So I figured id share this for the ones that might not wear chaps. I was clearing a steep hillside today at my house. First mistake was not setting the chain brake. But I laid the chainsaw on my leg and stepped up the hill note I laid the motor on my leg not the bar. But when I went to pick the saw up the chain was touching my leg. Accidently hit the throttle and this was the results. I never wore chaps till my wife bought me my 661cm she bought a set of chaps with it and said WEAR THEM. So I started wearing them. They were a set of Stihl pro mark chaps and they stopped the chain dead in the watter. Will most definitely be buying another set of them after this.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/40446/image.jpeg)
that could have been bad better thank the wife for them and KEEP WEARING THEM :)
X2!!!
Remember to get a new pair ASAP. Chaps are a one time save. The effectiveness is drastically reduced after a strike as the Kevlar is pulled. That pair just saved saved you enough by keeping you out of the emergency room and loss of income or worse to easily pay for the replacements and much much more.
yup, time for a new pair!
I have so far have never had the chaps save me. BUT the chain brake has a few time. I never gave the brake much thought until one day I was on top of the pulp pile with my saw. I was sawing the pulp to length when I moved over to the next cut. I slipped on the pile,my hand was on the throttle and I caught myself from falling,BUT I squeezed the trigger and the saw was wide open. :o
I never wore chaps until about 15 years ago. I met the wife and she brought me a pair. ;D
Hard to think that ruining a pair of chaps can be considered an early x-mas gift.
Glad you prepared with the PPE (personal protective equipment) and they performed their duty. Thank you for sharing. The more people see and hear this type of thing the more likely they will take the correct step to purchase a pair. I did not own chaps until joining the FF and reading the posts here. I have and wear them but have not had to use their services..... yet.
Thanks yamaha605. Sharing your experience could be the motivation that another chainsaw needed to buy/use chainsaw chaps.
Quote from: Jakedaawg on December 23, 2015, 08:40:05 AM
Hard to think that ruining a pair of chaps can be considered an early x-mas gift.
lol. I hadn't thought about it like that but your right lol.
Guys that was my exact thoughts on sharing this with the picture. Just maybe someone that doesn't wear them might start. I am hard headed as they come about stuff. Actually laughed at my wife when she bought them. But guess whos laughing now. One cant stress enough WEAR THEM. I allways had the wont happen to me attitude but the attitude is gone now. After this I would strongly suggest these stihl chaps. I can vouch for them they work.
Yes they did! Wear mine faithfully
Good post! Like others I didn't wear them until joining the FF and reading stories like this, now I do.
Does anybody know if they make a jumpsuit with the kevlar built into them? Most of the time you see them and they are intended for bullet protection. Leg chaps are great (I've got some myself), but I've had a couple of kickback situations before where my arm/shoulder was in the line of fire (i.e. the safety helmet I had on would not have stopped it if it had gone all the way back because the blade wasn't lined up with my head).
I wear mine almost all the time I am cutting. I would feel very stupid if I cut my leg and the chaps were on the 4wheeler or in the truck.
I know they make chainsaw chap bibs. Bibbychaps :D
Quote from: rasawing on December 23, 2015, 04:22:26 PM
Does anybody know if they make a jumpsuit with the kevlar built into them? Most of the time you see them and they are intended for bullet protection. Leg chaps are great (I've got some myself), but I've had a couple of kickback situations before where my arm/shoulder was in the line of fire (i.e. the safety helmet I had on would not have stopped it if it had gone all the way back because the blade wasn't lined up with my head).
There are jacket\shirts that have chainsaw protection built in. Also they make pants instead of chaps. And boots with kevlar built in. I think they're much more popular overseas, where here you see just chaps\helmet steel toe leather boots, or a combination of the 3, if anything.
Quote from: rasawing on December 23, 2015, 04:22:26 PM
Does anybody know if they make a jumpsuit with the kevlar built into them? Most of the time you see them and they are intended for bullet protection. Leg chaps are great (I've got some myself), but I've had a couple of kickback situations before where my arm/shoulder was in the line of fire (i.e. the safety helmet I had on would not have stopped it if it had gone all the way back because the blade wasn't lined up with my head).
here is the link to stihls shirt http://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/chain-saw-protective-apparel/proshirt/ Look on there site they offer cut retardant gloves also looks like pretty nice stuff
After years of cutting with at most a pair of Carhartt bibs for protection,I got smart and ordered a pair of Labonville chaps.I cut by myself a lot and know what can happen.
