Don't bother.

The only time I take mine is if we are going for firewood or brushing trails. It really is not an emergency tool. And one tree across the trail? a chain or winch is a better tool.

IF you do buy one? Take a chainsaw operators course. I doubt there is a more dangerous tool.

 

Don't bother.

The only time I take mine is if we are going for firewood or brushing trails. It really is not an emergency tool. And one tree across the trail? a chain or winch is a better tool.

If you do buy one? Take a chainsaw operators course. I doubt there is a more dangerous tool.

Good advice!

 

If you overland or are the first one in on a lot of the trails after winter and you're in a place that gets snow it makes sense. My Jeep crew maintains the trails with and for the forest service. So it makes sense..... But usually once the trail is cleared its good for the season.

 

I have a chainsaw. But I leave it at home in the shed. I bring it out when I go camping and need firewood, which I bring along. I carry it in the Uhaul trailer which comes with to haul the rest of the stuff.

If you are gonna have wood for campfires, you'll need to bring your own seasoned firewood. Freshly cut (green) wood don't make good campfire fuel. If you're gonna make campfire firewood, you'll also need splitters, mauls, etc. When does it stop?

Yes, it's nice to have if there are lots of trees where you wheel. You will have to make the call but I say it's overkill. It's not like a Jeep is known to be spacious. Unless you wheel with a trailer, I'd leave it.

 

I live in the woods on acres of forest, cut my own firewood from annual blowdowns, often need to self-egress from winter storms, and carry a professional-grade chainsaw and cant hook on certain stormy days. I've had use them to re-open a rural arterial on two occasions. Nevertheless, I also say "don't bother".

The 10" folding Corona-brand saw is a BEAST, and I highly recommend that for almost any trail situation most of us will encounter. I do a lot of hiking/biking trailwork and I buy two of those per year. They still put a smile on my face with what they can accomplish with modest effort. That thing is a prime JK emergency tool!

 

Maybe consider a decent battery powered one? No mess from gas and oil...

 

Yep, that's what I did.
Get the Black & Decker 40V and it's handy for traditional use as well as clearing deadfall on the trail (especially that which is not winchable because it is actually amongst the trees).
The 20V option is OK, but it's not as capable, but would likely be handy in a pinch if you know how to operate one for larger trees.

I have always carried a Bow Saw (or two) and a Double Bit axe (that way it goes longer between sharpenings and is a back-up if it hits a nail or something) and a hatchet. This is especially handy for winter off-roading which is prone to uncleared trails covered in ice-storm deadfall. However, after 2-3 in a row you're gonna want a chainsaw, especially versus sweating it out either in too hot or too cold weather, and especially with all the dust and crap around. And with bigger trees it nice to be able to work below with some confidence, versus trying to get a bow saw to do that is a pain and on larger elevated trees where it's not an option of just working from above or the sides without switching between saw and axe.

Last year while off-roading in Montana I came across 3 fallen full-size trees (between 10-18+inch diameter) and a few fallen saplings crossing the trail deeply embedded among the other trees on either side of the road. After the second one I was wanting my Stihl (or even the old Jonsered).

I'm not a fan of having gas chainsaws in the vehicle (much prefer it in the bed of a truck), so I went looking for a good, capable and relatively inexpensive electric chainsaw. Now buying a 1250-2000 amp inverter to hook directly to the alternator and then a typical electric chainsaw was one possible route, and about the same cost of a gas or battery option. However the hassle versus utility was the limiting factor, and it also didn't offer the option to take it up the race course and use it there, or while hiking.

I thought possibly of using one of my cordless reciprocating saws with a 12" HD 4TPI blade or pruning blade, but from past experience with even finished lumber (let alone sappy/dirty trees), they aren't as quick as a chainsaw and get dull and bind quickly enough.

So I started looking at battery options. After looking at the Home Despot's house brand like ION and a few others, and even the higher end models like Makita, I decided the B&D one seemed to be the good balance of utility and price. It is not the best, and of course it would be nice to have some features of a gas or corded model, like a real chain brake, but it is very handy and for me it's proved to be a good investment.

I would recommend doing your own research to see what is a best fit for your need. Also I'd recommend choosing the higher voltage model if it's just a small premium, as that extra juice pays off especially on larger diameter trees. The typical 18-20V models are for pruning essentially, but can be used to remove larger diameter trees if you know how to tackle them, but they do tire quickly and are noticeably weaker than the 40-48V models.

 

It is simply amazing how well supplied one can be with a couple proper little hand tools....like the saw mentioned above or similar quality.

 

All i needed to know. Thanks everyone, the answer is obvious. I will look into folding saw instead mentioned above. Also, i forgot that i can also use a winch to clear/move blocking objects if needed. Cool just saved some money. Wait... Saved? The word does not belong to this forum.

 

All i needed to know. Thanks everyone, the answer is obvious. I will look into folding saw instead mentioned above. Also, i forgot that i can also use a winch to clear/move blocking objects if needed. Cool just saved some money. Wait... Saved? The word does not belong to this forum.

Truer words...

 

On 3 separate occasions a chainsaw was a critical item for me to have... two times we were going up an old logging road and came across a fallen tree. On a narrow trail with no ability to turn around, and it meaning maybe a mile of trying to back up along a mountain side... it was vital. And one time we were in a trail that was a down and back, and had a tree come down behind us... with no way to get out, a chainsaw was critical.

I guess it depends on where you live and what you do... but for getting out in the deep mountains, it's a critical piece for my recovery gear.

I agree, a 40v battery powered one... no mess, and there when you need it.

