Top handle query

[Matthew McKee]

I was talking to a few fellas yesterday and they seem to be of the opinion that petrol top handle saws are going to be made illegal or already are. As I’m looking to purchase one in the near future can anyone shed some light on this? Any info I find on the internet says that they’re perfectly legal to use as long as you’ve the relevant courses.

[Oldfeller]

I heard the very same in 2014, and probably a dozen times to date.

[Dan Maynard]

I think utility sector have restricted them, UKPN guys told me they weren't allowed one. Can't see it in domestic.

[Bolt]

56 minutes ago, Oldfeller said:

I heard the very same in 2014, and probably a dozen times to date.

It’s a persistent arb myth.

[manco]

aye, 'tis arben myth

[kram]

Whats your usage for one? Battery does have some advantages, I like the Makita UC003, a medium sized battery topper.

 

[Gordon S]

The only other slither of truth to this is some retailers require proof of competency before they will sell a top handle saw. I've never been asked though. 

I would guess most chainsaw injuries involve holding and cutting with a topper?

 

 

[Oldfeller]

1 hour ago, Gordon S said:

The only other slither of truth to this is some retailers require proof of competency before they will sell a top handle saw. I've never been asked though. 

I would guess most chainsaw injuries involve holding and cutting with a topper?

 

 

my guess would be most injuries are caused by idiots who have absolutely no idea about operating any type of chainsaw, no idea of safety procedures, no ppe, no awareness of anything around them, I gave a talk on saw safety and use as a prep to the upcoming basic test.

a few of those claimed to have used chainsaws previously and yet knew nothing of tension and compression when making cuts, and some of these failed regardless of my efforts, I spoke to the tester after, in his opinion two individuals in particular stood out,[not any of mine] one of whom thought it perfectly ok to use a husqvarna 55 single handed above his head. 

the other arrived to do the test in shorts and tee shirt claiming he would get the required safety gear if he passed. 

someone lent him their gear to complete  the test and he failed it, it was painful to observe. nothing I had taught him had sunk in.

of those that failed most gave it a second try, and paid more attention to  the requirements and passed, others gave up and never bothered, I know one of those failures  injured himself at a later date cutting down a tree for a neighbor with no ticket at all. 

the problem will be in time the idiots will dictate the level of restrictions on purchasing and operating saws and probably any similar equipment.

anyone can be the victim of an accident, but with good instruction and a  willingness to think and listen the chances can be almost eliminated.

but never drop your guard with trees.

I just remembered, there were a couple of videos[no dvds back then,or internet] I had been given to show on days too wet for safe work, one was a promotional video by Husqvarna obviously promoting their range of equipment, with a lesser part on safe use.

the other was an american video of actual accidents involving chainsaws, I recall it was pretty graphic, the narrator showing many incidents nothing short of comedic at first sight but becoming deadly serious in their conclusion, often resulting in horrific injuries, blurred out in the final seconds, these were all filmed by neighbors and helpers on hand held cine cameras.

To illustrate the effectiveness of a chainsaw on flesh at full chat, he had a steer carcass on a meat hook suspended from the roof and promptly warmed up the saw and then in one fast move cut the steer in half diagonally in seconds, "this is what a chainsaw can inflict on human flesh in the wrong hands"

it was a feckin' real eye opener to everyone their, but it certainly made the point,

he then demonstrated on a model the effectiveness of chainsaw pants as the yanks call them, the saw never made contact with the dummy, jamming the saw very efficiently.

I wish I still had the videos but I had to return them .

Edited 15 hours ago by Oldfeller

[kram]

Most climbers that I've met have some form of left hand or wrist cut injury, the sort that gloves would not have helped as the protection is the wrong place.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

6 minutes ago, kram said:

Most climbers that I've met have some form of left hand or wrist cut injury, the sort that gloves would not have helped as the protection is the wrong place.

 

In France they’re very keen on protective sleeves, they might even have legislation to that effect. 
helps avoid this.