The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Chainsaws => Topic started by: kantuckid on November 30, 2017, 03:30:16 PM

Title: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: kantuckid on November 30, 2017, 03:30:16 PM
Background- I just bought a bark peeler that mounts on a chainsaw powerhead in place of the bar. I don't want to use it on my other saws that get regular use. The tool is designed such that the mounting slot is retained on the powerhead as is the bar when normally used. It does not mount to the bar as does a Log Wizard.
A pulley mounts in place of the saws normal clutch housing, which runs a small v-belt out to the tools cutterhead. The Ukraine sellers ebay ad states it fits the Stihl 170/230/250 saws which all have the double nut bar retention feature. I would not usually consider any of these saws for saw purposes so open to your thoughts? There's another auction from Russia there showing what appears to be the same tool on a Husqvarna saw, models 136 & 240, ebay ad- # 263152119418
If you want to see the tool take a look at ebay ad- # 292024012222.
(I'd do the link but don't know how-ha!)
The need-
I want a lightweight! powerhead between my age and wornout hands that matters!
I'd like to avoid junky stuff but most higher rated Stihl small, light saws, don't have the double nut set-up.

Perhaps other brands of saw have the same clutch size and double nut bar arrangement and can be considered? Apparently the husky is same size clutch & has the double nut as the Stihl models listed.
What are some other saw powerheads I might choose?
I'll probably buy a used saw on Ebay to run this gizmo.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
 
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: kantuckid on December 01, 2017, 07:55:24 AM
I'll throw in that an electric powerhead is not gonna work for me.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: Maine372 on December 01, 2017, 09:21:51 PM
i don't think that tool would need a lot of power. any 50cc powerhead should work. stihl typically has larger studs for the bar mount but that just means you can fab up a spacer if you use a husqy powerhead.

husqy 350, 346, 353

stihl 026, 260, 261, 271
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: starmac on December 02, 2017, 11:49:00 AM
If it turns out the small huskies will work, my all time favorite small saw is the 346. I guess I should say my all time favorite saw, cuz the big saws are out for me at this stage of life.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: thedoublejranch on December 19, 2017, 09:04:32 PM
I did just this, mine was called a Log Wizard, and I mounted it on an 18" Echo chain saw. I bought a new chain just to run the wizard, and I ground off all the cutters. Why? It easily will gouge the wood, but its not required. Then you can still cut and shape, mine now only shapes.

But the issue I found is the fact the top handlebar I hold with my left hand only runs halfway across the top of the saw, to the vertical handle grip with throttle and doesnt extend past it. So I am holding the saw all on the left side and it wears me out, I really need to move my grip more to the center of the saw to counter the cutter heads weight and working force.
Also, if the saw had a longer bar, less hunching, but if your doing closer work, shorter bar would be fine.

So I'd say just to make sure your left hand will be centered with the cutter heads weight. Get a larger saw where the front  top bar runs all the way from one side of the saw to the other.

Does this explanation make sense?
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: kantuckid on December 19, 2017, 09:16:38 PM
I have not mounted this tool yet. It does mount closer to the saw power head as no chain bar is used, only a short v-belt off the pulley that runs from it's position on the saw's brake/clutch out to the bark cutter head.
Given my age, lighter is better, period. Between my hands wearing out (worn out might be more appropriate?) bad shoulders and reduced strength weight matters much more than before.
I also switched my main chainsaw to the Stihl MS241 due to it's weight and having a compression release.
When I get this gizmo going, I'll post it up. 
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: starmac on December 20, 2017, 02:03:41 PM
Curious to see how well it works and how you like it. I do like the fact that it mounts directly to the saw, instead of on the bar, or at least I think I do.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: deerslayer on December 20, 2017, 03:02:02 PM
Keep in mind that this device has a clutch drum with a pulley groove instead of a sprocket. The saw you choose MUST fit this pulley. So you don't have a big menu unless they have a supply of different drums. Looks like you need an 1130 or 1123 series Stihl. A Husky or Echo saw is unlikely to work.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: kantuckid on December 20, 2017, 07:54:45 PM
No kidding. I have the device in hand. The device comes with application information, thanks.
I'm no Stihl expert but know them as well as most users and never heard of the 1130 or 1123 series, I know them by model not series.  Husqvarna has some models that are the same fit up and listed too. I'm also looking at Echo as a candidate as a powerhead. If you happen to know first hand if Echo has a clutch that's the same size as some Stihl's and Huqvarna's, please tell me?
That's why I posted as a question back when as to powerheads. I do know this-of the saws listed in the gizmo's dope sheet, there are others with the same clutch drums so no reason to not make a wider search on that basis. 
FWIW, I am a retired professional mechanic (auto tech teacher, helo mechanic, race cars,motorcycles, so on) so the likely thing is that "I'll figure it out"  ;D
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: starmac on December 20, 2017, 08:43:41 PM
Kantuckid, I have 3 different small huskies, I can measure handy, if it would tell you anything usefull.

