How To Cut Logs with a Chainsaw in 8 Simple Steps (Bucking Guide)


Cutting logs with a chainsaw (also called bucking) can seem daunting, especially because it’s one of the first skills learned by chainsaw users.

Plus, chainsaws can be very dangerous machines, so you want to make sure you’re careful whenever you operate them.

The good news is, once you understand a few basics, using a chainsaw actually becomes pretty straightforward.

In this guide, we’ll be covering the following 8 steps, which will show you the basics for how to cut logs with a chainsaw. Let’s get started!

  1. Wear Safety Equipment
  2. Clear the Area
  3. Avoid the Kickback Zone
  4. Cut-off Branches
  5. Measure Your Cuts
  6. Let the Chainsaw Work
  7. Avoid Pinching
  8. Split Firewood (Optional)

1. Wear The Right Safety Equipment

How to cut logs with a chainsaw

Every time you use a chainsaw, you should wear appropriate safety equipment.

People sometimes get what I call “bike helmet syndrome”, and neglect to wear safety equipment because it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or looks goofy.

When it comes to operating chainsaws, you really can’t afford to skip the safety gear. These are essential items that can mean the difference between a minor scratch, and a major injury.

So, exactly what equipment do you need to use? There are 3 main pieces of safety equipment you should use when operating a chainsaw, and they are:

  • Chainsaw gloves
  • Chaps
  • A chainsaw helmet

It’s also worth mentioning, that you should wear a hearty pair of boots when operating a chainsaw. Don’t try it with flip-flops on.

Next, we’ll cover each of these individual pieces of equipment in more detail, to help you understand the function they serve and what they should include.

Chainsaw Gloves

There are several reasons why chainsaw gloves are important, and let me just give a couple of examples of the protection they offer:

If your chain breaks, it can whip around and hit the backs of your hands. This is why chainsaw gloves are typically lined with Kevlar on the backs.

Wearing a pair of chainsaw gloves can also help protect your hands if you get chainsaw kickback, or you lose balance, causing your hand to hit the chain.

One last scenario that will seem milder, is that chainsaw gloves can play an important role in anti-vibration protection. This is really important for reducing the strain on your hands and arms as you operate a chainsaw.

If you’re looking for chainsaw gloves, you’ll want to them to have Kevlar lining, anti-vibration cushion, and proven durability. It’s also nice to pick something that’s a bright color so that you won’t lose them.

Chaps

Chaps are worn over your pants and around your legs. A pair of chaps consists of an outer layer of a durable slippery material and several inner fibrous layers.

The tough outer layer (usually coated nylon) can protect you from glancing blows, by causing the chain to slide off the surface of the chaps.

In the event that the chain makes it through the outer layer, the fibers of the inner layer attach to the chain and get pulled into the drive sprocket which slows down the blade and, in some cases, stops the saw entirely. 

Modern chaps are able to stop a chain at speeds up to 3,200 feet per minute. Although there’s no such thing as completely cut-proof chaps, these layers of fabric can be the difference between a bruised leg and a really bad day. 

If you’re looking to get some chaps, you will probably want to get what are called “Type A” Chaps, which are rated for home or farm users. There are also “Type C” Chaps, but those are more for professional chainsaw users.

In addition to the type of chaps, you’ll also have to consider sizing. You should choose a length of chap that allows about 2″ to hang over your work boots. So, if you wear size 36 jeans, you’d want a size 38 pair of chaps.

Alright, last but not least, you’ll need a chainsaw helmet.

Chainsaw Helmet

Chainsaw helmets are pretty unique. They include the helmet itself, which offers some head protection from branches or accidents.

In addition, chainsaw helmets have built-in ear protectors and a face screen. These are important added features.

Chainsaws are loud. Every time you use a chainsaw, you’re holding a compact engine. And you really need to protect your ears from hearing loss, especially if you will be running a chainsaw for an extended period.

Chainsaws also throw sawdust, and it’s common for other chunks of wood to get thrown in the process of cutting logs. The face shield is very helpful in protecting your eyes and face from these projectiles.

With safety equipment covered, let’s jump-into preparing your area.

2. Clear the Area Around the Log

When a tree falls down, there will probably be branches everywhere.

Before you begin chunking the tree up into logs, you’ll want to make sure the area around the tree is cleared of branches and other brush as much as possible.

Your primary objective here is to remove tripping hazards in order to protect yourself from potential accidents.

You also want to remove anything that’s near enough to the log, that it could obstruct a clean cut with the chainsaw. This will help you to also avoid chainsaw kickback, which brings us to the next point.

3. Avoid the Kickback Zone

Kickback is one of the most well-known safety issues for chainsaw operation. So much so, that most chainsaw chains even have “high kickback” or “low kickback” risk ratings.

Every chainsaw has a “kickback zone” on the upper-end of the tip of the bar. Take a look at the orange line in the photo above, to get an idea of where this kickback zone is located.

Basically what can happen, is if you hit that part of the chainsaw against a piece of wood (or something else), it catches the chain and throws the whole chainsaw back towards the user. This can be really dangerous.

