"never cut above your head" the warnings read

[workinallthetime]

This ice storm we had tought me alot of lessons. I didnt have enough fire wood and nither did my parents, yet the mild winters we have had who would have thought we would need to heat our homes for 3 days to a week off of fire wood. that was the first lesson
cutting down a tree christmas eve for my dad, the top was broke and lying on the ground. I did everything right in my book, cut the perfect wedge, came in behind it and when the tree was cut free the pressure from the top shoved the trunk into my chest, pinning me for a moment aginst the shed as i ran sideway getting away. Always have an exit plan, lesson two
today was the worst yet !!!
my dad is close to 80 and tires out quick, so i keep my 2 girls (10, 15) working with me to teach them values and to keep an eye on me. I am still cleaning up the 10 acres he lives on from the ice storm, lots of dragging and cutting brush and trees. Today i was standing in the bucket at full height cutting a limb about 14" in diameter out of a tree. I had allready cleaned the brush from the end of the limb so it was suspended in the air (see lesson 2). I blaved through it like butter and when it fell it landed on the end and sprung back up into the bucket with me. I just got home from the ER where i got 6 stiches in the side of my mouth where the thing hit me and riped my lip open on 1 side. None the worse for the wear but all i can think about is that warning that said (never cut anything above your head) lesson three.
As freek accidents go this was pretty freeky but if i had been above the branch cutting down it could have never gotten to me.
a few stiches another pair of dirty shorts and im sure some new scares on my face but other than that im here to talk about it so life is good.
workinallthetime is chillin out for awhile.

 

[Aquaman]

After years of using chainsaws, I've luckily only had minor injuries. One thing that every injury had in common was: Doing something that I knew was dangerous (or stupid!) but doing it anyway. Safety and common sense are cheap. Use them.

 

[Rara Avis]

Today i was standing in the bucket at full height cutting a limb about 14" in diameter out of a tree.

Well this is an incident all on its own...
If this were a business operation...OSHA would have been handing out big fines...the Bucket of a FEL is NOT for standing in...

Glad you are only somewhat the worse for wear...BE SAFE OUT THERE...

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Were you using the helmet with face guard when you were injured? I am glad you are ok for the most part as it could have been a lot worse. I know when I am using my helmet (I bought it when I bought the pole saw) and cutting above my head I am a little fearless at times as I have had limbs hit my head and aside from a slight ringing I am ok but I try my best to stay away from being hit for the most part.

One thing I don't have is the chaps to protect my legs. But I really don't cut a lot of wood on the ground and when I do it as I am limbing trees and I chunk the big limbs into smaller pieces for my grandfather to take home and cut up. Most of my cutting has the saw 13' away from my legs

 

[CurlyDave]

One thing I don't have is the chaps to protect my legs...

I got a pair for about $50 at Lowes.

Surely your leg is worth more than that.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

One thing I don't have is the chaps to protect my legs...

I got a pair for about $50 at Lowes.

Surely your leg is worth more than that.

I have been thinking of getting a pair but I hardly ever use a regular chain saw as my trimming is all in trees with the pole saw where the chain is 13' away. When I do use a regular saw it is only to knock off the smaller limbs on a bigger limb. My grandfather then comes and cuts up the wood into firewood as he likes to do that.

I have been looking at chaps for a while but so far I can't see the need for them as they would be a burden when I am walking tree lines during the summer so I would always be putting them on and taking them off for just a couple cuts. I know I would kick myself if something ever did happen but I have this fear I wouldn't wear them anyways because of the hassle. Eventually I will buy a pair and will have to get use to wearing them and when I stop at my Husquvarna dealer soon I might get a pair then depending on what side of my mind is working

 

[yomax4]

Cutting a 6" overhead branch one day. I cut through and it fell, forcing my retreat. As I backed up, The chainsaw was coming to an idle but the chain was still going around and the saw came down accross my knee. It cut through my jeans but only minor flesh damage. Still dont wear the chaps but obviously should.

MM..

 

[chh]

You got very lucky on that one. I hope your stitches don't itch as bad as the ones I got out a couple of weeks ago. The wife said it was punishment for being careless.
I can see where the chaps would be an asset but I haven't bought any yet. The only time I was ever hurt with a saw was a kickback on a small tree job.(at the inlaws house, so I wasn't getting paid for that one) The bar kicked back while limbing the small stuff off the main branches. Cut right across the top of the toe of a new pair of steel toed boots. Right behind the steel toe of course. I shut off the saw and was fussing about the boots and decided I might out to see if it got my foot(it didn't hurt yet). 13 stitches in the ER, but got very lucky. Cut the sheath on the tendon to my big toe, but not the tendon itself. Was back at my regular job the next day in a pair of oversized boots. My 3 year old daughter saw me do it and would cry for 2 years after that if she saw me with a chainsaw.
Was being careless since it was just a little Sunday afternoon job and not really working, the saw didn't know that of course.

 

[bjcsc]

I did everything right in my book, cut the perfect wedge, came in behind it and when the tree was cut free the pressure from the top shoved the trunk into my chest

Maybe you did, but always leave a hinge. It keeps the bottom where it should be and controls the fall.

Someone was looking out for you! You were real lucky the first tree didn't impale you, and equally as lucky that the 14" branch didn't catch your bucket and upset your tractor, which could easily have occurred.

Be careful out there, or you'll have to change your handle to "healinallthetime"

 

[blueriver]

They need to keep an eye on you!!! Have them also read a tree cutting safety Manual!!

Sorry about the stitches, and keep safe (er)!