36 Bar Chainsaw Guide (5 Pro Tips For Large Tree Felling)

36 Bar Chainsaw Guide (5 Pro Tips for Large Tree Felling)

I remember one time, early in my logging career, I was tasked with felling a massive oak. I was so eager to get the job done that I completely overlooked the proper planning and preparation. I rushed into it, the chainsaw got pinched halfway through the cut, and what was supposed to be a smooth operation turned into a day-long struggle involving wedges, a come-along, and a lot of frustrated shouting. That taught me a valuable lesson: proper preparation and understanding your equipment are crucial, especially when dealing with large trees.

Using a 36-inch bar chainsaw for felling large trees is a serious endeavor. It demands respect, skill, and a solid understanding of safety protocols. But beyond just knowing how to operate the saw, understanding the metrics of your work – the time it takes, the yield you get, the costs involved – is what separates a good logger from a truly efficient and profitable one. In this guide, I’ll share five pro tips for felling large trees with a 36-inch bar chainsaw, along with crucial metrics to track for project success.

Pro Tip #1: Master the Pre-Felling Assessment

Before you even crank up the chainsaw, take the time to thoroughly assess the tree and its surroundings. This is where many accidents and inefficiencies start.

Tree Lean: Determine the direction of the tree’s natural lean. Is it leaning in the direction you want it to fall?
Wind: Observe the wind direction and strength. Even a slight breeze can significantly alter the tree’s fall.
Obstacles: Identify any obstacles in the intended fall path – other trees, power lines, buildings, rocks, etc.
Hazards: Look for dead limbs (widowmakers), loose bark, and signs of rot or decay.
Escape Routes: Plan two clear escape routes, at a 45-degree angle away from the intended fall direction.

Why it matters: A proper assessment minimizes the risk of accidents, reduces the chances of the tree falling in an unintended direction, and helps you plan the most efficient felling strategy.

Pro Tip #2: Precision Cuts: The Hinge is Key

The hinge is the most critical part of the felling process. It controls the direction of the fall. A poorly executed hinge can lead to the tree twisting, kicking back, or falling unpredictably.

Undercut: Create an undercut that is approximately 1/3 of the tree’s diameter. The angle of the undercut should be about 45 degrees.
Back Cut: Make the back cut slightly above the base of the undercut, leaving a hinge of uniform thickness.
Hinge Thickness: The hinge should be about 1/10 of the tree’s diameter.
Wedges: Use wedges to prevent the bar from getting pinched and to help direct the fall.

Why it matters: A well-formed hinge ensures a controlled fall, minimizing the risk of damage to the tree, surrounding property, and yourself.

Pro Tip #3: Chainsaw Maintenance is Non-Negotiable

A 36-inch bar chainsaw is a powerful tool, but it requires regular maintenance to perform optimally and safely.

Chain Sharpness: Keep the chain sharp. A dull chain requires more force, increases the risk of kickback, and wastes fuel.
Bar Lubrication: Ensure the bar oiler is working correctly. Proper lubrication reduces friction and extends the life of the bar and chain.
Air Filter: Clean the air filter regularly. A clogged air filter reduces engine power and increases fuel consumption.
Spark Plug: Check the spark plug for fouling and replace it as needed.
Fuel Mixture: Use the correct fuel-to-oil mixture. Using the wrong mixture can damage the engine.

Why it matters: A well-maintained chainsaw is safer, more efficient, and less likely to break down in the middle of a job.

Pro Tip #4: Leverage Wedges and Felling Levers

Don’t underestimate the power of wedges and felling levers. They can make a huge difference in controlling the fall of a large tree, especially if it’s leaning in the wrong direction or if there’s a significant amount of back lean.

Wedges: Drive wedges into the back cut to prevent the tree from settling back on the saw and to help push it over in the desired direction.
Felling Lever: Use a felling lever to apply additional force to the tree, helping it to fall in the intended direction.

Why it matters: Wedges and felling levers give you greater control over the fall, reducing the risk of the tree falling in an unpredictable manner.

Pro Tip #5: Practice Makes Perfect (and Safer)

Large tree felling is not something to be taken lightly. It requires practice and experience. Start with smaller trees and gradually work your way up to larger ones. Consider taking a professional chainsaw safety course.

