't too much trouble for ya', I know how much I hate losing a good piece of equipment.:bang:

 

[NORMZILLA44]

thanks randy, and I agree on the learning on new areas, trees and growth too. Bring pole saw by the shop tommorow, it was an end of one of the main shafts, should not be too bad. Had one we had the shop go through completely shafts, bearing whatever. It was 200 and change. You figure I got the saw for 600 plus, and its in great shape, and made its money over and over. So I will ask darin if I am money ahead just doing all shafts etc.

 

[NHlocal]

thanks randy, and I agree on the learning on new areas, trees and growth too. Bring pole saw by the shop tommorow, it was an end of one of the main shafts, should not be too bad. Had one we had the shop go through completely shafts, bearing whatever. It was 200 and change. You figure I got the saw for 600 plus, and its in great shape, and made its money over and over. So I will ask darin if I am money ahead just doing all shafts etc.

Good morning Norm,
that doesn't sound too bad for a repair like that. Looks like it's make coffee and go to work time again, :hmm3grin2orange: have a good week. :msp_thumbup:

Work safe. :msp_thumbsup:

 

[Denis Gionet]

There are some nice trees further west, some virgin forest they're getting into now. The cedar planks I ripped for my shed came from there.

Ok, so I found some big ones, same spot I mentioned earlier....

View attachment 247784View attachment 247785View attachment 247786

Should keep me busy for a while !

A friend has a portable mill rig, an Alaskan II that clamps to the bar. Too bad my bar is about 6 inches too short to use it on that wood. I'll check for a 22 or 24 inch bar that'll fit my 435 Husky and if one exists, I'll pick up a ripping chain and a bar. Otherwise I'll be doing those planks free-hand, like the others I did. At least they're already at their destination !

 

[NHlocal]

Ok, so I found some big ones, same spot I mentioned earlier....

View attachment 247784View attachment 247785View attachment 247786

Should keep me busy for a while !

A friend has a portable mill rig, an Alaskan II that clamps to the bar. Too bad my bar is about 6 inches too short to use it on that wood. I'll check for a 22 or 24 inch bar that'll fit my 435 Husky and if one exists, I'll pick up a ripping chain and a bar. Otherwise I'll be doing those planks free-hand, like the others I did. At least they're already at their destination !

I see you got a hold of some good sized wood, very nice. :msp_thumbup:
Great pics, (and self portrait :hmm3grin2orange I'm looking forward to seeing pics of the "finished" shed. opcorn:

 

[Denis Gionet]

I see you got a hold of some good sized wood, very nice. :msp_thumbup:
Great pics, (and self portrait :hmm3grin2orange I'm looking forward to seeing pics of the "finished" shed. opcorn:

Here's a video to go with the pic.... enjoy ! No need for a huge saw (although a 372 XP would work out just fine), just a huge need for a huge tree !

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=372553972814010

 

[NHlocal]

Here's a video to go with the pic.... enjoy ! No need for a huge saw (although a 372 XP would work out just fine), just a huge need for a huge tree !

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=372553972814010

Very nicely done Denis, good job getting that tree down with such a small saw. :msp_thumbup:
I see the wind was blowing "a bit", did it give you any trouble?, the tree seemed to come down alright.
What was the diameter of that tree? Looked like it was close to 2ft.

 

[Alex D]

Here's a video to go with the pic.... enjoy ! No need for a huge saw (although a 372 XP would work out just fine), just a huge need for a huge tree !

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=372553972814010

Nice vid Denis!! And thats one helluva nice cedar, 2 foot or so at the butt that must be well over a century maybe even several centuries old. Biggest ive seen them get is about a foot at the butt. And it also is very solid judging from the log pics with rather minimal rot again very nice considering the older cedars 10" or are usually full of it.

Very nicely done Denis, good job getting that tree down with such a small saw. :msp_thumbup:
I see the wind was blowing "a bit", did it give you any trouble?, the tree seemed to come down alright.
What was the diameter of that tree? Looked like it was close to 2ft.

Randy, I am just curious since you are more knowledgable about this than me but did you notice how the sloping part of the face cut is triangular shaped and not straight like I guess it should be. Do you think this has any negative affect??

 

[NHlocal]

Nice vid Denis!! And thats one helluva nice cedar, 2 foot or so at the butt that must be well over a century maybe even several centuries old. Biggest ive seen them get is about a foot at the butt. And it also is very solid judging from the log pics with rather minimal rot again very nice considering the older cedars 10" or are usually full of it.



