Huge score coming right to my door!!

[rudysmallfry]

I've had a foreclosed property directly across the street from my house for the past year. The other day, when I was leaving for work, I saw a large bucket truck pulling up to the property. I got home to find all 5 large Maples had been taken down in the back yard and all the long rounds still sitting on the ground. Today I saw them drive up to the house again. I went over and asked what they were doing with the wood. He said they are giving it away!! I told him I would take all but the biggest stuff. He needs to clear the yard, so he's going to drop it all off in my driveway. Guess I need to get my chain saw out and learn how to use it again. Yey!! I even found ethanol free gas just two towns over so I can run the saw clean this time.

 

[mark cline]

Can't beat free and you don't have to transport it. Doesn't get much better than that.

 

[kennyp2339]

That is totally awesome, take some pics before you get the saw out

 

[Knots]

Nice score. Where's the ethanol-free? I have friends in Orange who would love some for their small engines.

 

[Andy S.]

Great score!

 

[rudysmallfry]

(broken link removed to http://pure-gas.org/station?station_id=14199)

Assuming this is accurate, there's one in Fairfield. I haven't been down there yet, but I guess I should at least call to see if it's really ethanol free. I got the wood today. Some of the logs are pretty thick. I'm not very experienced at cutting wood, so I might need some pointers on how to safely work on this pile. I'll post a pic tomorrow.

 

[claydogg84]

How'd you make out? As far as pointers with cutting big stuff - a sharp chain is your best friend. The saw should pull through the wood without applying any down pressure. A dull chain will lead to one thing - a tired chainsaw operator, and that's when people get hurt. Congrats on the score though, hard to beat a free delivery!

 

[rudysmallfry]

Okay assuming I uploaded the pictures correctly, here's the pile. That's all Maple right? My question on how to cut is more of a logistical thing. Do I cut it while it's in a big heap like it is, roll individual pieces out one at a time and cut them on the ground, or is there some other method? I can't lift most of this stuff and I don't have any help.

 

[claydogg84]

I believe its silver maple. When I get good drop offs like that I always take a tape measure and a can of spray paint and mark the lengths I want. The pieces that have their ends propped up are perfect for knocking off whatever chunks you can without even having to move anything. I generally just work around the pile and cut the easiest pieces I can and move that stuff out of the way when I need to get further in. Take your time and you'll have nothing but rounds in no time. I would say you can buck it up in 1-2 hours with a sharp chain and decent saw.

 

[rudysmallfry]

So spray paint and work around the edges until I have to move stuff. Sounds easy enough. Do you think my little MS180 can get through that bigger stuff? I don't think I'm supposed to cut bigger than 10" logs, but I'm thinking those are just general guidelines?

 

[claydogg84]

Your saw should have no problem cutting it as I only see one piece I would consider large. 16" bar I'm assuming? If I'm right about it being silver maple it should actually cut quite nice. Some pieces you will have to double cut (cut through on one side and then flop over to the other) because of the size of your bar but the saw itself should be more than capable.

 

[Dix]

I'd take that score in a heart beat.

 

[rudysmallfry]

I think it's an 18" bar, but I can't remember. I'll be curious to see how much this ends up being once it's all split and stacked!

 

[claydogg84]

I think it's an 18" bar, but I can't remember. I'll be curious to see how much this ends up being once it's all split and stacked!

It's always hard to tell but I would guess 2-3 cord.

 

[Knots]

So spray paint and work around the edges until I have to move stuff. Sounds easy enough. Do you think my little MS180 can get through that bigger stuff? I don't think I'm supposed to cut bigger than 10" logs, but I'm thinking those are just general guidelines?

I usually measure and chalk mark my logs prior to firing up the saw. That way I only have to concentrate on cutting once the saw is running. Yeah - it takes longer, but it's how I do it.

The smaller stuff is more dangerous to cut in my opinion. It likes to move around and there's a big temptation to put my foot on it. I really need to pony up for one of these (or something like it) to cut the small stuff safer and more efficiently:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200448974_200448974

 

[BoiledOver]

What a score. Hurry your butt over to Lotto store while your luck is running..........................................

 

[rudysmallfry]

Knots, I actually made myself something like that last year. I like to cut what I can lift up off the ground where I can control it better. It's the stuff I can't lift that I'm not sure about the technique. Obviously I don't want the chain to hit the driveway, so I guess you cut half way through and then roll it over for the other side. I know, I'm a worry wart. I just like to be sure about things that are as dangerous as a chain saw.

 

[claydogg84]

Knots, I actually made myself something like that last year. I like to cut what I can lift up off the ground where I can control it better. It's the stuff I can't lift that I'm not sure about the technique. Obviously I don't want the chain to hit the driveway, so I guess you cut half way through and then roll it over for the other side. I know, I'm a worry wart. I just like to be sure about things that are as dangerous as a chain saw.

You're right, always be wary of hitting anything with the tip of the bar. I always cut as far through as I can and then roll the log. I dread sharpening as it just seems to take too much time, and a few times in the dirt and the chain is dull. One time hitting the asphalt would do the trick too, though.

 

[Knots]

I cut halfway one one side and use a timber jack to roll it over. I got a Peavey - cuz I live in Maine.

 

[billb3]

I've cut in a pile, watch the bar nose and shifting logs.

I prefer on the ground cutting half way through all the way down and then rolling it over and finishing the cuts watching for binding if the log is not straight ( are any of them ? )

If I get a log load I'm hoping to cut off my tractor forks at waist height.

 

[rudysmallfry]

Well, I started working on the pile today. I did some of the smaller stuff to get back into the groove using the saw. Apparently there's a slight learning curve to cutting logs on the ground. I went half through, rolled them over and kept missing by a 1/2" or so on the other side. Some of this stuff looks a bit too big for my little saw. It's gonna take a long time for me to work through that whole pile. I just keep telling me self it came with a great price tag.

 

[Knots]

I usually try to cut a little further than halfway through on the first cut. That way, when you roll it over it's easier to line up the final cut.

I watched the professional tree cutters and they keep the saw blade parallel to the ground and cut within 1/8" to the ground (provided no obstructions on the other side of the log). They used plastic wedges to avoid having the cut close in on the bar while cutting. That's what I do with the big ones.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Do you think my little MS180 can get through that bigger stuff? I don't think I'm supposed to cut bigger than 10" logs, but I'm thinking those are just general guidelines?

I cut my first 20 cords of firewood entirely with my MS170 (modded + a bit longer bar) before I got a bigger saw. Some of that included felling and bucking 24+ inch diameter trees. Be patient (don't push the saw too hard) keep your chain sharp, run quality fuel/oil and your MS180 will devour that wood with a vengeance.

 

[billb3]

roll it a quarter of the way and then 1/4 again until you get the hang of judging the opposite cut and yeah, more than half way the first cut

how's a 180 for cutting logs ?
I won a CB-E but haven't used it yet

 

[weatherguy]

That does take a little practice to line up the cuts, I usually cut 2/3rds of the way through or even a bit more. Nice score, I used to get firewood from foreclosures back in 07, usually the wood was cut and split and the people took everything but the firewood, those days are over for now.