What to look for in Safety Chaps?

[arminkropp]

Alright, First post here!

I'm looking and getting a pair of leg chaps. Now the only stuff I can find locally is Husqvarna (5 layer) and the Stihl (6 and 9 Layer)

What should I get the 9 layer or is the 6 or 5 layer Husq going to be enough?
I'm mainly cutting 3-6 cords every year. Spring/summer cuts. My saw is the Stihl MS-290.

If you need more info to make a decision just ask.

Thank-you for any replies.

 

[ozy365]

More important is the calf wrap component. A lot of cut calf injuries out there. Keep 'em washed to maintain the protection.

 

[arminkropp]

Both go down to the feet. I was under the impression that the protection is from top to bottom?

 

[DonnyO]

Ha! thats a good one! What he meant was some chaps are available with a "full wrap" which means they cover the calves completely. If I remember correctly back of left calf is one of the most common places of chainsaw injury.

 

[arminkropp]

Wow, do I feel smart! I cant tell the difference between shin and calf!:bang:
And to think I'm gonna use a chainsaw!

So the amount of layers wont matter all that much? The difference will cost/save me about $70. On the other hand,you cant put a price on safety.

Any other pointer for a kinda newbie? I mean kinda cause I cut plenty of wood on the farm when I was younger.....ironically back when I was 14-15 years old I didn't use any safety equipment. Now being a little smarter and mainly having a wife, I'm required to wear safety gear.

 

[DonnyO]

EYE AND EAR protection, two hands, sharp chains. Veggie oil in the oiler

 

[cntrybo2]

veggie oil?

 

[PA Plumber]

I like the veggie oil that is packaged in the orange bottle with "Stihl Bar Oil" in big black letters on the side.

 

[arminkropp]

Thats about the only stuff I can find out here. Stihl Light , medium, and heavy.

I use the medium.

 

[Jumper]

You might consider a pair of chainsaw pants....I always found chaps kind of stiff and they caught on branches etc. Aside from the leg protection get a foresters hard hat w/ muffs and face screen, a pair of safety glasses, gloves and a pair of CSA approved safety boots.

 

[arminkropp]

I'll have to look around for the pants. I've seen them on ebay but wonder about the quality cause they're from company's I haven't heard of. Thanks for the other pointers!

 

[PUclimber]

As far as the chainsaw pants you can get a decent pair of Husky pants for around 80 bucks american. Or there's a company called timber savage that makes some pants that are green and they're not the best lookng patns if you care about fashion but they meet all the standards here and are pretty comfortable. I have a pair of both and usually don't climb without them.

 

[SRT-Tech]

veggie oil?

dont ask....they will come out of the woodwork and this thread will get to be 9000000 pages long, extolling the virtues of veggie oil vs bar oil....:bang:

 

[OTG BOSTON]

use the search function

Type in "veggie oil", decide for yourself.

 

[arminkropp]

Now the question is will veggie oil void my warranty?

 

[PA Plumber]

Now the question is will veggie oil void my warranty?

For $8.00/gallon for Stihl oil, why bother? I guess veggie oil would be good to use for Pin Oak Souflette, White Beech Biscuits, or Red Maple Regatta. I must say, I have yet to try Shagbark Hickory Shallots.

All right folks, bust loose the tree recipes!

 

[Jumper]

I'll have to look around for the pants. I've seen them on ebay but wonder about the quality cause they're from company's I haven't heard of. Thanks for the other pointers!

Mine are made by FIV from QC-one is summer weight blue cotton, the other winter weight and green nylon. Seem well made and durable.

 

[00chris85]

every pair of pants made come with a threshold speed, which means the speed of the chain at which it will cut through the protective part of the pant.
if you are doing this for your company then i would suggest looking up what your saftey requierments would be in your province. i'm from ontario and we don't have one but i know we have to fallow the canadian standard of 3050 rpm for our pants and chaps. but for the people in b.c they have a higher threshold speed they go by.
hey you americans have standards?

 

[cdeezy]

I just bought the Labonville chaps from Labonville.com for myself and my dad, they had a video on their site showing the pants in action. Although last time I looked it wasn't working. Nice pants, good quality and reasonable price.