Saw Chaps - How Long?

Mark 42

I'm buying a real chainsaw tonight, and now that I'll be running a heavier
and more powerful saw I think some protective chaps are worthwhile.

I'm wondering if I should get them long enough to cover the laces of
my boots (instep of my foot), and whether they would be a burden
if they are a bit on the longish side.

(I have been using a Craftsman 18" saw, and will be buying a Stihl MS440
with a 24" bar/chain and intend to buy a 32" bar & chain for rare occasions
when I need a big saw.)

BTW, I have been watching a show called "Ax Men" about professional loggers...
I'm curious what saw they likely would be carrying & using the most...
something as big as the Stihl 066 (MS660), or would they not want to
carry that much weight and typically carry something a little smaller like
a Stihl 044 (MS440) and go back to the truck when they need a bigger saw?

Thanks,
Mark
(Olalla, WA)

letigre

g'day mate and welcome! chaps are always a good idea, doesnt matter how good you think you are at using a chainsaw or how long you've been doing it. S#@T HAPPENS!

in regards to the length of your chaps i would first ask whether your climbing or not? and if you are i would recommend you get pants without an instep, because otherwise it will restrict your movement. also pants you cant take off when your hot, chaps can be taken off and then you make one cut and BAM.

as for the logging side of things, i know some kiwi loggers and ive seen a fair bit on indonesian loggers. seems like they mostly use 46's, 66's and 88's on rare occasions, opting to put a bigger bar on the 66 first than go to a monster like an 88. why do you ask? doing some logging?

cheers

Mark 42

Thanks.
I'm not going to do much climbing - only once or twice to cut lower
branches to allow more visibility on our property - maybe 30 feet
or so to give a more open feel.

I was just curious what loggers use. I wouldn't mind doing a summer
as a tree faller, but only if the aerospace industry goes into a deep
slump and I get laid off from my desk job.

I've worked out doors before, and it has good & bad facets to it.
It'd do me good to do something physical for half a year or so.
If it didn't kill me, that is.

I'm thinking I'll get some wrap-around type chaps.
My problem is I'd be too inclined to just not bother if I had
to put on full pants - and I'm really just a property owner,
with not even much property anymore - but that'll change
eventually.

letigre

ah no worries mate. stay smart and safe. better doing a summer with a tree mob rather than loggers. it'd be more diverse and intense.

PARTSWOODCHUCK

WHAT KIND OF DIAMETER TREES ARE U CUTTING? TO ME EVEN A 28" BAR IS EXCESSIVE. I HAVE CUT A LOT OF WHITE PINE CLOSE TO 5 FEET IN DIAMETER AND NEVER NEEDED MORE THAN A 20" BAR, BUT AS THEY SAY "WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT."

ON THE SUBJECT OF CHAPS, I PERSONALLY HATE HALF WRAP CHAPS WITH A PASSION. I HAVE A PAIR OF THE PANTS THAT ARE WAY MORE COMFORTABLE AND A LOT COOLER. PLUS WHEN NATURE CALLS YOU DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT WITH THE STRAP AND HOPE YOU GET OUT BEFORE THE PEE DOES. ANY CHOICE YOU MAKE IS SAFER THAN NOT WEARING CHAPS. GOOD LUCK

Mark 42

I have one big one that fell in the last big storm...

I paced it of as about 140 ft tall.
Here are a couple of pictures I took of the tree to show the size -
it looks bigger in person. Click the picture for a larger version.





I decided my 18" 40cc Craftsman (Poulan) saw wasn't gonna cut it,
so I bought my first real chainsaw (Stihl MS440):
As always, click any picture for a larger version.