Thread: Chainsaw Operator's course

I understand what you`re saying Jake but,where does it all stop?
If you`re going 2 clear a tk that has piles of trees over it &u know that in advance,yer go 4 it. Chaps ,gloves, helmets ,earmuffs even witches hats.
But sometimes u just want 2 clear 1 tree or get some firewood.
Ithink alot of it just boils down 2 common sense. Know what you`re doing &be carefull.
Dont get me wrong, safety is important but I think most accidents boil down 2 inexperience & fatigue.
Having a Disco1 theres only so much room
Cheers Dean.

I spent 1 year driving around forestry areas for work. I never came across a tree that I couldn't:
Drive over
Pull out of the way
Winch out of the way

However this is plantation pine. So I never came across a tree blocking the track that was more than about 2 feet in diameter.

Except when the Fig tree fell across the main street in town. I just took a different road and left it to the professionals

I did a chainsaw course run by the RFS around 12 months ago. I'd been using saws intermittently for around 25 years, but you will always learn something having known the guys who ran it I was aware of whether they were prone to bull**** (not generally).

On the subject of chaps, we introduced them into the RFS maybe 12 or so years ago. One of the guys fairly good on a saw and plenty of experience, objected to wearing them but in the end he had to, or not pick up the saw. Whilst I'm not sure of the exact circumstances they saved his leg that day. He now uses the chaps as demo at any course he conducts.


Martyn

I must say that I had never dawned a pair of chaps until at this job but I have had to replace a set as the 2IC just clipped his leg with the saw after the branch he was cutting dragged the saw down and while pulling it out he clipped his leg destroying the chaps but didnt even touch his jeans.

I have owned a set of sthil chainsaw pants with the kevlar insert fronts on them which were much more comfy than chaps but had to give them back when I changed jobs.

I will bring a set next weekend with the big saw as well as goggles and ear muffs that I have always used with a saw.

I dont wear the helmet or gloves as if there is nothing going to fall on you I dont see the point of a helmet and Id rather feel what Im doing and have throttle control so I dont use gloves but thats a personal preference thing I think as I dont mind the odd grazed knuckle.

Safety is extremely important with chainsaws so your only got half the equipment for the job if you only have the saw the bare minimum is earmuffs and goggles.

On the subjects of chaps ....
On the course I got to "play" with some of the bigger Husquavarna saws ( can't remember the model but they were around 100cc with a bar longer than your arm and a "working" chain). bloody hell...if I was ever operating one of those bigger saws I'd have every piece of safety gear on I could.
I think I'll use the chaps for all chainsawing now even firewood...paid $$$$ for them might as well use them.

The chaps aren't designed to physically block the chain from cutting through to the leg ...what happens is the fibrous material inside comes out and clogs the chain/sprocket and causes a stall. ( supposedly)

Supposedly nothing, it does.....

Hi guys Ive been removing trees for the last 7 or 8 years, the bloke I work for has been removing trees for 50 years. He was doing it tough axe, wedges and hand winches. Hes been on the Mornington Peninsula for about last 35 to 40 doing trees and Ive learnt so much from these guys about tree removal.
We do alot of big pines and gums 80 to 100 foot stuff.
Tree removal is a art in its self because of the danger involved.
These course teach you the basics but as someone said before he learnt from a tree remover just by watching, better than course the best way to get taught.


Paul

Originally Posted by Paulslyon

Hi guys Ive been removing trees for the last 7 or 8 years, the bloke I work for has been removing trees for 50 years. He was doing it tough axe, wedges and hand winches. Hes been on the Mornington Peninsula for about last 35 to 40 doing trees and Ive learnt so much from these guys about tree removal.
We do alot of big pines and gums 80 to 100 foot stuff.
Tree removal is a art in its self because of the danger involved.
These course teach you the basics but as someone said before he learnt from a tree remover just by watching, better than course the best way to get taught.



Paul

Most of these guys will be lucky to use their saws one or twice a year to cut a log off a track or a bit of fire wood so a good course run buy arborists would be well worth while.