Top handle saws?

[aRBy]

I have a problem with my left shoulder, and after a little while of cutting I can no longer hold the saw. Every year we have been cutting up about 10-15 face cord of wood from our own 60 acre property. This is all hard woods hickory, hard maple, Oak, Beech & hop hornbeam. I have a Husqy 350, and with my shoulder problem my wife has started cutting and she just got a Husqy 345. I was wondering about switching to a top handle saw. Seeing the weight is shifted its more comfortable for me. My left arm is holding less of the weight & I figured this way I would be able to cut longer with less discomfort.

Just wondering if the Husqy top handled saws would be ok for this type of use. It would be used for limbing & cutting the logs in to chunks. The trees at the biggest are about 16-20”.
I was looking at the 338XPC at Baileys, but that was just on paper. I did play with the 334T at the store, but was hoping for a little more power.

 

[Ekka]

No way Jose'

You get that idea right out of your head.

Why aren't you letting the weight of the saw assist your cutting?

Something wrong with your technique, and top handled saws aren't for bucking or firewood.

The dawgs of the saw should be the fulcrum for your right hand/arm to be leveraging and assisting the cut, your left hand for kickback.

Now the racing guys are not just a bit different but a lot different. The push downwards like crazy with their left hand as well as they are trying to stall the saw ... oh I mean cut through quicker.:hmm3grin2orange:

Posture, technique and tone up. I think you have ligament damage in your shoulder.

 

[straight6jeff]

it may not be right, but

My Dad has a Husky top handle, and he beat the living bag out of it every time he uses it. Granted, he does keep the chain sharp, (and that is the extent of maintenance) but don't tell him that the saw can't do something. He routinely bucks 20" logs, limbs, and cuts PT wood with it. Point is, the saw was not intended to do those things, but it does, and has, for the past six years.

 

[adkranger]

Yep, Ekka is correct (on this particular issue ). Top handled saws, particularly the ms200 & 338xp are intended for professional arborists. The saws design itself is not kickback friendly as the axis between the handles is much reduced and the "rear" handle up on top right next to the top handle. They are definitely not firewood cutters.

You may have some issues with your technique, hard to say through the ethernet, but when running the saw in wood the left arm should not be doing much work. Other than maintaining a strong grip, with wrapped thumb and protecting against kickback. With dawgs ingaged the only pressure needed is slightly through the rear handle. When carrying a running saw between cuts both hands should be on the saw, both arms carrying the weight, though left will bear slightly more and I like to engage the chain break.

Limbing will work over the left arm, shoulder pretty good. Try to stay close to the cuts and not reach too much.

Stick with full handled saws and get that shoulder looked at, or take care to prevent further injury. Good luck.

 

[Dadatwins]

Using a top handle for firewood cutting is a mistake, and you will probably end up with wrist problems. Like the others said, could be a technique problem or you might need to get the shoulder looked at by a doctor.

 

[Urbicide]

Sounds like MRI time. opcorn:

 

[aRBy]

Well I know what’s wrong with the shoulder, and there is nothing that will make it better. Since birth my shoulder has been dislocated, and now 37 years later the joint is degenerated to the point of almost not being there.

When I’m in the cut that is not the problem, it when I lift the saw to switch to another cut.

 

[shawn.m]

so what your basically saying is that you have like a 5lb lift limit on your left arm?
perhaps another path would be to get one of the carbon fiber laminated bars for you saw to reduce the weight.

Other wise top handle saw and watch your wrist

 

[matty f]

yep top handed saws not for fire wood cutting....... your left thumb should be around the bottom of the handle in anticipation for kick back but only holding with a firm grip and the saw should be dropping through the wood....sharp chains essential,not much if any pressure should be applied through your shoulder/arm.

 

[tree_beard]

if the saw weight is a problem, when not cutting, and you are thinking of a top-handle saw...

gotta recommend a ms200 or a 339xp... the safer and more comfortable to use rear handle versions of the two best top-handle saws...dont know why someone hasnt suggested it before.

much better than a top-handle by a long way.


look after those limbs..

 

[Urbicide]

Man, sorry to hear about your degenerative shoulder. You probably need your own harvester.:chainsawguy:

 

[Scooterbum]

Why not learn how to cut left handed?When I lost my right eye I had to learn how to shoot left handed.Pain in the rear for awhile but you'll get used to it and it will become second nature.
To me it would be a lot safer than a top handle saw.
Just me 2 cents worth................