what saws do US Forest Fighters use?
- Thread starter big4runr
- Start date
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The ones I have seen pics of are always using Sihl 044's.
don
ArboristSite Guru
Bid on some Oregon Stuff
I bid on some Oregon firefighter saws and they were 044's and 066's
The local fire department has a 044 to cut into a roof.
I bid on some Oregon firefighter saws and they were 044's and 066's
The local fire department has a 044 to cut into a roof.
Frans
ArboristSite Operative
the answer to your question big4runner is:
the forest service (and every gov. agency) will use whatever comes in as a result of their low ball bidding system.
that means that they put out to bid a request for certain equipment with certain requirments.
whomever is willing to cut their own throat and sell at the lowest price possible gets the contract.
What I really dont like is that the deals the gov. get, the average guy (like me) does not get. For example:
A local county park will put out a request for bids on a new chipper. the dealer will give them a great price-far below what will be quoted to me. The park may not even be a volume buyer. 1 chipper every 10 years say.
well I buy chippers at that rate and I get quoted far above the counties rate. ('
')
frans
the forest service (and every gov. agency) will use whatever comes in as a result of their low ball bidding system.
that means that they put out to bid a request for certain equipment with certain requirments.
whomever is willing to cut their own throat and sell at the lowest price possible gets the contract.
What I really dont like is that the deals the gov. get, the average guy (like me) does not get. For example:
A local county park will put out a request for bids on a new chipper. the dealer will give them a great price-far below what will be quoted to me. The park may not even be a volume buyer. 1 chipper every 10 years say.
well I buy chippers at that rate and I get quoted far above the counties rate. ('
')frans
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earache
ArboristSite Operative
big4runr, I talked to my cousin yesterday, who works for the US Forest Service in Steamboat, Colorado, and has been there for nearly twenty years. He said they use Stihl 044s almost exclusively. His department has a couple of other Stihls, but rarely get ran, if even taken in the field, either logging or fire fighting. They did make a switch a couple years ago to shorter bars, and got rid of nearly all the bars 24 and longer. Hope this helps out.
fun_chopper
ArboristSite Operative
The US gov dosent always use the lowest bidder thing. I work for the US gov, so here is how it works. If I wanted a chainsaw, I would look in the GSA (General Services Administration) catalog and find the National Stock Number (it looks like this 5306-00-321-5656). I would whip out my Impact card (US gov Visa) and order the chainsaw of my liking (whatever is in GSA) (Stihl 044, Husqvarna 395XP are about it) It works just like ordering from any other catalog. The US government fights for long term contracts, not one time bids for most items.
fun_chopper
ArboristSite Operative
The thing with GOV prices is this. A hammer may cost $50 but included in that price is what it cost to contract the hammer, order the hammer, shipping, crating, delivery, routing, and all other costs incrued to get that hammer. The general public dosent understand how many people deal with that hammer..actually I would rather be ignorant myself!-Matt
sonny
ArboristSite Guru
I guess your a pro. (any pro user uses STIHLS )
Here is a pic of GW Bush with some forest fire fighters
Look close... does it look like a Stihl 044 ??
<img src=http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/2195/10m/snsimages.tribune.com/media/photo/2002-06/3618919.jpg>
Look close... does it look like a Stihl 044 ??
<img src=http://a1022.g.akamai.net/f/1022/2195/10m/snsimages.tribune.com/media/photo/2002-06/3618919.jpg>
ClearH20Scott
ArboristSite Operative
Looks like they run Sandvik bars. BTW, just out of curiosity,
who runs the bar/chain supply chain once the Stihl powerheads
have been purchased? Are the end users allowed to source
their own bars and chains? Who does the sharpening?
Just curious.
who runs the bar/chain supply chain once the Stihl powerheads
have been purchased? Are the end users allowed to source
their own bars and chains? Who does the sharpening?
Just curious.
fun_chopper
ArboristSite Operative
Sometimes, depending on an agencies level and authorization for funding. They can use normal supply channels, and/or alternate. Here is how it could work. You are running a small outcast band of high mountain fire fighters. You need couple of large saws, you look in GSA, and all that they have contracted is 33cc Poulan pros. You ask for authorization to use your IMPAC card at the local dealer to buy a power head, bar, chain, etc. Your big bosses resource advisor can say sure go for it, or nope use the Poulan. Before a government agency can buy anything they have to obtain a "get out of jail free card" otherwise the person that buys it can be charged with misappropriation of government material. It’s a complicated system, but that's how it works. As far as sharpening, its all local contracts usually, but remember this is the government of the USA, and they will usually keep many spare chains on hand, and replace often.
fun_chopper
ArboristSite Operative
President Bush sure looks like he wants to run that saw into some wood!..lol
I bet he would settle for Dashcle or Gore instead.LOL
fun_chopper
ArboristSite Operative
Pers with a chainsaw, that would make headlines on capitol hill..lol
