Brushcutting chaps?

[weesa20]

I am gearing up to do some light brushcutting and have been looking for brush blade specific chaps but have really only found chainsaw chaps- because the two machines work and are stalled in very different ways, i am concerned that the chainsaw chaps are not sufficient...anyone aware of brush cutter specific chaps or shin guards?

 

[Skyco]

If you have a proper brush cutter harness it is impossible to get to yourself with the blade...

 

[studor]

As long as the guards are in place and you are wearing the harness it seems kinda hard to visualize getting hit by the brushcutter blade as Skyco says. I have been hit by chunks of flying vegetation that hurt so I don't wear shorts anymore. I wear high boots to protect my shins and my logging hard hat with muffs and face guard to avoid hearing loss and stuff in my eyes. Needless to say this is also not one of my summer tasks anymore!

 

[Gary Fowler]

I cant see getting the blade into your leg, maybe into your foot if you maneuver it wrong. I would get heavy steel toed boots with the additional top instep flap to protect the top of your foot. They tie on with the laces. Other than good eye and hearing protection, that should be all you need if you keep the guards in place.
For cutting vines, saw briars etc. I bought the heavy duty Gator attachment with the 4 steel reversible blades for my weedeater and it works fine. I have the old 4 way skil saw looking blade with 4 notches and the Gator is much better.
Stihl make one with chain saw teeth that they swear cuts 4" saplings but if you have ever used a chainsaw, you know what touching it in the dirt does for instantly dulling the teeth not to mention rocks. Kinda pricey too. I am happy with my less than $15 gator attachment as I have hit rocks and barbed wire with mine and it keeps on ticking like a Timex watch. It is much better than the saw blade style as it is on pivots like a bush hog so if the blade hits an immovable object, they swing back.

 

[deereman75]

This past summer I was doing trail clearing in the alberta rockies with stihls biggest forestry clearing saw. I was wearing chainsaw chaps the whole time. That was more to prevent pain from getting hit with flying rocks and such. I doubt the chaps would really stop the saw, seeing as it will clear christmas trees as fast as you can swing that thing. Heres a pic of it.

 

[Soundguy]

chainsaw chaps and good high shaft boots or snake chaps and you should be fine.

soundguy

 

[Skyco]

I don't think chainsaw chaps will do diddly. They are designed to jam a chain not deflect it or shield against it in any way. They aren't gonna jam a rotating circular saw blade, nothing to jam.
Again with a proper harness you cannot get near any part of your body with the blade end, it is impossible, that is why the harnesses are made like they are.
I have that biggest Echo beast and I have thoroughly checked it out as I was concerned too, but it just can't be done without destroying the harness somehow.

 

[Soundguy]

if it's a kevlar lines chap it should 'resist' slashing style cuts.

resist being the key word.

swat uses slip on kevlar arm sleaves that look JUST LIKE chainsaw upper arm sleeves, only black, and use the to throw off kinfe blades...

soundguy

 

[studor]

I think if you somehow managed to get yourself with the blade that you will ruin a very good set of chainsaw chaps and drive fibres into your wound!
Even the Kevlar would be driven into the wound and the blade would continue to run free. JMHO

 

[Dan Hunter]

The chaps go on the person that is collecting and piling the material you're cutting. I can provide photos upon request to explain this. Surprisingly, it isn't all that painful compared to, say, spinal issues that warrant the fusing of C4-C7. Doesn't bleed much either but it does tend to horrify the operator.