Am I Crazy

[Wood Cutter]

Oops, Talking to Urban Logger

 

[Rotax Robert]

A friend of mine, and I do alot or tree trimming and complete tree removal as well as storm damage clean up...

I may have jumped the gun a bit on my smarta$$ reply but it just sounded like you were out there really kicking butt logging. Somehow I could just picture a kubota 4x4 wheel chair skidding in some logs. Best of luck to you.

Rotax Robert

 

[NWCS]

heck i destroyed my back years ago, thats one reason i cant do much in the woods, but give me a saw to work on and i am in heaven! working on saws is one of the few jobs i can do that has enough activity to keep me happy, and not too much impact on my back. i need constant movement to be happy.. a desk job would kill me faster than my back! i have had a life long obsession with engine internals and this helps with my saw building, its not just a job.. its my LIFE! recently i also found out a few years ago an injury i sustained cracked my skull. with all the injuries i have had, i have only been to a doctor about 4 times in my life.. i just do not like em.. doctors want too much money and im a cheap bastid! no matter what happens you must keep a positive outlook on life. do not let anything get you down!

 

[314epw]

disabily

Normally i sit back and let you guys argue.But now you pissed me off.I figure the negative comments came from young studs that have every part of there body working great!Life is good.Think about getting hurt and have doctors tell you"Sit on the couch and watch TV All day and relax"This will kill a good man.You state basically the system sucks.Will Annalise this.If you get disability the Gov. doesn't care if you are a drugy or did two tours in a war.you're treated the same,and so is your check.Now what some of you forgot is,when you are waiting for your disably to kick in which takes about 2 years,how do you live.retirement fund is starting to drain real fast.You young guys have one?Now you finally start getting your check!Well Holy cow!A large check would be $1000 a month.Now health insurance.Medicare $88.00 a month which does jack s---.Now plan D,$$70.00.Now you have $850 left for truck,gas,food,rent/mortgage insurance etc.Get the picture!So how can you blame a guy to try and work on the side to make money?If you are in pain you are going to do what you love to off set it.You young guys start saving money,it can happen to you!
Ed

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

You asked about saws, so here are my thoughts.
The 32" bar will leave you short, and it's not like you're throwing a saw like that around, you're cutting off stumps and cutting up big logs laying flat on the ground. 36" bar on the 066 has always served me well.
The work horse is the 046 with a 24" bar. You can cut the tree down, and cut it up, all with one saw. 24" because when I hold the saw standing up, the tip just reaches the ground without bending over. Bending over all day sucks. If you're shorter than me, maybe a shorter bar would be better.
The 50 cc saws just don't get used. Nobody in his right mind is going to cut down a tree then go get a different saw and limb it, then go get a third saw to cut off the stump. Normal minded people (not stoned on drugs or something) just use one saw and get it done, unless it's some monster tree.
Then I keep small 35cc (020, or husky 336) saws for climbing, cutting bushes, and to keep near the chipper for those one or two cut situations.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Yeah, hate to say it man, but you are the reason the rest of us are paying higher and higher premiums. You could have treated much, much more, and I hope you are healed up now, especially after 9 months of PT. The PT should resolve any injury,

Man, oh man! Glad all of you medical experts know so much more than the doctors! You really ought to open a school so you can re-educate them all! :jawdrop:


I got hit in a manner very similar to urbanlogger. Sitting still, clobbered at 55. Kid was running his mouth instead of noticing the freeway had stopped. Never touched his brakes. I was the star of the traffic reports for a few hours that day. (I-10 in the Culver City area around 3 PM, for those who know L.A.)

I had a year of treatments just to get pretty much functional, I'm still getting treatments as I can afford them, and my back will NEVER be the same. It ruined the business I was in at the time. I still hurt from it. I always will. I couldn't go back to that work, and there are a lot of other things I can't do.

It's quite possible to be seriously hurt, and even disabled, and still be able to do some surprising things. I split my wood with a maul (monster maul, too) because I can't affford a splitter. Doesn't mean my back is ok.

It's also possible that urbanlogger is greatly overestimating how much he CAN do.


In my case, I made the mistake of hiring a nice lawyer. I got about 5 grand. I sure wasn't going out on a spending spree. What I needed was an evil lawyer - then I might have gotten something resembling fair compensation for a lifetime of pain.

 

[Canyon Angler]

don't be so quick to judge. you don't know any of the facts of his case.

+1

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

So today my lawyer calls me to inform me that I should have a settlement

Urban, be careful man. You haven't got that money and you are spending it already! That's typical, but it's not good. You could wind up like most lottery winners - broke in a shockingly short time. You'll sit there with a zero bank balance, a few toys, and a deep despair because it's all gone and life is NOT looking good.

