Custom Chainsaw Pack

[Finky198]

So as the year have gone by with tree work. I've enjoyed spending more time on the ground. but really who want to miss out on all the fun... So that means taking on more technical falling jobs one of my favorite things... My expertise in mountain climbing and tons of saw use give me an odd skill set... So after years of pushing it off, like 5+ yrs... its time... A professional purpose built chainsaw pack. That can handle big and small jobs alike way off the beaten path...

A good friend gave me an external frame pack with harness... and so it began...

First test fit of the saw ( Stihl ms362 ) and some Molle pouches... I've been pulling straps and clips off of extra bags over the years. The saw harness came off of a golf bag with no mods necessary.

Next step was coming up with a solution to carry gas and oil and not just a little bit, but 1.25 gal no spill gas can and 60 oz of bar oil. first the oil holder half. followed by the gas can rack right before paint.

Close up of the Rack with Medical kit in larger pouch. The smaller one has extra saw parts / gloves ect. Chaps and fallers pouch rolled up fit below...

Full View with my helmet. Current Saw is a Stihl MS362 w 20" bar

Right Side

Left Side

Almost complete pack. My Axe, hand saw, and water are my next challenges...

 

[WoodsTruck]

Nice job.

With my luck, I'd add provisions for a spare bar and chain plus bar nuts. Had a snag sit back on my bar one afternoon. All I could do was unbolt and take the powerhead with me and return when I had a spare bar/chain.

How many wedges do you pack?

 

[Finky198]

I usually have 4-6 total depending on the job. There is always a 5" and 8" in my fallers belt. I do carry an extra chain, bar nuts, spark plug, and pull rope... no bar, but not a bad idea on some jobs. I could very easily tape one right to the scabbard...

For most of these types of jobs/outings I will have a helper usually packing a small saw as well as some hand tools (Mattox, axe, shovel, peavy and or rigging gear, rope, Come Along, ect...

Every job is totally different so I wanted a fairly modular setup that could be adjusted to fit.

 

[Muttly]

Are you trail clearing, felling, or climbing trees?

That's my favorite firewood saw, but I would carry a 261 on a backpack.

 

[Finky198]

Jobs for me can include pretty much anything, but this pack will be mainly used for felling and trail maintenance.

Outside of work I maintain aprox 20 miles of jeep and dirt bike trails behind our shop property which offers me some of the best hands on training available. I see everything from storm damage, Dead and or rotten trees, leaners, back leaners, up rooted trees, tangled messes, barber chairs, the list goes on.


All in all it's not terribly heavy just shy of 40lbs with the ms362.
My goal was for it to be light enough that i wouldn't be bitching about the weight, after a few miles. but still have enough gas and oil and supplies for pretty much an all day event, about 6 tanks worth of gas/oil with this saw.

A 261 and or 241 is on my list, it's def more of a want than a need.
I need more saws, like I need a hole in the head.....

For super light weight jobs i've packed my 201t...
but that's just totally different need than what this will be used for...

 

[WoodsTruck]

I carry a Husky 350 w/ 20" for similar activities

 

[Finky198]

Very cool. Is that a pelican case next to it?

I’m gonna take a wild guess that you have a jet sled as well for the overflow...

 

[Finky198]

The start of The finishing touches.

So a while back I saw these axe holders in a catalog as well as on YouTube. I found some sheet metal and went to town. It fits like a glove and I can reach it in the proper orientation. Chaps are Lebonville full wrap competition series

I did some firewood cutting yesterday and used the bulkier fallers pouch it was just to cumbersome. I’ve shrunk it down left the bigger version on the pack. Files, stump vice, scrench tool, gloves, ear plugs, and saw stuff ( wedges, bar nuts, spark plug, pull cord)

The lighter one has 2 wedges, a pack of quick clot,
and a tourniquet (which is in the mail still)

It all fits really well and doesn’t move one bit...

 

[NUTTSGT]

Interesting design. I have a tool box that I take with me when I cut wood but stays in the truck as I'm not packing out like you.

How does that carrying that ax like work with the pack frame?

 

[Movin/on]

Interesting setup. I also like the 362 with a 20" bar instead of the 24". A lot of power and 20 is enough to cut a 30" tree easily from each side. My "one hand saw" is a Home Depot Echo with a 14" blade. Easy to start if you are above ground and doesn't weigh that much. Besides it doesn't cost like a Stihl, almost disposable but mine's 15 years old with multiple bars and Oregon chains.
But then I'm 70+years and cut daily, usually dead tan oak for firewood. Moving the wood and hand splitting is harder but way more fun and satisfying.

Movin/on

 

[Finky198]

I have a small tool kit as well it’s just the basics. I have needed it 1 time when I lost a bar nut and totally It saved the day. Although 8/10 times I have more than 1 saw. And Any major saw issues I would deal with at the shop, but fingers crossed that hasn’t happen.

As far as the Axe goes the holder itself rolls up nicely in the chaps during transit. I have yet to work on a solution for the axe and my pruning saw. The Saw I will probably just use a carabiner. The axe I might make some sort of holders for the sides of the shelf for additional smaller hand tools like a D shovel, rake, pruner, pole saw. This way depending on what I’m doing it will be more customizable. I figured at least 2 maybe 3. But that will mean I need better support ropes or cables on the shelf.

Movin on you’d chuckle, but exactly what you and I like about the extra umpf of 362 and 20” combo. I also find myself running my ms660 with a 20” bar for fire wood I cut quite a bit of 16”-24” dia red oak and the extra power just speeds things up... I am a little partial to stihl especially the little saws, I have a 192tc ( modded 201t most used saw ) and an 09L that make your teeth chatter... all with 16” bars. The smaller ones will see the bulk of the off road work...

The main reason I set up the 362 first is I have about 10-15 trees that need falling and or clearing on our trails, I’d say btwn 8-10 are complex and hairy situations. Mostly hangups, a few large dead trees, a few very rotten ones. Once that’s accomplished I can go back in with small saws and do a major clean up.

 

[Provincial]

For a maintinance and small falling/bucking saw I have been using Stihl 026 and MS 260 saws with 20" bars for close to 30 years, and like them very much. I also use them for lighter firewood cutting, but move up to my 044's for Oak and larger wood. I mostly use a 24" bar on the 044's, but have 32" and 36" bars for larger wood. Last winter I cut up an Oak blowdown that took the long bar cutting from both sides!

I use quality 3/8" chisel chain, and the smaller saws perform much better with a sharp chisel chain. I have a Silvey grinder and keep them sharp and the depth gauges properly filed. I don't think a chipper chain on the smaller saws would work well enough for what I want.

 

[Finky198]

That’s a funny I have a basket case 044 that I’ve been thinking of fixing up... great saw I’d probably run a 25” cause I have an extra bar with matching chains... but when I will get to it who knows....

The 260 size saw has been on my list for years probably the best limbing saw available. I just haven’t pulled the trigger for what ever reason....