Chainsaw kickback and safety

JINMA224XR · May 5, 2005

Any saw can kick back on you. if you have a fear of using a saw, don't use it. 

Hey JimR,

I have to respectfully disagree with you on that one.

From my own personel experience, If I did not do things that I had a fear of, I would have not gotten very much done using power tools throughout my life.

Fear IMHO, is a tool that can also be used usefully to accomplish any given task. Using the tool safely is the key and using The Fear Factor, to help keep yourself focused on doing it safely, can be very useful. Uncontrolled Fear or Panic, However, is not helpful and should be avoided. I can see that Uncontrolled Fear or Panic, could get one's throat cut---So To Speak.

Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

JimR · May 5, 2005

Fear can also kill you. Fear can make you very skiddish and not have full control of what you are doing. It should make you more alert. But I have seen the opposite in some people. Using a chain saw is not one of the things that you should be in this case. You should also be physically fit so that you can stop that chainsaw from hitting you in case you do have a kickback. On my last tree cutting job I pinched the bar on my big McCulloch Pro Mac 650 with a 26 inch bar. This is a very heavy and powerful saw. That bar kicked back so fast I almost didn't have time to catch it. Fortunately the chain brake worked and stopped the chain. I have found that a smaller saw is much more controllable versus a big saw. I believe it is because more power equals faster kickback. Here's a picture of my last fun project. At the top of the tree with the branches missing is where I was perched to limb this tree. I was hooked onto a rope with a harness. I think that perch is 35-40 feet up.

PhilNH5 · May 5, 2005

Beenthere,
I don't cut nearly as much as you do and you have helped me a lot on this board so I have one more question.

If I am "cutting up" ie using the top of the chainsaw wouldnt any rotational kickback send the saw into the wood? I have thought this to be true and feel safer when cutting up into the wood.

Phil

slowzuki · May 5, 2005

The problem cutting up is if you get push out and the bar walks outs, the kickback zone (top 1/2 of the tip) comes in direct contact with wood and nothing is left above the bar to catch it when it kicks.

This will toss the bar upwards and hopefully activate your chainbrake, or swing past your shoulder, or be controlled by your good grip on the saw.

JINMA224XR · May 5, 2005

Fear can make you very skiddish and not have full control of what you are doing. It should make you more alert. But I have seen the opposite in some people. I believe it is because more power equals faster kickback. 

Hey Jim,

I would classify that as Uncontrolled fear, and I agree with you, that if any person has so much fear, that they cannot control it and use the Fear Energy to be more alert and focused on using the Chainsaw or any other Power Tool in the correct manner and observing accepted safe operating techniques, then that person, should not operate the power tool.

On the other hand, if I had let fear prevent me from using my power tools, I would have missed out on a lot of accomplished projects and the satisfaction of saying, I did it myself, saved a ton of money, and learned to control and use my fear to my advantage.

Learn to control your fear &
Have a nice day,
Joe

MrJoe · May 5, 2005

After this thread started I went and bought a set of chaps. Already had the hardhat w/ muffs and faceshield. Nine ply Huskavarna (sp?)brand. they were a little longer than the Stiel brand and covered the top of my boot. You can't even walk into the ER for the $80 they cost. Came in handy when working in the sticker bushes too, no worries about ripping or thorns in the pants /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

bczoom · May 5, 2005

Keep the safety posts coming (chaps, helmet, fear/respect...) as I need a fresh dose.

I need to go cut down an oak tree this afternoon at a community park. I haven't seen it yet but the guy that's doing it with me told me our 20" bars may not make it 1/2 way through so I need to bring the 28". /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I told him my inventory of what I'm bringing. His only question was "Helmet and chaps??". I still don't know why he and others don't wear the safety equipment. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

PS. Can anyone give me an idea of how much a cord or so of oak would weigh? My trailer bed is 6.5 x 18' but only rated for 7K pounds. How high can I stack it? I'm "guessing probably not more than about 18" which would equate to 1.33 cord.

Brian

Egon · May 5, 2005

Green oak should come in at around 40 - 45 pounds per cubic foot.

Egon

bczoom · May 5, 2005

Thanks Egon,

Sounds like I'll be at GVWR at 1' deep. Probably shouldn't go much higher than that.

Brian

Varmintmist · May 5, 2005

( I told him my inventory of what I'm bringing. His only question was "Helmet and chaps??". I still don't know why he and others don't wear the safety equipment.)

I agree. Drives me nuts to see people not even wear EAR PROTECTION. I saw two guys cutting out of a pile yesterday, not a single piece of defensive equipment anywhere around them.
That said, I did not always use gear either. Glasses were always on but I learned about the rest later.

I havent been able to convince me to buy the helmet, yet. But chaps, ears, good boots, gloves and eye protection are a must. I have a few hard hats around, I just hate them. I like to be able to look up.