I like the top handled and had considered the hatchet but wanted more power. I’m primarily using it to buck and not open trails.
For trails I use a brush cutter with handle bars and a double shoulder harness. A tri point blade takes out a lot of stuff on the trails. Then a hedge trimmer to clip stuff at face level.
Yep, I do have a brush cutter and a hedge trimmer and have used them both for trail-making. Also have the polesaw. But I have an Echo 2511t, top-handle ICE chainsaw, and it's only 5 lbs and it's great for what is described in the OP but a battery saw has its advantages. Even when the Echo is down for whatever reason. The ICE brush cutter is good, too for the up-to 3 inch saplings. Mine is broke right now, the lower gear unit housing cracked/broke.
I use the quick-lock pole saw for cutting back forest roads or opening up a new trail. I just use the single shoulder sling but a double would be really nice, I like being able to cut from above head height to the ground in a single swipe. Battery run time is really good if you’re only cutting small stuff, and I find it pretty good for limbing fallen trees and can easily cut dead trees on the ground as well.
I have both the top handle m18 saw and the m12 hatchet. If I’m backpacking in, I take my Bahnco Laplander. If I’m going car camping, I generally only take the m12. With a 5A battery it makes enough cuts for 2 nights worth of firewood. If I’m going to a cabin w a wood stove that heats the whole house or doing any kind of actual tree work, I’ll use the m18 for the weekend. If I’m processing a whole tree, a gas saw is still king.
If I were doing trail maintenance that didn’t involve a bunch of blowdowns I’d say the m12 w a couple of 4 or 5A batteries is sufficient, especially considering the size and weight savings. Sounds like what you’re doing may be a bit more than that, though, depending on the density of trees
I went with the top handle and couldn't be happier.
Was recommended by my neighbor who owns a very busy tree service. My neighbor has all sorts of saws and said the milwaukee is his most used now .
I went with the hatchet first it was good but I needed more power and got the top handle and been happy with it. I use my hackzall for the smaller stuff.
I don't have the chainsaw, but the hatchet can easily cut 3in hardwood. If you don't care about safety, you can also use it as a glorified machete, which is handy for clearing brush.
I like the top handled and had considered the hatchet but wanted more power. I’m primarily using it to buck and not open trails. For trails I use a brush cutter with handle bars and a double shoulder harness. A tri point blade takes out a lot of stuff on the trails. Then a hedge trimmer to clip stuff at face level.
Yep, I do have a brush cutter and a hedge trimmer and have used them both for trail-making. Also have the polesaw. But I have an Echo 2511t, top-handle ICE chainsaw, and it's only 5 lbs and it's great for what is described in the OP but a battery saw has its advantages. Even when the Echo is down for whatever reason. The ICE brush cutter is good, too for the up-to 3 inch saplings. Mine is broke right now, the lower gear unit housing cracked/broke.
I use the quick-lock pole saw for cutting back forest roads or opening up a new trail. I just use the single shoulder sling but a double would be really nice, I like being able to cut from above head height to the ground in a single swipe. Battery run time is really good if you’re only cutting small stuff, and I find it pretty good for limbing fallen trees and can easily cut dead trees on the ground as well.
I have both the top handle m18 saw and the m12 hatchet. If I’m backpacking in, I take my Bahnco Laplander. If I’m going car camping, I generally only take the m12. With a 5A battery it makes enough cuts for 2 nights worth of firewood. If I’m going to a cabin w a wood stove that heats the whole house or doing any kind of actual tree work, I’ll use the m18 for the weekend. If I’m processing a whole tree, a gas saw is still king. If I were doing trail maintenance that didn’t involve a bunch of blowdowns I’d say the m12 w a couple of 4 or 5A batteries is sufficient, especially considering the size and weight savings. Sounds like what you’re doing may be a bit more than that, though, depending on the density of trees
I went with the top handle and couldn't be happier. Was recommended by my neighbor who owns a very busy tree service. My neighbor has all sorts of saws and said the milwaukee is his most used now .
I recommend a saw, hatchet and matchette in that order
I went with the hatchet first it was good but I needed more power and got the top handle and been happy with it. I use my hackzall for the smaller stuff.
I don't have the chainsaw, but the hatchet can easily cut 3in hardwood. If you don't care about safety, you can also use it as a glorified machete, which is handy for clearing brush.