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 - GAS- STIHL MS-261CM
Approximate weight: 35 pounds, not including fire extinguisher as that is seasonal. Otherwise, 40 pounds.
- Backpack.
- Chainsaw. Stihl 261CM.
- Guide Bar. Came with Stihl Farm Boss .325" | 0.050 only the 20-inch version of it.
- Guide Bar. Wish to get Stihl Light 04 .325" | 0.050 with 20-inch length. Part Number 30030086621. Should be $59.99
- Scrench tool. To adjust nuts to the guide bar.
- MSR fuel bottle. 30-ounce for gasoline premixed with oil at 50:1 ratio.
- Fuel. STIHL MotoMix® is super expensive, may want to mix my own. Though at $13 / liter and just 30 ounces used per day, it's a tolerable expense if not sawing regularly.
- MSR fuel bottle. 20-ounce for oil.
- Oil. Use eco-friendly oil. Fill no less than 2/3 full.
- Cap. Replaced locking cap with "MSR Replacement Fuel Bottle Cap"
- Wedges, plastic (2 minimum, 3 preferred, nice to have mix of long and short)
- Bar and chain. Chainsaw bar (20 inch) with 1 chain on it in plastic scabbard.
- 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.
- Tourniquet.
- First Aid Kit. With customization to include stop-bleed gauze patches and medicine.
- Chainsaw chaps, PPE. I used to use chainsaw pants, but they were a bit restricting. Stihl brand.
- Water. 1 Quart, nominally, plus water bottle on bike. Varies by day and temperature, of course.
- Shirts (2 spare, layered). For end of day on cold days.
- Jacket. If not wearing at beginning, have in pack.
- Gloves (1 spare). For end of day on cold days.
- Safety glasses.
- Chain (spare). Minimum 1 spare, prefer 2.
- Wallet. Include sawyer certification card.
- 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.
- Bar (spare, optional). Extra bar in scabbard in case of pinch that can't be fixed by wedges or handsaw. Though optional, it is highly recommended.
- Round file (optional). For sharpening chain in the field. Optional if carrying spare chains.
- Flat file (optional). For removing burrs on drive side of chain or possibly bar. Don't expect to be filing rakers in the field.
- Flagging tape (optional). In case a cut is marked for future completion. I rarely carry this.
- Incident report. Also, pen to write details. If medical issue, may be expeditious to photograph incident and fill out the report after medical priority addressed first. Store this in first aid kit otherwise easy to forget.
- Silky Big Boy. Handsaw for swamp work or backup.
- Reading glasses. Generally, not required but handy if filing chain.
- Food. I rarely eat on the trail, but it's smart to carry a protein bar or similar.
- Bike pump. If biking in only, of course.
- Ear protection. Foam ear plugs and/or headset as courtesy for partner just in case.
- Bear protection. Bear spray or whatever you are comfortable with, or not.
- Whistle.
- Boots, jeans, long sleeve shirt, jacket, gloves
- Helmet (pfanner).
- Heart rate monitor.
- Cell phone. Have emergency contacts including sawyer partner. Helpful to text them in the morning so their contact is top of list.
YouTube videos. This is a work-in-progress, I kinda lost the links to my go-to videos for routine maintenance, so rebuilding the list of videos, sorry.
EXPENDABLE PARTS
In general, the Stihl dealership can point you to the right consumable parts, but common items to replace listed below.
- Chain. Good to have 3-4 chains on hand, bring 1-2 spares in the field each day to eliminate need to sharpen in the field.
- Guide Bar. Good to have 1 spare guide bar, bring 1 spare in the field each day in case of pinching.
- Oil. Buy eco-friendly oil. Not only is it better for the environment, but inevitable to get oil on your hands while sawing, so best to be less gross / toxic on your hands. Some say it gunk's up more than petroleum-based oil, but my experience is that it's fine.
HAVE IN CAR
- Bike Locks. For stops along the way, assuming bike used during trail work.
- Passes. Discover pass and/or Northwest Forest Pass.
- Floor pump. For bike tires or even car tires.
- Shovel. For fire emergency. Might consider pick-mattock as well, for tough dirt.
- 5+ Gallons water. For fire emergency.
- Fire extinguisher. For fire emergency.
- Dry clothes and towel. For the drive home.
- TP. For my bung hole.
- Charging cable. For cell phone.
- Bucket (optional). In case of tread work. Also to carry home trash.
- Garbage Bags. To carry home trash.
- Splitting axe / metal wedges (optional). Handy if cutting close to road, for rare occasions. Impractical to carry on trail because axe is 6 pounds and two wedges at 5 pounds apiece brings total of 16 pounds. Never use metal wedges in a cut while sawing (hope everybody knows that!)
REFERENCES / MISC
- Guide Bars Stihl Guide Bars reference
