Anyone near Philly with a 24"+ chainsaw I can borrow?

My neighbor just had a very large Ash tree taken down. He kept the limbs (some of which are 24" in diameter) and I got the trunk. The tree service was nice enough to cut it into sections and drop them next to my driveway with their skidsteer. The trunk sections at their smallest are about 5 feet in diameter. Some of the sections are roughly 24" so I can't slice them down further with my lowly 18" bar. I can only cut them from one side becase they are stacked back to back on their sides. Otherwise I'd just cut them from both sides and be done with it. They are too big to move. So does anyone in the Philly area have a saw with a larger bar that I could use to make french fries for a few hours?

Thanks,
Eric Finn

LLigetfa said:

If they are 24" long, why can't you split them first? You can buck them in half after they are split.

Cut into them as far as the bar reaches and slab off what you can, then cut in deeper and repeat.

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Well the short answer is because until I get them cut into more manageable pieces I can't really move them, let alone get them into a position to split. I can only get to one side of the first piece so I can't maneuver them very easily.

I guess I could also look to borrow a person with the saw if someone was willing to help.

Thanks,

Eric

jdinspector said:

How about renting a saw? They rent for about $60 for the day near me.

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I looked into that and they are about the same around here but for only 3 hours. Full day is like $95. For that price I can be on my way to buying a new one myself. Of course I'm broke right now and have no money for a new saw this year. I'm putting an addition on my house and we're running out of money for that project. I wasn't planning on getting more wood, but when my neighbor took down the tree I couldn't pass up the chance for good free Ash wood. Even if it does require a bit more work than normal.

Eric

smokinj said:

LLigetfa said:

I think you have your mind made up that a big saw is the only way to go. A little Yankee ingenuity is what you need. Look at Norm on the New Yankee Workshop and how he does so much single handed. I too, work alone with limited resources limited only by my imagination.

You can make starter cuts with the saw to set wedges into and then swing a sledge horizontally. You can stand on top of the round and swing the sledge below your feet. You can also noodle off big chunks. The rounds can also be rolled to separate them.

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i'd have to agree 24 in. trunk isnt really that big everything i get 45 in plus and only need to noddle it if 2 people cant get it in the splitter(oak). That ash has a scary pop on the big rounds when split but doesnt throw them in the air like a big silver maple trunk will.

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The rounds are 60" in diameter, but 24" across. My 18" bar can't get through them b/c I can only get to one side. I've attached some pics so folks can get a perspective on what I'm talking about here.

Eric