Maggie’s The Woodchuck and Firewood Hoarders Thread
- Thread starter bogeybrown
- Start date
Yeah, we cheated though and used the splitting wedge to half them. First 2 rows in my truck I was splitting them down to usable pieces and getting 16 per round. The rest we just quartered.
I like that lodgepole you got, Alpine. The beatles haven’t made it this far north yet and we don’t really have much of any size anymore. Mostly fir and larch, and a lot of spruce.
I like that lodgepole you got, Alpine. The beatles haven’t made it this far north yet and we don’t really have much of any size anymore. Mostly fir and larch, and a lot of spruce.
With a good crew, 7 hours later....
That or a little F1 that went over the top and didn’t touch down. Fricken mess.
Taking advantage of storm damage with high quality wood. A Shagbark Hickory took out 2 Oaks in our neighbors timber. In spite of the heat (for an old timer like me) I didn’t want to lose the opportunity before some other scrounger got to it. Doesn’t look like much done for 7 hours work, but the tops are slow going in a tangled mess. Next time out I’ll be more productive working on the main stems.
I'm late in production. I have been preoccupied w a lot of other things lately, but I got a little cut and split.
I'll take in 50 yards of logs today or tomorrow, time to get the sweet on
I'll take in 50 yards of logs today or tomorrow, time to get the sweet on
Comfortable day here with temps in the 70’s. Might as well head out.
I like the extra chain setup, got something like that for mine. Nothing like trying to untangle loops in the dark and driving rain.
Amen! I hate puzzles. When I’m trying to get wood in the wagon, the last thing I want to do is solve a fricken Rubics cube.
Unloaded this morning, and pulled out a second load this afternoon. The picture is 1 wagon load. I have 1/2 a Shagbark and 1 Oak to go. Limbed out and nothing but main stem left. The 441 will make quick work of both.
Unloaded the second load Friday morning. I’ll take off a few days as the temps and humidity go up. Probably 2-3 loads to go. I’m going to have to get creative storage wise.
tnichols, in the picture inside the wagon, is that a bottle of lighter fluid in the box with saw on the right? If so, what's it for?
Straight line wind storm went through IA about noon on 10 Aug 2020.
100-112 mph winds.
Suspect Mr. tnichols was right in thick of it and might need a new chain or two for his saws to get through all the newly downed trees. I would LOVE to be wrong and storm missed him.
Haven’t heard of any deaths yet but going to be a lotta clean up needed.
All the best to tnichols and those affected by the straight line wind storm today.
100-112 mph winds.
Suspect Mr. tnichols was right in thick of it and might need a new chain or two for his saws to get through all the newly downed trees. I would LOVE to be wrong and storm missed him.
Haven’t heard of any deaths yet but going to be a lotta clean up needed.
All the best to tnichols and those affected by the straight line wind storm today.
Those windstorms are hell. Hope everyone is safe.
My buddy raises cattle. Has a monster shed with pens that will hold 1k head, open end to the south.
Just as it was a finished one of these storms or a micro hit and ripped the roof off. Recovered 600 yds down the hill against the trees at the creek.
@Alpine 338 - I would guess to help start his fire. Not always a lot of super dry stuff handy in the woods of IA, more-so in summer, from my memories of 10,000 fires like that as a kid.
My buddy raises cattle. Has a monster shed with pens that will hold 1k head, open end to the south.
Just as it was a finished one of these storms or a micro hit and ripped the roof off. Recovered 600 yds down the hill against the trees at the creek.
@Alpine 338 - I would guess to help start his fire. Not always a lot of super dry stuff handy in the woods of IA, more-so in summer, from my memories of 10,000 fires like that as a kid.
Extensive tree damage here. It’s late, so I’ll keep it short. 100+ mph winds for 30-40 minutes. Cleanup will take days. Slow, steady, and safe wins this race. Cut a haul road into the timber at the neighbors. The pile is huge by tonight, and we’re just getting started. Family is safe which most important. Thanks for thinking of us and R.
You are like me,you go to saw wood not sharpen chains
I usually carry 10 chains,sometimes more if I take 2 saws.
I generally only use one chain and put a fresh one on at quitting time so the saw is ready to roll in the morning
There is nothing that I hate worst than waiting on a guy to sharpen his chain every 20 mins.
Finished the week of storm cleanup at the in-laws this morning. Not done by any means, but we’ve got nearly all of it off the ground. Pulling a limb out of a fruit tree just before noon another limb snagged me a bit. I hate yard trees, especially fruit and ornamental shit.
Good news is, I sweat so much running a saw this time of year, the scratch gets a non stop saline irrigation until I hit the shower 
Nice work guys. About time I start getting after it myself. I've got a cord or so left over from last winter.
