Chipper accident

[RandyT]

They were. In 1987 I worked a while for a small company out of Athol, Mass. and the chippers they had were self feeding

I was a utility forester in Indiana from 94-98 and we didn't have a single self feeder within my 6 crews until around 97, Used Altec Whisper chippers up until then. Seems like they were all gas engines also. the first self feeder that we got in my territory was a diesel, but don't remember the details.

 

[nikerret]

My God, a 10 year old feeding a big chipper. Where were your parents? You are lucky to be alive. There was an incident some years ago in Kenosha Wi where an experienced chipper guy disappeared into the pile. Gruesome accidents can and do happen in real life.

My parents didn’t know what, specifically, I was doing. They knew I was working, but no working knowledge of what tasks I did. At the time, I didn’t know I was doing things that weren’t normal, for my age. My friend was my age and he could do it. I was capable of working, why wouldn’t I work?

I‘m lucky to be alive, after a lot of things.

 

[nikerret]

My God, a 10 year old feeding a big chipper. Where were your parents? You are lucky to be alive. There was an incident some years ago in Kenosha Wi where an experienced chipper guy disappeared into the pile. Gruesome accidents can and do happen in real life.

Here is an article, about that incident. Terrible tragedy.

Kenosha man's death calls attention to need for wood chipper safety

PLEASANT PRAIRIE - A 30-year-old Kenosha man suffered a gruesome death Tuesday when was pulled through a wood chipper he was operating.

journaltimes.com

 

[fishdrivel]

i spent a lot of time using the "old" drum type chippers. They can be dangerous. They can kill you!
To feed the chipper, you stand to the side and throw the branch to the drum. It will dissapear quickly.
I never used gloves. I taught my guys not to watch it chip. Toos and move to next piece.
Never, ever stick any body part into the chute if you like that body part!
If you have a piece of brush stuck, you can use a push stick. I used a 5' branch with small fork on end. Stay safe!

 

[4570Man]

The Bandit looks like a man eater. Why would any company make such a large "chuck and duck" machine? Controlled feed with safety bars to stop and reverse make way too much sense over the lower cost. My Champion gas powered unit requires a lot of attention.

If you’re climbing and cutting trees all day a chuck and duck chipper is the safest thing you’ll do all day.

 

[nikerret]

He apparently shut it down and went in to work on it, not realizing that the drum was still turning.

Jesus. Bad all around.

 

[jjeff]

I think I'm usually a safe aware guy of what I'm using and doing and think some safety devices are an overkill put only in place for weekend warrior, unaware, inexperienced folks to use potentially dangerous equipment but, After reading these posts and usually operating my own 3pt self feeding chipper alone, It makes me really appreciate the "last chance bar" and respect the dangers of this piece of equipment, more.

 

[Jchonline]

Dont wear loose clothing or unbuttoned pockets! Also a bit more limbing before you throw in a larger tree is a good idea.

 

[oosik]

I've learned the hard way about chipping whole trees. I only chip young pines. Thinning my pine stands. Lift the butt up and rest on the edge of the chipping intake chute. Go out to about 3/4 of the length of the tree - lift - start it sliding down the intake chute. These trees vary from six to thirty feet tall.

Once it starts chipping - let go and BACK OFF. A whole lot of times the chipping action will cause the tree to whip. If you are still holding the tree or standing close - you will get whipped also.

It HURTS like the blue blazes.........

I've tried to reach down the intake chute on my Wallenstein BX62S. I'm just too big and come up about 14" short of the blades. However - one never knows what could happen if loose clothing got snagged - etc.

I treat my chipper with all due respect.

 

[RoyJackson]

I've learned the hard way about chipping whole trees. I only chip young pines. Thinning my pine stands. Lift the butt up and rest on the edge of the chipping intake chute. Go out to about 3/4 of the length of the tree - lift - start it sliding down the intake chute. These trees vary from six to thirty feet tall.

Once it starts chipping - let go and BACK OFF. A whole lot of times the chipping action will cause the tree to whip. If you are still holding the tree or standing close - you will get whipped also.

It HURTS like the blue blazes.........

Always wear the proper safety gear. I always wear a forestry helmet with a mesh face shield. They're not that expensive (maybe 50 bucks)
I know about the whipping...always step back as soon as the feed roller grabs the butt but sometimes I'm not quick enough. That face shield helped...

 

[groundcover]

 

[Frankenkubota]

View attachment 719027

at least he put cardboard down!

 

[oosik]

I hope that fellow had the "start" keys in his pocket.

 

[Jstpssng]

Based on the tools and what appears to be the drive shaft in the RR portion of the photo I believe that he has it covered. Yet my first thought when seeing it was that a "lockout/tagout" was in order.

 

[5030]

All dangerous, some more than others.