Consider this: Immediatly set aside a little of it, just to blow. Consider it gone - fun money. Buy a saw or two, a new computer, maybe that big screen TV, have an extravagant dinner out, whatever. But ONLY do this with that little chunk you set aside for it. Limit it, cap it, don't let it grow. Be MERCILESS with yourself about that. DON'T LET YOUR BLOW MONEY GROW!

Put the rest in some 6 month CDs and spend that time carefully thinking about what you're doing for the rest of your life. Do some serious research on investments. DON'T immediately go out and plunk it all down with some investment counselor. They will do what maximizes their commission, which MIGHT not be what you want.


Otherwise I fear for your financial health down the road!

 

[KMB]

Urban, be careful man. You haven't got that money and you are spending it already! That's typical, but it's not good. You could wind up like most lottery winners - broke in a shockingly short time. You'll sit there with a zero bank balance, a few toys, and a deep despair because it's all gone and life is NOT looking good.

Consider this: Immediatly set aside a little of it, just to blow. Consider it gone - fun money. Buy a saw or two, a new computer, maybe that big screen TV, have an extravagant dinner out, whatever. But ONLY do this with that little chunk you set aside for it. Limit it, cap it, don't let it grow. Be MERCILESS with yourself about that. DON'T LET YOUR BLOW MONEY GROW!

Put the rest in some 6 month CDs and spend that time carefully thinking about what you're doing for the rest of your life. Do some serious research on investments. DON'T immediately go out and plunk it all down with some investment counselor. They will do what maximizes their commission, which MIGHT not be what you want.


Otherwise I fear for your financial health down the road!

Great post.

Kevin

 

[amdburner]

I agree 100% with Blueridgemark. Put the money into into the 6mth CD's (temporary as CD's today are actually certificates of depression with rates so low today), then research some good mutual funds to invest your money in.

 

[rxe]

To get back OT...

Big to small:
MS460 - 28" - or MS660 - 32"
MS361 - 18"
MS260 Pro - 16"
MS192T - 14"

Does this sound like it will work? what would you change?

That's a lot of saws, with some very small bar variances. Also, if your back is damaged, you surely don't want to be wielding long bars?

Most of the time I run an 18" bar on my 046, and have a 25" that I put on when I need it. So you could merge the 361 and the 460. 25" cuts pretty much everthing I encounter.

For lighter stuff I have an 024 with a 15" bar.

I also have an 009 with a 12" bar, but that rarely goes out with me - the 024 and the 046 do pretty much everything. If you have to have 192T...then I'd put a 12" bar on it.

That said, the post about being careful with the money is spot on.

 

[wagonwheeler]

I agree w/ Maas. Incidentally I just ordered a 36" for my 066. I'm well under a 460 w/ my 361, but don't do any work for hire. If I did I'd likely fill the gap w/ a 7900 if I ever get a chance to run one...or maybe even a 441:taped:

I'm another involuntary member in the Cervical Fusion Club - could have been from high school wrestling, bike accidents, falling out of trees...who knows, c5-c6 discs just gave out and pinched nerves in my left arm till my arm went numb and my tricept started deteriorating - I had ignored it best I could for about 8mos. Got 3 verts fused and a plate bolted onto them (surgery was from the front side thru my neck).

I can now pretty much do anything, but I don't sleep well and I can't carry my kids too long or I start getting nerve pain. Also have slighly limited range of motion in my neck now - and increased stress on the discs above and below the fusion...

Chaser

 

[doc874]

I see alot of opinions some good, some self serving. I too have a disability and have treated many with other medical problems, some life style affecting, others not so, however, as stated earlier by the more enlightened persons here, never be to quick to judge because until your in that spot you do not know. As for the WB i agree, it should not pay out for an aggraved injury but to not hire a person based on this is biased to say the least. There are many professionals and i'm talking, doctors, lawyers, and all other trades such as construction where there are disabilities in some of the workers and for the most part this only slows them down it does not affect their knowledge or skill and they are perfectly capable of doing the job.

Doc

 

[bump_r]

I dunno, guys, the original post offered up that there was an injury, permanent diability (even if partial) THEN went on to ask for opinions on saws. It's no big secret that sawyers face hard work, odd ergonomics, and pretty high danger levels. How often have we heard ON THIS SITE "Don't saw if you are fatigued or otherwise not in top form"? NOW a guy comes right out and prefaces a thread that there is PERMANENT physical limitations put upon him AND is thinking of a friggin' MS 660??!! OF COURSE that will raise eyebrows. The first naysayer, Rotax, clearly stated "or am I missing something?" That's fair. I'm just saying that it's human nature to try to assemble given information into a cohesive bundle. Permanent disability + MS660 + "alot or tree trimming and complete tree removal as well as storm damage clean up..." natrually equals a "WTF is he thinking??!!"

If the author did not want his physical condition to be considered, it should not have been provided as a variable to the equation. Sorry to hear he's all hemmed up, to be sure. Perhaps if stated "I'm legally partially peramnently disabled, so I'm self employed..." I dunno. I find it just as objectionable, if not more so, to jump on the guys that formed opinions based on the information at hand as I do for them doing just that.

