Why shouldn't I "air start" my chainsaw???

[BrentStir]

You do what feels right for you. I always drop started all my saws, especially my 2100 Husqvarna - (no decompression button). Never had a problem with it.

The guys that made the rules about always starting a saw on the ground have never climbed trees. As one of the fellows in our course said: “My arms aren’t that long!”

I should also say dropstarting the saw when you’re 50 ft up on the side of a big poplar (or any other big tree) is the only safe way to start the big saw.

 

[thenne1713]

You do what feels right for you. I always drop started all my saws, especially my 2100 Husqvarna - (no decompression button). Never had a problem with it.

The guys that made the rules about always starting a saw on the ground have never climbed trees. As one of the fellows in our course said: “My arms aren’t that long!”

The OSHA rule against drop start always comes from accident investigations= FACT. You can also be "macho" and not wear helmet and chaps and use plastic gas cans, but do not expect any gov sponsored forestry work anywhere in the world? There is the youtube where the guy puts the bar tip to the ceiling board and the kickback (almost) plants the saw into his face... fortunately not, and he wisely, calmly gets down vs trying again....

 

[huskihl]

The OSHA rule against drop start always comes from accident investigations= FACT. You can also be "macho" and not wear helmet and chaps and use plastic gas cans, but do not expect any gov sponsored forestry work anywhere in the world? There is the youtube where the guy puts the bar tip to the ceiling board and the kickback (almost) plants the saw into his face... fortunately not, and he wisely, calmly gets down vs trying again....

So you’re saying that if we started our saws on the ground and only used metal gas cans, we would be less likely to shove a chainsaw bar tip into the ceiling and cut our forehead off. Got it

 

[MacAttack]

I'm curious about metal gas cans??

At my former tree service job all we used were plastic cans.

 

[david newbie]

When I started cutting there were no decomps

When I was a kid we had no decomps and had to walk 10 miles in the snow to school ( except that I rode the short bus)

 

[thenne1713]

So you’re saying that if we started our saws on the ground and only used metal gas cans, we would be less likely to shove a chainsaw bar tip into the ceiling and cut our forehead off. Got it

No, more saying VALID REASONS for many/ most safety regulations; ignoring and misapplication or failure to comply when best practice needed can kill you, like a widow maker limb falling, or failure to run away when felling a tree. ... or putting bar tip against a ceiling in front of your face.... There was even a POST within past 30+/- days where a ladies son took a chainsaw to his face and needs extensive surgery.

 

[Paul Bunions]

And, try that on a small saw with size 13 boots, lol
Been drop starting for 40yrs, still have both legs and all 10 toes.

Size 13? No size will fit inside a handle. I start my saws on the ground, and this is really annoying.

 

[diver64]

I'm not sure what the argument is. I've been drop starting saws for over 40 yrs. Point that long steel thing with the spiny teeth away from you and start the saw. Maintain a firm grip and pay attention.

 

[Old2stroke]

I'm not sure what the argument is. I've been drop starting saws for over 40 yrs. Point that long steel thing with the spiny teeth away from you and start the saw. Maintain a firm grip and pay attention.

I'm wondering if anyone actually knows a person who has been injured while drop starting? Must have been someone somewhere wearing sandals and shorts who just bought a box store special and managed to do it. Maybe it's more of a "perceived danger", looks dangerous so let's prevent it from causing injury. Many people think motorcycles look dangerous because they only have two wheels and must be prone to falling over.

 

[diver64]

I'm wondering if anyone actually knows a person who has been injured while drop starting? Must have been someone somewhere wearing sandals and shorts who just bought a box store special and managed to do it. Maybe it's more of a "perceived danger", looks dangerous so let's prevent it from causing injury. Many people think motorcycles look dangerous because they only have two wheels and must be prone to falling over.

Oh boy. The summer after I whacked off a couple fingers with an old Jonsered a dentist from Mass bought the place next to me. Trying to be all "I'm in the country now" he got himself a Shindawa and when I heard it running went outside. Yup, board shorts, sandals, no gloves, no eye protection. Just waving the thing around like it was a popsicle.

 

[Paul Bunions]

WHAT'S WRONG WITH PLASTIC CANS?

 

[lone wolf]

Id love to watch someone try to start my non-decomp 288 with 200# compression without drop-starting

Does it break pull starter assemblies?