Two saw plan

[Hinerman]

2 saw plans are tough. If I could always have the ideal size wood, my plan would be 346 and 064, ported of course. The most practical would be what @drf256 suggested. There are some big trees around here, it is nice to have a big saw.

 

[davidwyby]

My intent was more to highlight setting up one saw for felling and one for bucking. Stock saw and stock chain will compromise and do both but I like a grunty saw with a not too aggressive chain for felling…and a big fast saw and aggressive chain for bucking, especially bucking firewood (lots of cuts). Not sure it would make that much difference bucking trees to length.

Whatever saws used would be dependent on the size of the wood.

 

[Ketchup]

I love cutting firewood with a screamer. Makes a the job way more fun!

 

[davidwyby]

Zactly. I had previously only run the 2188 36” skip big felling. We decided to see try out the Xcut and it was 28”. Zippity, way faster bucking.

The trees were small pine, so with the 461, I could stand and buck, but it wouldn’t load the saw enough. Works well with an aggressive chain. Dropping down and dogging was not comfortable on the back and would put the bar tip in the dirt.

I just squatted with the 2188 and let it drop straight down through the log.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

2 saw plans are tough. If I could always have the ideal size wood, my plan would be 346 and 064, ported of course. The most practical would be what @drf256 suggested. There are some big trees around here, it is nice to have a big saw.

Are you talking about owning only two saws? Or like Husky guys owning aeven but only two run.

 

[davidwyby]

Owning two saws? Heavens no. I always have three in the truck when going to a job. Husky guy you know. bunch more at home but my running to non running ratio is quite good.

I’ve told the story before but I once felled a 30” tree with a 14” top handle because I broke a bar in one saw and the other’s spark plug insert came loose.

 

[HumBurner]

Owning two saws? Heavens no. I always have three in the truck when going to a job. Husky guy you know. bunch more at home but my running to non running ratio is quite good.

I’ve told the story before but I once felled a 30” tree with a 14” top handle because I broke a bar in one saw and the other’s spark plug insert came loose.

There's that Echo advertisement from a few decades back where it's a 30-40cc model **supposedly** solely used to cut a 3-4' dia redwood on a logging job.

Lots can be done with little when you know what you're doing and/or aren't afraid of experimenting.

 

[mrxlh]

Red or Orange ported 346 and a ported 500i…

 

[mrxlh]

I'm in line for a 543 XS-job.

Someday I'll find AND be able to afford a 346xpg or 353G, maybe then.....never ran a 260/261, but I like the 024/026, save for the vibe-mounts.

I have a 543Xp in Kevin’s position as well, I already have an XS 346 variant and love it. I ran Woodpeckers 543 and it was impressive, I cannot wait to run them side by side.

 

[Wilhelm]

Two saw plan, what is that?

PS-9010 half wrap & PS-9010 full wrap

or

PS-7900 20" .404" & PS-7900 20" 3/8"

or

PS-7300 & PS-7310

or

PS-6400 & PS-550

or

PS-6100CE & PS-6100 MMWS

or

PS-460 (stock but turning 15k) & EA5000 XS

or

EA4300 & PS-4600SH

or

PS-3400TH & PS-311TH

or

SD 105 & SD 103

Simple really!

 

[Wilhelm]

462/500 for felling here. 395 with a 36” semi chisel for bucking-there really is no substitute when you just need to get it done.

If I was living in a fantasy world it would be a 346xp/353 with an 18" and a 390xp or 056mag with a 28-32", 3/8" semi-chisel all day

I just can't get a liking for semi chisel in any pitch!
Does it work?
Yeah???!!!
Is it satisfactory fast cutting?
Heck no!!!

To me semi chisel is so underwhelming in performance I have sort of an hatred towards it.
Maybe I don't know how to sharpen it?!

 

[Hoser]

I usually use my 461 or 400 for felling
Bucking is usually done with my 390 or 288 running an 8 pin.
I use two saws more to preserve my felling chain as I like to spend a little extra time getting it perfect. Big saws with 20” and 24” bars do make the work more enjoyable

 

[Loony661]

I use two saws more to preserve my felling chain as I like to spend a little extra time getting it perfect.

This! Exactly why I separate the felling and bucking tasks with different saws. A felling chain I will wear out by filing it down until I lose teeth in the cut. A bucking chain’s life is dependent on a lot of factors, but usually gets abused.

 

[davidwyby]

I will say the big fast saws with aggressive chains and short bars require more caution in regards to kickback.

 

[Wilhelm]

I will say the big fast saws with aggressive chains and short bars require more caution in regards to kickback.

True!!!

PS-7900 with merely 20" 3/8" full chisel B&C WANTS much more load than specs!
I have settled at .050"-.065" rakers and it is a beast to behold bucking logs.
But don't You dare bore/plunge cut with such a chain!

Also, don't You dare bar nose tip-touch a log running Your XS5000 or MMWS6100!!!
Don't ask how I know!
Very unpleasant!!!

 

[Hoser]

That’s why I like running 8 pins. With the rakers at .030-.035 with a newer chain, lower as the chain life shrinks. Still smooth and keeps the saw happy

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Two saw plan, what is that?

PS-9010 half wrap & PS-9010 full wrap

or

PS-7900 20" .404" & PS-7900 20" 3/8"

or

PS-7300 & PS-7310

or

PS-6400 & PS-550

or

PS-6100CE & PS-6100 MMWS

or

PS-460 (stock but turning 15k) & EA5000 XS

or

EA4300 & PS-4600SH

or

PS-3400TH & PS-311TH

or

SD 105 & SD 103

Simple really!

MS 400 & MS 661.

I just can't get a liking for semi chisel in any pitch!
Does it work?
Yeah???!!!
Is it satisfactory fast cutting?
Heck no!!!

To me semi chisel is so underwhelming in performance I have sort of an hatred towards it.
Maybe I don't know how to sharpen it?!

In dirty, snotty wood (storm damage) full-chisel can dull in 3/4 of one cut, semi-chisel can last 20+ cuts, I've had it last about 40. I'll be getting chipper chain to run on a hard nose bar next week. Yes, it's slow, until you don't have to stop to change out / sharpen chains.

In clean wood speed is the king.

 

[Wilhelm]

MS 400 & MS 661.


In dirty, snotty wood (storm damage) full-chisel can dull in 3/4 of one cut, semi-chisel can last 20+ cuts, I've had it last about 40. I'll be getting chipper chain to run on a hard nose bar next week. Yes, it's slow, until you don't have to stop to change out / sharpen chains.

In clean wood speed is the king.

I got .404" chipper for nasty stuff.
Also, Carbide tipped Stihl Rapid Duro 3.

No love for semi here!

But, as always - use what works best for You!
No arguing with that.

 

[Wilhelm]

MS 400 & MS 661.

The only Stihl I am interested in is MS880 simply because a Dolmar 166 is out of reach.

Considering a Husqvarna 3120 too as I am craving to include a saw over 90cc to my herd.

 

[TheDarkLordChinChin]

My two saw plan has been 462/261 for the last five years but recently I have been cutting bigger trees so I am going to try 462/394