Coppicing with a clearance saw

[Dorset Treeman]

I've got quite a large amount of hazel to be cleared which is only 10-20mm in diameter as part of neglected coppice. These are areas cut in the last 2-3 years by a spar maker but it has now left a mosiac of different age hazel. I am cutting the larger diameter rods (stools) with a chainsaw but wondered if it would be possible to cut the smaller stuff with a clearance saw? Has anyone tried this and will it just leave a ragged finish? The stools are about 2 foot diameter on average

 

Thanks

 

Alan

[divingjimbob]

Iv done quite a few clearance jobs with a stihl back pack Flexi shaft with a clearance saw but I have only managed to cut stems up to 4 inch with step cuts etc but 2 men on 2 clearance saws one man dragging stuff out way to chipper we managed about 600 to 800 in day and chipped packed up and on way home by 4pm I would suggest if using clearing saw to buy the stihl blade that can be sharpened by a chain saw file any further questions please ask hope this helps

[woodyguy]

Tried it and not impressed. The large spinning blade gets choked up really easily. So unless you are clearing as quickly as you are cutting (not easy with a large strimmer strapped to you) then it's really slow. Might be better as a two man job. Always fall back on a 211 with 12 inch chain. Pick it up and put it down really quickly.

[kentjames]

Sounds like a job for a sharp silky on the hip holster instead to me.

[divingjimbob]

When I did my work if working in a logical way it all falls into the space you just cut but that was me and only my opinion

[timbernut]

Are you using the younger rods for anything, if so I wouldn't use a clearance saw as you will damage rods/whips. What are you trying to achieve? Possibly you're trying to get a single, larger block of even aged stools? Couple of guys I know use those big, wooden handle, sprung shears, which will cut up to 2", leave a clean cut and save you a fair bit of bending, silky good clean cut but tedious and you'll end up with a hump if you do it a lot chainsaw the same but quicker but if your rakers not right wil b raggedy on smaller stuff! Hope this helps, have coppiced acres and acres of hazel so have a fair bit of experience😃

[Dorset Treeman]

Yeah not using the stuff, just clearing it to get even aged larger coupes back into a 7 year rotation. Probably 2.5 acres in total so It seems that it might have to be a chainsaw effort.

[woodwizzard]

Not suggesting you do this obviously, because it probably isn't safe and obviously I haven't done it but TCT table saw blades are very effective at clearing smaller saplings.

[wisecobandit]

The stihl scratcher blade on a decent brushcutter is ideal for that sort of work (similar to tct blade but proper rpm rating)

I wouldn't be doing it with a chainsaw.

Gives you a a good idea here of capabilities.

[ame]

[/ame] Edited February 19, 2015 by wisecobandit

[CHC]

Used a stihl scratcher blade on a fs400 to clear a load of alder. Made the job a lot easier and a lot quicker and saved my back