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

rox · Mar 11, 2006

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

If it will make you feel any better, like something good came out of your accident. I printed upt he pictures for my husband to look at. I jsut ordered a Stihl chainsaw on a pole, for cutting tree limbs. At the same time I took in the chainsaw to get repaired. Next week we will ahve both and my huisband will be running the chainsaw a lot. Your report and photos came at a very opportune time. I am sure they wi motivate my husband to really pay attention to what he is doing.

Sorry it had to happen but thanks for the graphic reminder.

George2615 · Mar 11, 2006

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

Glad your not too seriously hurt. Was it actually the chain that got you or the branches when they came down?

Onthesauk · Mar 11, 2006

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

I do appreciate you stepping up and telling us all about it. I have been cutting for 20 years and stories like this still help remind me how dangerous a chainsaw can be. Take your time, plan your moves and be especially careful late in the day when you're tired!

HillbillyFarmer · Mar 12, 2006

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

If you think that chainsaw was rough on you, you wouldn't believe what those cigarettes are doing!

MikeD74T · Mar 12, 2006

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

My son has a 5" scar on his left arm, about where your injury is, from a chainsaw kickback. He was blocking firewood with a relaxed grip when the tip hit another log. The saw , 55cc Husky, came completely out of his hands & landed on his arm. Cut to the bone completely across his bicep. He was fortunate for 2 things. 1.There was no bone damage. Saw cuts into bone create horrific infections. 2. The areas premier plastic surgeon happened to be in the hospital when he came in. The ER docs wanted no part of stiching him up. The plastic surgeon put in about 150 stitches. He healed quickly & required no physical therapy, no loss of sensation or function. Chain saws are two handed equipment when the chain is moving. If your chain is moving at idle you're looking for trouble. Anyone that handles a small saw one-handed is on borrowed time in my opinion. Glad you learned this lesson cheaply & are willing to share.

Casco1 · Mar 12, 2006

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

Steven Paul
<font color="blue"> " 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."
</font>

You will probably never figure out how your accident actually happened. Years ago I was working on a holiday parade float for a scout troop. I had to rip down a board on a table saw, we were in an industrial shop that was loaned to us. I was not familiar with the equipment, while ripping the board it kicked back on me and I lost two fingers. The point I want to make is I was watching what I was doing, my eyes were focused on the blade, but I never saw my hand go near it. After you've had something like this happen you realize the speed in which accidents can happen. Lessons Learned: Keep your blades sharp, Take your time and /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif No good deed goes unpunished /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Glad You're OK!!!

turnkey4099 · Mar 12, 2006

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

Any new saw (or recent manufacture used one) that has a chainbrake. For your size cutting I would stick with about a 16" or even a 14" bar on a saw big enough to run it. Best not to buy one out of the big box stores, go to a dealer.

For the occasional "bigger one", there is the option of borrowing a neighbor's or renting a saw big enough. Too much saw in cutting small stuff can be dangerous because of the size of the bar.

Harry K

DGS · Mar 12, 2006

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

ever tried to cut a tractor?
You are one lucky man
Get better soon and do not do that again

StevenPaul · Mar 13, 2006

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

Hillbilly,

Yes I do know the affects of what cigarettes can do, after I posted the picture I thought about, oh geez, someone is going to slam me for the cigarettes too, but oh well, they're in the picture. But all I can say is that with my ever so "wild child" past (meaning, party party party and not the crazy crossing the line wild, I was a happy go lucky partier, with a nick name of wild child). Anyways, since stopping the party wild life quite a few years ago (farming and tractoring have a sense of "wildness" themselves), our Lord has saved me and gotten me to quit a lot of other bad habits and the way I look at it is that He is still working on me and one day I do hope to quit smoking. But either way, I know I will, question is will I be vertical or horizontal when it happens. But I do have to thank your for your concern.

Steve

StevenPaul · Mar 13, 2006

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

And I'd just like to say thanks to all who have replied to this post. It's been an eye opener as to the genuine concern for the safety of others despite being scattered around the world. The other stories also make me think how fortunate I really am and the need for safety no matter how small the task should always be a priority. And also the post about no matter how safety minded a person is, it can still happen, yet with safety first, the accidents hopefully would have minimal and/or no damages to a person or equipment. So thanks again y'all.

Steve