Chainsaw resistant chaps/trousers, what options in Australia?

Hilly

I have a job (unpaid, as usual) thinning out some Paulownias. Now that I am getting older, wiser and slower I thought that protective clothing may just be a good idea. Safety boots are easy, cut-proof leg protection is just that bit harder to find in sunny Port Macquarie. What are my options and what are your recomendations? Price is a consideration but trousers have to be cheaper than artificial limbs don't they?

Sean Freeman

Hilly I would get a really good pair (the most expensive you can afford) of chaps the type that have the wrap around section on your calves. The advantage of chaps is in the summer when the sawing is done and lifting begins you can take them off...I also find them more comfortable than the cut resistant pants available here in Qld...strech airs might be really great but I never found an outlet when chainsawing was part of my daily routine.

Jeff Darby

l use Stihl chaps,l find them very good on hot days and they have the calf wrap around aswell,three clips and velcro on the calf.

As far as how good they react in an accident well so far l've been lucky enough not to test out their design features on chainsaw cuts!

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Eric Frei

I just wear the Stihl summer pants, it's like part of the uniform and they're always on.

Stihl dealers mate, there'd have to be one in your town.

..... lets see.

Peters Mower Centre

26 Milton Circuit
PORT MACQUARIE
NSW 2444

Phone: 02 6581 0301
Fax: 02 6581 1708

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Hilly

Thank you all for your replies, I had a feeling that Stihl would be the way to go but I thought that seeking professional advice first would be a wise move. The chaps sound the most convienient for what I will be doing, especially if the weather warms up towards Summer.
Ekka, I know Peter's Mowers well. Bought a few toys from them over the years. Their workshop is one of the cleanest and neatest places you could want to find. You could eat your dinner off the workbench but Peter would murder you because you made it messy.
Thanks again folks.

Drouin Tree Service

Ive heard husqvarna have some new cut proofs in a black color..

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

TrevMcRev

I have a brand new black pair of them(huskys) from a while ago that i never used.
Pretty slim fit..... maybe thats why i never used em.
Yours for $80 + postage if you want em.

Hilly

Thanks for the offer Trev but "slim" is the one word that definitely does not discribe me!
Stihl chaps seem to be about $220 in Port Macq. I will check on the Husky prices sometime soon but $220 is a lot cheaper than bandages and a wooden leg.

Hilly

Started the Paulownia thinning project today and still havn't got my safety gear sorted out. Silly Hilly! But I have a pathetic excuse for this.
I read somewhere that these safety chaps/trousers are very sensitive to heat, as in hot exhausts, cigarette burns, sparks and the like. Is this true of the more modern gear and how much of a problem is it in the ordinary working environment? As I don't smoke and I havn't burned myself with a chainsaw muffler for a long, long time it sounds like I should have no problems, yes?
Dennis.

Eric Frei

LOL

I never heard or worried about that before, but hey, you can grab a video and do an experiment for us if you like.

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Hilly

Awwwwww, dat's not nice, Ekka. At least let me get the darn things dirty before I see how burn-proof they are!
Anyway, as your safety gear is (hopefully) tax deductable, perhaps you might be able to do the research for the rest of us?
But seriously folks, thanks for the advice.


Dennis.

kimtree

Clogger do a 'proban' fire resitant chainsaw chaps for not much more than normal ones

Hilly

Well, came home with a pair of Stihl standard chaps. Just like an insurance policy, I hope I never need to claim on it but it does feel good to know it's there.
While I was in the shop I noted the price of the baby Stihl "arborist's saw"! At a tad over $1400.00 it would need to be something special! No doubt that it's a great little saw but that seems a bit pricey.
Dennis.

Bruce Hopf

I went and got myself a Pair of Stihl Chaps, about three Months ago. I wear them all the time, while working in the Bush now. I'm presently Skidding out Tree Tops out of the Bush, and I wear them while Driving the Tractor, when I'm Skidding.
Once I get the Tree Tops out of the Bush, out into the Field, where I have a clearing made in the Snow, with the Tractor and Snow Blower, I do the Limbing, and I load them onto a Wagon, and haul them the the Buildings from the Back Field of our Farm. I wouldn't be without them now. Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

Eric Frei

How about some pics of ya skidding stuff in the snow then, we're burning our asses off here!

