Chainsaw safety

[savageayape]

Hey, for those who mentioned ripping your jeans from the chainsaw, I'm guessing you weren't wearing chaps. Chaps are well worth the money and eventually you don't even notice you have them on. You never know, your wife may even like the way you look in them

 

[Travelover]

Not likely to happen, at least on professional grade saws. Those people fight for every ounce they can save in weight. I am no pro but use my saws (4 now) a lot. Bought the last one last week and the model I bought depended a lot on the weight.

Harry K

When I was in high school (late 60's) I worked at a hardware store that sold McCulloch chain saws. They sold a version of the Power Mac 6 that had electric starting. It had a starter / generator built into the flywheel similar to motorcycle engines and used a nicad battery, as I recall. Electric starting was sold as a safety feature - no need to leave it running when climbing.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

I would say that I never start with the Chain brake on. I want to keep the cold saw from choking out so I am ready on the throttle.

Me & my Father-in-law has tried to use the Chain brake while starting, and it would always quit before we could release the brake.

We always start with the saw on the ground...but the chain off the ground.

 

[NewToy]

Hey, for those who mentioned ripping your jeans from the chainsaw, I'm guessing you weren't wearing chaps. Chaps are well worth the money and eventually you don't even notice you have them on. You never know, your wife may even like the way you look in them

I can't remember, did the guy from "The Village People" tote a chainsaw or were the chaps just for show?

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I call that chain training wheel chain. I use it up when I get it on a new saw. It sharpens ok and I take down the rakers (depth gauges) a bit to make them chew in. The idea is fine for folks that are unfamiliar with chain sawing.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I wear chaps, helmet, and use the brake when I start. Never had any problems starting with the carb adjusted...

Fundamentally, even if I had to replace a clutch, I'd rather do that then replace a body part. And I doubt I will - I'm not a pro, I'm just a guy with 7.5 acres of oak to cut down.

Husqy's do have that lip on the left of the saw, which is nice. Still not really big enough for my boots though.

 

[Rara Avis]

I can't remember, did the guy from "The Village People" tote a chainsaw or were the chaps just for show?

The guy with the chaps was a COWBOY...

 

[NewToy]

10-4 on the cowboy, I always get him mixed up with the biker dude.

John

 

[pat32rf]

When I hop off the ATV, truck or tractor to clear a tree accross the trail I always put on my chaps first. Then I stick my running shoe in the handle to get it started with the brake engaged. I then take off my running shoes and put my boots on....SURE
With my worn out knees and arthritic fingers (still got them all) I am happy if I can find a log to put the saw on to start it.
Now if I'm cutting my winters wood, its a whole different ball game....
PS- I've always used Stihl, an old 026 for my firewood and a new 170 to carry on the vehicle (after I wore out my 30yr old 009). When my new 170 tangled with an oak branch and was waiting for a donor parts saw I bought a baby Poulan (14" bar) to tide me over. Now I remember why I've always bought Stihl....

 

[Charlesaf3]

When I hop off the ATV, truck or tractor to clear a tree accross the trail I always put on my chaps first. Then I stick my running shoe in the handle to get it started with the brake engaged. I then take off my running shoes and put my boots on....SURE
With my worn out knees and arthritic fingers (still got them all) I am happy if I can find a log to put the saw on to start it.
Now if I'm cutting my winters wood, its a whole different ball game....
PS- I've always used Stihl, an old 026 for my firewood and a new 170 to carry on the vehicle (after I wore out my 30yr old 009). When my new 170 tangled with an oak branch and was waiting for a donor parts saw I bought a baby Poulan (14" bar) to tide me over. Now I remember why I've always bought Stihl....

I actually do... I won't even use the saw unless there is someone else around to call 911. If there's a tree needing movement, I move it with the tractor or a chain on the pickup.

Something like 14,000 chainsaw injuries a year. And not many of them scratches... I don't mind taking the time to be safe. I take enough risks that I think I have to, no need to add to them.

And Fiancee is a surgeon, so I regularly get to hear stories about saw and tractor injuries - easy to think they are rare if you just talk to friends...

 

[weedpharma]

I actually do... I won't even use the saw unless there is someone else around to call 911. If there's a tree needing movement, I move it with the tractor or a chain on the pickup.
...

I have found that being alone makes me think more about safety. My previous near miss was due to lack of familiarity with a new tool. Yes, this was a near major incident that I did not think about but to work alone is my choice as well as it not being practical as I visit my place alone most times.

Accidents are unforeseen incidents. I try to think about potential injuries whenever I am working. Ideally there would always be someone to watch over anything we do. Reading the safety forum shows that many injuries are received doing things that the person thought was perfectly safe.

It is simply my choice to work alone.

Weedpharma

 

[Charlesaf3]

lots of times you have to work alone to get the job done.

But when I don't have to (chainsawing falls into that category for me) I don't.

 

[amigauser]

Pretty sad, no real details.

Man Kills Wife With Chain Saw In Accident - Cincinnati breaking news, weather radar, traffic from 9News | Channel 9 WCPO.com

 

[irwin]

Pretty sad, no real details.

Man Kills Wife With Chain Saw In Accident - Cincinnati breaking news, weather radar, traffic from 9News | Channel 9 WCPO.com

That's one guy that wishes he was alone while working the chainsaw.

 

[Charlesaf3]

That's one guy that wishes he was alone while working the chainsaw.

Was just thinking that.

Also wondering what the heck happened. I won't let anybody anywhere near me when I'm felling trees. Never thought about the saw so much, but trees can drop funny.

 

[dmccarty]

I work alone. Very seldom is there someone around. I think its more good than bad. Less people to get hurt with the tractor or saw. I have worked with the saw around other people and I don't like it. I would have to watch ME, the saw, the tree AND someone else. I had to yell at them a few times to get back.

For the fatal saw accidents I have read about, having someone else present would have just been a witness. Not a thing they could have done to prevent the person from dying. The people could have been outside a trauma room and they would have bled out before they got inside.

Surely there is an injury where a witness could prevent death but it seems like most of the accidents are either immediately fatal or you have time to get to the ER. In any case I don't have much choice. If I had to have someone watch me work no work would get done.

My rules are to be aware, not tired, wear the safety equipment, tools have to be in working order, THINK, and go slow. Violate any of the above and stop work.

Later,
Dan

 

[jimmysisson]

I'm with Dan, mostly because I like it better alone. You're never sure what the other guy is going to do. We're lucky I guess.
Jim

 

[Charlesaf3]

I work alone. Very seldom is there someone around. I think its more good than bad. Less people to get hurt with the tractor or saw. I have worked with the saw around other people and I don't like it. I would have to watch ME, the saw, the tree AND someone else. I had to yell at them a few times to get back.

For the fatal saw accidents I have read about, having someone else present would have just been a witness. Not a thing they could have done to prevent the person from dying. The people could have been outside a trauma room and they would have bled out before they got inside.

Surely there is an injury where a witness could prevent death but it seems like most of the accidents are either immediately fatal or you have time to get to the ER. In any case I don't have much choice. If I had to have someone watch me work no work would get done.

My rules are to be aware, not tired, wear the safety equipment, tools have to be in working order, THINK, and go slow. Violate any of the above and stop work.

Later,
Dan

You gotta do what you gotta do to get the job done. I respect that. I just have the option of having someone around when I chainsaw, and I do think that makes things safer.

I will not let anyone within a hundred feet of me usually when I'm working though. Agree that's one more thing to worry about.

 

[funkydaddy59]

Came across this chain saw mishap involving a large tree. Moron Cuts Tree and Crushes His PorchVideo