Phase 2 started this morning with comfortable temperatures. Cut and pulled out the tops of 2 Black Walnuts and 1 Elderlberry. Fence line trees blown out into standing corn. It’s a special kind of Hell with no air movement and every step is a trip/fall waiting to happen. The chain brake is your friend while moving about. Pic is a piss poor example of the environment.
Pacing myself (cause I’m getting old), 2 more loads off the blow down Elm in the corn. Temp wasn’t too bad as early fall is near. Silage cutting will be early as the blow down corn is dying (losing feed value by the day). Miss Lori took the pic while I was loafing on a water break. For perspective, I’m sitting on a limb. The main stem is still standing with 2 branches/ limbs left. It’s 36” + DBA, but I’ll let it stand until the corn is out.
OK kiddies found some new old chainsaw blades in the barn.
Never seen a blade like this, looks like depth stops after the cutter.
Wont fit my saw but just wondering.
Never seen a blade like this, looks like depth stops after the cutter.
Wont fit my saw but just wondering.
It’s late, so just a pic or two from today. Storm 1 blow down pine with a widow maker hung up in the top of another 
. Had good help and dad was happy with our work.
. Had good help and dad was happy with our work. 
No pics right now but maybe later. Had crazy wind storms in my area last night. Had a bunch of loose limbs in my backyard. Had to climb my oak (too high and too dense for ladder and cut out a splintered big limb near the top. Used a borrowed stihl 170. Lots of neighbors helped cut it up and haul it to the front.
No pics of this stuff was taken. Went to help cut up a bunch of other trees that were down. Climbed up and cut some other stuff with a different saw. Blue saw, not good. Previous stihl went home.
Then went to another neighbor that had a bushy hardwood that was at least 30" at the base fall over. Finally got somebody to pass me a saw (different stihl 170ish) and somebody of my choice to keep my foot area clear. Lots of people don't know how to limb a blown down tree safely. Always keep a clear exit path. Silly people were also trying to use battery powered pole chainsaws to cut it up. Finally got it cut up and hauled to the front.
I think my neighborhood knows I know how to run a chainsaw now. Did tons of chainsaw work after Katrina, Rita, and Ike along with helping my dad take down a handful of other trees some with my dad up the tree with his tree gear (spikes and non destructive ascending gear).
So summary of today. If you're going to get a chainsaw get a stihl, echo, or equivalent. Went through 2-3 tanks of gas today. Get and maintain at least 2 if not 3 sharp chains per bar length.
Also had the realization that I want my own stihl. I'm in Northern Utah where we have trees up to and including some blue spruces. Mostly urban cleanup usage maybe 16-18 inch bar. Want enough power to cut well but not too big to be used up a tree. My dad has a 210. Stihl gas powered only or size equivalent that I can translate over to stihl sizes. Do not want top handle.
No pics of this stuff was taken. Went to help cut up a bunch of other trees that were down. Climbed up and cut some other stuff with a different saw. Blue saw, not good. Previous stihl went home.
Then went to another neighbor that had a bushy hardwood that was at least 30" at the base fall over. Finally got somebody to pass me a saw (different stihl 170ish) and somebody of my choice to keep my foot area clear. Lots of people don't know how to limb a blown down tree safely. Always keep a clear exit path. Silly people were also trying to use battery powered pole chainsaws to cut it up. Finally got it cut up and hauled to the front.
I think my neighborhood knows I know how to run a chainsaw now. Did tons of chainsaw work after Katrina, Rita, and Ike along with helping my dad take down a handful of other trees some with my dad up the tree with his tree gear (spikes and non destructive ascending gear).
So summary of today. If you're going to get a chainsaw get a stihl, echo, or equivalent. Went through 2-3 tanks of gas today. Get and maintain at least 2 if not 3 sharp chains per bar length.
Also had the realization that I want my own stihl. I'm in Northern Utah where we have trees up to and including some blue spruces. Mostly urban cleanup usage maybe 16-18 inch bar. Want enough power to cut well but not too big to be used up a tree. My dad has a 210. Stihl gas powered only or size equivalent that I can translate over to stihl sizes. Do not want top handle.
I recommend a 261 if you want to run a 16 - 18" bar. Good power to weight ratio.
The 261 would be great, it is a pro saw and will have that pro price. You will have two main choices, standard carb model or the C-M which is m-tronic. The m-tronic software is on v3 now. If you go with the C-M, make sure it has that.
If you don't want to drop $600 on a chainsaw, check out the 291. We use them on the fire trucks for storm clean up and have held up well considering most don't know how to run one. Not quite enough power to be burying a 20" bar all day but a 16" would work well.
