greenhorn cutter

[u.p.ghlogger]

a few days from now, my employer(aka my uncle) is going to have me cuttin' down trees, and i was wondering if anyone could give me some advice so i dont get myself killed and some of the terms or anything, and I am a greenhorn still and Im only 15, so things still gotta be explained to me.

 

[Kiwilogger]

Advice.

Learn how to use a saw properly first, mate.

Going straight into falling without basic bush sense, and decent saw skills is a recipe for death.

 

[Billy_Bob]

First of all, good for you for asking for advice!

Has your uncle done this before? Does he have a lot of experience doing this type of work?

Or are you basically on your own and you need to learn from elsewhere what to do?

In either case read the instructions which come with the chainsaw from front to back. This is one case where it is VERY important to read all the warnings in the chainsaw instruction manual. Young people tend to not listen to older people, don't want to follow rules, etc. BUT PLEASE, in this case, DO read and follow all warnings and rules.

Now first let me scare the cr** out of you. Following is a diagram of where on the body most chainsaw injuries occur...
http://www.elvex.com/facts08.htm

The following is a list of accidents which have happened to PROFESSIONAL loggers who are experienced and know what they are doing...
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publicat...&_from=publications.healthandsafetycentre.org


Now chainsaw instructional videos...

Chapter 1: Chain Saw Features
http://stihldealer.net/videolibrary/OnePlayer.aspx?v=1&vt=1&vb=0&id=1

Chapter 2: Chain Saw Maintenance
http://stihldealer.net/videolibrary/OnePlayer.aspx?v=2&vt=2&vb=0&id=2

Chapter 3: Sharpening Your Saw Chain
http://stihldealer.net/videolibrary/OnePlayer.aspx?v=3&vt=3&vb=0&id=3

Chapter 4: Importance of Protective Apparel
http://stihldealer.net/videolibrary/OnePlayer.aspx?v=4&vt=4&vb=0&id=4

Chapter 5: Operating Your Chain Saw
http://stihldealer.net/videolibrary/OnePlayer.aspx?v=5&vt=5&vb=0&id=5


Here is a complete booklet on tree felling (cutting down trees) and bucking (cutting the logs on the ground)...
http://www.osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/pdf/treefell.pdf

 

[u.p.ghlogger]

thanks guys, and in response to your question, my uncle has cut down trees and is pretty good at it, but apparently there gonna have me as sort of an apprentice to this guy who is ,so i've heard, extremely good at cutting. All those injuries and accidents really scared me, so I'm gonna pay a little more attention now, and the videos on chainsaws and the booklet on felling trees was really helpfull to, hopefully I make it. Thanks again

 

[Billy_Bob]

OK, then listen carefully to what you are told by the experienced workers. Do what they say. If you are not quite sure about something, ask!

Don't go ahead and do ANYTHING without asking first. Might even say "This is what I am going to do" Is that OK?

And this is nothing to experiment around with, horseplay, see how fast you can cut something, etc. Do it by the book and by what others tell you!

Also a chainsaw can be replaced, you can't. If a tree is about to fall on you, RUN and leave the chainsaw.

But I think you will be fine because you are asking questions and learning about this first.

 

[u.p.ghlogger]

Ya there some good guys to be workin' with, so I reckon I'll be fine as long as i pay attention, I also know about asking questions too after that little incident with the forwarder, thanks eh

 

[A. Stanton]

When they rerun the Ax Men series on the History Channels, tape a couple of the episodes,if you haven't seen em yet. I liked what one of the loggers recommended: keep cuttin the tree, even as it is fallin to keep an eye on it. I never had the cajones to do this; I did it and it worked pretty good.

 

[bullbuck]

just dont cut it all the way off,thats when you lose all control...

 

[bonez10]

im sixteen
the best thing i ever did was read a falling bucking manual and talk to an old guy who has lots of professional experience. they can pretty much tell you anything you need to know.

 

[Humptulips]

Hard to imagine any employer putting a 15 year old to work falling timber. The liability involved boggles the mind. You get hurt he could go to jail.

 

[forestryworks]

Hard to imagine any employer putting a 15 year old to work falling timber. The liability involved boggles the mind. You get hurt he could go to jail.

yup

 

[u.p.ghlogger]

Hmm, I reckon that that is a possibility, but I'm not like most other 15 year olds, country boys do still exist, and I know for this just like any other time, I'm gonna listen to the old timers so I won't be gettin' injured and the likes of such

 

[Ontario_Logger]

read books on falling and bucking and really listen to the old timers, maybe you could find a course about chainsaws that you can take in your area.

 

[peanut]

If your with a competent logger, keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut, UNLESS it is to ask questions.
Show some respect and they'll teach you stuff that ain't in any book.
You'll be fine.

 

[bullbuck]

i was turned loose falling timber with very little or no instruction at the age of seventeen,when i look back on some of the situations i would regularly get myself into,it is pure luck that i survived...if you are going ahead with this job i reccomend limbing and bucking for some time,even there you will learn how quickly good times can go bad...

 

[madhatte]

Trees on the ground are hardly less dangerous than trees still standing. Bucking is plenty hazardous, especially in blowdown. Be very careful while you learn how to read tension in logs, and, as has been said so many times before, ask lots of questions! Also: PPE is for everyone, always. Dunno how many times sucking up a bit of weight and discomfort has saved my bacon. Not just talking about saws -- this goes for everything. YOU are responsible for your own safety. As my dad always used to say, "There's no such thing as a three-fingered Powder Monkey".

Dire warnings aside, have fun. Working in the woods is awesome.

 

[dancan]

Go to any of the previously posted links ,or many of the chainsaw manufacturer's web sites and download a few manuals or as many manuals of any saw you wish ,RTFM ,learn them ,remember them ,and keep them in the back of your mind ,lots of good info on chain saw use and safety in those manuals because they are probably written by lawyers ,read ,remember and be aware of bad habits and keep them in the back of your mind when experienced guys(who hate to be corrected) show you the ropes because the combination of inexperience and unsafe habits will get you hurt .
So RTFM,RTFM,RTFM , listen to what the guys say and always be AWARE of your surroundings ......ULTIMATELY YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SAFETY when you are in the woods and learn to say NO when you are not comfortable in taking on a task you are not comfortable in doing because there is no shame in that (maybe a little ribbing from your peers but you won't lose a finger over it ).
Welcome aboard and we look forward to read your posts on you newfound ,honorable profession (someone had to cut the wood for Noah) and we like lots of pictures .


Can't say it enough RTFM

 

[dancan]

As my dad always used to say, "There's no such thing as a three-fingered Powder Monkey".

Dire warnings aside, have fun. Working in the woods is awesome.

Don't mean to hijack but I never heard that expression so a google seach found me this so I thought I'd share .
http://www.flickr.com/commons/tags/geraldwwilliamscollection/interesting/?page=7
Alot of nice pictures in this collection .














i

 

[u.p.ghlogger]

Yay, I am completely uninjured and I fell all the trees correctly, wooh! Thanks for all the advice and help guys. Now for tomorrow.

 

[dancan]

Congrrrrrrrrrrrrrratsssssssssssss but never forget that no one is invincible and trees don't care.
Have fun ,STAY IN SCHOOL and ..... then make your choices .