Bottom line - one we all can get behind, I think, is "guy got hurt, guy healed as best he could, guy still wants to work to his potential" to that, "BRAVO!!"

 

[sawinredneck]

To continue with bump r's thoughts, I also have a back injury, herniated disc l4. I can go for weeks just fine, and somedays it's all I can do to get out of bed.
I would start small and slow, get a 260 sized saw with a 16 or 18" bar and see how you're body likes it first. I love my 046, but am not at all interested in running it for long periods of falling. On the saw buck it seems fine but still gets heavy after a while. There is a termendous amount of strain put on the human body cutting up trees, I hurt more from a day of cutting and loading wood than I do after a day of busting concrete with a sledge. Start small and try it first, I'd hate to see a bunch of barely used saws up for sale at a discount in a few months!!
Be safe, be careful, go slow!
Andy

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Y'know, I don't think any of us bothered to answer the original question!


So, Urban Logger, to answer your first question....


Yes! You are crazy!

 

[UrbanLogger]

Thanks BlueRidgeMark...I never meant for this to be such a heated debate, just wanted some opinions and thoughts. I have a few older, some larger saws, most all heavy as compared to saws of today. This is why I only use them as needed, mostly for cutting stumps, trunks...and a smaller, lighter saw for limbing. I only work as long as I can comfortably do so, then its time to slow down, take a break, or do something else until I can go back to cutting, all the while, wearing full PPE. I'm sorry that I may have offended some of you, who think someone who gets achier, or sore easier, still can't work. I'm sorry that I'm trying to do what I want to do with my life, to my (and my Doctors) limits. I'm only 23 years old, and already have a messed up neck because some 40-something @$$ hole can't watch the road, and took from me what I already had, and wanted! Maybe you - those of you who criticize - should try having your occupation taken, and start fresh, knowing only what you at that point in time! No one will hire me, unless I lie - sorry I'm honest! - so I'm going to try it on my own, with a good friend of mine, who is fully supportive, and loves the money. I was always told, If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.

Oh yeah, not to mention, I asked for opinions or thoughts of my list of potential equipment, not to pick me apart.

Thanks guys!

:bang:

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Ignore the naysayers, Urban. Just ignore them. Hmmmm. 23.... Yeah, that's not fun. Y'know, it was one of you young bucks that smacked me.... 18 I think. I was thirty... one or two at the time. My how time flies! Well, the first time. Second time was a young girl. Brakes failed, she said. Hmmm. Third time the guy was just stupid. The light was green, so he kept coming. Uh, the guy in the front of the row at the light hadn't noticed the light change, so I got sandwiched between them. Care to be in a little tin can Plymouth Sundance and get smacked by a Chevy Suburban? yeah, that's what I looked like for a few days! Some say I still do!

Anway, for all that it sounds like you're worse off than me. I admire your attitude. Hang in there! I know what it's like to realize your life has just changed for the worse, and that hopes & dreams have been taken from you. Keep on doing what you can, and take care of yourself.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

To speak to the topic, of your saws, I'd ditch the 260 and the 192T, and swap in a 200T. For me, my 361 handles as my "small" saw. If I need to run an 18" bar, my 361 handles it fine, is nimble and light enough to feel small. That 660 can handle a 36" if need be as well, especially with a dual port muffler cover, which you should also get for the 460. They should be considered standard equipment on the saw for which they're available.

The 192 is a decent saw, but if you're dropping money like you're planning, no reason to not get the 200T. It's a better saw hands down....and the 192T is a good saw in it's own right.

Jeff

 

[stihlatit]

I see lots of speculation, that you are partially permanently disabled but can do a lot of physical work. Here in lies the anomoly.

No undue disrespect nor offending anyone but I can understand this. As an employer if I had 2 guys to choose from, both can do the job but one has a limp or is slower etc he missus out. Also, our wc will pay out on aggravation of a pre-existing injury (wrong and stupid) so that means again I dont want people who may have niggling problems.

So, I understand that you are deservedly entitled to something, and you can work, especially for yourself at your pace. I only hope that the wc idiots here change their rules so aggravation of a pre-existing is exempted and if the event occurs the injured claims of the original incident or payout.


BTW.....Urban no you arenot crazy. I know exactly howyou feel. You must do it in moderation and enjoy your limited love of tree work.
The selection of your saws is good except for the 192, piss that off and get a 200T :hmm3grin2orange:

You are right on the money Ekka. If you love to work with saws you will do it for the joy of it. Being injured should not preclude anyone from working at their own pace. I believe that he did not mention working for someone else. He is working for himself. I also agree that an injury should not be compensated on a pre-existing condition unless the WC has agreed to allow the worker to go back into the profession. If he can not he should be compensated to retrain for an other occupation.