The Death Machine

With smaller trees cleared using the bushcutter, I enter the office trail the next day with the chainsaw, 2-stroke gas, chain oil, and ATV.

Here's a glamour photo of me and the old school Stihl 08 chainsaw.

Bill and The Death Machine

First built in 1963, the 08 has a 56 cc engine with a .404 pitch chain. I affectionately call it 'The Death Machine' because it's so primitive - and dangerous by today's standards. With solid steel construction it's damn heavy to lug through the bush. But that's not not why it's The Death Machine. It's plain dangerous to run because there's no chain brake for safety's sake and the idler control pretty much requires that the chain is running constantly even when I'm walking from one cut to another.

During this snow storm, there were more than a few times where I fell into waist-deep snow, or tripped over a hidden log with The Death Machine running in both hands.

Maybe it's time to get the other chainsaw tuned-up....