Biggest bar on MS461 and MS261

[Mike F]

after a little bit of guidance/advice from you chaps

 

Usually it's just small jobs for me (have a 261 with an 18" bar).

 

Looking like I might (finally) secure a nice bigger job ..... when I say big it's big for me !...... 2 x Lawsons 18m...with trunks DBH 41.5" (I measured the trunks......330cm circumference).

 

The trunk is only this Dia up to about 2.4m height....past that its just poles that are manageable....so the bit I'm stuck on its getting it to ground level..

 

I have a 261 with 18" bar, ......and I can borrow a mate's 461 with 20" bar

 

Questions are :

 

what is the largest bar/chain to get on a 261/461 and be able to fell (cut the trunk to a stump) to ground level (obviously the tree is a sectional dismantle).

I'm thinking best way might be buy a 25" bar and chain for the 461 (not sure the max on a 261) and just keep expanding the gob cut....maybe cut sides away.....maybe letterbox it ?

 

I've used 880's and 660's before in the past and in an ideal world I've have a 47" bar......(working for a local authority).....but now I'm on my own......can't hire 660's with big bars (not that I can find) and I'm not in a position financially to buy a saw like that.

 

any ideas gratefully received 

 

cheers

 

MikeF

 

 

 

[The avantgardener]

Section fell the poles with the 261 until you are at the 2.4m of the standing stem. Sweep cut the stem with the 20” on the 461, job done no extra kit required.

[drinksloe]

If it's only 40" across butt like Avent says above althou a 20 might just be tight.

Just gub it and bore the gub  out to under 18" of hinge each side, surprising how big a tree u can fell with an 18 or 20" bar

[Will C]

The 461 will run a 30+” bar with a skip chain, slow but will plod on if your stuck. I would go with the 20 and letter box through the gob then run round the back. 

[Dan Maynard]

Or 461 will run a 25" very happily, if the tree is 41" DBH then it would make the stump cuts easier.

[ESS]

20" should do it. Even if there is no flare on the butt you could still round it up,tapering it in. As already said bore the gob,job done.

[Rough Hewn]

The 461 will run a 30+” bar with a skip chain, slow but will plod on if your stuck. I would go with the 20 and letter box through the gob then run round the back. 

I run a 30” full comp full chisel on my 461.
Buried in oak ash walnut etc.
[emoji106]

[dan blocker]

Consider attending a NPTC or Lantra course for felling trees over 380mm first, you’ll find the information taught useful as it’s not just simply up scaling a single bar length gob and back cut. As as already been said a 461 with 20” bar is sufficient and easier to operate and less tiring than a long bar.

[Mike F]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

Think I've got my head around it now to do it with the 20" bar.

 

Also think I'll look at doing the felling >380mm course as for sure it will be useful.

[drinksloe]

Must admit doing more forestry work it's rare I need a bigger bar than 20"

In normal circumstances I'll happily fell trees up to 4ft butts ( assuming not funny shaped or steep bankings/dangerous  bits so not got access all round) all with a 20 bar, usually not a problem.

And as others have said if u toe them off also helps.

 

Sometimes can be a pain taking the 1st log off if very fat/hairy as usually just chip/3m so stem can just be a bit big for a 20 at that hieght

 

After thinking about it I wouldn't just sweep cut the stem if it's 8ft high, be a bit off wieght in that for it to go wrong.

Don't have a lot off control just sweep cutting. Just asking to nip a bar or squash a saw if goes sideways

Definately safer with a gun, and if in any doubt with a smaller bar bore it.

Nothing worse than battering wedges in when u have missed some holding wood in centre off tree.