Start Small: Practice your felling techniques on smaller trees before tackling large ones.
Professional Training: Enroll in a chainsaw safety course to learn proper techniques and safety procedures.
Continuous Learning: Stay up-to-date on the latest felling techniques and safety recommendations.

Why it matters: Practice and training reduce the risk of accidents and improve your efficiency.

Project Metrics for Large Tree Felling

Now, let’s dive into the crucial project metrics that will help you track your progress, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately increase your efficiency and profitability. I started tracking these religiously after a particularly disastrous firewood season where I spent more on fuel and saw repairs than I actually made in sales. It was a painful but valuable lesson.

Why Tracking Metrics Matters:

Tracking metrics in wood processing and firewood preparation is essential for several reasons:

Cost Control: Identifying and minimizing unnecessary expenses.
Efficiency Improvement: Optimizing processes to reduce time and effort.
Quality Assurance: Ensuring the consistency and quality of the final product.
Profitability Enhancement: Maximizing revenue while minimizing costs.
Safety: Monitoring and improving safety practices to reduce accidents.

1. Felling Time per Tree

Definition: The total time it takes to fell a single tree, from initial assessment to the tree hitting the ground.
Why it’s Important: This metric directly impacts your overall productivity. A high felling time can indicate inefficiencies in your technique, equipment issues, or poor site conditions.
How to Interpret It:
- High Felling Time: Indicates potential problems with chainsaw maintenance (dull chain), poor felling technique, difficult tree lean, or dense undergrowth hindering movement.
- Low Felling Time: Suggests efficient technique, well-maintained equipment, and favorable site conditions.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: Felling time is closely related to fuel consumption, chain wear, and overall project completion time. If you’re spending too long on each tree, your fuel costs will increase and your chains will wear out faster.

Example: Let’s say you’re felling trees on a 5-acre plot. You track the felling time for 10 trees and find that the average is 45 minutes per tree. This is significantly higher than your target of 30 minutes. Further investigation reveals that your chainsaw chain needs frequent sharpening and the undergrowth is making it difficult to move around. Addressing these issues can significantly reduce your felling time.

Data Point: In one project, I reduced the average felling time from 52 minutes to 38 minutes by switching to a higher-quality chain and clearing the undergrowth before starting. This resulted in a 27% increase in productivity.

2. Fuel Consumption per Tree (or per Volume of Wood)

Definition: The amount of fuel consumed to fell a single tree, or per unit volume of wood produced (e.g., gallons per cord).
Why it’s Important: Fuel is a significant expense in logging and firewood operations. Monitoring fuel consumption helps identify inefficiencies and potential equipment problems.
How to Interpret It:
- High Fuel Consumption: Indicates a dull chain, an improperly tuned engine, excessive idling, or using the wrong fuel mixture.
- Low Fuel Consumption: Suggests a sharp chain, a well-tuned engine, minimal idling, and using the correct fuel mixture.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: Fuel consumption is directly related to felling time, chain wear, and equipment downtime. A dull chain will increase both felling time and fuel consumption.

Example: You’re using 2 gallons of fuel to fell 5 trees. That’s 0.4 gallons per tree. After tuning your chainsaw and sharpening the chain, you’re now using 1.5 gallons to fell 5 trees, reducing your fuel consumption to 0.3 gallons per tree. This seemingly small reduction can add up to significant savings over a large project.

Data Point: I once tracked fuel consumption and discovered that I was losing nearly 15% of my fuel to a leaky fuel cap. Replacing the cap immediately improved my fuel efficiency and saved me money.

3. Chain Wear Rate

Definition: How quickly your chainsaw chain wears down, measured by the number of trees felled or the volume of wood cut before needing sharpening or replacement.
Why it’s Important: Chainsaw chains are a consumable item, and their wear rate directly impacts your operating costs. Monitoring this metric helps you optimize chain usage and identify potential problems with your cutting technique or the type of wood you’re cutting.
How to Interpret It:
- High Wear Rate: Indicates cutting dirty wood, using excessive force, improper chain sharpening, or using the wrong type of chain for the wood.
- Low Wear Rate: Suggests cutting clean wood, using proper cutting technique, proper chain sharpening, and using the correct type of chain for the wood.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: Chain wear is related to felling time, fuel consumption, and equipment downtime. A dull chain increases felling time and fuel consumption, and can lead to premature equipment failure.

