safety; top handle saws - risks and incidents.

[blazer]

I'm well aware that 'top handle saws' shouldn't be used as a ground saw, but I have no data for the risk and accidents that have happened.

 

Other saw risks are well known eg, kickback and leg injuries, but not for top handles only incidents, it may help new users.

 

I'm not a climber myself but with so many S/H top handles it could tempt some users as a light saw. I assume the biggest risk is using it one handed with the free left hand going forward onto a running chain?

[Daniël Bos]

I'm no monkey (no offence meant, other primate-related insults are available:biggrin:) either, but I believe the risk is mainly due to the decreased control.

Because you don't have a back handle the saw has much more leverage when it kicks back, which makes it a lot harder to stop. You're holding it near the pivoting point, whereas with a rear handle you have the leverage of the handle away from the pivot. With a relatively powerful saw like a 200T in a small package that could easily catch the unaware.

I do think the price difference between a 2nd hand rear handle of similar size/power would discourage the unaware from buying a 200t as a first saw though.... I hope!

Edited January 13, 2012 by Daniël Bos

[morten]

I'm no monkey (no offence meant, other primate-related insults are available:biggrin:) either, but I believe the risk is mainly due to the decreased control.

Because you don't have a back handle the saw has much more leverage when it kicks back, which makes it a lot harder to stop. You're holding it near the pivoting point, whereas with a rear handle you have the leverage of the handle away from the pivot. With a relatively powerful saw like a 200T in a small package that could easily catch the unaware.

I do think the price difference between a 2nd hand rear handle of similar size/power would discourage the unaware from buying a 200t as a first saw though.... I hope!

 

I would think that the biggest risk in using a top handle saw on the ground is the temptation to use the saw one-handed. Obviously, you have a lot less control when a kick-back happens, but the consequences when a kick-back occurs can be reduced by ensuring that the position of the saw is such that the kick-back will not hit the operator's head/body. Mind you, in the heat of the moment, such precautions are easily forgotten, so I'd advise against using a top-handed saw on the ground except in very special circumstances.

[Rob D]

As above the temptation on the ground is especially with smaller bits of wood is to hold the wood with one hand and cut with the other!

 

After all how many of us steady the odd bit with our foot while we're cutting?

 

 

So rather than make a complicated rule it's just 'don't use on the ground'.

[Minotaur]

As far as I was aware top handled saws are for professionally qualified only and expressly NOT allowed to be used on the ground - for all the obvious reasons.

[David Goss]

As has been said i think its just because the temptation to use it 1 handed is much greater on the ground than a normal back handle saw. Thats why its not to be used on the ground, I cant see anyone wanting to buy one for ground use when there are other back handled saws with the same power that cost less.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I must have been on arbtalk way too long cos this is the 3rd fourth time this subjects gone round the mangel! and for that reason im out!

[GardenKit]

I know that regulations are for our own safety, but it is a bit odd that a qualified tree surgeon, fully aware of the dangers of saws and physically fit, should not use a top handle on the ground.

But there is no regulation to prevent the simplest, weakest person, from going to a DIY store, buying a rear handle saw ( with no hand over instruction) and attempting to reduce his apple tree!

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I know that regulations are for our own safety, but it is a bit odd that a qualified tree surgeon, fully aware of the dangers of saws and physically fit, should not use a top handle on the ground.

But there is no regulation to prevent the simplest, weakest person, from going to a DIY store, buying a rear handle saw ( with no hand over instruction) and attempting to reduce his apple tree!

 

 

thats because he isnt employing ayone to use it for him, selling is one thing using is another, paying somebody to use it on your behalf another tin of worms all together.

 

oh wait, said I was out didnt I! lol bored!

[born2trot]

I'm no monkey (no offence meant, other primate-related insults are available:biggrin:) either, but I believe the risk is mainly due to the decreased control.

Because you don't have a back handle the saw has much more leverage when it kicks back, which makes it a lot harder to stop. You're holding it near the pivoting point, whereas with a rear handle you have the leverage of the handle away from the pivot. With a relatively powerful saw like a 200T in a small package that could easily catch the unaware.

I do think the price difference between a 2nd hand rear handle of similar size/power would discourage the unaware from buying a 200t as a first saw though.... I hope!

 

Exactly right rover Its got nothing to do with anything else other than what you have said . Price etc has nothing to do with it.