Lets talk chainsaw chains

[softpoint]

I will see your massive water oak and raise you to a massive dead Bois de Ark I need to fell and cut up

Water oak is just big, and HEAVY when they are green. Bois de Ark, (horse apple) when dry will ruin a saw chain. My grandfather used it for fence posts ages ago. Had to cut it and put the fence up while it was green, after if was dry there was no such thing as driving a staple in it.

[softpoint]

Do you kit up when using high kickback chains?

Im like Curt. I hate safety. Jeans and earplugs were my PPE today taking down two trees and sectioning [emoji23]


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Have never had a problem with a saw kicking back. My first saw was a cast iron engine David Bradley..lol. Have run chains with up to 1/2 inch pitch. I just wear normal clothing and a ball cap. Already nearly deaf, so don't really need earplugs...lol..

[oneeye]

I use Oregon "skip tooth" chains. Half as many teeth to sharpen when it gets dull. Currently harvesting hard maple and that stuff takes the sharp off from a chain in a hurry!

[wickll]

I bought a carbide chain a couple of years ago and have been pleased. I have some large dry liveoaks which I need to cut up just enough so that I can handle with a tractor. I do not like to sharpen with a file, and the cost of sharpening chains has gotten crazy. So the cost of the carbide chain was worth it.

[bboswell]

Water oak is just big, and HEAVY when they are green. Bois de Ark, (horse apple) when dry will ruin a saw chain. My grandfather used it for fence posts ages ago. Had to cut it and put the fence up while it was green, after if was dry there was no such thing as driving a staple in it.

I know. That’s why I have avoided it but it’s gotta come down

[bmac]

Some of the dried wood just is hard on chains and easiest thing to do is just go slow and let it work at a reasonable pace without just burning them up. I always use regular chains that I can sharpen in the field as I go without special tools. Sharpen blades when you check or add bar oil.

The key to an extra chain is to also have an extra bar or another saw for when you stick your saw.

[Zmaxhunter]

We have 1000s of miles of Osage Orange, Hedgerows, Bois D'Arc. It has the 2nd highest btu output for a fire.. it will pop and snap when burning, we often burn other hardwoods here and add 1 log of hedge for the added heat.. it burns very hot.
As for fence posts, it will easily last 75+yrs.. it just weathers.. nothing eats it, no termites, no ants, it wont rot.
The early settlers here could plant the seeds, make a hedge that was horse high, pig tight, and bull strong.. the female tree produces the hedge apples.. squirrels love them.
Those trees can wear out a saw.. lol
Full of thorns.. trust me, you will bleed