I also carry a 40v hedge trimmer and a lopper for a little trail maintenance

 

Goo item to have. make sure you know how to use one before you need it. That said i rarely take one with me unless I know i am going to need it.

 

I keep a hand chainsaw I got off amazon for $10. I use it all the time for firewood, and have used it twice to clear the trail.
Will cut a 12" tree in just a couple of min. Sure a gas saw is great if your an old man and your joints don't work like they used to.
I'm still a few years from that so IMOP any saw will work but def have one.

 

A hand buck saw is really all you need to bring--it is easier to keep in the jeep and keeps the oil and gas fumes to a minimum. You can remove quite large trees with it--just takes a little longer and in combo with a winch (for the larger stuff) you get a passable trail in little time. I carry mine in the truck but seldom in the jeep

 

I have 2 chainsaws but bring one along only when clearing trail with the Jeep club.

I have a Fiskar hand saw in the Jeep at all times. That and the winch take care if any trail obstacle.

Now, a chain saw is a good tool to have just in case unless you live in the city.
+1 on getting trained. Also wear proper PPE.

 

If it's truly only for emergency, then think about a Corona, Barnel or Silky hand saw. Up here in the PNW, I carry one of those and a larger hand saw because we can get some pretty large trees down. I have an old vintage crosscut bucking saw I'm getting ready for this next season. They are getting harder to find but they will cut a log amazingly fast if sharpened properly. I do trail maintenance work so I have access to sharpening expertise. A saw like this won't be needed by many but any handsaw is WAY more convenient for Jeep travel and emergency trail work. Chain saw is just too heavy and messy and takes up too much valuable space.

 

If you have the room and wheel in an area that has the need for a saw its not a bad idea. A lot of guys just throw in an axe, (which is the most dangerous item you can pack) without knowledge how to use it. I like a folding saw but I am in SoCal and mostly wheel in the desert, not a lot trees on the trail!

 

I watch that crazy lunatic Shelby on Ax Men cutting with his chain saw underwater and keep waiting for a leg to float to the surface.

 

If I am going up to an area with trees, I will bring it, only an 18 in bar. But I have a hand saw,(Bow Type) with me all the time...

 

I bought a cheap Poulan at Lowes a month ago because I figured it would come in handy getting trees off the trail. Left if at home Sunday on trail ride and guess what. Could have used it to cut 2 trees out of the way. We used an axe and took turns because it was quit a job. Boy was I wishing I had it with me. I will never go again without it.It also just happens to match my Gecko. http://www.lowes.com/pd_222270-86886-P3314_1z0wgezZ1z13yd0__?productId=3099715&pl=1

 

I carry an ax but no chainsaw. It will do the job but it will take a little longer. I carry a regular sized shovel too.

 

I have a chainsaw but I never bring it with me. I carry a small hand saw and a small axe. It may take a little longer, but they are easy to keep in my trail bag.

 

I have used a Vietnamese tomahawk and tow strap to remove trees from forest roads, but the really big trees require a chainsaw. I took my Stihl on an offroad trip once, and it came in handy removing downed trees. Managing the drooling bar oil was a concern, though. It's also something else to secure in the event of a collision or rollover. Flying chainsaws in the cockpit are bad times.

 

I have a chainsaw but when I lived in Colorado I always took my bow saw with me

 

No real need for a chain saw when wheeling. I take an ax and a "swede saw" which is a collapsible bow saw. When I worked for the US Forest Service, we had to take a number of training courses for safety, operation and maintenance. I highly recommend a course, doesn't matter how long you have been running one if you are doing it wrong. We also had homemade saw boxes for transporting saws, chaps, fuel and bar oil.

 

The Mac Chainsaw I have has it's own plastic case, keeps the insides of my vehicle clean and keeps the smell in it....

 

+1 to above , kind like guns, don't hand them to a monkey and not expect something bad to happen............

 

Very much like guns:

Don't point it at anybody (no body parts inline with the chain)

Don't carry it loaded (don't carry it with engine running)

Aim at a safe target (aim the tree at a safe place)

Beware of recoil (kickback)

Keep it cleaned, oiled and maintained

Keep it out of reach of children (and adults behaving like children)

Respect it, learn to use it safely, and practice.

 

I carry a chainsaw when I hunt in north Idaho. We get a lot of rain at that time of year and one year there were blowdowns everywhere across the forest roads. A winch or hand saw would have taken forever to get us out.

It all depends on where you are going. It's really up to you to know what kind of conditions you can expect to encounter and go from there. Carrying a gas saw with a new bottle of truefuel and a little bar oil isn't that onerous. I will not go hunting without a chainsaw myself, but I know I hunt an area where blowdowns are likely to occur.

 

It all depends on where you are going. It's really up to you to know what kind of conditions you can expect to encounter and go from there. Carrying a gas saw with a new bottle of truefuel and a little bar oil isn't that onerous. I will not go hunting without a chainsaw myself, but I know I hunt an area where blowdowns are likely to occur.

Or, if like me, you like to explore areas you've never been before (and especially if only few others have been either) it's a handy tool, 'cause you never know what you might find on the trail, and like you say after dealing with a few deadfalls it takes a LOT of Time and Effort. Older trails tend to be the toughest as they aren't as regularly cleaned up, especially in the winter so they build up after many seasons/years of storms, decay and overgrowth.

I've been on more than a few trails where I was likely the only person on it for the last 3+ years based on the overgrowth, and then not only does a saw/axe/chainsaw come in handy, and.. a weed-whacker would be nice too especially when the tall grass & weeds rise high above the hood-line and get crud in the radiator.