There's just no reason to not have chaps on.
After reading this, I'm convinced it's time to order chaps. Since this subject is up, which are the best ones? I LOVE my 066 Sthil, and pretty much everything Sthil professional. Are Sthil chaps the best?
Thank you for putting the fear of God in me!
I bought the Stihl pro marks in black. I believe they where around 80.00. Most people buy them after the fact. 100 bucks can save you a lot of money in hospitial bills and down time. It just makes sense to me.
Well you've convinced me not to just use mine part time or only during tough cuts.
Thanks
The Stihl one's should work when that time comes. And you will be "in style" if that makes a difference.
But near any chap will be better than none at all. IMO
I got a Pair of Labonville full wrap after reading reviews.I'm sure others are good and maybe cheaper but I like these and felt that were best.Much cheaper than an ER visit!!!These weren't priced unreasonably and were shipped to me in a timely manor.Don't think the vendor is a sponsor or I'd give their name.
Comstock ( a site advertiser) has a good price on theirs now.Check them out.
Quote from: outpost22 on December 27, 2015, 11:43:03 AM
Well you've convinced me not to just use mine part time or only during tough cuts.
Thanks
Quote from: Sawmillpilot on December 27, 2015, 10:21:17 AM
After reading this, I'm convinced it's time to order chaps. Since this subject is up, which are the best ones? I LOVE my 066 Sthil, and pretty much everything Sthil professional. Are Sthil chaps the best?
Thank you for putting the fear of God in me!
Well you guys have officially made me glad I posted this. I am going to go with a set of the pro mark zip up chaps this time and remember when you order chaps just because it says 32 inch doesn't mean it fits if your pants length is 32. Chaps are measured from the waist down. Not the inseem. My wife brought mine home as a 32 where I wear 32 length pants and they were way short lol. Remember to measure from where you want the waist strap to set to your ankles to know what size you need. At least that's the way stihls is measured not sure about all the others id make sure before I ordered. Thank you guys a lot for making me glad to post this. Im glad this site isn't like youtube or any of the other sites where I would have gotten bashed for posting this by people bashing me for what I done wrong instead of doing like you guys did and thanking me for this info. You two order your chaps before you have to make a trip to the hospital. crap does happen lol
Like I have said before, I have a BIL that is scared to death of getting snake bitten and won't set a foot in the woods bow hunting. There is no way I can get him to wear saw chaps while cutting, all the excuses too hot, to o heavy, too much trouble putting on. He has ruined several pair of jeans and scratching his leg with chain,
Some people just won"t listen until a severe cut teaches them. >:(
Its so easy to swipe your leg or a foot..... chaps are cheap insurance and really everybody is wearing them now for those egomaniacs around us. I remember my fifth grade reading teacher was out for several days back in the late 70's as he put a saw chain through his leg. Pretty bad situation at the time and I'll never forget it. My wife got me a pair when I started cutting for our new wood stove.
Gents, "first time caller. Planning on being a long time listener" Just joined FF today and this was my first read. Absolutely right on point. I have been pretty lazy when it comes to chaps, with numerous excuses in my mind. Reading this post I was reminded of the one time chaps saved my leg when I was 16. Slipped, got nailed in the shin with a solid kick back and the chaps were WRECKED!! It would have been beyond ugly. I was simply clearing an escape path too, not some crazy situation. It's what I needed to hear! Thank you for swallowing any pride to throw a needed heads-up to the community! You're welcome around my fire any time!
Welcome to the Forestry Forum, onbelay02. Does the "onbelay" name have anything to do with being a rock climber?
I NEVER used to wear any PPE of any kind when running a saw.. Foolish, I know.
I changed jobs awhile back and got into a line of work that involves it's share of tree work. Obviously on the job we are not allowed to pick up a saw without PPE on. Between that and the various safety classes we take annually, seeing pictures and hearing stories in said classes, I am in the habit of using my PPE. This habit has carried over to my activities at home and I am totally OK with it. I don't care a rip if someone wants to break my stones about being goody-two-shoes and all that. Accidents on the job at work or at home happen most often when we are tired. And when you are doing tree work, slinging the saw and all of the physical work of it starts to wear on you, you get tired. Accidents happen fast and are never intended. I have never been wounded by a chainsaw, and hope I never have to experience that. Using the PPE greatly increases my odds of remaining chainsaw wound free.
Thanks for posting yamaha605!