This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

16

Fire Wood / any good tree identification sites?

« on: February 04, 2012, 09:40:35 PM »

I am definitely not a pro at tree identification but can tell the difference in most trees.  However, with no leaves and a tree laying on the ground, I have some trouble identifying trees by the bark alone.  I am looking for a good site or guide/book that I can use as a "field manual" to look at when I'm trying to identify trees without leaves.  Does anyone here know of a good website or book I could buy to carry with me in the woods?  Thanks

17

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Ash door/Grate or not

« on: February 03, 2012, 10:29:20 AM »

I have been looking at Earth stoves and they have stoves with and without ash door/grates.  What are the pro's and con's to having an ash grate/door or not?  thanks for the advice.

18

Equipment / Chain/Bar question

« on: February 03, 2012, 06:13:09 AM »

Saw chain question from a relatively experienced operator.  I have cut and split probably 50 cords of wood in the past 2 years so I have operated a saw quite a bit.  I just got the new 562xp and am experiencing something new to me.  The best way I can describe it is when you are cutting a log and it begins to pinch your bar and chain b/c of the pressure.  However, in my situtation the bar/chain are not being pinched.  It cuts great about 1/2 to 2/3 the way through the log and then begins to bog down and not cut.  the chain begins smoking and I have to roll the log over to get through it.  What's going on? My experience tells me the chain is dulled but it still feels sharp and still cuts great the first 1/2 to 2/3 the way through the log.  What do you think is going on?

I think I'm going to leave that chain on there and sharpen it.  Then try cutting again and see how it does.  My only explanation is the chain is dull.

19

Earth Outdoor Wood Furnaces / Earth vs. Shaver?

« on: February 02, 2012, 07:53:55 PM »

Compare the Earth and Shaver OWB's for me.  Are they the same company?  I ruled out a shaver cause I didn't like the idea of having to do a bunch of modifying to it so it would run right.  Are the Earth's made the same way?  I'm going to post this is Shaver thread also for those who have shavers.  Thanks.

20

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / What comes with boilers?

« on: January 27, 2012, 05:56:56 AM »

I was curious when you buy a OWB and have it installed; what comes with it?  Which OWB companies include the pump, fitting, pipe, etc in their prices?  Are there any or do most add that to the cost of the unit or install?  The reason I ask is I was looking at one particular OWB and the price for the unit and the price of the install were separate were not including about 2500 in parts to hook it up.  Is this normally how all OWB companies work?

21

Equipment / Bit the Bullet. Just got my 562xp

« on: January 25, 2012, 05:57:17 PM »

I just picked up my 562xp.  They quoted me 680 and they gave me 60 for my saw and took the bar and chain off the new saw so that I could just put my brand new bar(s) I bought Friday on it.  That nocked off another 87 dollars.  Ended up costing me 571 after tax for a 750 dollar saw.  I took it out to their log in the parking lot and its got some power. I can't wait to get it in the woods.  I'll let you all know how well it works.

22

Equipment / Update on my Crushed Saw

« on: January 23, 2012, 08:04:38 PM »

I'm sorry if you read my post under firewood.  I responded to RSI on that thread but there were others of you on my "crushed saw" thread that gave good advice so I wanted to give you guys an update.

I did go ahead and take my parents generosity in offerring money for a new saw.  I took my crushed saw in and they told me what I expected-not worth fixing.  Husky no longer makes the 359's and are replacing them with an upgraded xp model 562.  It has 2500 more rpm's than the 359 and the carburetor is self adjusting.  They wanted 680 plus tax for it and were willing to give me 60 for my saw (what they figured they could get in parts from it).  I told them I couldn't afford it and left with them checking to see if they could find me a 359 still in stock at another store.  On my way down the road I got to thinking...  I just bought 2 new bars and 2 new chains on Friday.  So, tomorrow I'm going to see if they will take off 60 for my saw and 100 for the bar and chain that come with the 562.  I will buy just the saw and put my new bar/chain from friday on it.  That should knock the price down 160 from 680-520 which I can afford.  Do you guys think they would go for that?  Either way, I will probably sill get the saw.  Looking to try it out Friday.

