Fishman

Thanks for quick replay Dan. My Alaskan Mill Mk III will take a max bar length of 30" which is why I am looking for the 30" bar. I already have a Hasqvarna 346xp with a 20" bar (max recommended size) for general purpose work so the new one would be almost exclusively milling and the odd larger tree felling. I think you are saying that I could put a 30" bar on the 565 without any modification - is that right? I don't really understand how strictly you should stick with the 'recommended' max bar size (28" for the 565) and obviously folks do stick longer bars on so my gut feel is that a 30" bar being only 2" over the recommended max is not a big deal and should be fine, but want to be sure its safe do do so.

The recommended maximum bar length for the Husqvarna 565 is 28 inches but I would like a saw with a 30" bar to use for milling with my Alaskan Chainsaw Mill. I can by a lightly used Husqvarna 565 at a good price from a friend who has had it from new so I know its a good machine but it comes with a 26 inch bar. Is it OK to fit a 30" bar to this, or would I need to do additional modifications such as a new sprocket etc and will the machine cope ok milling with this bar length? I won't be doing lots of milling so it won't get thrashed. Or should I pass on this offer and look for a larger machine (which one?) that takes a 30 inch bar as standard? I would be looking for a used Husqvarna if thats the way to go as sadly my budget doesn't run to a new one!

I will need 600 stakes this winter for laying my hedge. I have a small amount of hazel and ash, but I have loads of young self set Common Alder (Alnusglutinosa) which varies in size from one and a half inches diameter and up. Its lovely and straight, but I know it rots quickly once cut if left on the ground or in the weather. I believe it doesn't rot underground so I guess if used as stakes it will probably break at ground level after a couple of years. Has anyone used alder stakes successfully before and if so whats the minus size to use, should it be used without splitting, and will it last long enough to support the hedge after laying (midland style) until the hedge re-growth makes it self supporting?