top handle chainsaws for ground cutting?

[William Grimm]

I suggest these:
Tanaka TCS33EDTP
Husqvarna 966997234
Makita XCU02Z
Hitachi CS33EDTP

if you want to see a short review then go here

 

[William Grimm]

sorry (duplicate post)

 

[Nish]

William, I think you could improve the credibility and usefulness of your reviews by specifying known flaws, finding a better way to identify the "Husqvarna 966997234", and adding the Husqvarna T540 the Stihl top-handled saws. How long did you run the saws you reviewed?

 

[JeffGu]

Hitachi/Tanaka saw are the same saw, so I was surprised they didn't have the same rating. They also have a bad habit of overheating after 20-30 minutes of constant use.
But then, maybe I've just had more time with them to notice. I've had both for quite some time, now.

 

[JefLong]

I have real problems with that webpage, it is clearly aimed at laypeople rather than pros, so recommending a top handled saw for when you can only operate one handed (whilst up a tree !!) is foolhardy and inviting disaster, as is conceding that 'everybody does it'. I respectfully suggest you consider telling people WHY one handed operation is dangerous (no inertia driven chain brake) or at least suggest consulting a professional or trying a handsaw first.

To the original question, I dislike seeing climbing saws used on the ground too although I've been guilty of it on occasion. Save that edge for climbing imho. If it's too small for the groundie saw then pull the silky and man up
Best

 

[MikePowers321]

I use (2) - Stihl 192T top handle saws for simple ground work. I use a small 6x12 chipper so unions need to be cut at times and I think the top handle with a short bar is easiest for a groundworker

 

[JeffGu]

...Stihl 192T top handle saw...

I've always thought, starting about the time I bought the MS-201T that I'd like to buy a 192T for ground work... a lot less money, so if anything happens to it there wouldn't be as much crying and swearing involved. The tophandle saws are just handy as hell for dealing with the brush.

 

[DSMc]

.... The tophandle saws are just handy as hell for dealing with the brush.

Yes they are and the 192T is good for all the reasons you stated.

 

[ccooper]

I bought my 1st top handle (Stihl MS 201TC-M) a couple months ago and I love it on the ground for the smaller stuff.

 

[Mangoes]

Regarding top handle chainsaws:

Occupational Health and safety regulators gave a BIG problem with deviation from manufacturers operators manuals.

According to Canadian MS201T, MS200T, Husq 540 Owner's manuals - these saws are " designed specifically for use within the crown or canopies of trees".

You will find yourself VERY vulnerable to OHSA/OSHA citation if top handle saws are used for ground operations.

 

[JeffGu]

You'd have better luck finding a tortoise with orange fur around here, than you would anyone from OSHA.

 

[Jeff]

You'd have better luck finding a tortoise with orange fur around here, than you would anyone from OSHA.

Careful Gu - if one of them Work Nazis saw your post, they might take that as a threat or a challenge and go find Osceola on a map. (Is it on a map??? Out there in the land of two Tuesdays?)

 

[JeffGu]

By the time they figured out whether or not they met all the OSHA requirements for map reading, it would be lunch time and they will have forgotten all about Osceola.

 

[DSMc]

Regarding top handle chainsaws:

Occupational Health and safety regulators gave a BIG problem with deviation from manufacturers operators manuals.
According to Canadian MS201T, MS200T, Husq 540 Owner's manuals - these saws are " designed specifically for use within the crown or canopies of trees".
You will find yourself VERY vulnerable to OHSA/OSHA citation if top handle saws are used for ground operations.

Has anyone been able to justify that illogical restriction? How is it that a saw designed to be used safely, in an unstable environment, where the worker is suspended by easily cut rope, suddenly becomes more dangerous when used on the firm footing of the ground?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

As far as I know there is no compliance conflict for using top handled saws on the ground in the US.

I've never heard of this being an issue.

 

[metaspencer]

Tapping into an old thread, I know, but this doc may be of interest to anyone reading the posts

https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/crr_pdf/2001/crr01402.pdf

 

[evo]

Old thread for sure. Every Stihl tophandle ive owned state “for professional in tree use only” I’d guess that if using it as a ground saw you are going outside manufacturer guidelines which OSHA could lean on

 

[Mowerr]

As long as your not one handing the saw on the ground and keep that forward hand's thumb wrapped your good I thought.

 

[Basswood]

Old thread for sure. Every Stihl tophandle ive owned state “for professional in tree use only” I’d guess that if using it as a ground saw you are going outside manufacturer guidelines which OSHA could lean on

Manual also specifically says no drop start and only on firm ground or surface. Not always easy, or safe imo, in a tree. OSHA could have a field day with that one if they ever pushed on the manufacturer guidelines.

 

[dsptech]

I think the argument for not using top handles on the ground is over potential kickback.
You would have more control (or leverage) of a rear handle than top.
I anticipate that potential with any saw on certain cuts so I'm always mentally prepared to have my hands react on the rare occasion it does.
If you're not a greeny then using a top handle on the ground shouldn't be an issue for you.
Just don't have your new hires doing it.