Just to say it again-CHAPS-

[Eagle1]

I have seen many posts about chaps and saftey. Just have to say wear them. This was my first "save" by my chaps. Would have been on my knee.
I was cutting a smile for a drop. I had to change my bar from 16" to 18" due to the size of the tree. When I finished the smile and started to walk around to the back of the tree to make the back cut, the rpm's while still up and the extra 2" of the bar made contact with my leg/knee area. The chaps are spent. I have no cut to my leg at all.
We all say it time and time again. Be safe/wear safe/think safe.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Chaps have their place, but this sounds like pilot error to me.

 

[geofore]

Ouch!

You have heard of a chain brake? Use it! I know when the saw doesn't idle right and you're going to get it tuned up one of these days you don't set the brake because it's only a step or two to the other side of the tree, big mistake? Pilot error or it won't happen to me attitude is the most common mistake. Tune the saw so it idles with the brake on and use the brake. Hope you were due for new chaps. I hate the expense but you should replace the old chaps ASAP. It's cheaper to have equipment that is in good shape and working order than to pay for a trip to the doctors.
My guess is the brake wasn't set because the saw would stall (needs a tune up) or you were on auto pilot and forgot to set it. Get new chaps, don't just clip off the loose threads and duct tape the cut chaps. Knees, stiches and doctors cost more than a good set of chaps and the time it takes to heal takes away from the time you could be spending with your saw in the wood.

 

[Eagle1]

Rocky...no no no. not full throtle. My finger off the throtle. I had just taken my finger off the throtle when finishing the front cut. The chain was still spinning as I switched position to the back to make the back cut when the chain made contact.

Where in my post did anyone read "full throtle" or not a properly tuned chain saw?

Just like a circlular saw a carpenter would use. After the cut the blade will spin for a second or two before it stops.

I swear that some of you have pictures in your head of other site members here that are incorrect. You read a post and look for any way to make yourselfs look good by implying that everone else is a hack.

All I was saying is wear chaps. Whats the problem. Walking around with my stihl at full throtle. What the hell is wrong with you?

Opps...I wrote hell. Will I be PMed now??

Whatever, my bad for posting at all.

 

[jamie]

alright

good to know that you are okay, knee still intact, wear the cutting trousers. if pilot error ever fails, i know that i like the piece of mind that i am safer than someone in jeans.......provided i cut my leg.....

they are hot but worth it, safe saw use is a much better tactic though

jamie

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

It's cool the chaps saved you from injury, you surte look smart for wearing them.
I can see this kind of thing happening. You pull the saw out of the kerf, the chain is still spinning or you blurp the throttle to clear the chips from the chain. You're thinking about getting the job done fast, which way the tree will go, whether or not the tree will fall where you want. In addition you've got the wind, possible pedestrian trafiffic, widow makers, uneven grade to work around. It's impossible to be 100% on task at all times. it's normal to think about thinks like family, bills, the jerks at arboristsite, world peace and such.
I personally know a half dozen guys who would have been saved by chaps.

 

[MasterBlaster]

If I take more than one step I engage the chain brake.

Heck, I usually engage it the second I finish the cut.

Chain brakes DO have their place.

 

[SilverBlue]

Thanks for sharing your experience Eagle, because it will make some think or rethink.
Mike said it very well, one cannot be 100% Do one of those guys include yourself Mike? I admit it myself recently during hurricane Isabel.

 

[Joe]

I read threads like this and wonder how much good these experiences do for others. I see pictures in posts of people who do not wear what I was taught to be required personal protective equipment or PPE. At another forum, I read about a town losing 1 of it's historic elms. The people who removed the dead tree wore no PPE. The owner of the business had been around a long time from what I gathered from reading the post. No PPE and a long career doing tree work. Nothing can be said about how many stitches, cuts, and broken bones this individual has had during the course of his career. I do think it shows there is something to be said about self preservation and common sense. Self preservation and common sense will likely keep an individual safe and alive longer than PPE. I'm seeing the PPE as an aid against an unknown mishap where common sense may fail to play a role in a person's sense for safety and self preservation.

What can be learned from the original poster. Wear your chaps, or don't walk with a running chainsaw? Both? What will others who read these posts actually do? If people don't believe in wearing PPE, I doubt they'll wear chaps. For those of us who already wear their PPE, we shake are heads yes, wearing chaps will help prevent a mishap and continue to wear them.

Joe

 

[NeTree]

Mike: Well said- I've caught myself "wandering" too.

Butch: You? Chain brake? (j/k)

Eagle: Accidents happen... that's why we don't call them "purposes". You were smart enough to have yer chaps on, and hey...that's what chaps are for- becuase NOBODY is perfect 100% of the time. Glad you're alright.


I think it's good to discuss "near misses". We all can get heated at times, (and I apologize for my part in that game), but discussing what went wrong goes a long way towards doing it right.

We're a pretty big (disfunctional at times) family, and I hate to see family get hurt.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I too am glad you cam out of it OK.
It seems that you feel moving with the chain running SOP?

The problem with the carpenter anology is that the circular saw has a blade guard that drops down. We do not have that luxury.

As others have said, body positioning,and a thoughtful proscedure are just as, or more important then PPE for when we make that OOPS that could be an AW????E!

Engaging the chianbreak when repositioning is good SOP.

