Afforable chainsaw

[tilerman]

I have got my hands on a complete oak tree as fuel for my wood burner. The tree company have felled the tree into chunks but i ned to further cut them down so they can season. There is a lot of oak. Estimates around 10 tons. I ned a chainsaw but cannot stretch to a Stihl. Any ideas on any other decent saws. I dont want cheap, just something half decent that would do the job. Thankyou in advance.

 

[Stivino]

A cheap McCulloch or similar with a 14" or 16" bar from one of the sheds will be sufficient for your needs. I'd expect to pay between £100 to £140.

 

[tilerman]

Thanks Stivino. I have added a further enquiry under the 'in the garden section'. Not sure if you can help with that.

Thanks.

 

[Thermo]

stihl are not expensive if you want one that will last. a 14" bar one to deal with what you need for this and the future will only cost in the region of £200.

 

[swbjackson]

Make sure you get some safety gear and learn how to sharpen it properly.

 

[xerxes]

Depending on the length of the 'chunks' you might do better using a timber maul and wedges to split them. Green oak usually splits quite easily, and you may find it quicker to do the job this way (and less capital outlay than a chainsaw).

 

[muggles]

Stihl chainsaws ain't all that much... http://www.gardenmachinerydirect.co.uk/product.asp?id=2007

 

[Jasonb]

A 10ton oak tree is likely to have a trunk diameter in excess of 3ft if you are not experienced with a chain saw it is extreamly dangerous to try cutting with a saw that has too short a bar as the tip will be in the cut and the risk of kickback is high. You want at least a 24" bar (preferably 30+)and a big saw to power it. That would be a big husky or |Stihl £500+ and a couple of hundred for safety gear.

A smaller saw as suggested above would do for branches, as a rule of thumb you can safely cut 2" dia less than the bar, so a 14" bar saw is OK for stuff upto 12" dia

Jason

 

[Stivino]

It's a different matter when the trunk it lying on the ground because you can cut through half of it then roll it over.
The 8"-10" slices don't need anymore cutting, you chop that round the edges with an axe now and put the pieces in your fire.