Modifying a chainsaw to cut ice?

[spearchucker]

I just got a new Husqvarna 372 XP and bought a 36" bar for it for cutting ice. My question is what is the best way to modify the chain for cutting ice? I previously had a Husqvarna 455 Rancher and I only had a 20" bar on it. On that one I just cut all of the rakers off, and it seemed to cut pretty good. I have heard on the big bars that some people just cut every other tooth/raker off and that is it.Anyone know what works best? Chain loops that long aren't very cheap, so I want to gather some opinions prior to getting out the grinder.

[rezeye]

I just got a new Husqvarna 372 XP and bought a 36" bar for it for cutting ice. My question is what is the best way to modify the chain for cutting ice? I previously had a Husqvarna 455 Rancher and I only had a 20" bar on it. On that one I just cut all of the rakers off, and it seemed to cut pretty good. I have heard on the big bars that some people just cut every other tooth/raker off and that is it.Anyone know what works best? Chain loops that long aren't very cheap, so I want to gather some opinions prior to getting out the grinder.

I modified my chainsaw to resemble a Jiffy white lightning auger works much better now and way less messy

[spearchucker]

I modified my chainsaw to resemble a Jiffy white lightning auger works much better now and way less messy

Less messy? What about the 3 foot pile of slush and the jagged edged hole that you have to chisel, and then spend 5 minutes scooping slush. No thanks. I have been using a chainsaw for the last 3 years, and I'll never go back to that mess.

[rezeye]

I was talking about all the water that sprays up and allover sillly the slush well thats just part of it takes me 15 min max from first hole to decoy deployment and I stay dry o and the jagged edges dont bother me

[darkhousefisher]

I gotta agree w/ Rezeye on this.  I use my ice saw until it gets too thick (about 3 foot), after that I auger holes and scoop slush.  I took a cheap collapsible snow shovel and drilled a bunch of holes in it like a giant skimmer.  If there was a way to deflect the water I would consider a chainsaw, but until then I'll just keep doing it the "hard way".  Just my $.02.  To each his own.

[rezeye]

hey spearchucker sometimes you can find a decent used chain at a chainsaw repair shop that you can modify also i seen mrmarty and whatpole use one of those icesaws (ithink they are around 150bucks) worked great and cuts a nice clean hole   just a thought 

[spearchucker]

hey spearchucker sometimes you can find a decent used chain at a chainsaw repair shop that you can modify also i seen mrmarty and whatpole use one of those icesaws (ithink they are around 150bucks) worked great and cuts a nice clean hole   just a thought 

I have one of those hand saws that I use until the ice is over a foot thick then it takes too much work.

[BuschWhacker]

Here ya go, Now that's a Spear Hole!!

[BuschWhacker]

Another version on You Tube, check out the guys jumping on the block

[Higgins]

Another version on You Tube, check out the guys jumping on the block

Yeah I'm not gonna lye I've jumped on a few my self and went in the drink  It's not the smartest thing to do but then again I never said I was smart 

Here is the site with a Hyper link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooJr3AydNfc

[darkhousefisher]

Just curious how the new saw is working, did the modifications work good?

[spearchucker]

Just curious how the new saw is working, did the modifications work good?

I ended up cutting all of the rakers off, and switched the bar oil out for vegetable oil. Same as my old chain saw. Cut through 2 feet of ice on Saturday like butter. No fish though