Example: You’re sharpening your chain after felling only 3 trees. This indicates a high wear rate. You inspect the wood and find that it’s covered in dirt and grit. Cleaning the wood before cutting can significantly extend the life of your chain.

Data Point: By switching from a standard chain to a carbide-tipped chain when cutting through particularly abrasive wood, I reduced my chain sharpening frequency by 50% and extended the life of my chains considerably.

4. Wood Volume Yield per Tree (or per Acre)

Definition: The amount of usable wood harvested from a single tree or a given area (e.g., cords per acre).
Why it’s Important: This metric measures the efficiency of your harvesting operation. A low yield can indicate poor felling techniques, excessive waste, or selecting trees of poor quality.
How to Interpret It:
- Low Yield: Indicates poor felling techniques, excessive waste, selecting trees of poor quality, or leaving valuable wood behind.
- High Yield: Suggests efficient felling techniques, minimal waste, selecting high-quality trees, and maximizing the use of available wood.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: Wood volume yield is related to felling time, labor costs, and overall project profitability. Maximizing the yield per tree or acre directly increases your revenue.

Example: You’re only getting 0.5 cords of wood from each tree you fell. This is lower than expected. You analyze your felling technique and find that you’re leaving a significant amount of usable wood in the stump. Adjusting your cutting technique can increase your yield.

Data Point: In one project, I improved my wood volume yield by 20% by carefully planning my cuts to minimize waste and by training my team to identify and utilize smaller pieces of wood that were previously being left behind.

5. Equipment Downtime

Definition: The amount of time your chainsaw or other equipment is out of service due to repairs, maintenance, or breakdowns.
Why it’s Important: Downtime directly impacts your productivity and profitability. Minimizing downtime is crucial for keeping your project on schedule and within budget.
How to Interpret It:
- High Downtime: Indicates poor maintenance practices, using low-quality equipment, or operating equipment beyond its capacity.
- Low Downtime: Suggests regular maintenance, using high-quality equipment, and operating equipment within its recommended limits.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: Downtime is related to felling time, fuel consumption, and overall project completion time. Excessive downtime can significantly delay your project and increase your costs.

Example: Your chainsaw is constantly breaking down, costing you valuable time and money. You realize that you’re not performing regular maintenance and you’re using low-quality parts. Investing in better equipment and establishing a regular maintenance schedule can significantly reduce your downtime.

Data Point: After implementing a daily maintenance checklist for my chainsaws, I reduced equipment downtime by 30%, resulting in a significant increase in overall productivity. The checklist included tasks like checking the chain tension, cleaning the air filter, and inspecting the spark plug.

6. Moisture Content of Firewood (If Applicable)

Definition: The percentage of water in the firewood, measured using a moisture meter.
Why it’s Important: Moisture content is a critical factor in determining the quality and burn efficiency of firewood. High moisture content reduces heat output, increases smoke production, and can lead to creosote buildup in chimneys.
How to Interpret It:
- High Moisture Content (above 20%): Indicates that the wood is not properly seasoned and will not burn efficiently.
- Low Moisture Content (below 20%): Indicates that the wood is properly seasoned and will burn efficiently. Ideally, firewood should have a moisture content of 15-20%.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: Moisture content is related to drying time, storage conditions, and customer satisfaction. Properly seasoned firewood commands a higher price and results in happier customers.

Example: You’re selling firewood that has a moisture content of 30%. Customers complain that it’s difficult to light and doesn’t produce much heat. You invest in a wood storage shed to protect the firewood from rain and allow it to dry properly.

Data Point: By investing in a moisture meter and consistently monitoring the moisture content of my firewood, I was able to guarantee a high-quality product to my customers, resulting in increased sales and repeat business. I aim for a moisture content of 18% or less.

7. Labor Costs

Definition: The total cost of labor involved in the felling, processing, and transportation of wood.
Why it’s Important: Labor costs are a significant expense in many logging and firewood operations. Tracking these costs helps you identify areas where you can improve efficiency and reduce expenses.
How to Interpret It:
- High Labor Costs: Indicates inefficient work processes, excessive overtime, or paying above-market wages.
- Low Labor Costs: Suggests efficient work processes, minimal overtime, and paying competitive wages.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: Labor costs are related to felling time, wood volume yield, and overall project profitability. Optimizing labor costs can significantly improve your bottom line.

