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General Forestry => Chainsaws => Topic started by: motif on September 21, 2010, 05:53:52 PM

Title: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: motif on September 21, 2010, 05:53:52 PM
miles per gallon or trunk diameters per gallon  ;D
Since my main purpose of wood cutting is for winter heating
I'm very interested in total actual cost of my fireplace wood
like transport, chainsaw maintenance and fuel etc. to be able
compare it to gas heating. I figure like with cars the bigger the saw
the more fuel and oil it takes but it cut faster so it's maybe overall more effective.
Are there any chainsaw rating in this regards?
I wonder for home usage only what would be the most fuel efficient chainsaw cc.


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Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Cut4fun on September 21, 2010, 06:03:49 PM
My time is more important then gas consumption of a chainsaw I'm using. I want mine to drink and getter done as fast as possible.

All kidding aside, it seems the strato's sip gas. But you can have them. JMO.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: JohnG28 on September 21, 2010, 06:55:18 PM
Ill tell you, although not a strato engine my Stihl 361 sips fuel.  It also makes pretty light work of most tasks I ask of it, will handle pretty decent sized wood without breathing hard and great power for its size. And for reference this is a 59cc saw. 8)
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Rocky_J on September 21, 2010, 06:58:03 PM
The only way this would matter is if you were running a logging operation with dozens of fallers running saws all day every day and you were looking for a way to shave 5% off your fuel bill. As a homeowner with a Wally World chainsaw burning a gallon of gas every few weeks, who cares?
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: HolmenTree on September 21, 2010, 07:16:26 PM
I don't think logging companies are worried about saw mpg. They are more interested in production and if a gas hungry modded saw can produce that much faster then no one is worried about fuel consumption.
Fallers keep a quart of mix gas and a quart of bar oil hooked to your belt and that jerry can close by.

Willard :D
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: beenthere on September 21, 2010, 07:17:54 PM
motif
It is insignificant.
The amount of your own energy and sweat will be much more significant when making firewood. And if you don't enjoy the work and the excitement of making your own fuel and thumbing your nose at the gas truck, think it over some more.  ;D

After you do some chainsawing for 6 cords of wood, a lot of these questions will have answers for you. :)
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: JohnG28 on September 21, 2010, 07:23:21 PM
Quote from: beenthere on September 21, 2010, 07:17:54 PM
motif
It is insignificant.
The amount of your own energy and sweat will be much more significant when making firewood. And if you don't enjoy the work and the excitement of making your own fuel and thumbing your nose at the gas truck, think it over some more.  ;D

After you do some chainsawing for 6 cords of wood, a lot of these questions will have answers for you. :)
Can't say it much better than that.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Al_Smith on September 21, 2010, 09:24:37 PM
 :D If you want hours per gallon get a mini Mac .They run forever on a teaspoon of gas .

Now then dumping fuel through a chainsaw is not like feeding a blown 460 Ford with a quarter inch over bore and quarter longer stroke . Even a souped up saw which might drink fuel at twice the rate of a stocker will not break the bank .

My super duper saws do drink gas, a 200T which goes through it  twice of a stocker is one example .By George though they do  cut with authority .

What you might make in pinching pennys I'll more than make up for in time --with a big grin on my face too .Nothing like a hot running saw . 8)
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Frickman on September 21, 2010, 10:03:51 PM
I sometimes run two and a half gallons of gas and a gallon of bar and chain oil through a Stihl MS460 in a day. I may cut six to eight thousand feet of logs in that time. The gas and oil mix cost ten or twelve dollars.  A buck and a half for gas per thousand feet of logs is neglible. I don't waste gas, but I don't think about saving it either. Same thing goes for fuel in the skidder. It takes a certain amount of horsepower, and a certain amount of fuel to generate that horsepower, to get a hitch of logs out of the woods. I don't worry about fuel consumption on it either.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Randy88 on September 21, 2010, 10:24:52 PM
Never really looked at it like that before all I can tell you is after about five gallons of gas mix its time to go home I'm tired of running a saw for the day and theres a lot of wood cut to show for it.  About twenty years ago there was a cost comparison between buring wood and heating with gas or fuel oil and I can't find the article anymore but it was hilarous just the same, they had the costs of the woodlot, the saws and accesories, a new pickup to haul the wood, the cost of the broken back window in the pickup, like two or three times from throwing wood into it and the number of broken taillights in his new pickup from his kids thowing firwood into them.    The cost of the emergency room visits due to cuts and scrapes and bruses and the replacement cost of his new pickup after he dropped a tree on the first one and the list went on and on.    I guess if your into the cost thing that much let us know how it compares but for me after knowing how much I spent on gas to heat my house simple math did just fine, I paid for everything including a new outdoor furnace in less than two years time and from then on its way cheaper and thats as techinical as it gets for me.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: motif on September 22, 2010, 05:35:14 AM
Quote from: Rocky_J on September 21, 2010, 06:58:03 PM
The only way this would matter is if you were running a logging operation with dozens of fallers running saws all day every day and you were looking for a way to shave 5% off your fuel bill. As a homeowner with a Wally World chainsaw burning a gallon of gas every few weeks, who cares?

