Chainsaw question: I'm missing something...?

Limitool

Limitool

Gold Member
Jun 9, 2013
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Middle TN. area
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I have a Stihl chainsaw w/18" bar. Fairly new and not used much. I've had a few hundred railroad ties stacked up for lining the driveway since last year. Well started to move them and had angles to cut at curves. After 2 cuts it was running hot and puked the chain. I changed out chain and made 3 cuts and again same thing. I took bar & chain off and cleaned up everything to make sure bar oil was in the oiler. I fired it up and yep.... oil pouring on out. Put a 3rd new chain on and cut 9 ties and same thing happened AGAIN...!

So is something wrong with the chainsaw or maybe it doesn't like cutting the railroad ties possibly. Why I wouldn't know but is it possible maybe? I am NOT hitting any metal nor seen any sparks at all. I stay a long ways from the metal end plates.

Any ideas anybody.... :dontknow:
 

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puked the chain? Chain popping off the bar? I found it helps to tighten the chain with the bar nuts loose. Once chain is tight, tighten the bar nuts last.
 

Quinc said:
puked the chain? Chain popping off the bar? I found it helps to tighten the chain with the bar nuts loose. Once chain is tight, tighten the bar nuts last.
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Chain not popping off bar. Chain just GOES DULL quickly. And I tighten exactly the way you mentioned about bar nuts. I always have.... last. Went through 2 brand new chains very quickly.
 

Limitool said:
Chain not popping off bar. Chain just GOES DULL quickly. And I tighten exactly the way you mentioned about bar nuts. I always have.... last. Went through 2 brand new chains very quickly.
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Ties have been buried, and from being coated with creosote it's a recipe for fine sand/dirt mixed in.

I'd power wash the cutting area before cutting.
 

pepperj said:
Ties have been buried, and from being coated with creosote it's a recipe for fine sand/dirt mixed in.

I'd power wash the cutting area before cutting.
Click to expand...
Well that ain't happening.... I have another saw that will cut them like butter but it's electric. I'll have to bust out the 100' 10 gauge homemade extention cord if I go that route... Nothing is ever easy...!

Or I'll have to wheel them out. Lay them up. Mark angle needed. Wheel back to shop. Cut and repeat. But I bet your right pepper....!!!! But these ties are NOT LIGHT at all. Balloon tires on 2-wheel cart helps BUT not going uphill and certainly NOT downhill either.

Thanks all....
 

ncsuwolf said:
Just a friendly word of warning…..not sure their age, but if treated with creosote make sure you have long pants, long sleeve shirt a gloves. That stuff (when put into sawdust) will hit you like a good sunburn.
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Thus far I've been alright. Well I think I am (stay tuned?). Think I'm moving to Plan B with the electric hand held Wellsaw. I still have a couple hundred feet of them to lay out yet. But most of that is mostly a straight line. Probably 15-20 to cut at angles yet though. Thanks for the advise.
 

Railroad ties are not only exceptionally large, but they often contain grit, rocks, and other materials embedded inside the tie for added durability. This makes them far more difficult to cut than an equivalent sized piece of wood.

Carbide tipped chainsaw chain or a circular saw I use a beam saw with a diamond blade.
 

Limitool said:
I have a Stihl chainsaw w/18" bar. Fairly new and not used much. I've had a few hundred railroad ties stacked up for lining the driveway since last year. Well started to move them and had angles to cut at curves. After 2 cuts it was running hot and puked the chain. I changed out chain and made 3 cuts and again same thing. I took bar & chain off and cleaned up everything to make sure bar oil was in the oiler. I fired it up and yep.... oil pouring on out. Put a 3rd new chain on and cut 9 ties and same thing happened AGAIN...!

So is something wrong with the chainsaw or maybe it doesn't like cutting the railroad ties possibly. Why I wouldn't know but is it possible maybe? I am NOT hitting any metal nor seen any sparks at all. I stay a long ways from the metal end plates.

Any ideas anybody.... :dontknow:
Click to expand...
Your also overheating the piston , chainsaws are made to run flat out....
 

Oregon Viking said:
Railroad ties are not only exceptionally large, but they often contain grit, rocks, and other materials embedded inside the tie for added durability. This makes them far more difficult to cut than an equivalent sized piece of wood.

Carbide tipped chainsaw chain or a circular saw I use a beam saw with a diamond blade.
Click to expand...
Slow learner here.... but I've dummied up now O.V. Railroad ties aren't the same as a live oak tree..!
 

Clash-Act2 said:
Brad, I'd think that the creosote replies are spot on.
Still doing the toy boxes?
I hope you have been doing great!
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I believe so also...

"Still doing the toy boxes?" Yes I have now going on 8 years. Have 2 threads in General Discussion.

1 for 2024 Christmas donations.... and another for Helping storm victims east / south of me. Thank you for asking.... Brad
 

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