Walkers Saw Shop Tips (5 Pro Chainsaw Hacks For Arborists)

Walkers Saw Shop Tips: 5 Pro Chainsaw Hacks for Arborists

As a veteran of the wood processing world, I’ve seen firsthand how a few clever chainsaw techniques can dramatically improve efficiency and safety for arborists. It’s not just about brute force; it’s about finesse, understanding the wood, and using your tools intelligently. These aren’t just tricks; they’re time-tested methods that can save you time, reduce strain, and even prevent accidents. The hidden benefit of mastering these hacks? Increased confidence and a deeper connection with your craft. Let’s dive into five of my favorite pro chainsaw hacks that I’ve picked up from years of experience in the field and at Walker’s Saw Shop.

Hack 1: The Bore Cut – Your Key to Controlled Felling

The bore cut, also known as a plunge cut, is a game-changer for controlled felling and removing large limbs. This technique involves carefully plunging the tip of your chainsaw bar into the wood to create a bore hole, allowing you to precisely direct the fall of a tree or limb. Many shy away from the bore cut, but it’s an essential skill for any arborist.

Why the Bore Cut Matters

Traditional felling often relies on a back cut, which can sometimes lead to unpredictable results, especially with leaning trees or uneven terrain. The bore cut, however, gives you a degree of control that’s simply unmatched. It allows you to establish a hinge and holding wood, influencing the direction of the fall with far greater precision.

How to Execute the Perfect Bore Cut

Stance and Safety: Begin by ensuring you have a stable stance and a clear escape route. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is crucial: helmet, eye protection, hearing protection, chainsaw chaps, and gloves.
Initial Cut: Start with a small notch cut to guide the tip of your bar. This prevents kickback and helps you accurately position your bore hole.
Plunging In: With the saw running at full throttle, carefully plunge the tip of the bar into the wood, using the bottom of the bar to guide the cut. Avoid forcing the saw; let it do the work.
Creating the Bore: Once the bar is fully inserted, pivot the saw to create a bore hole of the desired size. Remember to keep the tip of the bar away from any potential obstructions within the tree.
Hinge and Holding Wood: Carefully cut towards the back of the tree, leaving a hinge of sufficient thickness to control the fall. The holding wood prevents the tree from prematurely falling in an undesired direction.
Final Cut: Make the final cut from the opposite side, ensuring the hinge is intact and the tree falls as planned.

Pro Tips for Bore Cutting

Chain Sharpness: A sharp chain is absolutely essential for a smooth and controlled bore cut. Dull chains can lead to kickback and make the cut difficult to control.
Bar Length: Using a bar that is too long can increase the risk of kickback and make it harder to control the saw. Choose a bar length appropriate for the size of the tree.
Practice Makes Perfect: Practice bore cuts on smaller logs to get a feel for the technique before attempting it on larger trees.

Case Study: Saving a Historic Oak

I once worked on a project where we needed to remove a large limb from a historic oak tree that was overhanging a building. A traditional felling method would have been too risky, as there was a high chance of damaging the building. By using the bore cut, we were able to precisely control the fall of the limb, avoiding any damage to the structure. This project highlighted the importance of mastering advanced techniques like the bore cut.

Takeaway

The bore cut is a powerful technique that can significantly improve your control and precision when felling trees or removing limbs. It’s a must-have skill for any arborist looking to work safely and efficiently.

Hack 2: The Humbolt Cut – Precision Felling for Leaning Trees

The Humbolt cut is a specialized felling technique designed to manage trees that have a significant lean. It’s more complex than a standard felling cut, but it provides a level of control that’s crucial when dealing with challenging trees. I’ve found this cut particularly useful in situations where a tree is leaning towards a valuable structure or in a direction that poses a safety risk.

Understanding the Humbolt Cut

The Humbolt cut differs from a conventional notch cut in that it removes a larger wedge of wood from the leaning side of the tree. This allows the tree to settle slightly before the final back cut is made, reducing the risk of barber chairing (splitting up the trunk) or unpredictable movement.

