Will New Chain Help?

[DaddyMan]

I have a stock 16" Husqvarna 435 and I'm trying to cut a large fallen oak. The oak is a little over the bar length and it took a while to cut through the tree. Will a new chain help my efficiency or should I consider getting an 18" bar as well? The saw seems a little under-powered for this tree because it bogs down or has trouble cutting deep into the wood.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[sld961]

You would get a better response in the "Chainsaw" forum. That saw is a small saw and will not cut through 16" fast. You would not gain anything by putting an 18" bar on the saw as it would not have the power to pull it. You should inspect your chain and sharpen it as needed. There are lots of youtube videos on how to sharpen a chain.

 

[BobL]

What do you mean by "bog" down?
Does it slow down when you "push it hard down onto the wood" or just with the saw "cutting under its own weight"
If it's the latter the either there is something wrong with the saw or the chain has been sharpened incorrectly
If it's the former then it could also be a blunt chain or the rakers have not been set correctly.

How old/worn is the chain. If you would like a chain diagnosis post a close up side on photo of a cutter and we'll check it out for you.

BTW If the saw bogs down with a 16" bar it will definitely bog down more with an 18" bar.
and a correctly sharpened chain with the rakers set right may even cut better than a new one.

 

[mad murdock]

If this is a once in a great while kind of tree(size wise), you will get through by educating yourself on proper sharpening and chain maintenance, if not, you need a bigger saw, as a 18" hardwood is a lot of tree for a 435. You will manage, but if you want to power through anything over say 10-12" with a saw that size, you need the "power" to do it. At least a 70cc saw "if" that size of tree is the norm rather than the exception.