Saw / Splitter Sizing

[WhatIsChazaq]

We are buying a property near Ava Missouri.
105 Acres, mostly wooded. We'll be burning wood to heat two homes. Each home approx 1,500sf.

I need some advice on buying a chainsaw (motor size, bar length etc)...and splitter size to keep us in wood all winter.

Total budget? Maybe $2.5k

 

[KarlP]

With 105 acres you probably have a wide variety of tree sizes. I'd suggest a 40-55cc saw for the small stuff. The lighter the better. Then get a 70-85cc saw for the big stuff. The more powerful the better.

If you are only splitting for two houses just about any gas powered hydraulic splitter will do. I'd look at the ones from TSC or Harbor Freight. Some prefer vertical splitting and others prefer horizontal. I'd suggest you get one that works both ways.

 

[smokinj]

With 105 acres you probably have a wide variety of tree sizes. I'd suggest a 40-55cc saw for the small stuff. The lighter the better. Then get a 70-85cc saw for the big stuff. The more powerful the better.

If you are only splitting for two houses just about any gas powered hydraulic splitter will do. I'd look at the ones from TSC or Harbor Freight. Some prefer vertical splitting and others prefer horizontal. I'd suggest you get one that works both ways.

+1

 

[thinkxingu]

WhatIsChazaq,
You'll get a ton of 'opinion' responses here, so here's mine:

STIHL HUSKY
MS260, 50cc: $520 w/16" bar OR 346XP, 50cc: $490
MS441, 70cc: $850 w/20" bar OR 372XP, 75cc: $850
TSC 22-Ton: $999 on sale

I would have the dealer put 3/8 chain on the smaller saws, so you'd be able to swap chains/bars in a pinch. I would stick with the same dealer and saw brand.

Total: ~$2,300 with money left over for protective gear (I would either expect a discount on those two saws or a fair amount of freebies: extra 25" bar, oil, extra chains, etc.)

S

 

[Cowboy Billy]

I agree.

When I was younger I used to do everything with a 59cc saw. Now I am using a 2145 and a 2171 jonserd 45cc and 71cc. And I get a lot more done and easier in less time. Although the chainsaw junky I am I take 3-4 saws with me and when one runs out of fuel I just grab another saw. They all need to run right!

Billy

 

[peterc38]

Huskvarna 372XP W/ 20" and/or 24" bar about $800

Huskvarna 346XP w/ 16" bar about $600

Huskee/Speeco 22 ton splitter @ TSC $1,000

$2,400


$100 left over for PPE

 

[SolarAndWood]

I use 50, 70 and 95cc saws. I don't see a lot of advantage in anything bigger than the 70cc saw for firewood unless you are processing a lot of large diameter logs. The slight performance dropping through a 20" log isn't worth the extra weight especially as the day goes on. At the other end, bucking with the 50cc saw will get old if you are trying to get ahead while heating 3000 sq ft for the next few years. I use the 70cc 95% of the time and could live without the others.

 

[smokinj]

I like 3 saws on any given day but I drop urban trees so that is much differnt than forest trees. With out question the 70-80 cc saw will get used the most.

 

[HittinSteel]

Definitely a 50cc and a 70-85cc...... mix and match if you like!

Stihl - 260 and 440/441/460
Husky- 346 and 372/576
Dolmar- 5100 and 7900
Jonsered- 2153 and 2171

I like 16" bars on the 50cc and then a 20" and a 28" for the 70-85cc saws.

 

[Danno77]

nothing like jumping into it head first.

I recommend spending way less than you are proposing.

I'd get a Stihl 361/362 and a couple extra chains and PPE, then I'd saw the heck out of as much wood as I could. Then I'd rent a splitter for a few days and stack about 10 cords.

then I'd spend the rest of my time and money on the stoves, the insulation and about a million hours reading through this forum.

THEN next year I'd get another saw (or ten) and a splitter if you want; you'll have learned a lot about what you like in sawing and what you like in splitting as well as having gained a ton of knowledge from this forum (there are some pretty smart people around here)

 

[smokinj]

nothing like jumping into it head first.

I recommend spending way less than you are proposing.

I'd get a Stihl 361/362 and a couple extra chains and PPE, then I'd saw the heck out of as much wood as I could. Then I'd rent a splitter for a few days and stack about 10 cords.

then I'd spend the rest of my time and money on the stoves, the insulation and about a million hours reading through this forum.

THEN next year I'd get another saw (or ten) and a splitter if you want; you'll have learned a lot about what you like in sawing and what you like in splitting as well as having gained a ton of knowledge from this forum (there are some pretty smart people around here)

Oh man dont be hateing on the budget and 105 acers to boot throw in a couple mills why your at it!

 

[Danno77]

Oh man dont be hateing on the budget and 105 acers to boot throw in a couple mills why your at it!

LOL, Jay. I'm not hating on the budget I was all prepared with a list of about 4 saws and a Fiskars and a Splitter and wedges and ropes from Baileys and skip tooth this and PPE everything you can imagine. Then I remembered how easy it is to spend someone else's money. and then I remembered that this guy is just starting out. If I spent 2500 bucks on anything 3 years ago, even after asking y'all, I'd probably have bought a wayyyyy different set of things than I'd like to have now. I know more now, you do the math.

 

[WhatIsChazaq]

nothing like jumping into it head first.

I recommend spending way less than you are proposing.

I'd get a Stihl 361/362 and a couple extra chains and PPE, then I'd saw the heck out of as much wood as I could. Then I'd rent a splitter for a few days and stack about 10 cords.

then I'd spend the rest of my time and money on the stoves, the insulation and about a million hours reading through this forum.