Executing the Humbolt Cut

Assessment: Carefully assess the lean of the tree, noting any obstacles or hazards in the intended fall zone.
Notch Cut: Make a standard 45-degree notch cut on the leaning side of the tree, removing a significantly larger wedge than you would for a conventional felling cut. The depth of the notch should be approximately 1/3 of the tree’s diameter.
Boring Cut (Optional): For larger trees, consider making a bore cut from the back of the tree towards the notch. This helps to relieve tension and further control the fall.
Back Cut: Make the back cut, leaving a hinge of sufficient thickness to guide the fall. The hinge should be directly behind the point of the notch.
Wedges: As you make the back cut, insert wedges to prevent the tree from settling back on the saw and to help direct the fall.
Final Cut: Make the final cut, severing the remaining holding wood and allowing the tree to fall.

Safety Considerations for Humbolt Cuts

Chain Sharpness: A sharp chain is essential for making clean, precise cuts.
Wedge Placement: Use wedges strategically to prevent the tree from settling back on the saw and to help direct the fall.
Escape Route: Always have a clear escape route planned before making any cuts.

My Humbolt Cut Story

I recall a time when I had to fell a large pine tree that was leaning precariously towards a power line. The situation was extremely dangerous, as any miscalculation could have resulted in serious injury or damage. I used the Humbolt cut to carefully control the fall of the tree, ensuring that it landed safely away from the power line. The Humbolt cut allowed me to safely and efficiently fell the tree, avoiding any potential hazards.

Takeaway

The Humbolt cut is an advanced felling technique that can be invaluable when dealing with leaning trees. It requires careful planning, precise execution, and a thorough understanding of tree dynamics.

Hack 3: The Rope-Assisted Limb Removal Technique

Sometimes, gravity alone isn’t your friend. When removing large limbs, especially those overhanging structures or in confined spaces, a rope-assisted technique can be a lifesaver. It’s about using mechanical advantage to control the descent of the limb, preventing damage and ensuring safety.

Why Use Rope-Assisted Techniques?

Traditional limb removal can be unpredictable, especially with heavy or awkwardly shaped branches. A rope-assisted technique allows you to guide the limb down in a controlled manner, minimizing the risk of damage to property or injury to personnel.

Setting Up for Rope-Assisted Limb Removal

Anchor Point: Identify a strong and secure anchor point above the limb you’re removing. This could be another branch on the same tree or a separate structure.
Rope Selection: Choose a rope that is strong enough to handle the weight of the limb. I recommend using a climbing-rated rope with a minimum breaking strength of at least 5,000 lbs.
Rigging: Attach the rope to the anchor point using a suitable knot, such as a bowline or a clove hitch. Then, run the rope down to the limb you’re removing.
Attachment to Limb: Securely attach the rope to the limb using a choker hitch or a similar knot that will not slip. Ensure the rope is positioned so that the limb will be balanced when it’s cut.
Controlled Cut: Use your chainsaw to carefully cut the limb, while a ground person gradually lowers it using the rope. Communicate clearly with your ground person to ensure a smooth and controlled descent.

My Experience with Rope-Assisted Limb Removal

I once had to remove a large limb from a tree that was overhanging a delicate gazebo. The limb was too heavy to safely lower by hand, and there was a high risk of damaging the gazebo if it fell uncontrolled. I used a rope-assisted technique to carefully lower the limb, avoiding any damage to the structure. The rope-assisted technique was essential for safely and efficiently removing the limb in this challenging situation.

Takeaway

Rope-assisted limb removal is an essential technique for arborists working in confined spaces or with heavy limbs. It allows you to control the descent of the limb, minimizing the risk of damage or injury.

Hack 4: Sharpening Your Chainsaw in the Field

A dull chain is not only inefficient but also dangerous. I always carry the tools and know-how to sharpen my chainsaw in the field. This allows me to maintain peak performance and avoid unnecessary downtime.

