Chainsaw Chaps do their job

[40_acre_mule]

I was using the chainsaw to clear along my fence line this morning. Chainsaw was working fine. I stopped the saw several times to replace staples in the barbed wire.
Well, this time, I fire up the saw to lop off a branch growing through from the other side. I reach over the fence, cut the branch, let go of the chainsaw with the trigger hand (right) and swing the saw back over with the left hand. Well, the chain didn't stop running, it stayed at about half speed. As I swung it over, the chain caught the top strand of wire and kicked out. As it jumped around, it bumped against the outside of my left thigh. The kevlar strands clogged up the saw in an instant.

Thank you, Tractorbynet. Reading this forum is what made me buy a set of chaps last year.

 

[WantedWolf]

Good to hear your stihl in one piece.
Off to the store for another set?

 

[Egon]

Nice to hear that the chaps work and you weren't injured

 

[CurlyDave]

Reading this forum is what made me buy a set of chaps last year.

Same for me, although I haven't had as much excitement as you.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

If any of you caught the newest episode of Axemen on Monday March 2 one of those guys tested his chaps out as well. I am wearing mine more often now after nearly removing my knee.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

well, looks like i need a pair....

the bad habbit part is, i'm out mowing on my tractor, think "let's cut this one little branch, oh, i don't need my chaps and they are clear back at the truck anyway....."

vs.

"i'm going to be cutting all day, it's cold anyway, i think i'll wear my chaps..."

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Believe me I am full of excuses as to not wear them. I have been cutting firewood since I was 10 (40+ years ago)and doing tree work for about 20. I just bought chaps late last year after another "near miss" Just a few scrapes above the knee where the chain tore through coveralls and pants. I would be kicking my own butt for a long time if I did some serious damage to myself and the chaps were 100' away in the truck..

 

[groundcover]

Treemonkey, You can get pants for climbing,not as cumbersome up in a tree but still gives protection. Husqvarna Chainsaw Pants

 

[thatguy]

Im glad you had the chaps on and they did their job.. I know ppl that don't believe in wearing chaps ("never needed them and i have been using a chainsaw for year" sorta ppl) but this just proves you never know what or when something will happen..

I am assuming you are heading off to buy a new set today, arent you?

Brian

 

[woodlandfarms]

question on the pants. How do you think they would survive in the nasty brambles of blackberry bushes? The purpose of them, as I see it, is to shred when they are pulled. Brambles hold on sooo tight I wonder if the pants would hold up in my farm environment.

 

[actionaj]

I am planning on buying a pair chaps myself. I like the ones Stihl has.

 

[WantedWolf]

question on the pants. How do you think they would survive in the nasty brambles of blackberry bushes? The purpose of them, as I see it, is to shred when they are pulled. Brambles hold on sooo tight I wonder if the pants would hold up in my farm environment.

The Stihl's are very tough canvas type material, Ive never ripped them on brush, but I know Barbed wire will KO them in no time. the Webbing ties and leg straps do attract burrs thou

I really dont know what to think but I see they now make them in woodland camo.
I covered my sod knife in camo tape once. Never found it again. I would like to see my leg to not cut it off.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

If you picked up the heavy chap type chainsaw pants like I am using I would think that they would hold up well. They have a very heavy corduroy outer shell that works pretty well. The reason I know about that is I was out using the chainsaw to cut through huge clumps of blackberries a few weeks ago. These clumps are about 8' high and the easiest way is to chainsaw through them. The chaps worked out well to keep me from getting torn up by the blackberry bushes. Along with the fact that if I happened to have the chainsaw flip back my legs are protected.
Now the climbing pants in the previous post are nylon outers I think and would snag and shred easier.

 

[WantedWolf]

If you picked up the heavy chap type chainsaw pants like I am using I would think that they would hold up well. They have a very heavy corduroy outer shell that works pretty well. The reason I know about that is I was out using the chainsaw to cut through huge clumps of blackberries a few weeks ago. These clumps are about 8' high and the easiest way is to chainsaw through them. The chaps worked out well to keep me from getting torn up by the blackberry bushes. Along with the fact that if I happened to have the chainsaw flip back my legs are protected.
Now the climbing pants in the previous post are nylon outers I think and would snag and shred easier.

Do you really mean corduroy or cordura. Iv found real corduroy will run very easily should you get the smallest tear or snag.

mine are about 4 years old and I think the shells are 600d cordura (nylon)

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Yeah thats the stuff What's a little Corduroy -Cordura amongst friends?
The thick canvasy material....

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/safety/134333-chain-saw-pants.html

 

[DrainPondDesign]

Hi,

For what this is worth the USDA sponsors free chainsaw use classes including how to safely fell a tree. Check with your local USDA office or farm supply.

After attending one at our local farm supply that included a demo of the chaps stopping a saw I purchased a pair for my wife and a pair for myself before leaving.

For small limbing jobs I just use a hand saw, it's easier and takes less time than firing up a chainsaw. Sure it's not a power tool but I'm lazy.

Stay warm

 

[40_acre_mule]

I have the Stihl brand. They held up fine as I waded through heavy brush, including a prickly shrub we call Yaupon. Plus, it did okay with the occasional blackberry vine.
The chainsaw hit right on the cargo pocket, so it cut through the pocket and the regular outer layer, then dug into the kevlar fibers. It didn't get through the inner layer. Good thing, too. I was only wearing a pair of sweat pants underneath.
The chainsaw is new. This is only the second time I've used the chainsaw. It is a Homelite Pro 20 inch model. The engine won't throttle down when you release the trigger. I assume it has some kind of centrifugal clutch to engage the chain. I'm guessing that the engine never slows enough to disengage the chain.
I sent an email to Homelite about it. I'll let y'all know their response.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Get that saw fixed quick my friend before you really get hurt. Make sure your choke isn't sticking. Or check the linkage to see if the trigger spring has come off..

 

[Midsouth]

I will second that something is not right it should throttle down as soon as you release the trigger.

 

[Arkhermit]

The way to cut blackberries is with a 501 Ford sickle mower. Works real slick any mower would work.