THEN next year I'd get another saw (or ten) and a splitter if you want; you'll have learned a lot about what you like in sawing and what you like in splitting as well as having gained a ton of knowledge from this forum (there are some pretty smart people around here)

That is solid. I appreciate that a ton.

Yeah...I'll be installing a stove in one house (full cook stove/heating stove) while adding two rooms to it. The other stove thankfully will be installed by the contractor my mother will be using to build her place on the property...and I'm insisting on premo insulation all around.

 

[smokinj]

nothing like jumping into it head first.

I recommend spending way less than you are proposing.

I'd get a Stihl 361/362 and a couple extra chains and PPE, then I'd saw the heck out of as much wood as I could. Then I'd rent a splitter for a few days and stack about 10 cords.

then I'd spend the rest of my time and money on the stoves, the insulation and about a million hours reading through this forum.

THEN next year I'd get another saw (or ten) and a splitter if you want; you'll have learned a lot about what you like in sawing and what you like in splitting as well as having gained a ton of knowledge from this forum (there are some pretty smart people around here)

That is solid. I appreciate that a ton.

Yeah...I'll be installing a stove in one house (full cook stove/heating stove) while adding two rooms to it. The other stove thankfully will be installed by the contractor my mother will be using to build her place on the property...and I'm insisting on premo insulation all around.

Don't tease us with a 2500.00 budget and then take it away! lol THATS JUST NOT RIGHT.

 

[Danno77]

Don't tease us with a 2500.00 budget and then take it away! lol THATS JUST NOT RIGHT.

Yeah, there's gonna be some complaining. we love saw and splitter porn around here. Instead of hot chicks washing cars in bikinis Jay prefers to watch a burly man in PPE cutting down a tree. Freud might have something to say about that.....

 

[smokinj]

Don't tease us with a 2500.00 budget and then take it away! lol THATS JUST NOT RIGHT.

Yeah, there's gonna be some complaining. we love saw and splitter porn around here. Instead of hot chicks washing cars in bikinis Jay prefers to watch a burly man in PPE cutting down a tree. Freud might have something to say about that.....

And darn proud of it, I have 2 Alaskan mills on the dinning room table for about a week now I am worse than a Harley Guy! Parts will go through the dish washer from time to time as well!

 

[WhatIsChazaq]

Thoughts on tractor PTO splitters? We're buying a 45 horse Kubota from the seller of the property. Seems like it would be overkill and a lot more fuel than a simple tag along gas powered unit.

 

[smokinj]

Thoughts on tractor PTO splitters? We're buying a 45 horse Kubota from the seller of the property. Seems like it would be overkill and a lot more fuel than a simple tag along gas powered unit.

there's the draw back and taking it on and off. jmho

 

[Danno77]

Thoughts on tractor PTO splitters? We're buying a 45 horse Kubota from the seller of the property. Seems like it would be overkill and a lot more fuel than a simple tag along gas powered unit.

yep, you seem to be on the right path with the CONS of that setup. One PRO i've heard is that it's one less engine to keep in running order.

 

[smokinj]

Oh and btw a good 70-80 cc saw and a 28-33 ton spliter buying close to the best would wipe that budget out. All kinds of way to make it work but there will be weak spots in your line up for sure...361 good starting point

 

[bogydave]

[quote author="WhatIsChazaq" date="1271876489"][quote author="Danno77" date="1271875404"]nothing like jumping into it head first.
computer lock up

 

[bogydave]

[quote author="WhatIsChazaq" date="1271876489"]
computer

 

[bogydave]

nothing like jumping into it head first.

I recommend spending way less than you are proposing.

I'd get a Stihl 361/362 and a couple extra chains and PPE, then I'd saw the heck out of as much wood as I could. Then I'd rent a splitter for a few days and stack about 10 cords.

then I'd spend the rest of my time and money on the stoves, the insulation and about a million hours reading through this forum.

THEN next year I'd get another saw (or ten) and a splitter if you want; you'll have learned a lot about what you like in sawing and what you like in splitting as well as having gained a ton of knowledge from this forum (there are some pretty smart people around here)

That is solid. I appreciate that a ton.

Yeah...I'll be installing a stove in one house (full cook stove/heating stove) while adding two rooms to it. The other stove thankfully will be installed by the contractor my mother will be using to build her place on the property...and I'm insisting on premo insulation all around.

+1

That's basically what I did. Got a Husqvarna 61 when I moved here in early 80s, still using the husky61 20" but looking to replace due to it's wearing out. I hand split for years, & now have the speeco (huskee)22ton splitter. I also upgraded to a blazeking 1107.
All over time & gaining experience to make a choice that would work for my situation.

Go cut some wood & get it drying. Hand split some , mauls are cheap & will have many uses. You may find you enjoy it & like the exercise you get.
If not, get a splitter, by then you'll have an idea of what you want & need for your situation.
Read the post "It's the wood stupid". Dry well seasoned wood it the key to being a "happy wood burner". As you find out here & in your stove.

Good luck, have fun
PS: congratulations on the 100 acres & the move.

 

[SolarAndWood]

Thoughts on tractor PTO splitters? We're buying a 45 horse Kubota from the seller of the property. Seems like it would be overkill and a lot more fuel than a simple tag along gas powered unit.

My older 32 hp Ford does a lot of work on not a lot of diesel. The backhoe with a PTO pump works great; the splitter tied directly to the 8.7gpm pump on the tractor is not so great.

 

[WhatIsChazaq]

Here is a video tour of the Southern end of the property where the two existing homes are.

The rest guessing about 75 acres is wooded.