The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Forestry and Logging => Topic started by: Madman_Mark on October 11, 2010, 12:02:26 PM

Title: What size brush saw are you using ???
Post by: Madman_Mark on October 11, 2010, 12:02:26 PM
My main brush saw is a Stihl FS 130, seems to be a decent saw so far and handles anything up top 2 inches. I use it for cutting the brush along rodsides/ditches, thinnings etc... What saws are you guys using for this type of work ? I plan on buying another one soon a bit bigger but do I really need a $1200 , 60 + cc clearing saw ????
Title: Re: What size brush saw are you using ???
Post by: VT_Forestry on October 12, 2010, 07:22:46 AM
I have a fleet of Stihl FS 450s (4 of them) that we use primarily for pre-commercial thinning loblolly pine.  Trees vary in size from under an inch to 6"+....as long as the blade is sharp they'll roll right through just about anything :)
Title: Re: What size brush saw are you using ???
Post by: Ken on October 12, 2010, 07:42:07 PM
Here in the north-east we use either the Stihl 550 or Husky 265.  I've seen people over the years buy smaller saws but in the end they just wouldn't stand up to the conditions we normally work in.  I think if you were doing only small (<2") bushes a smaller saw may last but if you are doing anything larger and in particular any hardwood the bigger saw will more than pay for itself.  I've seen a lot of saws used over the years and hands down I would have to say that Stihl makes a far superior spacing saw.

Cheers
Ken
Title: Re: What size brush saw are you using ???
Post by: dancan on October 12, 2010, 08:21:38 PM
The main use for my saws are for clearing house lots so my FS550 and 265rx are not used as heavily as the guys running thinning operations but I wouldn't want anything smaller for 1" to 6" wood .
I bought both of my saws used and got a running spare FS550 for 500.0$$ and have seen a few pop up lately so keep your eyes open because they are out there if you don't want to spend 1200.00$$ .