Chainsaw for Long Forest Roads?

Thinking I need a chainsaw. Where I go camping/backpacking usually involves travel on long forest roads. If a tree comes down, I could be stuck. I have tow gear, but no saws. Anyone have recommendations for this application?

 

Cordless electric chainsaws are convenient for clearing the occasional down tree.

Personally, I keep a Silky Saw KatanaBoy 500 in mine full time. It doesn't take up much space, never needs batteries or gas, and cuts surprisingly fast.

I'd say, if you just want something for the oddball emergency, I would go for something like a Silky Saw. But, if you're pretty sure you'll need to clear trees on a regular basis, a powered saw might be a better bet.

 

Depends if you want battery operated or gas? Do you have a means of hauling 2-stroke gas on the outside of your 4 Runner?

a chainsaw and a high quality hand saw is a good combo to have out on the trail.

 

Good call!

Stihl and Husqvarna are the only gas chainsaws I would buy.

 

Hmmm. I've had mine 6 years and no issues. I was told that I couldn't go wrong with either brand.

Professional loggers use both.

Sounds like Poulan might be a good value option if they're owned by Husqvarna.

 

I just recently bought the Milwaukee 16" battery chainsaw because it was on sale at home depot. I already had a battery. Only used it to cut down christmas tree so far but it made quick work of it. Says it's good for 140 cuts on full charge but I'm sure that varies by tree thickness?

Can't wait to use it on next camping trip. Will be much easier than the axe and hand saws I usually take

 

Was not aware of that and then when Googled,surprising to see all brands under the umbrella. Thanks for the heads up.

 

I keep a silky pocket boy and a silky big boy in the 4runner and bring a mint 1980's homelite super EZ when camping. that said I have used the milwaukee M18 battery chainsaw a couple of times and it rocks, just skip the 8.0 battery and get a 12.0 instead.

 

I don't think Poulan makes Husqvarna, as they are owned by Husqvarna.

Professional loggers use Husqvarna and Stihl. I would buy whatever suits your preference.

 

Currently have Husqvarna zero turn, weed waker and backpack blower with an Exmark Commercial 30 push mower, just didn't know about the other subsidiaries and was a little bit surprised. Heck, good to pick up some knowledge every day.

 

I don't have fancy equipment but my hatchet fit in my everyday box. When I go on trails I take the manual saw and hand puller. I have first hand using them cutting and pulling relatively small tree. Maybe very inefficient but it worked despite not having chainsaw and a winch.

 

MS 362… I have an old MS 351 (I think that’s the model # that this replaced). That still works 15 years later (rebuilt once) and can vouch that this saw can tackle large and small projects. One thing that I will say is the new battery powered Stihl saws would make for a cleaner rig with less mess Bar chain oil dripping on stuff, and less maintenance (good saws really do require proper maintenance and adjusting to extend their life)… that said. I’d honestly go battery powered on my rig and keep the MS 362 for home/ranch. Wouldn’t consider any other brand other than Stihl though.

 

An axe can be useful too.

Or it could help you get far enough to get stuck, as I now know.

 

I find an axe to be pretty slow for getting through anything of size. They're mainly good for knocking off small branches. I can get through anything else faster with a bow saw. That's what I carry, along with a couple spare blades.

 

What's the tree diameter cutting limit of a bow saw?

 

This is for oddball emergency. If I drive in 30 miles and get stopped going in further or the way out, buy a fallen tree. I don't mind had tools.

 

I think you'd be pretty set with a 16" electric chainsaw for most situations.......unless it's a giant tree. Carry an extra battery pack, a charger, and an extra chain. You'll be able to charge a battery in the back if you need any more juice.

I have a 16" electric Dewalt that can handle jobs much bigger than you think it could.

 

It depends how you use it. I can get through about a foot in one cut with what I carry. It doesn't take long to get through 2 feet in three cuts. For most higher-altitude applications that's more than enough. The easiest thing to do for bigger trees is often cut the top off and drag the pieces aside.

