Will a little chain saw clear tough african love grass from a camp site

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 09:24
ThreadID: 75156 Views:3107 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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I have read the posts on small chain saws for camping and was wondering if the thick 1 metre high thick tufts of Love Grass would damage the chain saw or tangle when cutting. The grass is too tough for hand clippers and the only other option so far would be taking a brush cutter or hedge clippers.
I would prefer to only have to take one tool if possible to use for fire wood and clearing. Any ideas?
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Reply By: Shaker - Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 09:31

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 09:31
I am fairly sure that it will tangle around the clutch & stall the saw.

Be very careful, chain saws & angle grinders are responsible for more than their fair share of injuries.
AnswerID: 399122

Follow Up By: jokirt - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 07:54

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 07:54
Yes as I thought. Prior to posting I had rung a Mower shop to get some ideas on suitable tools and prices and he mentioned the words "chain saw" Pruning saw" and a model DC6231T. He wasn't familiar with Love Grass and it's toughness. I couldn't find the model he mentioned on the Internet so I thought I'd throw the idea out here.
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Follow Up By: jokirt - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:26

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:26
I have just found the model it is a Makita DCS231T and it is a chain saw. So totally unsuitable. I thought it might be a hedge trimmer type of tool I hadn't seen before that would be easy on the back by the way he describe it to me.
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Reply By: Gronk - Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 10:38

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 10:38
Chain saws are made for cutting wood, and as said above, trying to use them for other tasks can lead to trouble..........hedge trimmer or whipper snipper with a cutting blade would be easier..
AnswerID: 399133

Follow Up By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 11:32

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 11:32
gday Gronk
But don't let anybody stand behind you when working.
Murray
Muzbry
Great place to be Mt Blue Rag 27/12/2012

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Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 11:44

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 11:44
If you've got a reasonable inverter, then a cheap electric hedge clipper might be the go and won't take up too much space.

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Follow Up By: jokirt - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 07:32

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 07:32
The inverter and electric hedge clipper is novel. It would be light to carry and probably not take up too much space. What is considered a "reasonable Inverter"? Would I need to carry an extra battery and then find the space I had saved was lost again. I have a four cylinder Magna, a large boot and a box trailer for building materials. So camp gear and trimmers or cutters would need to fit in the car.
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FollowupID: 668278

Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 16:46

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 16:46
I carry a very sharp Machete in a Scabbard it goes under the drivers seat, and it will cut all sorts of scrub ect.

Cheers
AnswerID: 399206

Follow Up By:- Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 23:22

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 23:22
A sharp sickle on the end of a strong arm and a bent back would do the job easily. You might find one on a stall at a weekend market. I paid $20.00 for an old English made blade. Happy Days. Pauper.
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Follow Up By: jokirt - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 07:37

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 07:37
I think I have a machette somewhere. I'll give it a go. I have tried the short sickle but it had no effect. It was old and probably blunt though. Will take both as a back up - sharpened of course.
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Reply By: PeterInSa - Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 18:19

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 18:19
In the past, have used an electric whipper snipper on our generator, don't use it now to save room. just look for another spot to camp.

When kids were young, cleared the free camp area just in case of snakes. In low grass I felt they were more visible, both kids and snakes.

Peter
AnswerID: 399225

Follow Up By: jokirt - Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:34

Thursday, Jan 14, 2010 at 08:34
Absolutely agree on the safety. The cleared areas are under trees with widow makes and uncleared areas are a nuisance to try to walk through and also snake and fire risk. Easier to cut the grass than the trees.
jo
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