Why Sharpen in the Field?

A dull chain requires more effort to cut, which can lead to fatigue and increase the risk of accidents. It also produces more sawdust and less chips, indicating that the chain is not cutting efficiently. Sharpening your chain in the field allows you to maintain peak performance and avoid these problems.

Tools for Field Sharpening

Chainsaw File: A round file of the correct diameter for your chain.
File Guide: A file guide helps you maintain the correct filing angle and depth.
Depth Gauge Tool: A flat file and depth gauge tool for adjusting the depth gauges (rakers).
Vise: A small vise that can be clamped to a stump or log to hold the chainsaw bar steady.

Sharpening Procedure

Secure the Saw: Secure the chainsaw bar in the vise.
File the Cutters: Using the file and file guide, sharpen each cutter, maintaining the correct angle and depth. File each cutter evenly, removing the same amount of material from each.
Adjust Depth Gauges: Use the depth gauge tool to check the height of the depth gauges (rakers). If they are too high, file them down to the correct height.
Test the Chain: After sharpening, test the chain by making a few cuts. The chain should cut smoothly and efficiently.

My Sharpening Philosophy

I’ve always believed that a sharp chain is the most important tool in an arborist’s arsenal. I make it a habit to sharpen my chain every time I refuel my saw. This ensures that I’m always working with a sharp chain and that I’m maximizing my efficiency and safety.

Takeaway

Sharpening your chainsaw in the field is a crucial skill for any arborist. It allows you to maintain peak performance, avoid unnecessary downtime, and reduce the risk of accidents.

Hack 5: Chainsaw Maintenance – Extending the Life of Your Tool

Your chainsaw is an investment, and like any investment, it needs to be properly maintained. Regular maintenance not only extends the life of your saw but also ensures it operates safely and efficiently. I’ve seen countless saws ruined by neglect, and it’s a preventable tragedy.

Essential Maintenance Tasks

Cleaning: Regularly clean your chainsaw, removing sawdust and debris from the bar, chain, and engine. Use compressed air or a brush to remove stubborn debris.
Air Filter: Clean or replace the air filter regularly. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and reduce engine performance.
Spark Plug: Check the spark plug regularly and replace it if necessary. A faulty spark plug can cause starting problems and reduce engine performance.
Chain Tension: Check the chain tension regularly and adjust it as needed. A loose chain can derail and cause damage to the saw.
Bar and Chain Lubrication: Ensure that the bar and chain are properly lubricated. Insufficient lubrication can cause premature wear and damage to the bar and chain.
Fuel Mixture: Use the correct fuel mixture for your chainsaw. Using the wrong fuel mixture can damage the engine.
Chain Sharpening: Sharpen the chain regularly to maintain peak performance.
Inspection: Regularly inspect your chainsaw for any signs of damage or wear. Replace any worn or damaged parts immediately.

My Maintenance Schedule

I have a strict maintenance schedule for my chainsaws. I clean them after every use, sharpen the chain every time I refuel, and perform a more thorough inspection and maintenance every 25 hours of use. This schedule ensures that my saws are always in top condition and that they will last for many years.

The Story of the Neglected Saw

I once saw a fellow arborist who consistently neglected his chainsaw. He never cleaned it, rarely sharpened the chain, and never performed any maintenance. As a result, his saw was constantly breaking down, and he was always having to borrow my tools. Eventually, his saw completely failed, and he had to buy a new one. This story is a cautionary tale about the importance of chainsaw maintenance.

Takeaway

Chainsaw maintenance is essential for extending the life of your tool and ensuring it operates safely and efficiently. By following a regular maintenance schedule, you can avoid costly repairs and keep your chainsaw running smoothly for years to come.

By mastering these five pro chainsaw hacks, you’ll not only improve your efficiency and safety but also gain a deeper appreciation for the craft of arboriculture. Remember, it’s not just about cutting wood; it’s about understanding the tools, the trees, and the techniques that allow you to work safely and effectively.