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Q.Q.

Snow bring it on, Ill work in it at the moment.

As for the cut proofs I have a pair of Elliot chaps and a set of clogger pants.I have Clogger chaps for the occasional co worker.
Have found the Elliot gear pretty good,no money stihls way for me.

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FAMILARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT

Bruce Hopf

Well I hope this might cool your A$$es off a bit. I went to the Bush Today, and I skidded out a few Trees that blew over.
The Tractor I'm using is a Cockshutt 1650, with a Fork Lift Attachment. The Tractor has a rebuilt Engine, that has between 70 to 80 Horse Power.
Even with the Tire Chains on the Rear Tires, it is a bit Hard going. The Snow has no Bottom to it, and it is a lot like Sugar, which doesn't allow very good Traction.
The Snow is around Knee Deep. In the Picture, with the Fork Lift, I just finished Chaining up the Tree to the Fork Lift. I stick the Forks under the Tree, or Butt of the tree Top, lift it up a bit, so I can wrap the Chain around it. Then I reposition the tractor, if I need to, hook the Chain to the Fork Lift, and off I go.
I have a landing cleared off out in the Field, so I do all the Limbing out in the Field, and load the Tree Tops, or Trees on a Wagon, and haul them home, unload them to be cut into Fire Wood later. Bruce.

Attached Thumbnails

     

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

newguy18

I ship saws from here in the us to other countries,maybe you can save a few bucks ,maybe a hundred?

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old schooler

Therrin

He should be able to save more like, what, $600 bucks from having us ship him one?

I use stihl's chaps. They were about $80 bucks.

And they DO work...very well actually. Made me an instant beleiver.

I dont know anything about them being temperature sensitive. they're nice and cool for summer work though. I like the fact that the Stihl one's are safety orange. I cant stand wearing black colors in the summer time.

Bruce Hopf

I like wearing my Chaps. They keep the front part of my Coveralls dry, while kneeling in the Snow to hook up a Chain around the But of the Tree Tops, or while trying to walk in Knee Deep Snow, or when the Ground is wet. No problem with them freezing up stiff either. . Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

Dano

I did some looking around before buying my Clogger chaps recently. They are as far as I could see, the same material and quality of design and construction as the Stihl, and $160 as opposed to $250 for the Stihl pair.

I have all Stihl machines, though I think the safety gear is a little over priced.

I got the chaps at the local work wear shop. I went for buckles down the back of the legs and think they are great.

Dano

waughd

Excuse my ignorance but where are Clogger pants/chaps purchased here in Qld. (OZ)

Husky man

im looking 4 a pair of Chainsaw pants that i can climb in that is nice and light and comfetable to wear under a harness

Apocalypsse

The Husqvarna Pro Tech 20s are good for climbing. I've had them for just over a year now and find them pretty good in the trees. The vents on the back are real nice when you are climbing. The only troubles ive had putting on harnesses is with the TreeMotion and its leg loops, no issues with other harnesses.

Husky man

thanks for that Apocalypsse whats the price for a pair of those pants?
my harness should be fine i got a SRTE Glider harness great harness 2

Apocalypsse

I got mine for $320 but lately ive seen them up around the $400 mark...

Gunslinger

Here's a short video of Labonville chaps being tested against some other brands:

Welcome to Labonville.com - Logging Supplies and Safety Apparel

Regular Chainsaw Chaps Meets ASTM F-1897-08 - Labonville Inc.

TrevMcRev

TREEGEAR Arborist Supplies now have the SIP Protection range, including the new Progress models.

At better than US prices too

Announcement & details here.

J0RD0

if anyone's looking i have 2 brand new pairs of STIHL trousers/pants im selling. Both are small would suit 77cm to 84 cm. looking for $150 per pair.

johno6677

We demonstrated some chaps [in]abillity to protect the operator, they failed they were not Stihl, Husky, Clogger or John Deere. It was a shock to us as we were supplied with them as being top quality, we had other chaps so were able to continue.