Chainsaws.......any advice pls ?

[Snelly]

The HSE accident rate for chainsaw use is very bad and it is nearly always farmers operating saws on the farm, not forestry professionals, having the accidents. That is primarily because the farmers aren't wearing protective equipment, are untrained in their use and are standing on tractor loaders and the like to do the cutting.
Whist it may be possible to be working relatively safely from reading some chainsaw use books I would highly recommend the protective leggings. Steel toe boots are insufficient I'm afraid, you should have chainsaw protection right up the leg.
Every time you move you should apply the chainbrake, without training you wont know about correct filing, correct chain tension, cleaning. Without training you won't be putting the tree over under control with the right size and depth of hinge. You won't know how to drop a tree safely that is leaning toward and away from you - both need specialist cuts.
Sure people can work away for years with them and have nothing happen but it is a dangerous tool and should be shown some respect via training and PPE imo.

I understand what you are saying but you could say the same about a circular saw or any other of a myriad of power tools that you can but at B&Q. None of which require a certificate.

I certainly show mine the respect it deserves and would argue that sufficient can be learned from reading the right books to enable me to do what I want to do with mine. Agree to differ I guess.

 

[vig]

Chris

I used one a number of years ago to take down about a dozen trees at my mates. All i can say is get someone in that knows what they are doing. It scared the bejasus out of me.

 

[backwoodsman]

Yeah - it does look easy doesn't it. But Birdieman has it - don't even think about it unless you get properly trained. Those who have used them without training and say "common sense" or "take care" have just been lucky to date. And I say that as someone who used to be a chainsaw instructor.

Just don't, don't, don't...

 

[gash]

Birdieman. How much would you charge Chris to pop down to East Yorks, chop down his trees and have a game of golf while you're there?

Cheeky fool,
you are the idiot pal!

 

[gash]

Chainsaws are safe if a certain amount of common sense is used. In a Nanny State you will have to pay a fortune for someone to cut down your trees and saw your logs for you. In the countryside even our kids can use them safely.

 

[gash]

Get a cheap chainsaw brand new delivered for about £80 from flea bay. Use some common sense and there will be no problem using it. When you finish relist the chainsaw and get most of your investment back. They are only risky in the hand of imbiciles

idiot! how do you know the seller hasn't pulled the same trick!

do not get a cheap or secondhand chainsaw, and think twice about hiring - you really have no idea of their condition or how they have been used, though a decent, reputable hire shop should be safe.

did it once felling a row of leylandii, lucky, lucky me - the chain stretched so much it was downright dangerous and I finished up using a saw.

Lol. Goddamn fool! You need a licence to hire one and common sense tells you if they're knackered. Liven up mate!

 

[backwoodsman]

Chainsaws are safe if a certain amount of common sense is used. In a Nanny State you will have to pay a fortune for someone to cut down your trees and saw your logs for you. In the countryside even our kids can use them safely.

Ok; just talk me through tension, compression, the kick-back zone, safe starting, the cause of snatch, correct chain tension and...

On the other hand, just read the HSE reports - or better still, see a real live chainsaw accident. Believe me, seeing one is enough.

 

[Macster]

Gash: Thanks for the contribution, but keep your posts to something useful pls, not just having a go at others posts.

You are obviously very 'relaxed' about your use of Chainsaw's, which might equally mean that you've been very fortunate so far.

'relaxed' about using one is something I dont ever see me being, whether I decide to ever use one or not.

 

[backwoodsman]

Chris; too many unknowns to properly comment but for the nature of the work, you may be better looking for a forestry contractor rather than a tree surgeon. If there's some decent standing timber to come out then it may help with the price, but if it's only going to go for firewood or get chipped, then it's not going to be worth much.

But I'm pleased to see you've grasped the notion of the risks involved. Felling, especially in woodland setting isn't as straightforward as folk think. And a contractor is definitely cheaper than a new leg

 

[Snelly]

Yeah - it does look easy doesn't it. But Birdieman has it - don't even think about it unless you get properly trained. Those who have used them without training and say "common sense" or "take care" have just been lucky to date. And I say that as someone who used to be a chainsaw instructor.

Just don't, don't, don't...

Lucky to date? 15+ years of regular use and I am just being a very lucky boy?? Fine if you think that but I totally disagree.

Furthermore, if I think about my mates (we live in a rural area and are all country types) who have saws too, between us we have over a hundred years of experience of using chainsaws, some of them use them daily, none of us have ever been on a course and none of us have had so much as a tickle with one.

We are not just lucky to date. We are careful grown-ups with plenty of common sense who don't feel the need to spend a few hundred quid for three days in a classroom where someone tells us about something we have already done capably for years in order to get a certificate.

You can keep telling me that it is all about going to a class but I won't agree. 15 years of use with no incidents makes me much safer with a chainsaw than someone who has just picked one up, done a course, got a badge and used one for a month.

If you are chopping down trees, call an expert. If you are preparing firewood, do it yourself and be careful. If you want to do a course first, good for you but don't feel like it is an essential thing to do because I and many like me are factual proof that this is not the case.

 

[madandra]

Snelly, its obvious that you have gained years of experience using a chain saw and I agree that practical learning is more valuable that theoretical learning. The original point was regarding a novice using a chain saw and I think you will agree that if they dont have time to learn on the job then they should bring in a Pro.

 

[SharkAttack]

Have you tried an advert in the local rag offering the tree's free to anyone willing to fell and remove. There are many people out there with log burners who would be willing to do this.

I don't know if you had planned this yourself but if not I would give it try.

 

[Macster]

Thats a great idea Shark ! Might try that !!

Cheers.

 

[Farneyman]

Why not use an axe? Nothing better than chopping down trees....Plus its a great workout.