Suggest safety equipment

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Planning on buying a MS 361 with 20" bar. I am looking for suggestions and advice on some safety equipment. I already have a few items: Stihl foresty helmet, safety glasses, summer protective pants (gift), Stihl chainsaw "mittens"(gift).

I was thinking of the following:

1) The protective shirt from Stihl
2) With warmer weather upon us, a glove that offers chainsaw "protection", but not the mittens. I assume they are for the winter? Does Stihloffer a glove?
3) Might get wrap around chaps for the summer. Are they cooler than the pants or not? Protection is #1 concern of course, but comfort is 2nd.
4) Stihl Pro Chain Saw Leather Protective Boots. THey are very expensive, but the concept seems worth it to me. I have a large, steep hill and need the traction as well as the peice of mind of the cut resistant material.. Yea or nea? any alternatives?

Did I miss anything?

Thanks in advance

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I got ahead of things and addressed this in your other post. Safety gear is good to have, but nothing replaces common sense, and situational awareness. Chaps, helmets and boots are there to minimize damage, and not aleviate it. I don't wear anything protective, other than a heavy Filson Tin cloth coat for my upper body, and regular leather gloves. I wear Labonville pads inside my pants when I'm out in the woods, as there's nothing to catch on ground clutter, but wear chaps in my yard bucking firewood. The Stihl helmet is nice too. Get into the habbit of wearing it, and you'll feel naked without it.

Jeff

 

[ozflea]

If an MS 361 worries you that much just stay in bed.

Mc Bob.

http://www.users.bigpond.com/ozflea/saws.html

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

If an MS 361 worries you that much just stay in bed.

Mc Bob.

http://www.users.bigpond.com/ozflea/saws.html

Not to read anyone's mind, or put words in one's mouth, but I think Mc Bob may be alluding to the fact that you proably don't need extra protective gloves or boots, or even the shirt. Stick with eye, ear, head and leg protection and you'll be fine. Regular leather gloves and boots will do fine, and that's what most of us wear. Your Stihl helmet will cover your mellon. Get a set of chaps, and you'll be set. And while the 361 isn't a 660 or 3120 you can get hurt with any saw of any size at any time. Don't let a smaller saw lul you into a sense of complacency. If you have any doubts, read the Injury forum, and see how a guy got jacked up by small, 2 hp saws when he one handed it and tried cutting at a funny angle. There was a thread in the chainsaw forum a while back about PPE, and it got into a "This is how I got hurt.." thread. Happens all the time.

Here you go-
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=20839

Jeff

 

[Lobo]

The first rule of safety above all is to learn to cut, be aware of your surroundings and be in control of the moment and situation.

 

[fwf]

IMHO you already have all the equipment you need to use the saw safely. Now invest in some training to learn to use it properly.

 

[Newfie]

All the protective gear in the world won't eliminate your chances of getting hurt, especially if you are not familiar with PROPER chainsaw use. Take the advice already given and learn how to use you saw safely.

 

[chipper]

I have always liked heavier boots when cutting on the ground alot. Sometimes folks seem to follow through too far when cutting and nick their boots a bit. Otherwise, heavy, double layered coudura or jeans on the legs, heavy carhart-like jacket, leather gloves, ear/eye protection and a dome cap is just about all you should need. Just have someone who knows saws show you a thing or two to be safe.

 

[Blowdown1]

If you decide you want chaps Labonville in NH has great prices. Just order the size longer than you think you need if you want coverage down to your ankles, then run a little short.

As many others have said, the best PPE is your brain. Learning to avoid trouble is the best protection. You didn't say what you will be doing primarily, but in cutting lots of hurricane blowdowns in the past couple years I have learned a lot about what wood does under load. Learn all the proper techniques and that will go a lot further than any PPE. Also, get some wedges (plastic) for keeping kerfs open. Not only safer, but nothing is worse than having your new saw firmly planted in a tree that isn't gonna give it up.

Last bit of advice; when spitting, make sure the face shield is up!

 

[clearance]

You got some real good advice here, all I can add is try some caulk boots. They really are the cats meow.

 

[thecougher]

Someone mentioned training for proper use and expert techniques. I have been asking around for quite some time as I feel this would be a huge benefit to myself to take a safety/technique course....Anything in the MN area that might be available?

Also....What are the best wrap around chaps available today (Stihl, Husq, or other) and how much should they run me?

Thanks

 

[Blowdown1]

Cougher

Take a look at my previous post. I think Labonville is the best value on chaps. You can buy direct from them for less than almost any other chaps and, while I have not used any other brands, I have looked at others and the Labonville are of equal quality (in my mind).

As for training, there are a lot of resources on the web that give detailed info on how to "read" the wood if you will and understand how to approach various situations. Read, understand, and take your time learning in the field.

My sister (don't laugh) actually taught me quite a bit since she is a preserve steward and does quite a bit of maintenance/clearing as part of her job.

 

[t_andersen]

Safety shoes or boots are great if you happen to drop a log on your feet or try to saw you toes off...

 

[CNYCountry]

Here's my take on it. I bought the same saw a little while ago and bought the Stihl forestry helmet and the Stihl strap on chaps. I asked the dealer about those boots because the idea sounded good to me also, he said they are so expensive that they have probaby only ever sold about 5 pair of them and they are special order only. He sells a lot of logging equipment, that's his main business, not a side thing. He said a good pair of steel toe boots is all anyone wears and that where loggers usually get cut is on areas that are covered by the chaps. I just wear my redwing steel toe logger boots, jeans, chaps, t-shirt and the helmet. I am about 5'10" and the chaps cover some of the top of my feet also.

Others on here do it a lot more than I do and have found better clothing of course.

But the main point is that using the saw properly is the most important thing to keep you safe. Always, always always know where the bar is, especially the tip.

 

[Marky Mark]

If an MS 361 worries you that much just stay in bed.

Mc Bob.

All these pics are from members here that I feel know how to use a saw, it happens no matter how careful your are. My English shooting instructor once said to me "Safety is no accident"
I believe this cut was from not having chaps.

Here is a cut from another member, chainsaw instructor to boot one slip and it's bang.

Here it is healed over.

Another one.

 

[Marky Mark]

Here's a picture that shows every tree is felled with good intentions.I guess these guys must have been hacks.

 

[NWCS]

i wonder if the guy holding the rope wants to fly like superman? thats one hell of a leaner.. bit big for cheap nylon rope.. i have done my share of bad tree falling tactics.. but nothing like that!

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Is that guy using a Wild Thing?

 

[TimberMcPherson]

I had been using saws for years before I went on a chainsaw course. I can honestly say that it is the single thing that has protected me most while using a chainsaw. I dont know if you get them in the US but a chainsaw mitt a great investment to. (it attaches to the top handle and has saved my life once, which for me is alot)

Its not glove, its a leather sheath your hand goes into to hold the top handle, they are compulsory here for all pro saw users and they save lives, fingers, foreheads, shoulders, arms etc every week. You can get them here in NZ but I havent seen any on any US sites yet.

Steelcaps, chainsaw pants or chaps, eye and ear and head protection. Your sorted.

 

[046]

here ya go

http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz/order/catalogue/pdf/chainsaw2.pdf