Planning ahead in 2026: logging parts, spares, and avoiding downtime. What do you keep on hand so a breakdown doesn’t ruin the week?

[Alan]

We’re a few days into February 2026, which feels like a good time to talk planning before things ramp up. For the benefit of the community, I’d love to hear how people set themselves up so a small failure does not turn into a multi-day stoppage waiting on parts or hoping a shop can fit them in.

When something goes wrong, what’s your decision process for fixing it yourself versus taking it in, and who do you trust to do the work? And what are the top spare parts you keep on hand that you consider non-negotiable for chainsaws, skidding gear, and general logging equipment.

If you’ve got a story where having one cheap spare saved an entire day, share it. Those are the best lessons for newer folks trying to build their kit smart.

 

[FuukaYamagishi]

A cheap spare that saved my day was a fuel line and a primer bulb. I had a saw start acting weird, almost like it was starving. Swapped the line, back to cutting in minutes. Without it, I would have been driving to town. For planning, I keep a small tote that lives in the truck with common saw parts and basic tools. It sounds boring but it keeps the week moving.

 

[What]

Buy your own hose maker, and bulk spools of hose, and fittings.
Nothing worse than always running to town for a blown hose. Blow a hose, take it off, go to the truck, and make a new one.

Orings, buy a complete kit, in every size imaginable, and 40 of each. Every spring go through the kitchen, and replenish any getting low. A good grinder and wheels, don't just weld a crack. Stop, grind a good V into it, then weld, that gives you the penetration you need. Surface welds are weak. I spend as much time prepping a crack to be welded, as I do welding.

 

[What]

Oh and listen, really listen, often you can hear an issue starting, before it breaks.