Starting your chainsaw

rbtree

newguy, there''s no problem at all with that.

The proper way to start a saw, is to lock the rear handle behind a knee, and pull straight up on the cord. The chain brake should always be locked. with half throttle on the saw will start, but it only takes a second to blip the throttle, then take off the brake. The clutch can take it, no problem.

Conversely, in between uses, or when taking more than one step if on the ground, the chain brake should be activated, whether the saw is to be turned off or let idle. A quick flick of the wrist is all it takes.

Respect for the havoc a saw can wreck will take you a long way in this business, safely.

I've been running saws for twice as long as you've been breathing the air, and didn't have the benefit of the training that is available today. Take advantage of it.......

Garry Brockley

We have the three step rule if you have to take more than three steps or 15 seconds before useing the saw then apply the brake (this is our basic 101felling)
i have had one of my huskys since 2002 and have had no problems with the clutch

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Bruce Hopf

I have been giving this a lot of thought, especially for you guys that do a lot of Climbing. I agree now that the Chain Brake should be Applied. For the Simple Reason, that one of your Climbing Spurs, could let go of it's hold, while trying to start that Chain Saw.
If that happens, while the Chain Saw is being Started, and with the Trigger Locked open, It can be Very Dangerous, especially with the Chain Saw Running, and you are Scrambling to get a Hold of the Tree, and that Chain Saw has become Uncontrollable.
I sat back, and I remembered that when I was Younger, I did a lot of Bow Hunting, and I used Climbing Spurs, to get up to my Tree Stand. On the way up one time, one of my Spurs was not set right, and when I took another Step to go up, that Spur Broke free of it's hold, and I Slid 10' down the tree.
It was a very warm day, and all I had on was a Long Sleeved Shirt. I got Scraped up pretty good on the way down, and it was not a Fun Ride. So I can only imagine what could happen up there in a Tree, trying to Start a Chain Saw, and have that happen.
I sure wouldn't want to Experience that one bit, and I'm sure that you guys wouldn't want that to happen either. So for all you guys that Climb to do your Living. PLEASE BE, AND WORK SAFE. Bruce.

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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

First time in a long time I drop started my 46 today without a chain brake, you know, the left hand on the top bar above the decompress and pull with the right (smart mans drop start) ... geee, the chain sure whizzed fast for 1/2 throttle!

The saw may have liked it but I didn't.

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Q.Q.

I was tought to start everytime with the thottle lock on and the chain break on, turn off the break when it starts give it 6-7 short rev's to warm up and apply the break again when ready to use. Everytime I finish the cut the break goes on.

Only rearly dropstart, very bad habit to get in to,and I don't think your allowed to do it here anyway.I find that locking the saw between my legs is the esiest and safest way to go.

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Eric Frei

Only if some-ones watching.

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Q.Q.

Havn't you still learned yet,

THERE'S ALWAY'S SOMEONE WATCHING.

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Eric Frei

So how do you start it in the tree then?

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Q.Q.

Hmm let me think about that one for a while, might have to come up with a new, safe starting position for in the tree.

Would holding it between your cheeks prove worthy?

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spartek

This is why I work for myself . I start my saws ANY way I feel like. If your dumb enough to do everything the way someone else mandates, you shouldn't be up in a tree running the most dangerous power tool known to mankind anyway.If I hurt myself on my behalf, I 'll take FULL RESPONSIBILITY.If I hurt myself,on your behalf,shame on me for doin it your way.For the record . I start both ways. When Im using an 044 or an 066 up a spar,its getting drop started without the brake on, no matter what.

arbdog

The only saw i drop start is my ms200t. all other saws i grasp the rear handle between my legs and start it. or if it is a big saw 066 or ms880 i start on the ground, with the chain break on at all times!

Q.Q.

I have worked in a bucket just once and everytime I had to start the saw I locked it between the legs,worked for me.

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rbtree

spartek, you can do what you want, sure.

But give me one good reason for not having a chain brake on.

By the way, when drop starting a large saw in the tree, it is much easier to hold it by the top handle, bar pointed away.....brake on, of course.

Therrin

What's a good reason for having the chain brake on?

If you're operating in a safe manner with the bar in a safe direction... shouldn't it not be a problem? I've started my saws thousands of times without the brake on... never been a problem.

I still TEST the brake before I start to work, I just dont start with it on.

newguy18

The brits said its standard,its optional here,i only use the brake when letting the saw idle on my belt or on the ground.

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old schooler

Therrin

Same here.

newguy18

Its just one of those,do what you want,if someone else doesn't like it tell them to stick it.

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old schooler

Therrin

Ok fine,

You All Can Stick It!!!!

rbtree

Safety....

Of course few saws had them when I started doing tree work...then we used to take them off...took years to get in the habit of hitting the brake in between cutting tasks. I see no reason to not have the brake on when starting. It just makes sense, what if the bar accidentally contacts something? And, except for cold starts, there's no need to engage the half throttle or hold down the trigger.