Does it matter if it is inboard or outboard clutch?
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: deerslayer on December 20, 2017, 09:19:22 PM
1130 series is Stihl 017, 018, MS170, MS180
1123 series is Stihl 021, 023, 025, MS210, MS250

The series on Stihl saws is usually found as the first 4 numbers of a part number. Sometimes they are also referred to as families. ie, the 1128 family or series is the Stihl 044, MS440, 046, MS460.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: kantuckid on December 21, 2017, 07:23:35 AM
Thanks for the replies.
I will go to the shop later and measure up the pulley part of the peeler.

Curiously, I continue to get a note here that I have a personal message, yet k=none is actually there? It shows the "green 2" up on top of this page right now but all the messages are old ones in there?
What gives?
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: starmac on December 21, 2017, 05:08:53 PM
Mine always does that until I get off the computer then start the forum back up, I do not know why, but it is aggravating.

That said it may be because I tried to pm you the other day, and apparently did something wrong, as I don't think it went thru, so it could be my fault you are getting the message.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: kantuckid on December 21, 2017, 05:30:39 PM
I kinda wondered if some beautiful woman was after me... Not that I need more than one-my hillbilly trophy wifes a keeper

I measured the pulley for my peeler which fits in place of the clutch drum/chain sprocket.
It is solid steel.
Main ID-64.2mm/2.53";
Depth- 12mm/.475"
Saw shaft OD-12mm/.48"
Shaft hole requires 10mm length plus clip space
There's a saw powerhead chart in the dope sheet (written in Russian/Ukrainian-whatever they use over there-is it cryptic?) It lists these brands: Stihl,Partner,Husqvarna and Echo and has what appears to be eleven models which mostly work for the tool. Hard to read when yer a Non-Ukrainian like me :D
I gonna send a message to the guy selling him as his English is VG and see what I learn beyond the ebay ad. It's fairly thin edged but mounts just like what comes off the saw-the sprocket/drum.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: starmac on December 21, 2017, 11:29:00 PM
The smallest husky I have is a 235, which is pretty little.
The outer diameter of the clutch is 2.621
The clutch housing itself is .607 deep
The highest point of the clutch housing away from the saw is 1.092 in
I can not measure the shaft diameter or even the length without the threads because I do not have the tool to remove the clutch.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: kantuckid on December 22, 2017, 06:49:13 AM
Thanks! The clutch does come off to use this, just the outer part.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: starmac on December 22, 2017, 07:01:00 AM
Do the weights and spring stay on the saw and go inside your pulley?
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: kantuckid on December 22, 2017, 07:31:52 AM
YES. That's why I posted the depth of the pulley main area as an ID.
The pulley is hollow so it fits where the regular parts used to be on the saw. Then like any pulley/sheave, it has a groove in which a small v-belt runs to provide power out to the cutterhead.
It is fastened in the same fashion as the chainsaws bar which isn't needed as no chain is used given the v-belt.
I posted the links to these as sold on ebay earlier. One look at the pictures there will make it really clear.
I know a picture of the pulley would tell more but I've been busy on other stuff. On that same count I'll be away for a few days in AL & TN then back to KY next few days so not near my bark peeler. It has been on my back burner anyway as I was building a serious furniture project as a gift.
Thanks for trying to help.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: starmac on December 22, 2017, 02:48:32 PM
I will say this, this little 235 has a mickey mouse setup to hold the bar, It has two studs and they are both studded, but uses only one nut. To use two nuts, you would have to leave the cover off, then would lose your adjuster.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: starmac on December 22, 2017, 06:38:46 PM
The way that pulley goes on the clutch, if it was me, I would look for something other than a husky to use.
Here's why, the inboard design is going to have your pulley right out at the very end of the crankshaft, which is not to my way of thinking, the best place  for the side load.

I think I would look for a saw with an outboard clutch, so as to put the load as close to the bearing as possible.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: deerslayer on December 22, 2017, 11:01:27 PM
I wouldn't think the side load would be any more than a chain imposes. Maybe less.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: starmac on December 23, 2017, 03:02:16 AM
The chain on a husky is behind the clutch close to the bearing. It may not make any difference, but just seems like it would be better as close to the bearing as design allows.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: deerslayer on December 23, 2017, 08:37:52 PM
And those outboard clutches are a pain in the butt to get the chain on/off, especially on a long bar. I don't think I have any outboard clutch saws at the present.
Huskies go both ways, some inboard and some outboard. I've never had bearing issues with any saw but I know that some do.
Title: Re: Choosing Chainsaw Powerhead for a Bark Peeler-Free Advice???
Post by: kantuckid on December 26, 2017, 07:38:07 AM
thanks, I have not played with this thing as yet.