top handle saw

[toddol1971]

In my baileys catalogue theres a husky 338xpc. Would this be a good limbing saw or would the handle placement be wrong for this. I also like the 346xp, & it may be better for limbing. I dont get into trees very often, I like terra firma LOL. I guess I just dont know if a top handle will work as well or not & i've been debating whether to get one or not. Let the thoughts fly

 

[Urbicide]

You will get spanked here by the chainsaw police. Top handled saws are meant for up-in-the-tree work, not on the ground. They are also meant to be used with 2 hands. Their design and balance makes it easy to use with just 1 hand. Problem is you lose much of the control over the saw and as a result are much more likely to wack yourself with the chain. Not good. Stick with a rear handled saw. 346XP or the Dolmar 5100S are very popular here.
opcorn:

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Top handled saws are easier to use with one hand, allowing the operator to "cut and chuck" branches. Cut with one hand, chuck with the other.
If you use two hands, a top handled saw has no advantage.
Using a saw one handed is dangerous for a few reasons. You have less control over kick back, you're likely to cut your other hand or arm, and long term it increases the likelihood of repetitive motion injuries to wrist, elbow and shoulder.
Top handled saws are shorter than rear handled saws, so you have less leverage to fight kickback, built in.
Because they are shorter, you have significantly less reach.
It comes down to acceptance of risk, cutting style, and personal preference.

 

[Lakeside53]

As Mike says...

It's the very reason I sold my MS200T and bought the MS200... I don't climb.. and the 200T would have bitten me one day...

 

[Diesel JD]

Well I use a 192T, I climb a very little, but mostly use it for limb and trim stuff in my parents trees and shrubs and other samll jobs. Its alos been real useful in making a few cuts on the landing to make firewood rounds fit on my splitter and/or to get around a wood knot here and there. As far as are they more dangerous...some say yes, some say no. I haven't gotten bit yet, but I may one day. I would like to tell you I always cut with one hand...but that would be a lie...and I swore I wouldn't one hand, but it is just so easy. Almost all the pros that have gotten a love nip from there 200T have been one handing and gotten nipped for a few stitches on the non-cutting hand.

 

[mini kahuna]

top handles are made for the guys in buckets or climbing.
I have seen people using them on the ground,but I don't see the reason,I do see reasons not to use them,you just don't have the control with a top handle.
guys get to one handing them on the ground and then stitches are not far behind.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

As you can see, top handled saws are specialized saws for specialized work. A good way I like to gauge it is, "If you have to ask about a top handle saw, it's probably not the best saw for you." JMO.

Jeff

 

[Cut4fun]

As a homeowner I have been using a little poulan 2000 TH 7.8LBS since 1994 with one hand and 2 at times, on a ladder trimming trees. Not a climber by any means.
They have a place in the homeowner stable imo and that is the main reason I picked up another poulan 1800 TH for a backup.

 

[046]

natural thing to do with a top handle saw is operate it one hand.

a real no no... if you are on the ground.

there are situations in a tree, where operating a saw one handed is safest method. but I always know where saw will land if kickback occurs.

I know of NO situation on the ground where operating one handed is safest.

so if you're not a climber... stay away from top handled saws!
UK requires a permit before you can purchase a top handled saw.

 

[toddol1971]

Does'nt everything require a permit now. I have to poop, can i see your permit.LOL. Some people are so common sense impaired they should'nt be allowed to look at saw:bang: . I've seen guys using top handles in the past & always wondered how they would be on the ground. I also figured it could be a little wierd as I wrote originally. I really like the sound of a 5100, but have no clue if theres one in my area, of course I have'nt looked yet. I think I may stick with husky though just cause I know there reliable, & only know about the dolmars from this site. Now if someone can tell me why I'd be better off getting a 5100 over a 346xp? There about the same price,& both come with an 18" b&c. Both have the same rpms & the orange one ways a hair less, while the red one has .4 more hp. If I can find a dealer for dolmar i'll go check one out, if not I'll probably go for the husky. I live in southern Illinois (marion/carbondale area) Shawnee National Forrest is in my backyard:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Tzed250]

Its up to you

I used an 020T (MS200T) for four years when I was climbing and loved that saw. Yes, I made plenty of one handed cuts with it, but just like a rear handle saw, if you plan the cut ahead of time the results will be more predictable. The top handle saw is for climbing, if you are not climbing then stick with the saws that are designed for limbing (ex. 346) and you will be a happier camperer !