Chainsaw kickback and safety

bczoom · May 5, 2005

( 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.

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. )

I found out last fall one of my employees wasn't wearing a helmet/cage/ears or chaps. I told him to go get the chaps, helmet and good gloves and expense it back to me. He now wears all of them religiously (and I feel better).

The helmets aren't too bad. Yea, a little ackward when looking up but the ears hold it to your head so it's not sliding.
Only advise I have is when you take it off, set it right side up. Nothing worse than when you cut in the summer, the band gets covered with sweat. When upside down, it makes a puddle in the top of the helmet. When you go to slap it back on, you get a nasty splash in the face. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Gross. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

beenthere · May 5, 2005

What works neat in the helmet is the thin female panty pad stuck to the headband. Amazing how that keeps the sweat from running down into your eyes. I learned that from a tough old logger cutting trees in Alaska a few years ago. My wife was real concerned when I stashed a few in my chainsaw box.
Another trick for first aid is to store a sanitary napkin above the helmet liner so it is handy to stop blood flow if knicked by the chain. The Alaska logger showed me that trick too. I've never had a problem with looking up, as the helmet tips when the head tips back.

As far as a helmet, I fortunately had mine on once when cutting an oak tree in the woods, and a dead limb about 2" diam fell down and smacked that helmet down around my ears. My neck hurt for a couple days, but know that I probably should be thankful I am alive to tell about it.

As far as chaps, the last time I bounced the chain off my knee was a day I was helping the Lions club clear paths for the school forest, and one of the helpers was the ambulance driver for the local EMS. He began the day saying something about the get-up I was putting on just to trim back a few trees. After a couple hours of cutting, when I reached out to cut a small tree, the saw jerked and bounced on my knee. I hardly felt it, but it ripped into the chaps. This guy was watching and got real white in the face. I stopped the saw and he said "I'm going to buy a pair of chaps this afternoon" and he has worn them ever since. He realized what the routine would have been like getting me off that forested hill and to the Emergency Room had I not had the chaps on. The chainsaw teeth open up a huge wound, much worse than a cut from an axe.

bczoom · May 5, 2005

( What works neat in the helmet is the thin female panty pad stuck to the headband. Amazing how that keeps the sweat from running down into your eyes. I learned that from a tough old logger cutting trees in Alaska a few years ago. My wife was real concerned when I stashed a few in my chainsaw box.
Another trick for first aid is to store a sanitary napkin above the helmet liner so it is handy to stop blood flow if knicked by the chain. The Alaska logger showed me that trick too. I've never had a problem with looking up, as the helmet tips when the head tips back. )

If I get up the guts to take on the scrutiny/harassing I'm sure to take from others, I may give that a shot. Do they make them in any "manly" colors, designs, configurations... so as to disguise their true purpose?

beenthere · May 5, 2005

No, pink and you have to get used to the perfume smell /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Maybe it's time to put some marketing pressure on the makers. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Egon · May 5, 2005

Drill a small hole in the top of the helmet.

Note: For some of us shinny pated fellows the helmet is a necessity to prevent sunburn. A very painfull experience that usually only happens once.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

goodoleboy · May 14, 2005

Update:
I used the chainsaw and it turned out quite well.
I brought it along to friends who needed to cut up a dozen or so 12" felled red oak trees.
Well while pulling out 1 of the oaks out a dry creek, his uncle ran his brand spanking new saw over.
It was not as bad as I thought, just being around him and watching taught me quite a bit.
Dont mean to wimp, but my dad never had a chainsaw so it was a new experience and after a few years as a Medic I know the damage machines/tools can do.

SkyPup · May 16, 2005

( Update:
I used the chainsaw and it turned out quite well.
Well while pulling out 1 of the oaks out a dry creek, his uncle ran his brand spanking new saw over.
)

OPPS!!! One more thing we learned about chainsaw safety is tomake sure than your chainsaw itself is safe, ie don't run it over with your tractor!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JINMA224XR · May 16, 2005

I used the chainsaw and it turned out quite well. 

Hey Goodoleboy,

You did good /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

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

gmsssi · May 16, 2005

Mine has a "kickback" safety device, does yours? Mine does but it has never kicked back........Jonsered 2030! I use to have a older Harley and it sent me over the handlebars a couple times....LOL!

Don't be afraid, it will do tons a work and you'll love to work with it!

goodoleboy · May 17, 2005

Mine did have the kickback safety device but i removed it to cut a large diameter tree.
Ill reinstall if the need arises, but ill keep it in the case.

Its a shame that his saw was runover, All it is going to need a brand new handle about $15 still its alot of money and time treacking down parts.. When i take tools out of my truck I make sure to put them right back in there when im done.Cause I know ill lose whatever I lay down.