How common are injuries with portable mills

[Nate Surveyor]

Well, I got my first injury today. I had a leftover piece of log lying on top of a flat top log, and was pulling it towards me. I was standing on the right side of the log, facing the mill. I was holding the small piece with my left hand, to keep it from skittering, or bouncing. BOOM! it slung a small knot into my arm. I shut er down for a full minute, :( and then restarted it with my right foot on it, and standing on the left side of the log. I was going real slow, and still did go slow. The arm is ok. Good little bruise. Made the artery just below the elbow, on the inside of the arm jump out, and I cried a little.  Just a reminder.


Nate

[LT40HDD51]

I had an oil line on our chipper blow off where the oil guage line hooks into the block one time. Sprayed oil all over the muffler and lots of dry leaves and pine needles on the ground. Then the muffler lit everything up  . Me and a buddy were scrambling around, shut er off, kicking dirt all around. No fire extinguisher, but it burned out pretty quick and didnt really do any damage. I was thinking about backing er into the river there fer a minute  :D

[jpgreen]

Ol' Peterson mill owner got a guy cut in half with his swinger some years back. This will prolly get edited cause that nasty little bit of news gets swept under the rug..  ;D :

[Ianab]

Ol' Peterson mill owner got a guy cut in half with his swinger some years back. This will prolly get edited cause that nasty little bit of news gets swept under the rug..  ;D :

Nope.. wasn't swept under the rug... But Peterson are very strict about not modifying the arbour, the bolts or the holes in the blade. That accident is the main reason why. The mill in question had been modified and wasn't using the correct bolts to hold the blade on 

Ian

[Tom]

You know we don't edit the forum for reasons like mentioning failures or successes.  It's when you blaspheme a company for no other reason than to make them look bad that the forum must be protected.  Suggesting that this forum arbitrarily edits posts, favors manufacturers and protects members takes credence away from the forum's philosophy. 

I sure wish some of you guys would quit casting doubts upon the integrity of the Forestry Forum.

[jpgreen]

I didn't mean to cast doubts upon the integrity of the Forestry Forum, and my words were poorly crafted.  I was told that it was a story that was hushed by Peterson, and now I know the truth.  Internet rumor.

I stand corrected.
                                               

[Jeff]

Since you beat me to posting by seconds, I deleted my initial,very-firey post. In fact it was smokin'.  Let's use that as a lesson not to be posting rumors or misreprensentations of the truth.  I was coming out swinging and its a good thing you ducked.

In the case of the Peterson incident, it is documented fact that the accident was caused by customer tampering and customer stupidity.  An incident actually happened.   I've heard this brought up several times as ammunition to pit one mill against another and it just isn't fair.

[Nate Surveyor]

I personally would like to read about this story. Right now I have my 9" Peterson Shaft getting downsized to an 8" mill. It is being done "Properly" by a machine shop, but just what if the thing was welded wrong... or tempered wrong, (isn't it cold turn steel?)

I don't know, but you know how a mind can wander...

Just send me a private email. I am not intrested in any of the above dispersions. Just don't want to mess up myself.

Thanks,

Nate

[jpgreen]

I would like then to say in my defence I have never once posted rumors or misreprensentations, or used such a thing as ammunition to pit one maufactured mill against another, or one person against another on this forum.

I was simply repeating what I was told that was supposed to be a fact, and in doing so- my wording was not a correct choice in reflecting my thought.

Jeez- I meant no harm to anyone here, and I am going to leave it at that..  :

[Wife]

Thank you guys, for being honest and fair. Actually, I don't mind that story getting out at all, because personally, I'd like to get the TRUTH out. There are just so many rumours! If one really digs deep, there are lots of other accidents with every product on the market, because operators do become complacent at times. But the truth is whats important, to wake people up and prevent more happening.

When my Dad owned the company (over 10 years ago I believe), we did have an owner 'do his own thing' to his mill. The independant engineer's report showed they could only find 3 blade screws used, which were in holes that had been drilled out and did not have sufficient thread. Guards were off and locking devices were loose. Unfortunately the owner was hit in the leg, but he was certainly NOT "cut in half". In fact, he started walking home across his farm but just lost too much blood.

Two independant engineers found no failure of the product on site, started up the mill with new locking devices in place, and proceeded to cut wood. We worked with the family through their grief and they were very understanding with the report findings. That mill has a new owner these days, and has been cutting copious amounts of wood without incident, on an awesome mill.

These are the reasons that I am very pedantic about only authorised modifications, using  genuine parts, following ALL safety instructions, and always ensuring there is a second person around when you are using a mill. Basic common sense makes equipment much safer!

Any other questions, feel free to PM me.

[easymoney]

a few years ago i was careless using a sliding miter saw. i was standing too close and pulled the trigger after the saw blade contacted the wood it kicked the saw black, it hit my stomach and made about a 2 inch gash through the fat. i went in the house and asked my wife if she had a band aid she took one look and said you are going to have it sewn up. ;D