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Chain Gang |
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A roundup of saws to build your woodpile |
Removing a fallen tree after a storm. Clearing brush at the
back of your property. Lopping off an overhanging branch. Cutting
firewood at the cabin. The buzz of a chainsaw is the sound of
a weekend afternoon at the cottage in the late summer. You can
find a chainsaw that suits your needs, whether you want something
light for occasional use or a heavy-duty machine that you unleash
for serious woodlot management.
1. With a 16" bar and chain,
an Echo CS-370 is a good, all-purpose chainsaw for most homeowners.
Like most chainsaws, this one is gas-powered so you can venture
away from plug-in power ($380, echo.ca,
800-700-1358).
2. Small, light and inexpensive, an
electric chainsaw from Poulan has a 14" bar, a 2-hp engine
and weighs less than 7 lb. It’s a perfect starter saw,
as long as you don’t mind the electric cord (Model
1420, $75, Canadian Tire).
3. If you need something high-powered
and heavy-duty, try a Husqvarna 455 Rancher with an 18"
bar and 3.4-hp motor. The X-Torq engine design increases torque
to give more cutting power, while steel springs between the
handle and the engine help to reduce vibrations ($660,
www.husqvarna.com,
800-487-5962).
4. The toothy jaws of the Black and
Decker Alligator lopper have evolved to chomp down on twigs
and branches ($150, blackanddecker.com,
800-544-6986).
5. The Stihl MS361 Arctic saw works
down to -30°C, thanks to a thermostatically controlled heated
carburetor. It also boasts a heated handle—one of those
luxuries that makes life easier if you have to be out in the
woods in winter ($870, www.stihl.ca,
519-681-3000).
6. The Echo CS-330T top-handled arborist’s
saw is only 8 lb. and has a 12" bar. It’s small and
lightweight in case you need to climb a ladder to trim branches
($350, www.echo.ca,
800-700-1358).
7. You can expand the 18-volt Black
and Decker Rechargeable Pole Pruning Saw to almost 10' long.
That means you can use this cordless lopper to prune branches
from the safety of the ground ($180,
www.blackanddecker.com,
800-544-6986).
8. Made entirely of steel, with wheels
to make it mobile, Ryobi’s Electric Log Splitter is built
to split firewood for years to come. The old wood stove at the
lake will thank you for it ($380, www.ryobitools.com,
800-525-2579) |
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by Susan Peters, photos by Roger Yip |
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