Heck, I'm not 100% in the habit of using the brake every time, being into production work, and with years of engrained old school habits. But why not? Safety can't hurt.

That said, maybe I'm a bit of a hypocrite, as, like most seasoned climbers, will always one hand a saw a lot....and don't wear chaps on the ground enough...etc etc.....

Therrin

Exactly. It's easy for all of us to SAY what sounds right, as far as saftey is concerned. Then most of us do what we're used to.

When's the last time any of you who dont leave the brake on, have hurt yourself while starting the saw? Anyone? Ever?

newguy18

Not while starting the saw,cut my middle finger open trying to engage the brake once though.So because that happened it will be seen that my goof up is the saw manufacturers fault and now all chainsaws will need a guard in place so you can't put your hand near the chain.

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old schooler

Q.Q.

If you get in the habit of starting with the break on,and then forget it does give you an uneasy feeling when you see the chain go wizzing past.

I think all the safty gear is nesasary,althought sometimes some rules can be a little stupid.
But i always think that I want to look more professional than that Joe blow that door knocks.And when people see you in the gear and that you can work in a safe manner,...word soon gets around.Uniform ,name,company,chapps,helmet,muffs,gloves,safty boots,everytime.
Sounds a little better than stubbi shorts and thongs with a Jacie howe singlet,wich I have seen.
Imiage isn't that what sell's as well,not to mention sex

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newguy18

You wear chaps while climbing?

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old schooler

spartek

I never really thought about it but when I restart , I hold the saw with my trigger finger away from the throttle. My 044 is a mutha trying to start it ,as it doesnt have a compression release. When it turns over and yanks the rip-cord right out of ur hand , and slaps the tender skin below the arm pit leaving a welt the size of a baseball , the last thing Im thinking about is "Did I or didn't I properly engage my chain brake". If you think you need your brake on , then by all means engage it. My chains only make money when they're spinning , and I agree with Therrin , when was the last accident ? Kinda like not using your cell phone when pumping fuel.Have you EVER heard of the pump actually blowing up on someone. Oh well , I gotta go cut down some trees , as for everyone else , Lets hear that popping of them brake bands on them clutch drums

Therrin

Q.Q, yes, sex sells.

There were these girls who would go around and do lawn work, dressed up in bikini tops and bottoms... that's pretty frickin smart.

I wonder if I could make more money by working in a banana hammock? Hmmm...

newguy18

Oooh ooh,i should climb trees in a speedo,that'll keep me busy.

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old schooler

Q.Q.

No No my favourite is the man keeny,hmm have strapped that thing once at our music muster festival,very intoxicated on our Bundy Rum,pictures were taken, not a pretty site.
I did have trouble keeping the balls in,imagine that in a harness,

Yes to the chapps climbing, everytime,well why would it be different in the tree to on the ground,your still useing a chainsaw.I do have one set of chainsaw pants though,there good.

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arbdog

I've not hurt myself abvoisly but to people who are used to starting the saw with the break on and who apply it before you switch the saw off it can give you a shock if somone has used it after you and hasn't applied it as you think you used it last so didnt check, only because you wasn't expecting it!

The bloke who taught the bloke i used to climb for killed his friend with a saw (no not by starting the saw) when withdrawing the saw from a felling cut, I have cut myself on my ms200t when i one handed a branch with my left hand. I applied the brake with the palm of my right hand and my index finger hit the running chain! and yes i know it was the wrong way to apply the brake and the chain shouldent have been running like that still, it was years ago when i was new to the game and now i know better!

SawTroll

I always dropstart, and I try to remember to put the brake on (if it has one), at least on cold saws.

This is a new routine to me, I used to never use the brake.....

windthrown

I used to start my saws on the ground with the chain brake set. Then I switched to drop starting my saws with the chain brake set. I now drop start them with the chain brake off. On the saws that have chain brakes on them that is. My Olympyk and Mac do not have chain brakes on them. Nor did my AV-020 Stihl. I am suprised with the high number of people here that do not drop start saws, and set the brake when starting. I have done similar polls on other forums stateside, and the vast majority here drop start and leave the chain brakes off when starting.

By drop starting, I am not taking about dropping the saw completely and pulling on the rope in a wild motion. Drop starting here is left hand on the starting handle, right hand on the top handle. Pull up on the starter with the left hand, while pushing the saw down with the right hand. I believe that this position is actually safer than starting the saw on the ground. Reason being that on the ground you are off-balance, and leaning forward. The ground starting poisition is akward and your foot is slung in the handle. Drop starting the saw allows you to be centered, balanced, and in better control of the saw at all times. It is also far easier on your muscles and wrist to drop start a saw than it is to start one on the ground. I had a 290 when I stopped starting saws on the ground. That thing does not have a decomp button, and it can snap back really hard and wrench your wrist hard if you do not have a good grip on the handle. That never happens when drop starting that saw, or any other saw for that matter, including my 044 that does not have a decomp button.