Chainsaws

The chainsaw is the most irreplaceable tool of the tree service arsenal. Many tree services are out there, from the largest multi-million dollar crews down to the single guy driving around a pickup, we all use chainsaws.

Chainsaws first appeared in the medical field around the 18th century, but what most closely resembles the tool we have today was designed in 1830 by Bernhard Heine. Calling it chain osteotome, he used it to quickly cut bone, speeding up the process of an amputation or excision of diseased joints. It wouldn’t be until many years later in 1927 that Emil Lerp would give us the first gas powered chainsaw that we would recognize today in the form of a 2 person wielded chain rotating around a bar powered by a motor.

Now days chainsaws come in many sizes and shapes, from small corded saws designed to prune bushed to large displacement gas saws capable of utilizing a 6 foot bar! We at Big Bark Tree Taming primarily own Stihl saws, but there are many different brands available. We like our dealer, and almost more important than the actual saw is the availability of parts and replacements. Sure, there may be a better saw brand out there, but when you need to keep the saw up and running in the harsh environments that they see, having someone local is the main consideration.

The two main differences in the saws we own are top handle and rear handle saws. Yes, both saws cut wood, but their designed application varys drasticly. The names explain the difference in the most direct way possible, one has the handle on top, one has it at the rear. A top handle saw is normally smaller displacement, but focuses on manuverability and balance. Putting the handle above the main body of the saw decreases leverage on your wrist, allowing the user to hold it with one hand if nessassary. It also decreases the length of the saw body, making it more plesant to use in a bucket truck or while tree climbing. The rear handle saw is almost opposite of the top handle. Most rear handle saws are large displacement, powerful saws. Because of the increase power output, you want as much leverage on the wrist as possible to keep the bar of the saw down in the event of a kickback. The angle of the rear handle is also favorable for working on the ground when cutting wood beneath the waist.

Proper use of a chainsaw is imperative, as they are one of the most dangerous tools you can buy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 36,000 people annually are hurt by chainsaws. The worst part of a chainsaw wound is its treatability. Chainsaws are designed to remove the material they are cutting while pulling itself into the cut, so unlike a knife cut, it is extremely difficult to sew a chainsaw cut back together. Many untrained people contribute to the large number of accidents, but it is just as easy for someone who uses a chainsaw every day to become complacent, ignoring the safety procedures and not wearing protective gear.

We think that everyone should own a chainsaw. Chainsaws are important tools, and owning one (and knowing how to use it) may get you out of your house after a large storm. If you have any questions about chainsaws, what type you should buy, or if you have a project requiring our fleet of large chainsaws, stop barking up the wrong tree, Text or Call us today!

320-321-3677