chain break

[STIHLSamantha]

is it possible to find a 020 stihl chain break to put on it if it doesn't have one? my husband and i have looked all over and none of our saws have chain breaks and since i am cutting more, i would feel more safe having one, but i don't want to buy a whole new saw...i love my 020 and enjoy using it....any suggestions?

 

[Butch(OH)]

I do not know that model well enough to know if there is a readily adaptable brake. Outside of laying out some cash for a brake equipped saw which would be my first choice by the way, there are some other things that will greatly reduce the chances of kickback. Anyone that is not real comfortable with saws should be running reduced kickback chains. Probably the most fool proof device is the bar tip cover as supplied with new Echo saws,. They can be installed on any saw bar. The drawbacks of such a device should be obvious but they will positively prevent tip contact and upward kick. Another effective mod is a new bar with the small radius on the end as supplied on most new homeowner saws, when combined with a low kickback chain the end of the bar will almost not cut at all and thus kickback is reduced. You should also have a pair of chaps and get some for your hubby while at the saw shop. Most of us so-called "old experts" (well I am old at least) have a scar on our legs to show how smart we are, buy some chaps and use them. A forestry helmet is not a bad idea either but I really think that their practical effect on safety is minimal.

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

I do not know that model well enough to know if there is a readily adaptable brake. Outside of laying out some cash for a brake equipped saw which would be my first choice by the way, there are some other things that will greatly reduce the chances of kickback. Anyone that is not real comfortable with saws should be running reduced kickback chains. Probably the most fool proof device is the bar tip cover as supplied with new Echo saws,. They can be installed on any saw bar. The drawbacks of such a device should be obvious but they will positively prevent tip contact and upward kick. Another effective mod is a new bar with the small radius on the end as supplied on most new homeowner saws, when combined with a low kickback chain the end of the bar will almost not cut at all and thus kickback is reduced. You should also have a pair of chaps and get some for your hubby while at the saw shop. Most of us so-called "old experts" (well I am old at least) have a scar on our legs to show how smart we are, buy some chaps and use them. A forestry helmet is not a bad idea either but I really think that their practical effect on safety is minimal.

Butch makes some good suggestions which will enhance safety, but items like a bar tip cover will render your saw useless when it comes to cutting big rounds (which require a degree of plunging).

From my experience I have been surprised several times by unforeseen kickback which activated the chain brake so fast I didn't realize it - and I'm glad it did. I highly recommend starting a piggy bank fund for a saw, new or used, with better safety features. A dollar a day and a year from now you'll have one. I included a link below to Stihl's saw safety features, I hope it helps.

In the meantime, maintain the ol' death grip on the saw (where are my elbow wraps...)

Regards, da Hack

http://stihlusa.com/chainsaws/chain_brake.html

 

[ciscoguy01]

Shhhh

Nobody tell her, but I'm going over to buy a little MS-170 for her right now, lol.... She'll prolly read this before I get home with it, lmao.

 

[STIHLSamantha]

MS-170? now sweety you know how i feel about that stihl 020.....

 

[musch]

A forestry helmet is not a bad idea either but I really think that their practical effect on safety is minimal.

That is not very good advice, in my opinion.
You can, in one second put on a device that will protect your eyes face head part of your neck and hearing.
I think its a pretty good deal, and love mine.
Instead of safety glasses, now I don't even get wood chips in my mouth at all.
And if you do ANY felling, you don't have to worry as much about dead branches landing on the ol' noggin.

Just my $ .02 :greenchainsaw:

 

[STIHLSamantha]

haha, a new saw to add to the collection! However, it wasn't a MS 170.....i got a husky 137....and it cuts like a gem...used it to cut some dead beech logs tonight and i am very happy with how light it is and how well it cuts....and my problem is solved...a saw with a chain break! Thanks to the hubby....a girl doesn't get any luckier than that...put a question on a forum and a new saw out of no where! heehee.....

 

[Booshcat]

Shoot, he was just gettin jealous...

Good Luck with the new saw, have fun.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

A forestry helmet is not a bad idea either but I really think that their practical effect on safety is minimal.

I know 3 people who have had the brim of thier helmet nicked from a kickback.

That must be a clean-your-shorts experiance!

 

[Sprig]

That is not very good advice, in my opinion.
You can, in one second put on a device that will protect your eyes face head part of your neck and hearing.
I think its a pretty good deal, and love mine.
Instead of safety glasses, now I don't even get wood chips in my mouth at all.
And if you do ANY felling, you don't have to worry as much about dead branches landing on the ol' noggin.

Just my $ .02 :greenchainsaw:

Absolutely agree musch! Butch, ever be walkin' in da forest and seen little sticks sticking in the ground that have fallen off trees? Imagine if that was an unprotected scalp *shudder*, far too many dead people over the years who'da been around longer had they worn hardhats, no question of this.

 

[Butch(OH)]

Damn guys I said for her to get a helmet IE, "not a bad idea"

Remember this post was started by a person who is running a saw with NO chain brake?? I thought more important for her to invest in some anti kickback devices than to keep the 020 and wear a plastic hat that wouldn't stop a dull chain on an electric saw from parting her head.

A cast iron helmet would offer better protection from a chain parting one's head would it not? Anybody wanna volunteer to wear it for the trial period, LOL

 

[musch]

I'm gettin one of these.

:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[pbtree]

:hmm3grin2orange:

I see your point...:jester: