Limb saw for my FEL

[re54drider]

I am currently looking at purchasing a limb saw for installation on my FEl. I have a capacity of 6.5 GPM on my L2800. I have looked at both chainsaw type and circular blade type. I am looking for feedback from those of you who have experience with either type and the pros and cons of each. At my age I would rather let my equipment do the work instead of eating sawdust and wearing myself out. I have 15 acres of mostly pasture and would love to get things cleaned up so I don't have problems with mowing under low hanging branches. I am willing to pay for quality. Thanks in advance!

David

 

[re54drider]

I am currently looking at purchasing a limb saw for installation on my FEl. I have a capacity of 6.5 GPM on my L2800. I have looked at both chainsaw type and circular blade type. I am looking for feedback from those of you who have experience with either type and the pros and cons of each. At my age I would rather let my equipment do the work instead of eating sawdust and wearing myself out. I have 15 acres of mostly pasture and would love to get things cleaned up so I don't have problems with mowing under low hanging branches. I am willing to pay for quality. Thanks in advance!

David

No responses? Should I post this somewhere else?

 

[dean22]

I am currently looking at purchasing a limb saw for installation on my FEl. I have a capacity of 6.5 GPM on my L2800. I have looked at both chainsaw type and circular blade type. I am looking for feedback from those of you who have experience with either type and the pros and cons of each. At my age I would rather let my equipment do the work instead of eating sawdust and wearing myself out. I have 15 acres of mostly pasture and would love to get things cleaned up so I don't have problems with mowing under low hanging branches. I am willing to pay for quality. Thanks in advance!

David

Choosing between a chainsaw and a circular blade really depends on the type of branches you're clearing and how much maintenance you want to deal with on the attachment.

 

[Snaefell Rancher]

Not sure if this is relevant; I just purchased a Sabre-Samurai sickle tooth trimmer, designed to attach to the tractor bucket, have not used it yet but;
Hoping it will work to trim overhead branches on my trails, the ones that catch the mirrors and cab on my M108. On the bucket, you have the advantage of selecting the cutting height, while the cutter angle is adjustable

 

[John T]

I am currently looking at purchasing a limb saw for installation on my FEl. I have a capacity of 6.5 GPM on my L2800. I have looked at both chainsaw type and circular blade type. I am looking for feedback from those of you who have experience with either type and the pros and cons of each. At my age I would rather let my equipment do the work instead of eating sawdust and wearing myself out. I have 15 acres of mostly pasture and would love to get things cleaned up so I don't have problems with mowing under low hanging branches. I am willing to pay for quality. Thanks in advance!

David

I don't know Jack about them but I was looking at them a while back....

if it were me, I'd buy a chainsaw type. (with reverse) It will help you out of a pinch... no pun intended.

 

[William1]

LimbSaw Hydraulic Circular Saw - Standard Boom

*October 2025* LimbSaw now offers a larger blade for the Circular Saw! LimbSaw 16" Blade Specs are 16-5/16" blade, 60 carbide teeth - Trim branches up to 4.5" in diameter LimbSaw 20" Blade Specs are 19-11/16" blade, 72 carbide teeth - Trim branches up to 7" in diameter The LSC Circular Saw...

limbsaw.com

Like this? (found googling "articulated arm tractor saw")

https://limbsaw.com/cdn/shop/products/lschorznocut_1800x1800.jpg

https://limbsaw.com/cdn/shop/files/IMG_1945_1400x.jpg

 

[William1]

Another...

https://www.northerntool.com/products/limbsaw-hydraulic-bucket-chainsaw-model-ls8-395208

 

[re54drider]

While I appreciate the replies thus far I was asking for feedback from anyone who has either owned a limb saw or used one mounted on the FEL( mine is SSQA). Things like installation of a hydraulic power beyond block, hose routing, mounting of the boom unit (weld or bolt-on) and tips on using it as well as models to avoid. I have a lot (15 acres fenced pasture) of fence row that I want to cut back as well as increasing clearance for mowing and animals. I am planning on one with a chainsaw due to limitations of the circular blade. Thanks for all your help!

 

[William1]

Ah, sorry for mis-understanding. While I've not used one, the local power company does and it is a fully articulated chain saw type. They also have a very stout cage around the operator and video cameras mounted at the saw so he can fully see the cut. The operator told me they have a 'power presence' detection that warns him if he gets within 5' of the lines. Has to be stupid expensive but worth it if you run it 8X5X52.
I imagine install, should be a simple process, again, depending on how much you want to spend.
Cameras at the saw have to make guidance simpler. More money...
Possibly cheaper is to pay some tree guy once a year to swing by and clear it.

 

[Old Machinist]

As was suggested, the type and size of limbs should be a factor in the decision. Either type will work better on 2 inch or larger limbs that won't flex against the pressure applied.

I personally wouldn't choose a chainsaw type for any use other than a handheld tool.

The third option suggested being a sickle bar works well for thin flimsy limbs up to about an inch. I think the Samurai mentioned above requires a specific type of 3rd function to operate.

A 4th option would be the brush mower type.

Lane Shark Hammerhead Brush Cutter | Tractor Brush Cutter

Effortlessly clear thick underbrush and saplings with the Lane Shark Hammerhead brush cutter. Its multiple cutting positions save time on land management tasks.

lanesharkusa.com

I adapted a mini ex sickle bar to use on mine and it operates with my standard 3rd function on 5 gpm. Being able to reverse any type saw is helpful when they jam.

 

[D2Cat]

I sent this link. Maybe it didn't work. I looked for a new phone number, but no success.

Post #28.

Tools you want to brag about?

Nothing to brag about regarding tools for tractor maintenance. Maybe my ancient real Craftsman beam torque wrenches? But... green wood carving tools. A handful of hand forged Swedish tools. A few hand forged American tools. Hand stitched rasps....Don't want to add up the $$$s spent over...

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[hedgerow]

While I appreciate the replies thus far I was asking for feedback from anyone who has either owned a limb saw or used one mounted on the FEL( mine is SSQA). Things like installation of a hydraulic power beyond block, hose routing, mounting of the boom unit (weld or bolt-on) and tips on using it as well as models to avoid. I have a lot (15 acres fenced pasture) of fence row that I want to cut back as well as increasing clearance for mowing and animals. I am planning on one with a chainsaw due to limitations of the circular blade. Thanks for all your help!

The first thing I would do is make sure your tractor is going to have a enough GPM oil flow to run one.
I have a friend that has had both the chainsaw type and the circular type of the limb Saw brand. He started out with the chainsaw one running it on a compact JD tractor. It had just enough oil flow to run it but he had all sorts of issues with chains. Always had limbs pinching. He sold it and bought there circular one with the biggest blade. The JD compact just didn't have enough oil to run it. He now runs it on a 7000 series JD tractor with a loader and SSQA . It works pretty well but it can throw wood chips at you. I have a Ground Force brand of tree saw with a 36 inch blade I use to clean pastures and I reach up and cut limbs with it sometimes. I run it on a S-850 Bobcat with high flow. It really throws the wood chips at you. In my area a lot of guys are hiring a skid loader with a mulcher on them to trim tree lines back. The county is also hiring them to do road ditches.

 

[re54drider]

The first thing I would do is make sure your tractor is going to have a enough GPM oil flow to run one.
I have a friend that has had both the chainsaw type and the circular type of the limb Saw brand. He started out with the chainsaw one running it on a compact JD tractor. It had just enough oil flow to run it but he had all sorts of issues with chains. Always had limbs pinching. He sold it and bought there circular one with the biggest blade. The JD compact just didn't have enough oil to run it. He now runs it on a 7000 series JD tractor with a loader and SSQA . It works pretty well but it can throw wood chips at you. I have a Ground Force brand of tree saw with a 36 inch blade I use to clean pastures and I reach up and cut limbs with it sometimes. I run it on a S-850 Bobcat with high flow. It really throws the wood chips at you. In my area a lot of guys are hiring a skid loader with a mulcher on them to trim tree lines back. The county is also hiring them to do road ditches.

Thanks for your reply. I have the GPM to handle either type. Comparisons to an unspecified off brand tractor or bobcat do not help me here. I doubt my tractor has the high flow for a 36 inch blade.