Chainsaw Usage Question ?

[Robert11]

Hello:

Last spring I bought an 18" gas chain saw, and have used it just a few times So, I am certainly not an expert with it.

This is probably a bit on the silly question side, but I did see the use of a chain saw in cutting up ice blocks, so I guess they do have a bit of versatility.

Anyway, I have to bury a run of about 40 feet of very small diameter coax cable in my backyard. Probably 6 inches deep, or so, would do it. Really don't want to rent a "Ditchwitch".

As the slit I will have to cut in the soil is so thin and relatively shallow, I was wondering about the practicality of just using the chainsaw by dragging it over and thru the soil.

Bet it would do a really quick and fine job (maybe).

Assuming no rocks, is this safe ?

Would it hurt the blade or saw ? (doubt that the soil is any more or less abrasive than wood chips), but...?)

Any thoughts on ?

B.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Blade would be ruined in about 10 seconds. Questionable about safety when it tosses some stones. The grit may ruin the bar if not right away, after some time. No, I'd never consider it.

[Ralph Mowery]

In about 6 inches of ditching the blade will be ruined. If you ever cut much wood and for some reason the chain hits the dirt several times, it usually needs to be sharpened. YOu can cut "miles" of wood and the chain will be sharper than a few feet of dirt.

[Bob]

Rent an invisible fence installation tool.

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, Just use a stiff kinife, something like cheap kitchen knife. Tony

[timbirr]

Unless the ground is extremely hard, and if it is, soaking it for a few hours will probably loosen it, I would suggest using a mattox, unless your physical condition prohibits it.

I am no Paul Bunyun, but about two weeks ago did about 70 yards of emergency ditch digging (flooding) with my mattox in about 90 minutes. And it was more like 18 inches deep.

[timbirr]

My wife tells me I misspelled "mattock." ;>0

[hallerb]

run coax in flexible plastic conduit! Buried shalow it will prevent mechanical abuse and if the cable ever needs replaced just pull a new one thru the same conduit.

[Harry K]

As someone who has BTDT my advice is don't do it. I only needed about a foot through very hard soil in a spot almost impossible to get tools into. I did it knowing that I would have to replace the bar and the chain and hoping the clutch wouldn't be shot also (it wasn't) The problem is the teeth are not good at clearing dirt, the dirt packs up in the bar groove, chain tightens quickly, stop, clean bar/chain, repeat. Took me about 3 redos to get that foot. Yes, the chain and bar went in the trash as soon as I finished.

Harry K

[Toller]

And here I thought he was a troll...

[Edwin Pawlowski]

That's ok, it got by me because I was unfamiliar with the term. Looks like there are many sizes of them.

[timbirr]

Cutter mattock is my tool of choice. A pulaski is a second choice, and is a very similar tool, but pulaski's are usually harder to find, and I think the mattock usually has a slightly, very slightly wider "hoe" end.

[Bob G.]

snip snip snip....

Honestly I did just that....(thin, shallow trench) almost 40 feet to burry a phone line from one garage to another...

But also being honest I knew the chain would be absolutely ruined long before I ever cut 2-3 foot of the "slit".... Having a very old small electric Chainsaw with a so so chain in the garage (inherited from my Dad after he died...I used it... as far as I am concerned ..nothing lost... The saw has only sentimental value & I still have it.. Could have done the same thing with a spade after soaking the soil but the what the heck...

I would NEVER use my good chain and allow the chain or the bar to contact soil IF I could help it... ruin the chain and most likely the bar in no time flat...

Bob G. BTW... cordless phones were not around when I did this... !!!!

[Harry K]

Never underestimate stupidity. Even in my case that applies as afterwards I realized that I had some manual tools in the shop that could have been made to work. One of those jobs where you get in a rush and don't engage brain.

Harry K.

[Stormin Mormon]

That was the plural usage, wink wink? Us guys got to stick together. Two guys with mattox.

[Stormin Mormon]

I must rise in agreement with my distinguished colleague. Sawing dirt will kill a bar and chain in a really rapid fashion. I can say, parenthetically, (quote: Blade would be ruined in about ten seconds. Unquote.)

[timbirr]

Hey, you are right, but that other guy was lazy, I never saw him the whole time....