 

[Eagle1]

quote:[/QUquote:
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When I finished the smile and started to walk around to the back of the tree to make the back cut, the rpm's while still up and the extra 2" of the bar made contact with my leg/knee area.

I guess my problem is that I need to really sit down and plot and plan what I am tring to say so there are no loop holes. The chain was still spinning somewhat as I re-possitioned the saw to make the back cut. Not being used to the 18" bar (as it has been some time since I needed such a long bar on Cape Cod) operator error caused the tip of the ever so slow turning chain to knick my left knee area causing the chaps to open and the chain arresting material to deploy. If I did no have the chaps on, maybe we are talking about 5-10 stitches. My post was only to say be safe and wear protective gear.

All your relpies are appreciated and read in the spirit the were written. I enjoy reading them and responding.

That is what this forum is all about. So Cocky, I mean Rocky get with the program and stop being so destructive to this forum. Even if you are as good as you think it dosn't matter if your a jerk.

 

[geofore]

chaps again

Jumping to conclusions over chaps. It comes with the use of chainsaws for many years. Things I have done wrong or seen done wrong over the years. I have chaps and wear them when cutting on the ground. Didn't use to wear them. The first thing that came to mind was why the saw was running without the brake set. Eagle1, something went wrong and we only guess at what it was until you fill us in on the whole story. It was not meant to call you a hack. I reflect on what I've seen over the years. Knock on wood, I've not cut myself other than when sharpening chains. The comment about the tune up was that I have seen others walk to the next cut, saw running, because it was a hard to start or would not idle with the brake set. I was not saying you are a hack, just warning others of the times I've seen it happen and the reasons why. I have seen guys duct tape their chaps rather than replace them figuring lightning (fast chain saw) won't strike twice in the same place, it does happen.

Work Safe, Live long

 

[Hemlock]

Boy it sure can be rough sometimes when we make a mistake, especially when we have the guts to admit it in front of a group of guys who fall into the "two percenter" category. The two percenter category that I'm talking about are those guys who require a little extra to challenge them in thier occupations and hobbies, special forces soldiers, high lead loggers and timber fallers, tree men, rock climbers, outlaw bikers, Bullriders, Alaska fishermen, rescue types, etc., that the other 98% of our gender tends to shy away from and watch from afar. I'm also new to this forum and don't know all the ins and outs of the tree biz or your relationships with one another but I do recognize men who face danger and have a healthy respect for it. I applaud those who have the courage to admit to thier own mistakes for the benefiet of teaching or reminding others. It shows maturity and maybe even accountability to our peers if that makes any sense. It has been a pleasure and a privilage to listen to you guys and learn from you, and If I do shoulder in on your conversations it's only because I can't resist joining in. Happy new year to all.

 

[seanlarkin]

Originally posted by Hemlock
Boy it sure can be rough sometimes when we make a mistake, especially when we have the guts to admit it in front of a group of guys who fall into the "two percenter" category. The two percenter category that I'm talking about are those guys who require a little extra to challenge them in thier occupations and hobbies, special forces soldiers, high lead loggers and timber fallers, tree men, rock climbers, outlaw bikers, Bullriders, Alaska fishermen, rescue types, etc., that the other 98% of our gender tends to shy away from and watch from afar. I'm also new to this forum and don't know all the ins and outs of the tree biz or your relationships with one another but I do recognize men who face danger and have a healthy respect for it. I applaud those who have the courage to admit to thier own mistakes for the benefiet of teaching or reminding others. It shows maturity and maybe even accountability to our peers if that makes any sense. It has been a pleasure and a privilage to listen to you guys and learn from you, and If I do shoulder in on your conversations it's only because I can't resist joining in. Happy new year to all.

Hemlock, this may very well be in the running for the 04 Post of the Year award.

We deal with so many tree workers (here at Sherrill), and it is always a solemn day when we learn of accidents. thank you eagle for posting your story.
-Sean

 

[Eagle1]

Hemlock/Sean. Thank you. You all recognize the reason for the post. Wear chaps/all protective gear. I would not have posted such a story if I didn't want to make a point to anyone who uses chain saws, etc.

Next topic please.

Even I am tired of my "chaps" post ha ha

Enjoy the weekend all!!

 

[MasterBlaster]

Ya never know, Eagle1.

Sometimes these threads develop a life of their own!

 

[tophopper]

I am glad you are OK, but I am a little confused as to how the extra 2" of the bar cut you when you moved around for the backcut? When you finished your face cut (regardless of chain brake being used) didnt you pull the saw out of the cut and then walk around for the backcut? The only way I can visualize 2" of the tip cutting you is if you left the saw in the cut while walking around the tree. Otherwise how could it of got you being 18" away plus the length of the powerhead?

or are simply saying that while you were carrying the saw, you inadvertantly allowed the tip to catch your knee?


I dont want to seem over critical here but, I also dont understand what you could do with an 18" bar that a 16" wouldn't do as well. What was the DBH of the tree?
Must have been big or couldn't you have cut from both sides?
Personally a 2" gain in bar length means nothing to me

Again- not trying to get down on you, just trying to get the full picture

 

[Eagle1]

Personally a 2" gain in bar length means nothing to me.

2+2=4

or are simply saying that while you were carrying the saw, you inadvertantly allowed the tip to catch your knee?

Yes

 

[tophopper]

(snip)

sorry Johnny, that was irrelevant sniping. -Mr. moderator