Chain saw near miss

[KeithInSpace]

I agree. My Stihl can handle either a 16" or 18" bar...it feels like a sports car with the 16" bar installed and I have yet to cut down a tree where that was too little saw.

I've PAID to have larger trees cut, but they were too big for my wife to let me touch.

I've seen these cute saws...smaller than mine...with these huge bars on them at the big box stores. It is a funny sight. If you need a bigger bar, you need a bigger saw.

Since I've bought my Stihl, I'm not going back.

 

[Foothill Rancher]

Back forty years or so one of my first jobs was working for a company that cleared around the utility lines.
Back then the Homlite was king, all our saws were fitted with 24in bars, the reason was for reach. Bucking up a tree and you would be standing upright and not stooping over, when up in the tree it would give you more cutting room without leaning in a bad dangerous position.
I still tend to use a longer bar but must have a saw with enough power to use it, you have to watch where that long bar is going to hit, they will kick.

 

[LBrown59]

MY Stihl is a 14''
L . B .

 

[kthompson]

Now watch the professional loggers on the History Channel (think that is the right network) and other than hard hat tell me what safety equipment they use. kt

 

[KeithInSpace]

...tell me what safety equipment they use. kt

It's not what the DO use, it's what they SHOULD use...

This is a stat from the "Safety" group under the general discussion forums of this web site....

Jobs with the highest fatality rates
The following 10 occupations had the highest fatality rates in 2007:
1. Fishing and related fishing workers Fatality rate*: 111.8

2. Logging workers Fatality rate: 86.4

But there are so many ways to go when you're doing what they do...getting squished...bleeding out...whipped by a cable...clubbed in the head...a whole buffet of ways to bite it.

All we (the general public) needs to worry about is that darn chain. That is, assuming, we are all good enough to stay on the uphill side of the falling tree.

 

[crbr]

I would never laugh at anyone who uses safety equipment while using a chainsaw. I do wear glasses and gloves and that is it. I often wear shorts. I am generally only cutting downed wood for firewood, but occassionally I have to take down a tree. My trees are usually pretty small (less than a foot).

I never cut when I am too tired and I take lots of breaks to never get too tired. I probably never use the saw for more than hour a day. I haven't had an injury, but the first time I used one was to clear the land where I live and I almost cut through my wood snowshoe.

So does this indicate that you feel your frequency of use lessens the risk of a damaging or fatal accident that will inpact your family and scores of others or are you assessing that you are willing to increase the risk of which you are willing to subject to your family?
Just asking in a very nice way. I have a pair of overalls that have a clean cut from a saw, right in the thigh area on the left pant leg. It never touched my leg. I am so thankful to the Lord for looking after me.

 

[KeithInSpace]

I do wear glasses and gloves and that is it. I often wear shorts.

Didn't notice this before...

This is funny because I seldom feel comfortable with a SHOVEL in my hand while wearing shorts. And if I'm picking up anything more than 25#, I have my boots on. Sure, I 'live on the edge' once in a while...you know, start the tractor without proper ear protection...but it's like driving through a parking lot without a seat belt. Feels weird.

Chainsaw with shorts? I'd never do it, my friend. Never in a million years. Maybe when I was 16 when I knew EVERYTHING, but not now that I know nothing...

And I have no CLUE when I started caring about safety. Must have something to do with the 2 and 4 year old watching me from the window of the house...

 

[LBrown59]

it's like driving through a parking lot without a seat belt.
1*Feels weird.

1*It can also be quite dangerous.
Just ask My wifes sister .
She was a passenger in a van going through a shopping center that got hit by car driven by a drunk driver flying through the parking lot at about 50 or 60 miles an hour.
This happened back in 2000 and she has gone through eight years of pain and suffering numerous operations and countless health complication due to that accident.
She was not wearing a seat belt.

 

[KeithInSpace]

It can also be quite dangerous.

Ya. I was trying to make some type of point in my rambling.

I don't put the car in gear without a seatbelt.

 

[donn12]

No offense but anyone that doesn't use protective gear with a chainsaw is crazy. I did alot of research before I bought my Stihl 280 and non professional users maiming themselves is so common it is not even newsworthy. I wear chaps, gloves, a helmet, Labonville boots and most importantly a cup. I do look a little goofy but if you see pictures of a person who has been hit in the face with a saw they have to look like that forever. Arboristsite has some great info...one of the things that jumps out at you is the injury and fatality section.