Tree felling techniques and safety

[John Mc]

No visible damage to the hat so I am glad I'm not out 70 bucks for a new one

I'm pretty sure that if a plastic helmet takes a hard hit, you are supposed to replace the whole thing

With the aluminum hats as long as the rivets aren't loose you're good to go.

... and if they are dented, they have to go (and pounding them back into shape is not an acceptable "cure"). Once that arch loses it's shape, the structural integrity is severely compromised.

[Old Greenhorn]

Well it's aluminum and I checked it over really carefully last night. No dents, dings, or nicks. Good to go. I also went over the suspension carefully and it too has no issues at all. It really wasn't THAT hard of a whack, just blurred my vision for a few seconds. Now, if it was plastic I would probably just replace it because you can't see stress or micro cracks in those and I don't think the plastic will take as much as aluminum without effect. This is why I got aluminum. I keep a spare plastic one in the truck for visitors, helpers, or if something happens.

[Skeans1]

No visible damage to the hat so I am glad I'm not out 70 bucks for a new one

I'm pretty sure that if a plastic helmet takes a hard hit, you are supposed to replace the whole thing

With the aluminum hats as long as the rivets aren't loose you're good to go.

... and if they are dented, they have to go (and pounding them back into shape is not an acceptable "cure"). Once that arch loses it's shape, the structural integrity is severely compromised.

We don't pound them back, in the center of these hats is a plate that's riveted in for strength that's the only time they're supposed to be replaced is if that is bent as well.