23

Equipment / 029 stihl. what bar will it hadle?

« on: January 22, 2012, 07:59:42 PM »

I've been posting on other threads but can't find if a 029 will handle a 20 in bar and chain.  Anyone know? Also, will a stihl handle a husky 20 in bar?  I have two 20 in bars and 3 chains from my husky that I'm trying to see if they will fit the 029 so I don't have to buy new bars and chains to fit my dads 029.  Thanks

24

Equipment / just crushed my saw

« on: January 21, 2012, 05:57:30 PM »

Sorry to double post. I just saw this thread for equipment.  I use a husky 359 with a 24 in bar/chain.  I was cutting a 20 foot tall 3 foot diameter trunk and right when the tree started to fall my bar pinched.  The tree took my saw with it and crushed it.  I sell firewood as a side job and just lost half of this years profit with the saw.  The motor in all looks to be unscathed but I figure I'm gonna have  too much in parts and labor to justify fixing it.  I'm sick to my stomach.  My wife lost her job, the truck motor blew up, the lawnmore blew up, and we found out we were preganant all between tuesday and tuesday (1 week) so I decided to pick up firewood as a side job.  Things wer going well and making around 1500 a winter until now.

Trying to make ends meet ends meet and this happens.  Go figure

25

Fire Wood / Just Crushed My Saw

« on: January 21, 2012, 04:04:22 PM »

I use a 359 husky and just spent 211 dollars on new bars and chains YESTERDAY!  I was dropping a 20 ft trunk 3 ft in diameter and the saw got pinched right when the trunk was falling.  It took my saw with it and crushed it.  I was almost in tears.  I sell firewood as a side job and spend hours and hours by myself cutting and splitting wood.  That saw just took half of what I made in profit this winter.  I'm sick.

26

Hawken Energy, support only / Pleased with Hawken?

« on: January 20, 2012, 09:16:16 PM »

I've heard conflicting reviews on Hawken OWB's.  Most have been good but the ones that are bad have been real bad.  I want to see the number of people who are happy with Hawken vs. the number who aren't.  Thanks

27

Central Boiler / CB classic vs. e-classic reviews

« on: January 20, 2012, 08:33:31 PM »

I would like to hear from those who own a CB; both the Phase II and the conventionals.  I've spent so much time researching gassers vs. non gassers its not funny.  I want to hear about the CB's specifically.  Everyone has an opinion.  I've heard gassers need more maitenance, won't burn the big chunks, or knots etc.  Those are umbrella statements across the OWB spectrum.  I'm curious about the difference in Phase II CB's vs. conventional CB's.  Thanks

28

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Anyone have all electric and OWB?

« on: January 20, 2012, 07:38:06 PM »

Sorry to start so many topics but I have so many questions. 

Is there anyone on here that has an all electric house and has a OWB that can tell me how much money they save a month?  I realize where you live, how big your house is, how many residents etc. have a factor in it but I'm trying to compare apples to apples as best I can.  My father in law doesn't think we will be able to make our money back in a decent amount of time to justify buying an OWB.  I disagree but am looking for those who have done it.  Thanks

29

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / OWB Metals?

« on: January 20, 2012, 07:48:06 AM »

Can somebody give me a list of metals OWB's are made of in their order of strength/durability?  I can't keep all the different types of metal straight.  which is the strongest, weakest etc.?

30

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Slab Floor and OWB

« on: January 18, 2012, 06:11:35 AM »

Is there anyone out there that has an OWB heating a house on slab floor?  Our slab house is cold (as expected) at the floor level. I want to find someone that has an OWB and a slab floor house to see if they can tell a difference in floor temperature.  I know this is difficult to judge since the "coldness" comes from the ground but i was curious if the OWB made any improvement in that area.  Thanks.