Amateur Cutting Day at Church

stihl #1 · 28th November 2007, 11:15 AM

Howdy guys, a member at AS, and here, suggested I share these pics with you folks, so I joined last night and here they are.
We had this big old willow oak that was dropping limbs and was full of ants. It was heavy towards the building due to a big chunk that had split off from a storm. I hired a pro to come in and put it on the ground for us. He roped the top out and then dropped the trunk. I am not an expert and I knew better than to try to drop this tree with one cut.

So I serviced up the fleet, got out the tools and safety gear, and a bunch of the men from the church met me on a Sept. Sat. morning and we got to work.

I just did a rebuild on this old 084 that was given to me with a lean seizure failure. I put a new top end on it, put a dual port muffler on it, and replaced the carb with a late model design with a part load enrichment jet. I tuned it to 12,500 with the 47" bar and started cutting the stump up.

This is the first time I have used a 120cc saw with a long bar. It just feeds itself in with very little effort and was an absolute pleasure to use.

I ran 8 tanks of fuel through the 084 and it ran flawlessly. I am very pleased with the repair and the parts combination I picked for it. Even with the bar buried the full 47" it just pulled chips and barreled along no problem at all.
We would roll each slice of the trunk over to the splitter and start chipping away at it until it was nothing but firewood.

All in all it was a great day for everyone, I got a chance to do some safety and operation training for the guys, and we ended up with enough firewood for everyone who wanted any.
Great site here, I am looking forward to visiting it often.

JohN Dee · 28th November 2007, 12:58 PM

G'day stihl#1,

Welcome to Treeworld.

Great pics! I love your saw arsenal, so clean and crisp! With your 084, I saw that you replaced the pull starter with a fully-round one for maximum grip, NEAT IDEA! Nothing worse then copping a compressed starter into your hand. Where did you pick that up if you don't mind me asking?

I'm not to fussed, but some people may have a whinge bout the lack of PPE (just helping ya brace).

stihl #1 · 28th November 2007, 01:26 PM

The handle is a Stihl part number 1128 195 3201 and is used here in the US on the MS 460 rescue saw, so a fireman can start it with a glove on. They are also used on many brands of snowblowers for the same reason.

I always wear chaps when I cut, and I had on my ear muffs and safety glasses. What PPE am I missing?

mdvaden · 28th November 2007, 08:18 PM

Geez...

That's a lot of powerful toys.

Actually, the tree didn't look big at all from the first photo.

But the second image really shows that there is a lot of wood sitting there.

Looks like near perfect weather for hard work.

shaggs · 29th November 2007, 12:22 AM

G'day Stihl#1,
You're wearing my coulours!!!! Thanks for posting.

Certainly a lot of work gone on there.
Love the picture with the arsenal.....MMMMMM

Ekka · 29th November 2007, 12:26 PM

Nice pics, plenty of wood there.

I think the only PPE issue that stands out is the helmet.

For ground work lots of guys like to use the face shield/helmet/muff combo.

What about the stump, some-one got a grinder?

stihl #1 · 29th November 2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Nice pics, plenty of wood there.

I think the only PPE issue that stands out is the helmet.

For ground work lots of guys like to use the face shield/helmet/muff combo.

What about the stump, some-one got a grinder?

Well, Ekka, I have a helmet system and a face shield with ear muffs, I just didn't feel I needed them since the tree was down already. I always wear the brain bucket when I am limbing or felling, as anyone should. I hope all who read this do also, and good on all of you in this post to make note of it. But it probably is a good idea to wear a helmet when bucking, especially if a kickback were to happen. I make a special effort not to look down the kerf when I am bucking.
The stump is still there. That is a project for next summer.

But about PPE, I had a 30' sycamore in my back yard that was leaning, after a hurricane passed by us in '03. I made my notch, got set for the felling cut, checked the area and my escape path, then when I made the back cut and the tree started to fall, I pulled the saw out and stepped back, and my big old ProMark boot hooked on a root and I fell down. My MS 361 had RS full chisel chain on it, and it came across my left knee as I hit the ground.