So, to prevent problems with kickback, make sure you always know where you’re pointing the tip of your chainsaw and protect the “kickback zone” from direct contact with logs, branches, etc.

4. Cut-off Branches (Limbing)

Bucking logs with chainsaw

Some trees have a lot of branches, others have very few branches. In either case, you’ll want to cut the branches off before you begin to cut the logs into pieces.

This makes the process safer because the risk of tripping (and kickback) is reduced. In addition, clearing the branches makes things easier, and produces better firewood (if that’s what you’re working towards).

There are basically two ways to do the limbing (e.g. get rid of the branches). You can either use your chainsaw, which can be fast, but if you have a heavy chainsaw it can also wear you out.

The second option is to use a small forest axe to chop them off. If you have a nice lightweight axe, this can be a really good choice. I prefer using an axe whenever possible, especially for small-to-mid-sized branches.

5. Measure the Length of Your Cuts

This is an important step. If you’re cutting logs, then you probably have a specific purpose in mind for the wood, and you should measure your cuts accordingly.

For example, if you plan to use the wood for firewood, make sure that you cut the pieces small enough to fit in your fireplace or wood stove.

Most wood stoves accommodate firewood pieces up to 16 inches in length. So, if you’re not sure what to do, it’s fairly standard to cut your logs into pieces that are about 16 inches in length for firewood.

6. Let the Chainsaw Do the Work

A common mistake for new chainsaw users is moving too much. Yep, that’s right, if you’re working too hard with a chainsaw you might be doing something wrong.

I’ve made this mistake myself, and it can quickly wear out your arms and back. Instead of constantly pushing and pulling your chainsaw, just get it into position and let the machine do the work.

If you look at the photo above, you’ll notice that the chainsaw has spikes on the front (right next to the chainsaw bar). These are called bucking spikes, and most chainsaws have these.

When you start each cut through a log, you should lodge the spikes into the wood, and then let the chain pull its way through the wood.

Once the spikes are set and your chainsaw is in the wood, your hands are primarily on the chainsaw for stability. Try not to push/pull the chainsaw again until you need to reposition the spikes, or you’ve finished your cut.

This will save you a lot of trouble and soreness in the long-run.

7. Avoid Pinching the Chainsaw

Chainsaw cut log

Another common challenge for cutting logs is getting the chainsaw pinched in the log. This typically happens when there is an inward angle towards your cut, caused by the terrain where the tree is lying.

This can be a tricky problem to solve and can also damage your chainsaw. Here are a few simple ways to avoid pinching:

Elevate the Log

In the photo above, I’ve used a tool called a Woodchuck to elevate one side of the tree. You may also be able to do this with small chunks of wood. It depends on the size of the tree, and whether it can be moved.

Once you have a tree elevated on one side, it’s much easier to cut it into logs, because gravity works in your favor and prevents pinching.

Cut One Side at a Time

Alternatively, if you have a log on the ground that looks like it might pinch, you can cut one side at a time.

In other words, you would cut down as far as you can without pinching the bar, and then roll the log over to finish the cut from the other side.

This approach requires some judgement, and you’ll have to estimate how far you can cut without pinching the bar.

Use Wedges to Prevent Pinching

Wedges can also be handy for preventing pinching. This approach would be used mostly for large logs. You would cut through the log until the bar is completely under the tree’s surface.

Then you would tap a felling wedge (NOT a splitting wedge) into the opening created by your chainsaw. The idea is that the wedge keeps the space “propped open”, preventing it from closing in on the chainsaw.

If you still get your chainsaw pinched, don’t panic. Try adding a wedge, or carefully shifting the weight of the log. Be careful, and resist the urge to pull the chainsaw too hard. Small adjustments can usually fix the problem.

8. Split Logs into Firewood

Split firewood

If you’re cutting firewood, then as soon as you’ve finished cutting your logs, it’s helpful to also split it into pieces. This makes it easier to stack and dramatically decreases the time it takes to season the wood.

There’s a number of ways to split firewood, including the following methods:

  • Splitting mauls
  • Splitting axes
  • Splitting wedges
  • Log splitters
  • Hatchets

My favorite approach is probably using a splitting maul with a mid-weight head (around 6 pounds). But if you want to get a quick overview of the different types of log splitting tools, check out this article.

Related Questions

What is the Standard Length for Firewood?

The standard length for firewood is 16 inches. 16-inch pieces will fit in most wood stoves and fireplaces. This is also the size commonly used by firewood sellers. However, 24-inch pieces may also be used in some cases, such as for large commercial wood stoves.

Can I Put a Longer Bar on My Chainsaw?

You can put a longer bar on your chainsaw only if your chainsaw’s engine power can accommodate it. All chainsaws have a recommended range of bar lengths that they can support, and you should be able to find this information in the manufacturer’s manual.

JJ

JJ is a firewood enthusiast, an Eagle Scout, and an avid learner and teacher of outdoor skills.

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