Example: You’re paying your workers overtime because they’re consistently working late to complete projects. You analyze your work processes and find that there are several inefficiencies that are causing delays. Streamlining your processes can reduce the need for overtime and lower your labor costs.

Data Point: By implementing a piece-rate system for my firewood splitting operation, I was able to incentivize my workers to increase their productivity, resulting in a 15% reduction in labor costs.

8. Waste Percentage

Definition: The percentage of wood that is unusable or discarded during the felling and processing operations.
Why it’s Important: Minimizing waste is crucial for maximizing your yield and reducing your environmental impact.
How to Interpret It:
- High Waste Percentage: Indicates poor felling techniques, inefficient processing methods, or selecting trees of poor quality.
- Low Waste Percentage: Suggests efficient felling techniques, optimized processing methods, and selecting high-quality trees.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: Waste percentage is related to wood volume yield, labor costs, and overall project profitability. Reducing waste directly increases your revenue and reduces your disposal costs.

Example: You’re discarding a significant amount of wood because it’s too small or too rotten to use. You start using a firewood processor to utilize smaller pieces of wood and you carefully inspect trees before felling to avoid those with excessive rot.

Data Point: By implementing a “no wood left behind” policy and training my team to utilize even small pieces of wood, I reduced my waste percentage by 10%, resulting in a significant increase in my overall yield.

9. Transportation Costs

Definition: The cost of transporting wood from the felling site to the processing location or to the customer.
Why it’s Important: Transportation costs can be a significant expense, especially for remote logging operations.
How to Interpret It:
- High Transportation Costs: Indicates inefficient transportation routes, using the wrong size of vehicle, or excessive fuel consumption.
- Low Transportation Costs: Suggests optimized transportation routes, using the appropriate size of vehicle, and minimizing fuel consumption.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: Transportation costs are related to fuel consumption, labor costs, and overall project profitability. Optimizing transportation can significantly reduce your expenses.

Example: You’re using a small truck to transport wood, requiring multiple trips. You upgrade to a larger truck, reducing the number of trips and lowering your transportation costs.

Data Point: By carefully planning my transportation routes and consolidating loads, I reduced my transportation costs by 15%, resulting in significant savings over the course of a year.

10. Safety Incident Rate

Definition: The number of safety incidents (accidents, injuries, near misses) per a given number of work hours or employees.
Why it’s Important: Safety is paramount in logging and firewood operations. Tracking the safety incident rate helps you identify potential hazards and implement safety measures to prevent accidents.
How to Interpret It:
- High Safety Incident Rate: Indicates unsafe work practices, inadequate training, or a lack of safety equipment.
- Low Safety Incident Rate: Suggests safe work practices, adequate training, and the use of appropriate safety equipment.
How it Relates to Other Metrics: A high safety incident rate can lead to increased labor costs, equipment downtime, and legal liabilities. Investing in safety is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes good business sense.

Example: You’re experiencing a high number of chainsaw-related injuries. You implement a mandatory chainsaw safety training program and provide all employees with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Applying These Metrics to Improve Future Projects

Tracking these metrics is only the first step. The real value comes from analyzing the data and using it to make informed decisions that improve your future projects. Here’s how I approach it:

Regular Review: Set aside time each week or month to review your metrics. Look for trends and patterns.
Identify Problem Areas: Pinpoint areas where your performance is below your targets.
Implement Changes: Based on your analysis, implement changes to your processes, equipment, or techniques.
Monitor Results: Track your metrics after implementing changes to see if they are having the desired effect.
Continuous Improvement: Logging and firewood operations are constantly evolving. Stay open to new ideas and techniques, and continuously strive to improve your performance.

By consistently tracking and analyzing these project metrics, you can significantly improve the efficiency, profitability, and safety of your logging and firewood operations. Remember, the key is not just to collect data, but to use it to make informed decisions that drive positive change. And always, always prioritize safety. A well-planned and executed felling operation is a safe operation.

36 Bar Chainsaw Guide (5 Pro Tips for Large Tree Felling)