I felt a little bee sting, and after I undid the chaps and pulled the mess off of me, I had a bloody spot about 1mm in size on my left kneecap. I am here to tell you that protective chaps are effective at preventing an injury. I hate to even imagine what the extent of my injuries would have been if I had not been wearing them. I do have a set of camo chaps on in the pictures above, if you couldn't tell.
This picture below is from someone else, who got hit by a widow maker during a cut down. He ended up in the hospital with a severe concussion and a dislocated shoulder.

He stated that here again, the extent of his injuries would have probably been fatal if he had not been wearing the helmet.
Nobody plans to have an accident, but we can all go to the effort to wear some protective gear as needed.

Ekka · 29th November 2007, 07:13 PM

Crikey!

I'd not liked to have been the wearer of that helmet. Thank goodness the guy is alright.

With ground work there's a lot of carryon about helmets. The argument for it as strong as against it. I just wear it coz my muffs are attached to it, sort of conditions you I suppose.

Chaps, well, after wearing them consistently for a year now (pants actually) I wouldn't be without them, sort of get used to them and feel naked without them. I also have "nicks" where you got cut, the old spinning chain brake not on kisses ya chaps.

Dont sweat it though, I know you're not, we understand and it doesn't take much to get a nick or trip or kickback etc.

The worry is when guys who have little regard for PPE get away with another day, then another day and so on whilst the whole time for every day they get away with it ..... it brings them closer to the day they get caught without it.

With your friend, the helmet, the widow maker. You'll often hear stories of people who say "oh, he wasn't looking up and checking" .... imagine if he happened to look up a split second before it struck? He'd be minus a face due to zero protection on that one.

There's an excellent video on this site, thanks to DBS, it's long but well worth a watch. It's about real world logger, their hazards and their day ... they dont wear eye protection for a valid reason.

Here's that thread and post, check it out if you have the time.

http://www.treeworld.info/f9/risk-ta...html#post11367

kevlar · 29th November 2007, 09:02 PM

I always wear bucking pants,gloves and eye protection,but that helmet sure makes a case for wearing a hardhat.Sure need to rethink my ppe!!

pomme · 3rd December 2007, 10:55 AM

i gotta admit i hate wearing a helmet up a tree. i wear chainsaw proof boots and trousers, i hate ear muffs bloody filthy things i have custom made plugs they are the nuts use them on the bike too. have used a forearm gauntlet once or twice
for cutting and holding.

Therrin · 3rd December 2007, 12:34 PM

Wow, it's strange to hear ya say that.

I wouldn't be caught dead WITHOUT a helmet while up in a tree. I can't count the number of times I've banged my head on stuff and thought "damn, I'm sure glad I'm wearin my helmet"

shaggs · 4th December 2007, 09:23 PM

Stihl, was that helmet out of date??? Looks very brittle to have smashed like that. Problem with helmets breaking apart like that is they allow the object to continue through. A fibreglass helmet (like pacific) even though breaks, remains together to hold out and "bounce off" the object.
Think of it like the glass on cars. On the side you have toughened which just shatters, where the front windscreens are laminated to stop object (to a degree) going thru.
By holding the safety barrier together (whether it be glass or helmet) the safety object itself does not become a danger in itself.

Me, helmets...in trees or on bikes...not worth the risk. Say safe.

28th November 2007, 12:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohN Dee Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 750	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church G'day stihl#1, Welcome to Treeworld. Great pics! I love your saw arsenal, so clean and crisp! With your 084, I saw that you replaced the pull starter with a fully-round one for maximum grip, NEAT IDEA! Nothing worse then copping a compressed starter into your hand. Where did you pick that up if you don't mind me asking? I'm not to fussed, but some people may have a whinge bout the lack of PPE (just helping ya brace). __________________ Climber with slow climbing speed, must make up with mighty chainsaw roar. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Red : Green : Blue

28th November 2007, 01:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
stihl #1 Sappling Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chesapeake, virginia Posts: 11	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church The handle is a Stihl part number 1128 195 3201 and is used here in the US on the MS 460 rescue saw, so a fireman can start it with a glove on. They are also used on many brands of snowblowers for the same reason. I always wear chaps when I cut, and I had on my ear muffs and safety glasses. What PPE am I missing?