well, when gallon of gas was cheaper then the gallon of water here in NJ I didn't care either,
but now we're closer and closer to Europe gas prices so it may someday matter.  
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: ladylake on September 22, 2010, 07:06:09 AM
 Your biggest expence will be buying more and more saws.      Steve
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: IndyIan on September 22, 2010, 10:29:48 AM
Quote from: motif on September 22, 2010, 05:35:14 AM
Quote from: Rocky_J on September 21, 2010, 06:58:03 PM
The only way this would matter is if you were running a logging operation with dozens of fallers running saws all day every day and you were looking for a way to shave 5% off your fuel bill. As a homeowner with a Wally World chainsaw burning a gallon of gas every few weeks, who cares?

well, when gallon of gas was cheaper then the gallon of water here in NJ I didn't care either,
but now we're closer and closer to Europe gas prices so it may someday matter.  
I've never really kept track of the amount of gas per cord of 16" firewood but I think it might be less than $6 for my 372.
$6 is about 8 tanks so it might be even less than that.  It really doesn't take too many 20" rounds to make a cord.  If you run a gas splitter it will use more gas than the saw.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Cut4fun on September 22, 2010, 02:23:10 PM
Quote from: motif on September 22, 2010, 05:35:14 AM
Quote from: Rocky_J on September 21, 2010, 06:58:03 PM
The only way this would matter is if you were running a logging operation with dozens of fallers running saws all day every day and you were looking for a way to shave 5% off your fuel bill. As a homeowner with a Wally World chainsaw burning a gallon of gas every few weeks, who cares?

well, when gallon of gas was cheaper then the gallon of water here in NJ I didn't care either,
but now we're closer and closer to Europe gas prices so it may someday matter.  

Take time saved with a faster cutting saw drinking gas at $2.59 a Gal, compared to a slower saw sipping gas.
Would you prefer to spend 8 hours in the woods at a rate of $$ per hour my time is worth a lot to me or 6 hours to get the same job done, using maybe a extra Gal of gas for a faster cutting saw.  All hypothetical.  Time is just very important to me a couple bucks extra in gas means nothing.
You ought to see me trying to explain to firewood guys to buy the 89 min or 93 octane gas for 10 cents to 20 cents per Gal more when they buy 2-5 gal at a time.  Cooler running means less wear and tear in the end. JMO.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: chep on September 22, 2010, 09:28:52 PM
Cutting 16 inch blocks with a Husky 372 and a SHARP chain I use one tank of fuel per cord.... in the woods logging I use 1.5 gallons of fuel per 8 hours. Dont forget to factor in your two stroke mix. That stuff is not free
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: chep on September 22, 2010, 09:32:49 PM
by the way, I think its really good to care. I think that is an interesting question.  Your machine should be running to its maximum capacity, which is also efficiency, the better it runs, the less repairs etc.
really an interesting thought.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Al_Smith on September 22, 2010, 09:55:01 PM
Quote from: chep on September 22, 2010, 09:28:52 PM
Cutting 16 inch blocks with a Husky 372 and a SHARP chain I use one tank of fuel per cord....
Say what .Are we talking a full cord meaning 4 foot by 4 foot by 8 foot ,like 128 cubic feet ? Now I could see a face cord on one tank---possibley .

That amount of the fuel that Husky holds  I can blow through in twenty minutes with a Stihl 038 -Mag or AV and I can't cut a cord in twenty minutes . I couldn't cut a cord in twenty minutes with an 084 and it holds a lot gas .
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: motif on September 23, 2010, 08:59:45 AM
yeah, being from Europe originally I operate rather on cubic meters and as I see 1 cord = 3.62455636 cubic meters
this is a hell lot of wood to cut in 20 minutes...
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: bill m on September 23, 2010, 01:56:49 PM
Quote from: Al_Smith on September 22, 2010, 09:55:01 PM
Quote from: chep on September 22, 2010, 09:28:52 PM
Cutting 16 inch blocks with a Husky 372 and a SHARP chain I use one tank of fuel per cord....
Say what .Are we talking a full cord meaning 4 foot by 4 foot by 8 foot ,like 128 cubic feet ? Now I could see a face cord on one tank---possibley .

