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...