$135 AGAWA - BOREAL24 Tripper Kit - 24" Folding Bow Saw, 24" Rugged Cordura Sheath, Additional 24" Aggressive Blade (Black Frame - Green Handle)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QBP86WC?ie=UTF8

 

Thanks. I am liking this option.

 

I use one of these;

$18 REXBETI Folding Saw, Heavy Duty 11" Extra Long Blade Hand Saw for Wood Camping, Dry Wood Pruning Saw With Hard Teeth, Quality SK-5 Steel

https://www.amazon.com/REXBETI-Fold...&sprefix=folding+tree+saw,aps,234&sr=8-5&th=1

If folds up pretty small. Heck I just used it to cut down my X-mas tree, lol.

 

I'd go with the Silky Saw in that case. I've cut through some decent sized trees with mine. It's a little work, but you never have to worry about batteries or fuel, and it takes up minimal space.

 

Huge Milwaukee fan have a sh1t load of M12/M18 tools! BTW don't fall for the WallyWorld 2 Hi Output XC 8.0 Lithium M18 Batts. They're a generic 8.0 for $90. The best deal I found was ebay two New in OEM packaging M18 Hi Output XC 8.0 for $140.xx. Now I have 3 for Blower/String trimmer /2 Impact/Chain saw. may try out tomorrow.

 

We managed to get through the tree pretty quickly. I turned around, fished for a strap, and suddenly my wife had demonstrated a previously unknown proficiency.

 

An axe would be much slower than a saw, and take up more space in the vehicle. I do keep a hatchet in my camping gear, but it's been used to pound tent stakes more than anything.

 

I'd like a big silky or ~30" bow saw for this. Small investment, very easy to pack in thr truck and leave it.

Axes can be kind of dangerous when trying to clear a big tree, if you don't use them too often. Also inefficient for chopping logs.

If you get a chainsaw, really you should also pack fuel (or batteries), bar oil, sharpener, scrench, possibly an extra chain, gloves, chaps, face shield/helmet, safety glasses, and boots.

Bow saws are good bang for your buck (except for the max cut depth), but if you want to go all out on a hand saw, the Silky Katanaboy is serious business.

 

Any particular advantage of a large silky type saw over a bow saw?

 

Anything thick enough that you can't drive over will need a chainsaw. Suggest a cordless chainsaw from a brand that you already own batteries for. Battery life will typically exceed your own stamina. I got a Sun Joe 40V because it uses the same battery as my snowblower.

I also carry a Corona 10" folding saw

$30 Corona Tools 10" RazorTOOTH Folding Pruning Designed for Single Use | Curved Blade Hand Saw | Cuts Branches Up to 6" in Diameter | RS16150, Red

P/N RS16150 for cutting tree branches where it's too tight for a chainsaw to fit (think branch wedged between your frame and axle):



This one tested well according to various Youtube videos, faster than the Silkys.

 

Another vote for the Milwaukee M18 16" saw. No need to carry fuel, it's super quiet, light, easy to transport, and will cut through anything that I'm comfortable cutting down. I've also got the smaller Milwaukee "Hatchet" and the pole saw. I use at least one of them weekly to clear trees/branches off our property (5 acres in WA - plenty of trees!).

 

No depth of cut issues, and generally better blades (sharper, hold sharp for longer). I think the big ones are faster / easier to use, but I'm not sure. Way easier to pack.

Downsides are cost, and more expensive replacement blades.

I have a fiskars bow saw and folding saw. The folder is smaller, slower, and easier to use. The bow cuts a lot faster, but can be more difficult to get started on smaller limbs. Both are a workout.

Edit: would still recommend leather gloves for any hand saws, too.

 

I bought mine on a recommendation from a Tacomaworld member, and haven't regretted it for a second. Anyone who has seen it in action has been impressed.