That amount of the fuel that Husky holds  I can blow through in twenty minutes with a Stihl 038 -Mag or AV and I can't cut a cord in twenty minutes . I couldn't cut a cord in twenty minutes with an 084 and it holds a lot gas .
When I am blocking up wood from my log pile I also get 1 cord of 16 to 18 inch blocks on 1 tank of fuel with my 372xp. Do it all the time.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: ladylake on September 23, 2010, 03:01:07 PM
 I'd think it takes my saws 2 to 3 tanks for a full cord of oak.   Steve
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: John Mc on September 23, 2010, 03:20:09 PM
You guys are doing a lot better than me. I usually cut 16" long. No way I can get a full cord, which would be three 4' high x 8' wide stacks of 16" long rounds, out of one tank of fuel in my Husky 357XP (or my Josered 2152). One stack probably (though I've never measured gas per cord or face cord).

Are you sure we're not talking face cords versus full cords here? Or are you cutting larger diameter wood (=fewer cuts per cord), or cutting mostly softwood?

John Mc
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: bill m on September 23, 2010, 06:14:43 PM
I am cutting all hardwood 4 to 20 in. dia.  Oak, Hard Maple, Ash, Black Locust, Black Birch and Black Cherry. Full cords - 128 cu. ft.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Al_Smith on September 23, 2010, 08:47:08 PM
 Just how long does it take you to cut said cord of hardwood ? A stocker might make it 40 minutes on a tank  full . BTW the old reed valve  Macs unless souped would run 40 minutes per tank--but that tank held a bunch of gas .

Trivia but as a younger man I cut out of a pile and toss a pick full in about 1 hour or basically a half a cord .Now days I still get a pick up  full in about the same time but it's a Ranger which is about a face cord . Seems I don't get as many truck loads as I used to in a days time either,smaller or not .Kinda sucks in a way but that's life .
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: chep on September 23, 2010, 09:44:50 PM
word to Bill M! A sharp chain does wonders. An improperly sharpened chain will signifigantly change fuel consumption!
   I run a 16 inch bar on my 372, blocking northern hardwoods, diameters ranging from 8 to 16 inches.
  I really thought about it today, and I ran a jonsered (equivalent of the 372) that was not idling properly yesterday, and it used far more fuel then my saw which was idling proper, but went in the truck due to a broken handle...
  I think that being clued in to your saws fuel consumption is really important. The more I think about it, I usually run a saw for more days then I drive my truck, I havnt run any numbers, but I can burn through 5 gallons of saw fuel per week, between tree work and logging... over time a thats a lot of fuel. *DanG straight it matters.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: chep on September 23, 2010, 09:46:36 PM
oh, takes near an hour to buck "said" cord of wood, still measuring 128 cubic feet...
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: barbender on September 23, 2010, 10:16:47 PM
I think it matters- Premium gas ain't cheap and when you add the pre-mix oil thingsstart getting expensive. My Husky 346xp burns way less gas than my Jonsered 2171, it has a tank half the size but seems to go twice as long. So, most of the time the 346 is the go to saw unless I'm cutting something that calls for the bigger saw.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Rocky_J on September 23, 2010, 10:23:34 PM
So the difference between burning $2 of gas per day and $3 of gas per day is enough to make that big of an influence on which saw you use? I'm not trying to be critical, but for that tiny amount of money I'll use whichever saw is the fastest for the task at hand without sweating over a few pennies worth of fuel. I usually use the smallest saw capable of handling the job, but the cost of fuel doesn't enter into my mental computations. But then I also won't drive a mile down the road to buy gas that's a penny cheaper per gallon.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: motif on September 24, 2010, 02:14:34 AM
Quote from: Rocky_J on September 23, 2010, 10:23:34 PM
So the difference between burning $2 of gas per day and $3 of gas per day is enough to make that big of an influence on which saw you use?

