Trail Tools and equipment

For my reference, some of the tools and equipment for trail work. What to carry in the pack for different primary tools. Checklist format for getting out the door quickly. In general, numbers increase from bottom of pack to top, for a backpack having a bottom zipper.

CHAINSAW - BATTERY - STIHL MSA-220C

1. Chainsaw body. Separated from bar and chain for easy fit in pack w/o bonking back of head.
2. Battery (2, AP300S). Stored in special cases "Westcoast Saw Leather Battery Pouch - Fits Stihl".
3. Wedges, plastic (2 minimum, 3 preferred, nice to have mix of long and short)
4. Bar and chain. Chainsaw bar (18 inch) with 1 chain on it in plastic scabbard.
5. Hatchet. For driving wedges and stripping bark and dirt from trees. In some cases, a 4-pound felling axe is appropriate. Prefer to go light unless complex trees anticipated.
6. Oil. MSR fuel container filled no less than 2/3 with eco-friendly oil. Replaced stupid locking cap with "MSR Replacement Fuel Bottle Cap"
7. Tourniquet.
8. First Aid Kit. With customization to include stop-bleed gauze patches and medicine.
9. Chainsaw chaps, PPE. I used to use chainsaw pants, but they were a bit restricting. Stihl brand.
10. Water. Varies by day and temperature, of course.
11. Shirts (2 spare, layered). For end of day on cold days.
12. Gloves (1 spare). For end of day on cold days.
13. Safety glasses.
14. Chain. Minimum 1 spare, prefer 2.
15. Wallet. Include sawyer certification card.
16. Round file. For sharpening chain in the field.
17. Flat file. For removing burrs on drive side of chain or possibly bar. Don't expect to be filing rakers in the field.

Supplemental in pack (based on circumstances)

1. Silky Big Boy. Handsaw for swamp work or backup.
2. Reading glasses. Generally, not required but handy if filing chain.
3. Fire Extinguisher (5 pound minimum). Required during fire season. See IFPL. In some cases this is not sufficient, and 5 gallons water required (42 pounds!). Here is where having partner to split the load really helps and/or tow cart behind bike.
4. Food.
5. Bike pump. If biking in only, of course.
6. Ear protection. Foam ear plugs and/or headset as courtesy for partner just in case.
7. Bear protection. Bear spray or whatever you are comfortable with, or not.
8. Whistle.

Attire

1. Boots, jeans, long sleeve shirt, jacket, gloves
2. Helmet (pfanner).
3. Heart rate monitor.
4. Cell phone. Have emergency contacts including sawyer partner. Helpful to text them in the morning so their contact is top of list.

POLESAW - BATTERY - KOBALT

1. Pole saw. Kobalt.
2. Batteries. Typically carry 4 but up to 6. One 4-amp battery, most are 2.5 amps, sadly two are a measly 2 amps so the weaker ones get left behind to make room in pack for bigger batteries.
3. Other. See section on chainsaw for overlapping requirements such as oil, first aid, fire extinguisher, etc.

Commentary: I use Kobalt pole saw for many years and have been happy with it, but recent issues with newer model has me wanting to switch brands next time it breaks.

• Good: It is bigger, 10-inch bar instead of 8.
• Good: No tool is required to adjust chain tension. Previously required a Philips screwdriver.
• Good: Safety lock supports left and right-handed use, well designed too.
• VERY BAD: Motor housing in new model obstructs sight line to the saw, so you cannot see what you are cutting in real time! This is a deal breaker for me, was fine with the older models.
• VERY BAD: Chain gets loosened all the time! More than just normal heat expansion from use. The cover which locks the chain in place is easily and frequently loosened during use, no matter how tight you set it. This is more than inconvenience. A loose chain can get ruined if it falls off.
• Bad: Battery included is only 2 amps. Previously was 2.5 amps. Inconvenience only, as I have plenty of batteries, but I prefer larger batteries, so I don't have to carry as many.
• Bad: Chain tightener puts housing on other side of saw, annoying but no big deal, but more importantly the part that locks it in place is part of the cover, not the saw directly. This makes it difficult to line it up and see that it's connected before putting on cover, cause it's part of the cover itself! Might take some getting used to, but this wastes time in the field and if not lined up properly, chain can slip and then you need to buy a new one if it bends the drivers as it did to me recently, cost is $27 to get a new chain at Stihl, I don't know if Lowes even sells the proper size chains.
• Annoying: Warranty replacement requires physical receipt, per store policy that applies to select tools only, but relates to chain saws and pole saws. Not sure if this is all Lowes stores. This requirement seems to have come about around 2025, I think.

HEDGE TRIMMER - BATTERY - STIHL

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