I carry emergency strap on tire chains in both of my trucks. Work pretty good. They fit under the back seat. They could possibly give you just enough traction to get out of some situations.

 

I will always take the word of a pro any day (someone who makes their living with saws) for hard-core saw work. But for homeowner duty, I generally buy on the cheaper end. I've had a $129, Poulan, Home Depot special for at least 15 years that I use for project work around the house and the thing simply won't die. I bought a good Husky saw a few years back that is still new in the box because the old Poulan cranks every time...still has original chain with teeth about worn completely off.....go figure.

I've also had both Honda and Briggs & Stratton powered mowers and to be honest, with routine maintenance, I have had great service out of B&S engines. I had the cheapest little mower that Sears sold (bought it for $50 in their "not running" specials area. Mower looked brand new but wouldn't run. Took carb apart and found that the pin that holds the float was missing, likely a factory defect. Made a pin out of a piece of coat hanger wire and the thing fired on the first pull). Used it for years because the deck was partially plastic so it was light and easier on my middle-age joints for cutting "natural areas" in my yard. Have hit countless rocks, small stumps and sticks that would choke the motor and blow the air cleaner off.....but couldn't kill that silly thing. Finally gave it to charity, still running, when the wife finally nagged me into putting sod in my remaining natural areas. I have found that most problems with small engines are carburetor-related so I use premium fuel and never store my stuff over the winter with any fuel in the tank or carburetor.....a little care goes a long way.

 

I knew the 461 would be getting replaced soon, great to hear that the 462 will be the weight of a 60cc saw but with the 75cc class power. I didn't see the need for 75cc saw at the time with my 261 C-M 50cc so I went up to the 661 90cc, but the 16 lbs on the powerhead is noticeable and tiresome. I wonder how close the 462 will compare in terms of power, those 4 lbs of weight savings would be nice.

 

With all this chainsaw chatter, I bet the OP ain't the least bit embarrassed anymore over getting stuck. Feel better now, Mike.krus?

 

Hahah! I do.
I do find the saw talk interesting though.

 

Glad I could help distract from the initial story lol. Saws are interesting, there's just something about them, they get very addicting very quickly.

 

No kidding. I was walking through the hardware store and had to stop and see what brand of chainsaw they carried. Stihl! No idea what level they offer but they have enough models on display that I would think it covers basic and ranch.

 

So since we're talking about getting stuck and using chains.. what's everyone found for a good chain that you can put on after the fact to get unstuck? I don't think I'd ever use chains while driving normal, just when I'm screwed and need that extra traction to get out.

 

I don't run chains on my truck, just on one of my tractors. Depending on how badly stuck you are or where you are stuck might make it impossible to install chains after the fact.

 

I haven't used chains either, that's true if your sunk down pretty good it would be very difficult to put chains on. I'm not sure if you want to be driving around with chains on either.
My theory with the front lockers is that since so much of the truck weight is on the front you would get some pretty traction.

 

 

i dont see any problem getting chains on the passenger side. with a shovel to clear back the snow im sure he could of got them on the driver side also. but if not, im quit sure just passenger side chains would of got the truck out. really it didnt look vary stuck to me but i understand not wanting to slide in the ditch farther and scratch a new truck

 

Love my 362 CM. Absolutely Rips.

 

If you're going to have just one saw the 362 is about as good of a choice as possible.

These are the two I use the most, I picked the 261 C-M up after Hurricane Harvey hit and the old 271 Farm Boss started to show it's weakness under such heavy use. I'll have to get a pic of the 661 C-M next time I'm out at the ranch.

 

LOL at the chainsaw ****!