Chainsaws

[Ol' Red]

How big of a chainsaw do y'all use to cut down these tough osage trees? I am thinking about buying a 60 to 70cc with around a 20-24 bar/chain. I know that's probably overkill but I would be using it for big cedar trees too.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I use a 15", 35 cc. I like smaller tree's in the 10-12" range.

[mwosborn]

I use a Stihl 028 18" bar and I believe it has a 45cc engine.  However, the most important part of cutting those "tough osage trees" is a sharp chain!  

[Pat B]

I also use a Stihl 028 but with a 20" bar. Like Pearlie said you don't have to cut a giant osage to get good wood. 12" or less is a lot easier to deal with.

[Robertfishes]

Never cut an Osage tree myself, I have cut oaks, cedars, cherry and pines with a Poulan Pro (RIP 2013). My dad bought a $40 yard sale Sthil 025 with a 18" bar, 45cc engine..I had a Sthil dealer tune it up, rebuild the carb..it is a cutting machine! He is an older man and I do all his tree cutting now.. Last year I replaced my dead Poulan Pro with a Sthil 180,32cc with the spring assist starter. Its a small light weight saw. I just used it to cut down a 18" cedar, no problems but the 025 would have been a better choice.

[scrub-buster]

This one    


   

[scrub-buster]

Just kidding. My little 14" homelite has cut some big osage trees.  Some were over 20".  I just have to go at them from both sides.  As long as I keep the chain sharp I don't have any problems.  I would like to get a bigger saw but I will probably just get myself into trouble with it.

 

[Eric Krewson]

It is a myth that osage trees are hard to cut, dulls chains and makes sparks fly from the wood as you cut.

My first saw was a small Polan that cut osage just fine. Next came a Stihl 029 that does a number on osage, a sharp chain is a must for any wood cutting.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Clint Id hate to think about the amount of osage that old saw has sawn in the last 3-4 years.

[canopyboy]

You'll be fine with any size saw as long as you keep the chain sharp.

Unless you're cutting a lot of big stuff, a smaller saw is easier to deal with. I have Stihl saws from a ported 660 on down and my go-to saw is the 260 with an 18" bar.

Now if you start milling your own lumber, that's a different story. You want the biggest motor you can get.

[Bowjunkie]

I use a Husky 455 Rancher with a 20" blade. Always carry extra blades AND at least one extra bar. I've needed em.

[scrub-buster]

Originally posted by PEARL DRUMS:
Clint Id hate to think about the amount of osage that old saw has sawn in the last 3-4 years.

I'd say a few hundred staves worth.