Good saw for noodling

[livemusic]

Is there any (larger) saw that is superior for noodling large rounds, and, if so, why? I have another thread discussing my desire to get a larger saw for felling/bucking large DBH hardwoods, those 28 inch to 36 inch DBH big 'uns. As of now, considering saws from Stihl 500i to various 70-80cc saws. Numerous saws were recommended. What about noodling the large rounds... what saws shine or do you think any would do just fine? Other than cutting, I was curious if noodles catch up and clog on certain models.

 

[Deets066]

Felling larger trees and noodling big rounds is for 90cc saws. Stihl 661 or Husky 395, either one will suit your needs.

 

[Deets066]

As for noodling, if your gunna be doing a lot of it just modify the cover. Or buy a used cover and cut the back of it off. Keep that one for that purpose only.

 

[Wilhelm]

Dolmar PS-7910/Makita EA7900 for both bucking and noodling - they are 79cc.
Up to 36" B&C is fine on these.
Get one while they are still available.

I own a Dolmar PS-9010 but I never noodled with her.
Also, she is a little heavy being a 90cc.

 

[livemusic]

Dolmar PS-7910/Makita EA7900 for both bucking and noodling - they are 79cc.
Up to 36" B&C is fine on these.
Get one while they are still available.

I own a Dolmar PS-9010 but I never noodled with her.
Also, she is a little heavy being a 90cc.

The 7910 or 7900... do you see a concern for the saw not having enough oiling ability for a 32 inch to 36 inch bar or you think it'll handle it? What about buying a used 64xx and putting a new top end on to make it a 79xx, is it the same oiler?

Also, is there a lightweight 32 inch to 36 inch bar that would fit it?

 

[old guy]

My dolmer 7900 clears noodles better than anything else I have.

 

[andyshine77]

The the 572xp with the roller catcher and either cover noodles well enough. But the ms562 ms500i with roller catcher, and the new Echo cs7310p noodle even better right out of the box. The old 7900 did OK but the chain catcher could could plug things up. The main hindrance in my experience on modern saws is the metal chain catcher.

 

[markds2]

Here's my XS500i noodling with the full 28 inches buried. Here in NZ the 500i comes with 1122 dogs and a roller chain catcher. That, combined with the smallish side cover seems to mean that it clears noodles very well.

 

[Al Smith]

As a matter of fact I had to noodle one this morning .Antique apple tree at the home place where my niece now lives .That pot licker was every big of 36" in diameter and heaven only knows how old .It was large when I was a kid some 60 years ago . Did it with a souped up Stihl 038 Mag .No problem . The tree was hollow in one spot and the wind blew half of it down .They didn't have enough saw to handle that lower piece of the trunk . I bucked and noodled it so they could move the pieces otherwise they'd have weighed 100 pounds each .

 

[Fruecrue]

038 magnum 2 with a 20” full skip, low raker chain making bedding for the chickens in this video.

 

[huskyboy]

This worked out ok for me.

 

[Al Smith]

When I was a kid we kept hens and used to go to a local lumber yard and get planer chips for bedding .Those little feet could stomp that stuff so tight it took a pick axe to pry it off the concrete floor .About like chip board only 5-6 inches thick .

 

[Wilhelm]

The 7910 or 7900... do you see a concern for the saw not having enough oiling ability for a 32 inch to 36 inch bar or you think it'll handle it? What about buying a used 64xx and putting a new top end on to make it a 79xx, is it the same oiler?

Also, is there a lightweight 32 inch to 36 inch bar that would fit it?

As I wrote, I see no oiling concerns on my PS-6400, PS-7300, PS-7310 and PS-7900 running my 36" bar and chain setup - it is the same oil pump across the board on this saw family.

New Dolmar PS-7900's are NLA unless You are lucky and find a NIB NOS one.
Dolmar PS-7910 is the successor model and translates to a Makita EA7900 - same unit, different branding, both made by Dolmar, same parts.

The Dolmar/Makita 64xx/73xx/79xx share the same power head chasis, therefore if You have the means for it You can get a 64xx and upgrade the piston and cylinder to an OEM 79cc. OEM 79cc P&C can be found for under 200$.
If You want a cheap upgrade You could go with an AM 84cc P&C kit, but You should expect some hickups along the way.

 

[andyshine77]

In our dry hardwood, the 7900 series saws have a very hard time putting out enough oil for a 32" bar. I'm talking trees that make a cloud of dust when you cut, I don't care how good your chain is. It all depends on what you're cutting.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I like a Homelite super 1050 A for noodling huge rounds , pulls a 36" bar through wood with zero effort , and the clutch cover is basically a open shield for people not to stick their fingers in.
Depending on how serious you are and how big the rounds are determines the saw. I noodled some dry oak rounds with a 10-10 and a 24" bar yesterday, its not gonna win races but hey gets the job done. I think the ULTIMATE noodle saw would be a gear drive saw 1st ,pulls like a freight train 2nd, no clutch cover to get clogged.
New saws have clutch covers designed for maneuverability and size reduction ,AKA not great for exiting big noodles .Old saws have clutch covers designed to clamp the bar down and keep chips out of your face (sometimes), much better for exiting big noodles.

 

[P.M.P.]

My dolmer 7900 clears noodles better than anything else I have.

Same here but it only runs a 24" can't see why to use a longer bar when I'm noodling rounds that are from 16"to 20".

 

[Nutball]

I saw a 6400 run a 28" dry. I think a 572 would noodle even 24" rounds well. I did it once, it was oak, and I had a 36" with full skip with the oil pump set at 2.75 turns out which seems to run about 1:1 oil to gas.

90cc is my go to for noodling.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Big sticks, long bar noodling...395 or 661. Yes they’re heavier than an 80cc saw but YOU will be working harder with a smaller saw doing that stuff.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Best noodle cutter I have ever used: Husky 562 that "I Saw A Lot" loaned to me for some pin oak rounds. This saw with a 24" bar was a beast.


The temp must have been close to 100 F that August day. Note my soaked shirt. The saw never complained and never bogged down. Most of the rounds had to be quartered for lifting. Pin oak is heavy stuff.

 

[Al Smith]

Pin is so limby you about need to noodle them to even get them in a tip up splitter .