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Chain Saw Thoughts/Ideas?

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We have some small trees that I had to take out, with ~6" trunks. I used an electric Sawzall with a 12" pruning blade. Much easier than a chainsaw. If you're doing smaller stuff, I would recommend that. For larger stuff, hire someone.
 
1. I borrowed an electric chainsaw some years ago. It broke on the first try. Too lightweight.
2. I bought a 2-cycle gas saw. Supposedly medium duty. It never ran right;almost broke my arm trying to start it and finally gave it away to my landscaper.
3. For most light work, I use a Bosch reciprocating saw. For tree removal - I call my landscaper. I did have a tree man but he got so expensive ($1,500) to remove a dead ash, that I now use my landscaper who charges around $400.00.
 
Judging by some of the prices quoted here I got off light.
Had 3 dead pines cut down and it involved them climbing them. It cost me $250.00 and he was done in less than an hour. Just the other day he cut some limbs that I could not reach on a couple of oaks which was $150.00

David
 
DavidApp said:
Judging by some of the prices quoted here I got off light.
Had 3 dead pines cut down and it involved them climbing them. It cost me $250.00 and he was done in less than an hour. Just the other day he cut some limbs that I could not reach on a couple of oaks which was $150.00

David
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I will say that prices are all over the map so it is worth asking around
 
Interior shop friend needed an oak cut in front of his house. The tree was a good ten feet around and over 50' tall. He asked four tree firms and got bids from $3500-$5000 to take it down. They all said kind of close to the house. I told him to call my climber, no cranes, just plain climb and cut. Saw the guy there taking limbs down one at a time with one helper and a bobcat to move what he cut. Two days to fell and a half day to remove. Left 20' stump that would be carved. I asked friend how much. $900 I then asked the friend if he gave him a tip. No! He saved you a few thousand and couldn't give a tip. Don't use his interior shop anymore.
 
20 inch Rancher Huskey been mine for 30 years. It sat for ten years between houses and yards fresh gas oil and sharping chain few pulls ran like new. My local farm store carries all parts. ( good points to look into ) One gal of mixed gas will cover any and all you need more than a days work. The Government says they can not run for more than 45 min on a tank of gas. Its a thing they call white finger when you run it to long you can not let it go if you have to. I do not know how much safety they have added since I got mine but chain brake is important. They sell chain oil but I use 10w motor oil cheep stuff. I am sure there is a YOU TUBE also. If it's a one time get some one that includes haul away. Madflyer
 
I have a 20 inch Ryobi that I bought from a co-worker who was moving out of state. Its been pretty good overall once I got it up to snuff (previous owner had read somewhere on the internet that using vegetable oil on the chain was more enviromentally friendly - I scrapped that chain immediately and bought a new one since if it had been run with improper lubrication its integrity was suspect). It is a little reluctant to start but once its running it is very reliable and has enough power to do everything I have needed (mainly cutting freshly-broken trees after the ice storm - very much still green and loads of sap). I use the 40:1 pre-mixxed ethanol free fuel which costs more but since I don't run through gallons at a time it makes sense for me. It took some doing to clean out the chain oil chamber of all the hardened veg. oil (the original chain retained its shape even after being removed from the bar) and I gave the bar end sprocket a good cleaning/lubrication as well before using it. Cutting the still live sappy juniper branches seems to dull down/gum up the chain fairly quick...
 
As for paying someone yes cost is high but so is hauling it away. If you can burn it next year and storage is an option. to save money. as it is only 10 inches buy the saw. Between me and the house next door were three Cottonwood trees. One limb fell and hit the house next to me ( only 12 feet between houses ) we payed to remove all hanging limbs and removed one of the trees that was heading my way. Hauling cutting and removing all ( no fire place ) my half was $ 1,2000. My homeowners ins would not cover cost of removal but would fix any damage. I said think of the cost of damage as to say pay half. The limb was the size of my leg and 15 feet long. The house next door has tile roof damage. Buy a good saw mine is a 20 inch you may not need that big a saw.
 
I was surprised to see this thread continued.
I bought a Stihl 250 & got it cut down.
 
What exactly you want to know about chainsaws? But ok, I will try to help you. If you ask me, I think that chainsaw is a very useful tool to have in the household. I got large trees in my property, and every autumn I have to clean them, so for me a chain saw is a must-have. By the way, if you are interested to read some useful information about chainsaw, I am sure that you can find something on the internet. Just give it a try. Hope you will find my message useful.
 
Metrinity said:
What exactly you want to know about chainsaws? But ok, I will try to help you. If you ask me, I think that chainsaw is a very useful tool to have in the household. I got large trees in my property, and every autumn I have to clean them, so for me a chain saw is a must-have. By the way, if you are interested to read some useful information about chainsaw, I am sure that you can find something on the internet. Just give it a try. Hope you will find my message useful.
Click to expand...
The question wasn't so much about whether a chain saw was useful, but what brands were good. From people Doug knows and trusts (to varying degrees). And he asked on a forum that happens to reside on the internet.
 
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