Saved by the chainsaw chaps!

S

Stumpalump

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Franktown Co.
Chainsaw chaps are chaps designed to limit chainsaw cuts to your legs. I was clearing scrub oak and brush yesterday in a squating and reaching position when the saw came across my upper thigh. The chain wraped around them and actually nicked up the side of my jeans that arn't protected. The chaps are hot and get in the way somtimes but dang I'm glad I had them on yesterday! I saw what a chainsaw can do to a guys hand one time and that conviced me to buy chaps,put on heavy high top boots and leather gloves. The scary thing is that I don't really know how it happened. I was cutting for a while and maybe I just triped up on some brush.
 
We had a kid in Ag. class cut his entire foot off.. He did so much nerve/bone damage they had to cut up another 6 inches and call it quits..

Then he tried to return his blood stained cut up Georgia Boots to me at Tractor Supply and I told him... Darwinism... you lose..
 
At least you were using them as they were intended. We were clearing brush around an Aid to Navigation and one of the guys that was out there actually thought that they were so he could stop the saw to shut it off. After I saw that happen a few times he got an ear full and was only allowed to use man powered tools. This was the same cat that lit a candle in the head on the ship to make it smell better. It is good to hear that you were using them and properly.
 
Stihl029 said:
At least you were using them as they were intended. We were clearing brush around an Aid to Navigation and one of the guys that was out there actually thought that they were so he could stop the saw to shut it off. After I saw that happen a few times he got an ear full and was only allowed to use man powered tools. This was the same cat that lit a candle in the head on the ship to make it smell better. It is good to hear that you were using them and properly.
Click to expand...

That is funny. The more I think about it the funnier it seems.
 
Poo-nanny's like that in Alaska are the ones who get killed by bears.. or worse.. momma mooses
 
Do to the price of heating oil and the damage done to the forest from Bark Beatles (permits are cheap). The local forestry people offer chainsaw classes for beginners. There have been a rash of accidents.
They asked me to give classes in English, for those who's language skills are the same as there chainsaw skills.
At the beginning of every class I used to get the same question, are the chaps, gloves and hardhat really necessary. I now wear a buddies shredded set of chaps, my hardhat with a chain stripe down the middle and a pair of gloves covered in blood with a few fingers missing, to the start of every class. They don't ask that question anymore.
No matter how good you are, something bad is going to happen sooner or later, protective clothing is smart.
I was cutting a fallen tree, that was sprung (bowed) over another tree. I was really careful with my cuts, expecting the whole thing to unwind quick. What I wasn't expecting was a branch to whip around and take the saw right out of my hands and plant the chain right in the center of my hardhat.
One thing I tell the class that many forget about, is that cutting wood is hard work, fatigue makes you stupid and bad things happen. Frequent breaks, something sweet (brain food) to eat or drink, really helps to bring down the accident rate.
 
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Good on ya for having them on... nothing at all good about a chainsaw wound (they are pretty filthy, as far as lacerations go)

In fact, juat this past Saturday I picked up a set of full-wrap chaps, a forestry helmet, and a trimmer/brush shield for Karen (Her b-day is in a couple weeks) along with ordering her a new "momma saw"

PPE is good, accidents happen fast. 8Mud good points about fatigue, hunger, and hydration making one stoopid and/or careless
 
Dang Mike, Glad your alright. Be careful out there & always wear safety gear. I would rather sweat & be a little more uncomfortable, than loose any more bone material myself.

Rob $.02
 
8Mud said:
...I now wear a buddies shredded set of chaps, my hardhat with a chain stripe down the middle and a pair of gloves covered in blood with a few fingers missing...
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That would be cool to see.
Got pictures? :D


.
 
woody said:
Good on ya for having them on... nothing at all good about a chainsaw wound (they are pretty filthy, as far as lacerations go)

In fact, juat this past Saturday I picked up a set of full-wrap chaps, a forestry helmet, and a trimmer/brush shield for Karen (Her b-day is in a couple weeks) along with ordering her a new "momma saw"

PPE is good, accidents happen fast. 8Mud good points about fatigue, hunger, and hydration making one stoopid and/or careless
Click to expand...

I think you're one of the few that could ever survive giving his wife a chainsaw and safety gear for her birthday.:loveu: :worship:
 
Scott Mac. said:
I think you're one of the few that could ever survive giving his wife a chainsaw and safety gear for her birthday.:loveu: :worship:
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My wife is afraid of chainsaws so I got her something else
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Scott Mac. said:
I think you're one of the few that could ever survive giving his wife a chainsaw and safety gear for her birthday.:loveu: :worship:
Click to expand...

She's a country gal, raised on a farm... saws, guns, etc all just normal stuff to have on hand. I'll get more work out of her with all her limbs intact.

Besides, since she'll have a new one, maybe she'll not notice the new one I got for myself. (last of the Stihl 440s, I couldn't let it escape)
 
Wow, I never even knew special chainsaw chaps existed. I just pulled the saw out yesterday to do a bit of lite trimming too. I had all the proper PPE on: Steel toes, fleece sweater, and jeans. Whoops.
 
I just had a flashback to that German forklift training video - gone bad.

There was a part with a severed arm holding a chainsaw rolling on the floor....AAAAH! :eek:


.
 
RTicUL8 said:
I just had a flashback to that German forklift training video - gone bad.

There was a part with a severed arm holding a chainsaw rolling on the floor....AAAAH! :eek:


.
Click to expand...

LMAO @ Klaus' first day on the job.

The chaps are normally just a HD cordura nylon outer shell with layers of stringy fibrous material and or kevlar. Some offer just frontal coverage and others wrap around & protect the lower leg/calf. If (when) the chain cuts through the nylon, the stuffing is intended to wrap up around the chain & sprockets, binding everything up. They are hot & a bit awkward to move around in, but can lessen the severity of an 'oops.'

These guys http://www.labonville.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=5 have a video of them in action.
 
I used to have a pair of 501's with the excact tooth pattern cut from my old Stihl 034... skin intact, close... too close.
 
woody said:
LMAO @ Klaus' first day on the job.

The chaps are normally just a HD cordura nylon outer shell with layers of stringy fibrous material and or kevlar. Some offer just frontal coverage and others wrap around & protect the lower leg/calf. If (when) the chain cuts through the nylon, the stuffing is intended to wrap up around the chain & sprockets, binding everything up. They are hot & a bit awkward to move around in, but can lessen the severity of an 'oops.'

These guys http://www.labonville.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=5 have a video of them in action.
Click to expand...
I bought some made by Husqavarna at farm co-op for about 60 bucks or so.
 
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