What is the best tree cutting tool, ax, brush saw, or pull wire saw? I went out riding and there were a bunch of trees that had fallen acroos the trail. Luckily someone had already cut them and moved them to the side.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pruav,

You'd have been there a long time with an axe or a saw. A chain saw would make fairly quick work of it.

CHAIN SAW

Yes, I know chain saw would be the best. I just want some thing that would work on the trails. This was just one spot on the road. There were many other trees down too.

I myself have several STIHL chain saws now, I started off with this one last year MS180 C-B and use it 90% of the time.
It's light weight and very easy to handle.

I purchased a MS 290 in late Aug for a bit larger trees that were in need of clean up down on the farm. This one stays on the farm.

And the most recent was MS 170 as my wife wanted to join me in the back woods "helping" so she had to have her own and it was on clearance at our local dealer.

I really like the smaller easier to handle saws, yes it may take a bit longer to cut through a 16 or larger tree, but my arms and hands are not tired after a day of sawing trees, and not to mention that it is very light, and the adjustment of the tension and chain is the easiest I have ever used.... No tools needed, which when in the woods is a big plus.

Catfish

A small chain saw, clamped to a rack with a Kolpin Saw Vise or similar bracket, can clear lots of trail in a short time.

Otherwise, I think a BOW SAW might be the best hand tool for the job, although a full-size axe can cut pretty fast and efficiently in the right hands.

Cut off enough of the branches so that you can ride over them without punching a hole in your tires. What fun is it to remove all of the obstacles.

If you are going to carry a compact hand saw, I would highlt suggest a sven saw. They fold up very compact, yet when unfolded and put together, they are quite a saw. Boy Scouts carry them for this reason.

A number of devices will do the job, or rather it will be you doing the job and the device allowing it to be do-able. Bow saws, wire saws, axes... but they are no fun. Believe me, getting all sweaty zipping away with a hand saw in order to clear a couple of small or medium logs off the trail, gets old so fast it will make your head spin. That's if your head isn't already spinning from sucking on that saw in the hot sun.
A small good name brand chainsaw is a most rewarding accessory. A holder that hangs it off the back is a good idea, because these things do drip oil and almost any other mounting location will see it suspended over your ATV. You can just pre-mix a jug of your spare gas, and if you need it for your ATV it will be fine. The mix oil won't hurt anything.

Catfish, I bought a MS 290 back in 2002 when I lost a big oak tree during Hurricane Lili. It is a tool.

I agree Cajun, a bit on the heavy side for all day work, but for quick cutting it is a great tool.
Having said the above I still like and use the smaller saws that we have more so then the 290.

Catfish

Montana Jacks has a great saw.
Its a razor toothed pruning saw but will make quick work of a 10 inch tree.

Not sure I'd like to cut more than 2-3 in a row though. Any manual device can wear you out quickly.

It fits nicely in a typical box.

My only complaint is that Mt Jacks does not have sheath for it so you need to fab one up to protect the teeth.