If you don't want to drop $600 on a chainsaw, check out the 291. We use them on the fire trucks for storm clean up and have held up well considering most don't know how to run one. Not quite enough power to be burying a 20" bar all day but a 16" would work well.
This ^^^ I have 6 saws, all Stihl. If I had to sell them all and keep one, it would be my 261. For the record, I’m not a Stihl fan boy as Husky pro grade saws are real fine too. However, my local Stihl dealer is awesome, so, I’ve stuck with the orange and white.
I have been replacing my old school heavy assed Stihl saws with some of the newer offerings. In the last year I have purchased an MS 261, MS 362 C-M and a MS 462 C-M. For clean up and limbs, the MS 261 would be a great saw, especially with the the new Stihl .325 thin kerf pro chain. If you want to dawg into big hardwood, the 261 is a bit on the small side.
Need a suggestion on a new guide bar. My 20" Stihl Rollamatic (0.050 3/8", 72 link) is finished. What do you run? Oregon, Stihl, Sugihara? This has been a decent bar, but not stellar by any means.
Not sure who you're asking, but here's my .02. I'm still running all Stihl bars. That will change in the future for the bigger saws as I'm not getting any younger. For the 25" plus bars I believe I'll try a Sugi and see how I get along.
My 20" and 28" are the Stihl ES lights, they are like replacing your steel barrel with a carbon fiber Proof.
I have used the Oregon reduced weights and have read the Sugi's are nice.
I have used the Oregon reduced weights and have read the Sugi's are nice.
Some pics from yesterday
Ground before cleanup. All blown in.
Me in the tree cleaning up the stub.
Climbing down the much easier way. Yes I know no eyes or ears. Went up with just hand saws and didn't want to lose my prescription glasses. Neighbors saw I was up the tree and offered the chainsaw. I had my 550 cord with me.
Wife took some others but she didn't notice the auto focus was off.
Part of what I cut out of the tree. 4x4 post for scale.
Pile out the front. Best part was I didn't have to carry any of it.
Ground before cleanup. All blown in.
Me in the tree cleaning up the stub.
Climbing down the much easier way. Yes I know no eyes or ears. Went up with just hand saws and didn't want to lose my prescription glasses. Neighbors saw I was up the tree and offered the chainsaw. I had my 550 cord with me.
Wife took some others but she didn't notice the auto focus was off.
Part of what I cut out of the tree. 4x4 post for scale.
Pile out the front. Best part was I didn't have to carry any of it.
I prefer the Stihl ES bars with wide nose, 13-tooth sprocket. Unfortunately, Stihl doesn't think we can be trusted with such things anymore, and is only importing the narrow nose bars now. I run 20" bars on everything, except the 024 and 261 are 16", and the 660 has a 25". I'm cutting above 8000-ft elevation, and need all the HP advantage I can get. The new saws lack the torque of the older saws. My only new saws are the newly acquired 261, and a 362 I've had for a few years now. Even though they have improved the air box filtration, they have taken a step back in torque, and the nagging problem of fuel tank over-pressurization, where the saw suddenly stops, and you have to open the fuel cap to release the pressure to get it to start again. I understand this is a common problem with all new Stihls?
Had to go out in the shop and look so I didn't lie. Rollomatic E. I don't know if that's a Super E or the same thing or not.
Neighbor sent a pic of the tail end of the big one at the neighbors house.
Just found this thread.
Cutting firewood is more fun than shooting sometimes lol.
Was going to go out this week, woods are closed for fires now.
Lots of people getting evacuated around here.
Loading the truck with preperations in case we evac, I was like I wonder how many other people load a 660 first, before food and water lol.
Anyway here's a pic from a few weeks ago .
That old growth fir is like gold around here
Cutting firewood is more fun than shooting sometimes lol.
Was going to go out this week, woods are closed for fires now.
Lots of people getting evacuated around here.
Loading the truck with preperations in case we evac, I was like I wonder how many other people load a 660 first, before food and water lol.
Anyway here's a pic from a few weeks ago .
That old growth fir is like gold around here
Last edited:
Holy shit! How in the heck do you process a round that size? Better yet, how do you get a round that size out of the timber? Heavy lift helicopter? 660 or 880?Just found this thread.
Cutting firewood is more fun than shooting sometimes lol.
Was going to go out this week, woods are closed for fires now.
Lots of people getting evacuated around here.
Loading the truck with preperations in case we evac, I was like I wonder how many other people load a 660 first, before food and water lol.
Anyway here's a pic from a few weeks ago . View attachment 7420448
That old growth for is like gold around here
I have a 660 with a big bore kit, 98.5cc.
Chop at it one swing at a time lol jk. Its dried so splits easy peazy. It was raining that day, but the log is still dry. And the pic was taken from the road, didn't have to rent the helicopter that day.