how do pros use chainsaws all day?

[chainsawMan]

I’m running a Stihl chainsaw for some basic crosscutting, and man, this thing is heavy! My hands and back are absolutely toast after just a few minutes of work.
I honestly don’t know how forestry workers pull 8hour shifts with a saw like this. They must have some pro secrets for efficiency that I’m missing.
How do you use a saw this big without gassing out immediately? Are there specific hacks for body positioning or leverage that make the weight more manageable?
I’d love to hear how the pros stay efficient

 

[Kickbackking]

I've so been there! What helped me most was letting the saw chill on the wood and using my legs to help, totally not my back. Once I quit fighting the weight, things got way simpler

 

[SappyGuy]

Pros make it seem easy 'cause they're slick, not stronger. Bar height, rolling logs instead of lifting, and taking little breaks? Those things save your hands and back for real.

 

[rhougey]

I’m running a Stihl chainsaw for some basic crosscutting, and man, this thing is heavy! My hands and back are absolutely toast after just a few minutes of work.
I honestly don’t know how forestry workers pull 8hour shifts with a saw like this. They must have some pro secrets for efficiency that I’m missing.
How do you use a saw this big without gassing out immediately? Are there specific hacks for body positioning or leverage that make the weight more manageable?
I’d love to hear how the pros stay efficient

A couple thoughts. Obviously your age and or personal fitness may be a factor. Physical labor that you are not used to will be painful in the beginning. Minimize unnecessary motions and movements. Let the saw do the wirk. If you are having to push to make it cut, something is wrong. Set the saw down when you are not using it. Avoid using a saw that is too big for the task. You didn’t say what model you are using, but an 880 is too big for tasks where a 261 could easily handle the job.

 

[Kickbackking]

Yep, all good points. Staying fit, knowing your stuff, and grabbing the right saw can really save your energy and keep you safe out there.

 

[hunting1]

Are there specific hacks for body positioning or leverage that make the weight more manageable?

Sounds like you're specifically talking about wielding a heavier saw all day long. To your quoted question, yes there is. Some make hard work out of it by working against themselves. There are ways to effectively reduce the effort and as mentioned conditioning that occurs with long use. Usually, water seeks the lowest point. Your body will too gradually in respect to conserving energy as it fine tunes technique

 

[Leon Couper]

We used to do long shifts on the old Pioneers plus Canadians which were a way
lot heaver than todays saw had you would also end up with a dose of white finger
on top of it. But as mentioned above they were that heavy you let them do the
work and kept them sharp which helped.

 

[Alan]

We used to do long shifts on the old Pioneers plus Canadians which were a way
lot heaver than todays saw had you would also end up with a dose of white finger
on top of it. But as mentioned above they were that heavy you let them do the
work and kept them sharp which helped.

You really earned your keep with those. Letting them take on the heavy work was probably the only way to get through those long shifts.

 

[Alan]

Sounds like you're specifically talking about wielding a heavier saw all day long. To your quoted question, yes there is. Some make hard work out of it by working against themselves. There are ways to effectively reduce the effort and as mentioned conditioning that occurs with long use. Usually, water seeks the lowest point. Your body will too gradually in respect to conserving energy as it fine tunes technique

Exactly. It’s really about working smarter instead of harder.

 

[Old Kiwi]

Keeping it sharp makes a huge difference
I where I live drug abuse is also a coping mechanism sad but true

 

[Alan]

A sharp chain makes a big difference, can't argue with that.