just out of interest really,

just doing some research into a chainsaw for logging use. Only need a 12″ and have been using my dads old Echo so was looking at the new Echo 270 when I cam across a version Id never seen before: Top Handle Chainsaws. They look sweet for single handed logging use, nice and light sub 3Kg dry but all the sales gumf is big on the “these will kill you and you have to have a rubbishy piece of paper to get one”.

I understand they are generally for tree climbing use, but they do look good on the ground too.

Are they really death-ray-ground-zero-uber-weapons or just misunderstood. Are they only lethal in the trees? Theres a good scarey paper from the HSE on them Ive found but wondered what real world users think?

I do have a fair bit of chainsaw experience and even a smattering of training 15 years ago on the farm..

anyway, how are these 270s rated? (They dont make my dads old model)

theres no point, but they will only kill you if your up a tree, get a standard husky and away you go.

I’ve used a Stihl 034 saw with an 18inch bar for nearly ten years. I’ve had a couple of bars and maybe ten chains. I’ve cut mountains of wood with it. Handy aving a bigger bar if you have access to some bigger trees.

Climbing saws are pretty specialist tools.

the 034 is also on my list, but again with a short bar.

Its really just for logging cords, no hi-wire antics.

They are dangerous BECAUSE you can use them one handed.( this leaves your other hand free to hold a log inches from the saw!! )

To my mind, the problem is, folk always say ‘I dont need much of a saw, its just for cross cutting’,
Thats the hardest work your saw will do. I got a Husky 262pro, and you could cut down that tree they drive cars through, but its done me for nearly two decades cutting logs into blocks.
Tree climbing saws are for a different job entirely.

TBH I use my dads old Echo 280 one-handed much of the time on the horse (with the break bar removed 😈 HSE would have kittens Im sure) . As you say I suppose if I slightly oversize the spec then it gives me a bit more scope and I can always use dads if I just want small hp one.

Will keep an eye out. Ive been offered an ex-pro’s chainsaw by a friend from the pub so will go and check it out. No idea what it is or if its a starter or not, will find out tomorrow.

Cheers for comments.

As a qualified tree surgeon with the silly bit of paper to use a limbing saw i can tell you that you would be a ****t to use that on the ground.. the speed of it kicking back at you as you swing it around with one hand would be scary enough but you would probably have it stuck in your neck.. buy a groundsaw and read some info on safe use… i’ve seen 3 apparently competent and qualified people have pretty horific accidents using a limbing saw..can literally remove your arm in a flash…. use both hands

.can literally remove your arm in a flash

like a swan yeah?

😉

As it happens Ive got my hands on a second hand MS-250 which starts first time. Will strip and service it but should see me right. Just got to work out how much to give my mate for it. He mentioned £25 in the pub, I reckon £75 would be fairer.

I use my dads old Echo 280 one-handed much of the time on the horse

You use a chainsaw to cut up horses?!?

At work we only use STIHL saws we use them for everything as they are lightweight and easy to start. We get ours tuned every year for bit more power and easy starting. Dont buy a one handed one

Its the approved method WCA

MS250 for £25? Did he have anymore? I’ll take a dozen if so :O)

14/16” bar and a sharp chain and you’ll have hours of fun.

We’ve got MS260’s at work with 18” bars and I find it too long for logging. Prefer my little MS181 with a 14” bar. Light, powerful enough and not to long in the nose.

Oh, get the safety gear or at least borrow it. You post up useful/interesting stuff on here so it would be a shame to loose that for the sake of some trousers/gloves/boots/helmet! 😀

Tim (some tickets but not a climbing monkey)

Stoner – Member

As it happens Ive got my hands on a second hand MS-250 which starts first time. Will strip and service it but should see me right. Just got to work out how much to give my mate for it. He mentioned £25 £75 in the pub, I reckon £75 £25 would be fairer.

There you go. 🙂

I’ve got one of those and they are near £300 new so if it’s in good nick, it’s a bargain. Best check the case wasn’t damaged when it fell off the back of that lorry. The only thing I don’t like about the Stihl is the plastic recoil pawl. If you’re a bit hamfisted starting when it’s partly flooded, you can knacker the profile and it doesn’t engage properly then.

He’s a drinking buddy. An agricultural fencer by trade and this 250 has been sitting in his workshop unused for ages. He genuinely only wanted £25 for it, I was expecting Id have to strip and tickle it into life, but it fired 3rd pull and runss nicely. And that was on the thimble full of old fuel in the tank too 😉

But Im a generous soul and its more important to maintain a good relationship then make a killing…

boblo – isnt it quite easy to pump it dry with the plug out when it gets flooded?

tim – years ago I bought a stihl lid/guard/muffs for my old man when he started swingin a chainsaw around. Ive been borrowing that when Ive needed, but have just ordered my own. and gloves.

There’s a 14″ or 16″ on the 250 which is just fine for what I want out of it.

Stoner – Member
<snip>
boblo – isnt it quite easy to pump it dry with the plug out when it gets flooded?

Errm, it is unless you’re a stupid, lazy pr…. errm wally (like me) who didn’t 🙁 The pawl is nylon and I ‘reprofiled it’ (read filed back into shape) and it’s alright now.

Before I had an 038AV for years that I bought s/h and it was a peach. No problem until the tin of Sodium Chlorate it shared a shelf with split and partly disolved the magnesium(?) case. Peed off is an understatement.

ouch.

What do you use sodium chlorate for? Isnt it a bit like the saltpetre in gunpowder? 😉

Cheap weedkiller, no longer available unless you have an Oirish accent 🙂