Visit by "Mr. Lucky"

Boondox · Nov 3, 2001

Re: Visit by \"Mr. Lucky\"

Thanks for posting this, Richard. I was getting pretty lazy about putting on the chaps for "just a couple of cuts" till I read of your experience. It made me realize how quickly an idyllic country day can turn tragic. So I dug out the chaps and draped them over the Husky as a reminder to put them on before using the saw. Thanks again for sharing.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

beenthere · Nov 3, 2001

Re: Visit by "Mr. Lucky"

Good reminders. I will not fire up the saw without the chaps on. A few years back I was cutting small trees (about 1 to 2 inch diameter), and working among the stumps. The saw handle caught on a stump and my leg moved forward into the running chain (the day before I left for my elk hunt). The kevlar in the chaps wrapped around the clutch and shut down the chain so quick, I didn't know what happened at first. Not a scratch. I thought about missing that elk hunt often, but glad I didn't have to.
I heard a chain saw expert say once that it isn't a question of whether you will get injured using a chain saw, but only when. I think about that statement often when I use my Stihl. Not to be morbid, but you are better off cutting yourself with a sharp axe, as it is easier to sew up the wound. A chainsaw will remove about 1/4" of tendons, muscle, nerves, etc that is difficult to repair (so I hear).

bgott · Nov 4, 2001

Re: Visit by \"Mr. Lucky\"

This thing was probably defective and I just screwed up and didn't take it back. To keep from losing a chain I had to tighten the chain every half a cut on 12'' logs and bigger probably five or six times or off it went. I changed the bar thinking that would solve the problem and it didn't. The saw got to the point where it would cut a semi-circle. I checked the sprocket and it looks O.K.. I have a guy working for me that thinks that the anti-vibration springs in the handle must be of differing tensions letting the saw turn. I'm trying to find a good deal on either an Echo or a Stihl. The local small engine shop stocks Echo but he won't deal and I've seen Stihls on sale but the dealer is across town. I want to wait but I have a bunch of cutting to do. I might just buy an $89 special and chunk it once a year, or go sell 'em at the pawn shop when they get to be a PITA!

Richard · Nov 5, 2001

Re: Visit by \"Mr. Lucky\"

The chain was essentially brand new. I had installed it as a new chain to cut a ~24" diamater dead oak tree that was by county road. I cut that single tree down and cut maybe 4 8 to 10 inch branches off of it. Those are the only cuts/useage on the chain prior to this event. Again, I want to make emphatic that prior to usage, I DID check the tightness of chain and it was snug on bar. I really suspect it got pinched somehow as the log gave way. The chain stayed on the sprocket, but from the powerhead forward, that entire length of chain is what somehow reached back and hit my knee.

Richard

dmccarty · Nov 6, 2001

Re: Visit by \"Mr. Lucky\"

Mr. Lucky,

I had this happen to me back in September. I know my chain was pinched and pulled off by a limb. It was a 3-4 inch limb that was under some tension and I was pushing which I should not have been doing. I had just refueled/reoiled and checked the chain. The chain catcher on the bottom of the saw caught the chain but it still slapped my leg. I was wearing my chaps! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I have only TRIED to use the saw once or twice without the chaps but I have caught myself and stopped before actually cutting.

My chain looked to be in good condition after it was pulled off the bar. One link was bent slightly so the chain wont run in the bar. I figure I could bend the link BUT I'm not pushing my luck. The chain will eventually get thrown out. Tain't worth $25 to run any risk......

Thanks for posting your incident. It will help other people!
Dan McCarty

jhburke · Nov 6, 2001

Re: Visit by \"Mr. Lucky\"

If your chain has more life in it, just take it to a saw shop and have them replace the bent link. When dad had sawmill we did it ourselves as dad had a saw dealership and repair shop. JIM

kcbarnes · Nov 7, 2001

Re: Visit by \"Mr. Lucky\"

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Because of you I blew the dust off my chaps and put them to use. I have also asked santa for a logger helmet, the one with the face screen and ear muffs.

Kevin

TimSullivan · Nov 19, 2001

Re: Visit by \"Mr. Lucky\"

Read your post and ordered chaps and helmet with face mask and ear muffs. I have been using a chain saw for forty years and have not had an accident, just some close calls. I figured it was time to be smarter and safer. Thanks for the post, it got me thinking.

duckboy · Nov 21, 2001

Re: Visit by \"Mr. Lucky\"

It is a good thing to share experiences, as it reminds us to be careful. Oh, but for the grace of God go I........
I am lucky to have a left leg today as a result of a chain saw accident. Even doing something as carefully as possible can still have danger present. Once, after falling a 10" tree, I was
reminded of that. As the tree was falling, I backed away to be clear, and shut the saw off, lowering it to the carrying position. As I backed up, my left leg hit a small branch in the undergrowth, which acted like a spring when it released from another branch. My leg was pushed forward, right into the saw and the chain, which was slowing to a stop. I felt no pain, but looking into the slice in my jeans, I could see my kneecap, from an inside view. Oops.... 60 stitches. I do have a good scar to remind me of that day, but it just dosen't seem to be in the right place to remind me to be careful everyday. That happened 15 years ago, and I sit here today
recovering from a dislocated hip after falling 10 feet from a ladder while cleaning gutters last week. Just trying to go too fast because I had other things to do. Now I have too much time, just not able to do those other 'things' I had to do. I think I will get that tattoo on my forehead....DIPUTS, so when I can make it to a mirror, I will have a reminder to do a little more thinking before acting.

PR