Which Chainsaw for Forestry

[Stubby]

18 minutes ago, doobin said:

I had a recent experience felling a 6ft ash with my  MS462. It will pull a 36" bar OK if you're gentle and it's sharp but the oiler won't quite keep up when ringing up. Were I to do it every other week I'd buy an 880. But it's OK for one-offs, with a quick spray on the chain inbetween cuts whilst ringing up.

 

It's happy with a 24" bar on it, and positively flies with an 18". The heated handles are nice. Stubby, you're welcome to come have a play. It's really quick to rev up, that's for sure.

 

At the other end of the spectrum, I agree with guys who prefer a light saw. My go-to for most of my work (small scale land clearance, tangled laylandii) is an MS241 with a 16" Picco bar. You really notice the difference using a Picco chain, and whilst a big fan of Rotatech for a decent chain at low cost I did treat myself to some Stihl full chisel Picco loops for the 16" and can highly reccomend them. Probably a further 30% cut speed, quite incredible. I ummed and ahhed about an MS261 with heated handles, but decided that the 'middle ground' as it were wasn't worth the kilo of extra weight over the MS241, particularly as it's often a few quick cuts then back in the cab. I'd go as far as to say that the tree has to be over 18" for me to want to use the MS462 rather than the MS241, as the picco chain on the smaller saw makes them pretty much the same speed to cut.

Hi doobin . Thanks for the offer but it was casual interest only . I don't need another saw .  Oh by the way I think I could possibly push a 6ft Ash over with my knob ! ?

[jamallio96]

Hi doobin . Thanks for the offer but it was casual interest only . I don't need another saw .  Oh by the way I think I could possibly push a 6ft Ash over with my knob ! [emoji16]

Is that ash six foot diameter or six foot tall? ;-)

[Stubby]

2 minutes ago, jamallio96 said:

14 minutes ago, Stubby said:

Hi doobin . Thanks for the offer but it was casual interest only . I don't need another saw .  Oh by the way I think I could possibly push a 6ft Ash over with my knob !

Is that ash six foot diameter or six foot tall? ?

Either bud , either ?

[Stubby]

1 hour ago, Rough Hewn said:

Any spud ported saws will wipe the floor with a stock saw.

That's why I don't need another saw . ?

[woodwizzard]

462 kicks out 6hp and weighs just 6kg, how can that not be powerful for a 70cc saw? That's more punch than the makita 7900 and that's no slouch.

[Rough Hewn]

462 kicks out 6hp and weighs just 6kg, how can that not be powerful for a 70cc saw? That's more punch than the makita 7900 and that's no slouch.

Why will stihl only recommend a 20" bar? When the 440 would pull 25" and the 461 30".
It's probably an emissions thing?

[woodwizzard]

Says 25" here? https://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Chainsaws-and-Telescopic-Pole-Pruners/Petrol-chainsaws-for-forestry-work/279876-130/MS-462-C-M-Forestry-Chainsaw.aspx

[woodwizzard]

.......and it was the 461 listed as 20" ? https://www.stihl.com/STIHL-power-tools-A-great-range/Chainsaws-saw-chains-guide-bars/Petrol-chainsaws-for-forestry/22099-131/MS-461.aspx

[Rough Hewn]

My 461 owners manual states 30" bar.
Relieved to hear the 462 can pull a useful bar.
[emoji106]

[steve collins]

18 minutes ago, Rough Hewn said:

Why will stihl only recommend a 20" bar? When the 440 would pull 25" and the 461 30".
It's probably an emissions thing?

https://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Chainsaws-and-Telescopic-Pole-Pruners/Petrol-chainsaws-for-forestry-work/279876-130/MS-462-C-M-Forestry-Chainsaw.aspx

 

They dont, from stihl uk