Randy, I am just curious since you are more knowledgable about this than me but did you notice how the sloping part of the face cut is triangular shaped and not straight like I guess it should be. Do you think this has any negative affect??

You're right Alex, I saw the shape of the face cut and the first thing I thought was, he put a really big "sap cut" on the side of the face cut. :dunno:
It could definitely have a negative affect in a critical situation, the hinge holds the tree on the stump and determines the direction it will fall. The face cut sets the angle of the hinge and the "shape" of the face cut will also influence the direction of the fall a certain amount, mostly the shape of the face controls when the hinge will break and whether it breaks all at once or from one side or the other. I know there are others here who have a WHOLE LOT MORE knowledge than I do on this that could give a much better explanation/description of how it all works. I welcome any correction and/or "deeper" explanation.....I know I've got a lot more to learn. :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Denis Gionet]

You're right Alex, I saw the shape of the face cut and the first thing I thought was, he put a really big "sap cut" on the side of the face cut. :dunno:
It could definitely have a negative affect in a critical situation, the hinge holds the tree on the stump and determines the direction it will fall. The face cut sets the angle of the hinge and the "shape" of the face cut will also influence the direction of the fall a certain amount, mostly the shape of the face controls when the hinge will break and whether it breaks all at once or from one side or the other. I know there are others here who have a WHOLE LOT MORE knowledge than I do on this that could give a much better explanation/description of how it all works. I welcome any correction and/or "deeper" explanation.....I know I've got a lot more to learn. :hmm3grin2orange:

Nice vid Denis!! And thats one helluva nice cedar, 2 foot or so at the butt that must be well over a century maybe even several centuries old. Biggest ive seen them get is about a foot at the butt. And it also is very solid judging from the log pics with rather minimal rot again very nice considering the older cedars 10" or are usually full of it.



Randy, I am just curious since you are more knowledgable about this than me but did you notice how the sloping part of the face cut is triangular shaped and not straight like I guess it should be. Do you think this has any negative affect??

My dad cut trees as a younger man, before the feller buncher was invented. He explained that you cut the notch facing the direction you want the tree to fall. The back cut would then release the tree from the stump, allowing the tree to fall, using the hinge as a directional guide. If you cut the hinge very thin on one side, then that side will release early, allowing the tree to "spin", or turn while falling, giving you a different effect during the fell. He would use this technique when trees had a bad lean or were hung up, allowing him to drop it where he wanted it without the use of guide ropes.

He also explained that once a tree was cut clean from the stump (you cut clear through the hinge) and still falling, it basically weighed nothing, so you could maneuver it in the air, by shoving the butt end over one way or the other. You could shove it hard enough to rotate the top away from whatever obstacle there was, and give yourself more working room at the base of the tree, if you were working in a cluster of spruce or pines.

I've never tried the shoving technique (the old man has bigger balls than me), but I have bevel cut the hinge on occasion, and yes, it works.

Getting back to my Cedar, I had cut the hinge a bit fat on one side (16" bar, 28" tree), so on the 2nd half of the hinge I took a bit more. It landed exactly where I had thought it would, and it had plenty of lean to it anyway. The wind had little effect, and it was pretty breezy that day, but it had enough lean that even if I'd have notched it at the back or on either side, it would have landed where it did anyway !

There's about 5-6" of rot in the base, which was surprisingly little for a tree that old. I cut a cookie from one of the logs and did a ring count, and my best count was 236 years. I can get a better count once I belt sand it and smooth it out, but it'll be close to that. This is virgin forest that's just now getting harvested, so the trees are a lot older than the surrounding areas.

 

[NHlocal]

My dad cut trees as a younger man, before the feller buncher was invented. He explained that you cut the notch facing the direction you want the tree to fall. The back cut would then release the tree from the stump, allowing the tree to fall, using the hinge as a directional guide. If you cut the hinge very thin on one side, then that side will release early, allowing the tree to "spin", or turn while falling, giving you a different effect during the fell. He would use this technique when trees had a bad lean or were hung up, allowing him to drop it where he wanted it without the use of guide ropes.

