dead wood harder on saw chains?

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jpl1nh

Minister of Fire
Jan 25, 2007
1,595
Newfields NH
Is it just me or does dead wood dull a chain faster than live. I've been cutting a lot of dead black locust and it seems that it dulls my chain really quickly. I also cut a lot of dead red oak and have the same experience. When I cut into something live I'm throwin lots of chips, but the dead stuff seems to throw a lot more saw dust.
 
Yup, the harder stuff (whether owing to being a harder species or a drier log) tends to wear chains faster and to produce smaller chips. Hardwood that is dead, standing, bark-less, and sunbaked...bad news.
 
jpl1nh said:
Is it just me or does dead wood dull a chain faster than live. I've been cutting a lot of dead black locust and it seems that it dulls my chain really quickly. I also cut a lot of dead red oak and have the same experience. When I cut into something live I'm throwin lots of chips, but the dead stuff seems to throw a lot more saw dust.

When I read the title I thought, if it's pine it's easier, no resin to drag it down, but if it's like BL oops, should have gotten after it sooner. Get a couple spare chains and a good fast sharpener, and remember green is really easier.
 
I think others have reported that black locust in particular is hard on chains. All of my locust was pre-cut, so I can't say either way.

Me, I'd love to get more wood without bark. Dirty and/or sandy bark will dull a chain quick, and I seem to get a lot of that.
 
I find Locust and dead Elm are hard on chains. I find my self sharping my saws at work a lot more at work when cutting them.
 
I own a small chipper, when chipping dead dry branches I must sharpen my knives much quicker.
I never really noticed a difference when cutting with the chainsaw. The chipper only has two knives so its making contact with the wood more often than the teeth of the chainsaw.
 
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