Don't slam me to hard....

StevenPaul · Mar 11, 2006

Don\'t slam me to hard....

I'm already getting it from my wife and 17 year old son, but the story goes like this...

Plan A, fencing needs done, trees need cut to make room for the fencing, load up tractor with chainsaw, gasoil, chain oil. No problem so far. Get to work, cut a few trees, so far so good, wife calls ask have the kids called to go pick them up from school, I answer yup, she says, don't worry I'll get them, I think, cool, more tree cuttin time. So I hang up, go to cuttin again, the BAM! it happens, after I cut a tree, I lifted the chainsaw up out of the way (in my left hand) to proceed to the next tree, problem was that I think I got to relaxed and let the bar kinda swing around and without me thinkin about it, next thing I know I feel this "bite". I look and lo and behold, I'm bleeding. The pictures will explain it all. And before I get slammed for not having the proper safety apparel and/or for just being plain stupid, I have to say that I have given thanks to my Father in Heaven that it is only as bad as it is and have already thought of 100 worse scenarios. The really funny part besides my wife and kid giving me a hard time is that when it happened one of my first thoughts was, sheeeesh, the guys on TBN are gonna slam me for this!
All in all though, things are ok, the tractor is fine, and I'm hoping to get back out there and cut some more trees.

And this post is mainly for the ever so important reminder of safety first and don't ever relax when cutting trees.

And one more thought is that my chainsaw is a small 14 inch Poulan and it is pretty light and very manageble. I think that had something to do with me becoming relaxed and just letting it swing. So I guess I need to get a bigger chainsaw that takes two hands to carry. Just kidding, maybe /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I would like to remain anonymous but...
my name is
Steve and I'm a tractorholic

StevenPaul · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Don\'t slam me to hard....

another picture

JoeR · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Don\'t slam me to hard....

Ouch!

scott_vt · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Don\'t slam me to hard....

Mornin Steve,
Glad your OK. That stuff can happen real fast. I believe Tom had a good post on chaps the other day, but safety clothing is a must. I know Im guilty when it gets warm, but no excuse really /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

scotty

turnkey4099 · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Don\'t slam me to hard....

First picture shows just how improbable accidents can be. YOu had it in your left hand but still managed to cut yourself on your left arm.

Looks like the chain was still rotating. If it was and you didn't have the throttle held partly open, you need to adjust that thing. Chain should stop as soon as you let off the throttle.

I have had similar things happen but so far (knock wood) only scratches.

Glad it wasn't worse.

Harry K

vetteman · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Don\'t slam me to hard....

Can you say Chain brake ?

ByronBob · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Don\'t slam me to hard....

My dad back in the 70's to combat his job furlough did tree's. I would go with chaulk and mark the tree's.

On the dozer one day when a limb whiplashes from the blade and smacks him in the mouth. 17 stitches later his lip is back together.

Can happen to anyone with or without chaps on.....But I'm sure you'll be your best saftey advocate from now on. Nothing like living the story to believe it.

Jstpssng · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Don\'t slam me to hard....

Ouch! Glad it wasn't any worse. That definitely comes under the category of ""freak accident!!"

IslandTractor · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Don\'t slam me to hard....

I'm glad you are ok.

I am having trouble visualizing how the chain saw could even get to your left scapula and upper left arm if it was being held in your left hand. The only way I can see that happening is if you raised the chainsaw over your shoulder and I know you didn't do that. Right? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

StevenPaul · Mar 11, 2006

Re: Don\'t slam me to hard....

well, the only thing I can think of is what I said earlier about just gettin to relaxed and letting it swing around while I had it up in the air. I was starting to walk to the other tree and in the same motion keeping the chainsaw up and out of the way of brush. I'm still trying to figure out how it got to my back. I must had that thing way out and at an angle to where it just got my elbow and back at the same time. It does tell me though that I seriously need a newer model chainsaw with more safety features on it. Mine is an older model and yes the throttle gets stuck sometimes and it really is an unsafe chainsaw. So I guess the obvious question would be, any recommendations for a good safe chainsaw. The majority of the trees we're cuttin are all less than 8" but we do have an occasional "bigger one".

and thanks for not slammin y'all! The current phrase at our house is "what an idiot" and somehow they all look at me. And as in any "accident" I had the pleasure of letting my wife fix me up. My daughter wanted to but I said, "nope, I'm waitin on your mother". I mean come on, a 15 year old girly patch job versus your wife. Of course she giggles and says "I know why". And I'm like, thats a no brainer! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And believe it or not, I think TBN has a lot to do with the way we (as in all TBNer's) do things now. It's almost like you have this big brother looking over your shoulder whether it be to make light hearted fun of your mistakes or causing awareness of the project at hand or just passing on the experiences we all share.

now to go chainsaw huntin! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Steve