cutting ice w/ chainsaw

[tfyksen]

I am wondering how many of you guys use a chainsaw to cut ice when it starts getting thick?

What kind of maintenance do you do on the saw to keep from burning up bars and bar tips?
 
Or is this not a problem.

Teal

[RayA]

Hi Teal
 Ive only use a chainsaw a cople times on ice  be sure to have a long rain coat or wet suit on when doing it other wise ya
ll wind up looking lic somebodys ice sculpture out on the ice. as for the chain and bar  i use a old one oil it when ya get home. good luck and be safe out there.  RayA

[RdFx]

Only differance i do is put vegetable oil in bar for  cutting ice.  Run it a little after taking out of ice  to rid bar of water and put  in case till next bvr pond.  Works great for me and   not such sore shoulders either...LOL>..

[bearfat]

I've cut a few big ice spearing holes with a chain saw. Seemed to be zero effect on the saw for any kind of damage.

The oil left over in the water was the problem which is why I assume RdFx uses vegetable oil. I had heard from others no need to run any oil because the water itself is the lubricant   

The last ice hole I cut with a chain saw was such a hassle I said that's it, I had a custom hand ice saw made and it's the cat's meow for cutting ice.

[tfyksen]

Thanks guys,

Used the saw this last sat. to put in 150 or so rat sets.  Worked great!  Hope I do well.  Have got my doubts though, there was evidence of pretty heavy trapping.  RdFx, you aren't kidding about sore shoulders.  I chiseled 40 holes the weekend before, thought my arms were going to fall off.

Teal

[Macthediver]

As a diver who dives year around I've cut dozens of large holes in the ice with a chain saw. I also used a chain saw the couple years that I went after beavers in Febuary.
Chain saws will work fine with their regular bar oil but you have the oil to deal with contaminating your gear. That is the reason to use the vegtable oil. Vetable oil is less damaging to the enviroment and your gear but don't flow as well when cold. If someone tells you you can run the saw with no oil they have never cut much ice. Water does not give you enough lubrication on the bar and it (Will lock up) "Been There Done That"  The biggest thing is to keep the saw warm so it don't freeze up between use and the oil don't thicken.
One trick I've learned is to cut most of the hole just part way threw the ice. Then after most the ice is cut go the rest of the way to the water. If your not cutting large holes. You can cut down most the way. Then pop the plug out with a spud and chop the rest the way threw the ice. You won't get near as wet and your saw will freeze less.
If you want to commit one of your chains to just cutting ice. You can file the rakers down some and sharpen the cutting tooth to a lesser angle. The chain will cut ice a lot fast but will be dangerous to use for wood.
Good Luck
Mac

[Under Ice]

Where can I get a hand saw like that for cutting ice?

[Mike Tucker]

Where can I get a hand saw like that for cutting ice?

Under Ice,

Here is a link to the saw that I use. Works great. You do need to start the hole with a spud or auger. For under ice beaver, I will usually drill a hole with a hand auger, then saw out a slot - or drill 2 holes and saw between them. I use a gaff hook to pull out the ice block. Up here, Cabelas, Fleet Farm & some sporting goods stores carry this particular brand.

http://www.icesaws.com/

Regards,
Mike

[Under Ice]

Mike I think I will order one.I seen another brand I Cabelas but people said the blade would bend and get dull fast
Thanks,Under Ice