well, don't underestimate 1$ - dollar to dollar and after 1 year you have 360$ or so savings without interest.
After 2 years you'll have enough money to buy second good chainsaw and a dinner for whole family.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: barbender on September 24, 2010, 07:06:05 AM
No, a dollar a day difference doesn't make that big of an influence. All I am saying is that there is a big difference in the amount of gas my two saws burn, and it adds up at the end of the week. There are other reasons I go to the 346 most of the time, mainly, it's way lighter. If a guy was just looking for a firewood saw, not cutting big wood, I think a 50cc saw is more than adequate with the added benefit of lower fuel costs.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: SwampDonkey on September 24, 2010, 07:39:14 AM
Even cutting brush 40 hours a week only costs $25 a week including the oil. I take a full 1 gallon jug in the woods each day and usually come out with 2 or 3 tank fulls left in it. I can get an hour a tank, sometimes 1.5 hours depending on density of the stems. Tank is a little under 0.7 litres, 56.5 cc. Fuel oil and propane is way past the tipping point to even compete with wood cost for heating around here. As my uncle says, if the government doesn't collect labour tax on my work to make the wood, it's (labour) not worth much. I know some of you guys will bulk at that. :D :D
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: SwampDonkey on September 24, 2010, 07:48:05 AM
Quote from: motif on September 24, 2010, 02:14:34 AM
well, don't underestimate 1$ - dollar to dollar and after 1 year you have 360$ or so savings without interest.
After 2 years you'll have enough money to buy second good chainsaw and a dinner for whole family.


I gotta laugh here, because you know why? There is always something else that so called saved dollar  a day get's eaten up by. For example, which is more beneficial, more wood cut to keep your but warm or throwing it on a lottery ticket. :D :D
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: SwampDonkey on September 24, 2010, 07:51:06 AM
Quote from: Rocky_J on September 23, 2010, 10:23:34 PM
But then I also won't drive a mile down the road to buy gas that's a penny cheaper per gallon.

Not even 10 miles to a Tim Hortan's for coffee that isn't even as good as at home? :D :D

I gotta roust a bit you know. ;D :D
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: bill m on September 24, 2010, 08:09:29 AM
In the woods when I am cutting and skidding I average 1.5 gal. of gas a day. If I am just chopping in front of a skidder 2.5 gal. a day. When I cut firewood I make about 10 to 20 cuts then shut the saw off, move the blocks and split them. No wasted fuel with the saw idling while I move wood.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: HolmenTree on September 24, 2010, 11:08:46 AM
When I think back when cutting pulpwood I would say my old Jonsered 630 when new had the best fuel economy of all the saws I ever owned.
Willard.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: tjdub on September 24, 2010, 11:55:23 AM

I'm not nearly as concerned about how much gas a saw uses as I am about how long it will run on a tank of gas.  I have two old Jonsered 930s and they are not exactly fuel efficient, but I can fill my full-size pickup on one tank of gas.  The newer Jonsered/Huskies don't even come close to that.  Sometimes it's nice to just make a quick run for a load of firewood without having to worry about taking two saws or gas and oil with you.

I've been wondering if the Stihl 650 might be a similar setup since it has the same sized fuel tank as the 660 which has a larger motor than the 650.  Anyone know if this is the case?
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Al_Smith on September 24, 2010, 07:18:14 PM
Who ever made that comment of a 50 cc saw is a good firewooder is pretty much dead on .Use whatever you have . In my case of having 45-50 saws I usually grab one of the 60- 70 cc saws of which I have several makes .Those 100 plus cc backbreakers only come out on very rare occasions .
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: SwampDonkey on September 24, 2010, 07:31:11 PM
Yeah my brother and I have Huskey model 55's for firewood. Trouble is we get it all processed at the door now and them saws hardly get used. Then be jiggered I had to go down to Jeff's and win a brand new saw the same size practically and ain't even near warn out the first one. :D
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: isawlogs on September 24, 2010, 08:09:53 PM

  My firewooder is the 034/036 wich ever is the closest.
Swampdonkey , put that saw in the car this fall just before leaving to come here , I will take care of it for you.  ;) :)
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: SwampDonkey on September 24, 2010, 08:28:01 PM
:D :D  Your in the same position as me, you haven't warn out what you've got there yet. ;)

I know, sure is an awful burden. :D
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: oldsaw on September 26, 2010, 03:04:05 PM
Rocky is right.  The extra buck or two in gas gets transferred into either a shorter day or larger load, depending on the weakest link...which could be you.  Sharp chains, properly tuned saws, and don't forget the extra buck or two in gas you could easily spend trying to get home a bit faster because you are running late.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Al_Smith on September 26, 2010, 08:01:50 PM
Quote from: isawlogs on September 24, 2010, 08:09:53 PM

  My firewooder is the 034/036 wich ever is the closest.

Would that 034 or 036 or 034 with an 036 top end .If so I have one and it does extremely well with just the stock 036 piston and cylinder .After I'm through with it it will do even better . 8)
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: isawlogs on September 26, 2010, 08:06:46 PM

No Al, its two saws , 034 and a 036. If one of the 034's ever have issues, it will get an 036 top end.
Title: Re: what is your chainsaw MPG ?
Post by: Al_Smith on September 27, 2010, 04:33:50 PM
With a little extra work an 034/036 top can be turned into a little torque monster .Surprising for only 60 cc.. Light weight to boot .