28th November 2007, 08:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
mdvaden Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 543	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church Geez... That's a lot of powerful toys. Actually, the tree didn't look big at all from the first photo. But the second image really shows that there is a lot of wood sitting there. Looks like near perfect weather for hard work. __________________ ____________________________________ Grove of Redwood TITANS Oregon BIGOOT trap

29th November 2007, 12:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church G'day Stihl#1, You're wearing my coulours!!!! Thanks for posting. Certainly a lot of work gone on there. Love the picture with the arsenal.....MMMMMM

29th November 2007, 12:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church Nice pics, plenty of wood there. I think the only PPE issue that stands out is the helmet. For ground work lots of guys like to use the face shield/helmet/muff combo. What about the stump, some-one got a grinder? __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

29th November 2007, 07:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church Crikey! I'd not liked to have been the wearer of that helmet. Thank goodness the guy is alright. With ground work there's a lot of carryon about helmets. The argument for it as strong as against it. I just wear it coz my muffs are attached to it, sort of conditions you I suppose. Chaps, well, after wearing them consistently for a year now (pants actually) I wouldn't be without them, sort of get used to them and feel naked without them. I also have "nicks" where you got cut, the old spinning chain brake not on kisses ya chaps. Dont sweat it though, I know you're not, we understand and it doesn't take much to get a nick or trip or kickback etc. The worry is when guys who have little regard for PPE get away with another day, then another day and so on whilst the whole time for every day they get away with it ..... it brings them closer to the day they get caught without it. With your friend, the helmet, the widow maker. You'll often hear stories of people who say "oh, he wasn't looking up and checking" .... imagine if he happened to look up a split second before it struck? He'd be minus a face due to zero protection on that one. There's an excellent video on this site, thanks to DBS, it's long but well worth a watch. It's about real world logger, their hazards and their day ... they dont wear eye protection for a valid reason. Here's that thread and post, check it out if you have the time. http://www.treeworld.info/f9/risk-ta...html#post11367 __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

29th November 2007, 09:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
kevlar Sappling Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: British Columbia Posts: 47	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church I always wear bucking pants,gloves and eye protection,but that helmet sure makes a case for wearing a hardhat.Sure need to rethink my ppe!! __________________ Got Wood!! olympyk 264 deluxe,999.jonsered 66e.huskvarna 394. stihl 026pro,036pro,038 mag,045,046,460,056mag,066,075.homelite super xl and xl12. pioneer 600a,maculloch d36and pro mac1000.whew! What out for the boy he's crazy!!

3rd December 2007, 10:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
pomme Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: england Posts: 220	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church i gotta admit i hate wearing a helmet up a tree. i wear chainsaw proof boots and trousers, i hate ear muffs bloody filthy things i have custom made plugs they are the nuts use them on the bike too. have used a forearm gauntlet once or twice for cutting and holding.

3rd December 2007, 12:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,273	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church Wow, it's strange to hear ya say that. I wouldn't be caught dead WITHOUT a helmet while up in a tree. I can't count the number of times I've banged my head on stuff and thought "damn, I'm sure glad I'm wearin my helmet" __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

4th December 2007, 09:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Re: Amateur Cutting Day at Church Stihl, was that helmet out of date??? Looks very brittle to have smashed like that. Problem with helmets breaking apart like that is they allow the object to continue through. A fibreglass helmet (like pacific) even though breaks, remains together to hold out and "bounce off" the object. Think of it like the glass on cars. On the side you have toughened which just shatters, where the front windscreens are laminated to stop object (to a degree) going thru. By holding the safety barrier together (whether it be glass or helmet) the safety object itself does not become a danger in itself. Me, helmets...in trees or on bikes...not worth the risk. Say safe.

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