He also explained that once a tree was cut clean from the stump (you cut clear through the hinge) and still falling, it basically weighed nothing, so you could maneuver it in the air, by shoving the butt end over one way or the other. You could shove it hard enough to rotate the top away from whatever obstacle there was, and give yourself more working room at the base of the tree, if you were working in a cluster of spruce or pines.

I've never tried the shoving technique (the old man has bigger balls than me), but I have bevel cut the hinge on occasion, and yes, it works.

Getting back to my Cedar, I had cut the hinge a bit fat on one side (16" bar, 28" tree), so on the 2nd half of the hinge I took a bit more. It landed exactly where I had thought it would, and it had plenty of lean to it anyway. The wind had little effect, and it was pretty breezy that day, but it had enough lean that even if I'd have notched it at the back or on either side, it would have landed where it did anyway !

There's about 5-6" of rot in the base, which was surprisingly little for a tree that old. I cut a cookie from one of the logs and did a ring count, and my best count was 236 years. I can get a better count once I belt sand it and smooth it out, but it'll be close to that. This is virgin forest that's just now getting harvested, so the trees are a lot older than the surrounding areas.

.....not beatin' up on ya' at all Denis, looks like the tree went right where you wanted it, well done using a small saw.....:msp_thumbup:

 

[Denis Gionet]

.....not beatin' up on ya' at all Denis, looks like the tree went right where you wanted it, well done using a small saw.....:msp_thumbup:

No sweat ! The rot in the center just made it easier... 6 inches less meat to cut !

We'll see if the small saw has enough in it to make planks out of that big sucker this weekend !

 

[NHlocal]

No sweat ! The rot in the center just made it easier... 6 inches less meat to cut !

We'll see if the small saw has enough in it to make planks out of that big sucker this weekend !

Denis,
did you get a longer bar or are you gonna go after it with the one you have? Were you able to get a hold of a milling attachment, I hear some of them work great?
Would love to see some pics of those planks after you cut 'em. :Eye:^:Eye:

 

[Alex D]

My dad cut trees as a younger man, before the feller buncher was invented. He explained that you cut the notch facing the direction you want the tree to fall. The back cut would then release the tree from the stump, allowing the tree to fall, using the hinge as a directional guide. If you cut the hinge very thin on one side, then that side will release early, allowing the tree to "spin", or turn while falling, giving you a different effect during the fell. He would use this technique when trees had a bad lean or were hung up, allowing him to drop it where he wanted it without the use of guide ropes.

He also explained that once a tree was cut clean from the stump (you cut clear through the hinge) and still falling, it basically weighed nothing, so you could maneuver it in the air, by shoving the butt end over one way or the other. You could shove it hard enough to rotate the top away from whatever obstacle there was, and give yourself more working room at the base of the tree, if you were working in a cluster of spruce or pines.

I've never tried the shoving technique (the old man has bigger balls than me), but I have bevel cut the hinge on occasion, and yes, it works.

Getting back to my Cedar, I had cut the hinge a bit fat on one side (16" bar, 28" tree), so on the 2nd half of the hinge I took a bit more. It landed exactly where I had thought it would, and it had plenty of lean to it anyway. The wind had little effect, and it was pretty breezy that day, but it had enough lean that even if I'd have notched it at the back or on either side, it would have landed where it did anyway !

There's about 5-6" of rot in the base, which was surprisingly little for a tree that old. I cut a cookie from one of the logs and did a ring count, and my best count was 236 years. I can get a better count once I belt sand it and smooth it out, but it'll be close to that. This is virgin forest that's just now getting harvested, so the trees are a lot older than the surrounding areas.

Denis I am not sure we are quite talking about the same thing. Take a look at this pic http://www.highcountryposts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Hazard_-tree_face_cut-300x225.jpg notice how the face cut doesn't have a triangular shaped piece jutting out of it?? Thats what I was wondering what was the point of that triangular piece in the face it looks like it wasn't completely cleaned out. But I don't think Im describing what Im talking about to well. Now please don't take it the wrong way Denis I am not bashing your technique or anything Im just curious about it as ive never seen it. But anyway you felled that tree great and it went exactly where you wanted excellent job

Yeah thats a very old cedar they seem to gain about a foot every century or so in diameter but Im not sure what the lifespan of a eastern white cedar is, but I know western red cedars live for over a millenia- even upwards of 1500 years but they seem to grow at about the same rate as a eastern white cedar they just seem to live a lot longer and for that reason get much much more bigger.