Chainsaw PPE

[paulmitchell1984]

I'm buying myself a new chainsaw and decided id like abit of ppe as I will be doing abit more chopping this year.

Any recommendations on boots and trousers that won't break the bank, been looking at the offerings from screwfix made by oregon any body used them?

 

[Memmeddu]

Can't really say anything for sure but over here , everybody seems to use Husqvarna or STIHL PPE
Oregon still a brand name ,I don't know how they are quality wise....
Chainsaws are dangerous , don't cheap on PPE is a rule for everything but remember something is always better than nothing

 

[James1979]

If you don’t mind wearing them then the wellies are cheaper than the boots.

chainsaw trousers come in front protection or all round. Unless you’re a climbing tree surgeon you shouldn’t need all round but it is recommended for in experienced users.

Stihl make good stuff, their bottom end line is (or was last time I looked) affordable. The helmets are good too. Rebranded MSA I think. Haggle with the dealer on price. They have loads of room to move.

A lot of the other brands are aimed at tree surgeons with prices to match - eg arborflex etc

SIP trousers are hideous. Like wearing duvets around your legs

 

[Migmac]

Whatever you get make sure it’s comfortable. Chainsaw wellies make your feet sweat and trousers with all round protection also make you sweat. Trousers with front only protection are all you want. Oregon are fine. I go for leather boots, which ever are comfiest. They all have steel toe caps and protection up the front. Grip dot gloves are fine, the leather chainsaw gloves when wet turn very slippy. We discussed this with H&S when we got an unannounced visit. When we said why we didn’t have gloves on they agreed but would be happy if we wore grip dot ones. Helmet needs a visor and muffs, they are all pretty much the same.

 

[paulmitchell1984]

Cheers guys, im not a welly type guy so was looking at the leather boots,
The trousers have front protection but not around the back, not planning on doing any cutting behind my back though
Il order them and see how i go on

 

[premmington]

I wear "chainsafe" - bib and brace (front protection only) - chainsafe gloves - helmet with mesh visor/ear defenders.

I do wear steel toe cap boots - but I don't own chainsafe boots.

Leather gloves do get slimey when wet.


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I do sometimes feel it is abit "overkill" at times! But sods law would dictate - the only time you don't dress up for the job. It will be when it goes wrong...

I have had a few chains off saws in my time.

Secret to chainsaws is a well lubricated/sharpened/tensioned chain. And to think about - plan ahead to what happens to the wood/saw while you are cutting.

Not a job I would be wanting to do full time.

 

[dobbslc]

I got the Husqvarna PPE kit with my little 236 when I bought it, it has the front protection 'chaps' gloves, & helmet with mesh guard and clip down ear defenders. The ear defenders broke after a while so I just use normal ones now. Not bad value for money though. I always where steel toe cap boots too.

 

[Robbie260]

I got myself some really good ppe when I bought my chain saws this year, oregon helmet and class 1 trousers, got a pair of husky class 2 trousers both class A front protection only and an arbortec class 5 arm protection hi vis shirt, as well for jobs that were more than just standing around cutting fire wood on a trestle. Got some oregon and husky gloves huskies are much nicer. The trousers are good for doing general gardening and grounds maintenance tasks too, tough and nice and warm on a cold day.

As for boots hate wellies with a passion personally and having uncomfortable feet so I stumped up the cash and bought a pair of arbortec boots the were really expensive but very very comfortable and I wear them doing most out door gardening and grounds maintenance style jobs as they are heavy so you can put some real omph behind a spade and it dosent hurt your feet. Bit like wearing snowboard or ski boots very rigid but you get use to them quickly.

Got a nice arbortec pull over high vi's jacket too, really nice and bright, comfy and very water proof stood all day in the rain and didn't come close to getting wet.

It is never worth cheaping out on PPE as often you don't wear it if it's difficult or a hassle to use or uncomfortable.

 

[Robbie260]

To give you an idea of how much that all cost minus the oregon trousers and gloves I bought a small efco saw and a sthil ms261 the ppe total cost more than the sthil saw.

 

[pedrobedro]

I have Husqvarna bib and brace and a helmet with mesh visor and muffs. I wear ordinary riggers or rubber fronted gloves as do most saw users, chainsaw gloves are a bit of a gimmick. As I am only a weekend firewood cutter I mostly wear my riggers or a pair of toecap boots.

 

[mtt.tr]

First and foremost

Proper handling of the chainsaw, the handles allow the bar to be held in a position that a kick back will hit your shoulder or miss it, always have it so the pivot point in a kickback is either straight up towards the shoulder or ideally away from the head/body

Always use the chainbrake, they have a habbbit of reving up when low on fuel ive seen a few cut trousers from this.

Unless the item to be cut is stable and not moving dont cut it, if the log is short and leaves your foot close to the bar use a longer log the pinch and hold the part to be cut


Always wear a helmet and visor, cheap forestry type is fine Oregon are cheap

Trousers or chaps your choice, get a brand Oregon, sip, stihl, husqavarna, treehog these cost but are worth it.

Boots lavaro cheap and comfy, better boots cost and unless you are using them non stop i wouldn't worry




Ps get a truck and you are a tree man. Apprantly.

 

[pedrobedro]

I'm buying myself a new chainsaw and decided id like a bit of ppe as I will be doing abit more chopping this year.

Don't use the chainsaw for chopping, it will wreck the bar and chain. Get an axe for the big stuff and a hatchet for kindling

I don't have a truck so I'm a weekend warrior. This is me pruning a Birch on our back garden, I am in a harness but was using the bow saw so no helmet at that time.

 

[Lazurus]

Its worth an ask on arbtalk forum, I got a full set of boots gloves class 1 trousers and a jacket from one of the professional tree surgeons who was updating his gear. What ever you deside dont scrimp on the PPE chainsaws bite - hard!

 

[8ob]

What ever you deside dont scrimp on the PPE chainsaws bite - hard!

Told you not to swim in the sea

If you are just cross cutting for firewood the bib and brace cutproofs are worth looking at, you can go way oversize and slip in and out of them in your boots/jeans.

Bob

 

[James1979]

Told you not to swim in the sea

If you are just cross cutting for firewood the bib and brace cutproofs are worth looking at, you can go way oversize and slip in and out of them in your boots/jeans.

Bob

Amazes me no one has made them with zips down the legs like my thermal bib and brace.

 

[8ob]

Amazes me no one has made them with zips down the legs like my thermal bib and brace.

James I have seen bib and brace chaps but damned if I can find a link to them, again they would be more than adequate for cutting firewood .

Bob

 

[mtt.tr]

James I have seen bib and brace chaps but damned if I can find a link to them, again they would be more than adequate for cutting firewood .

Bob

I agree, i think proper chainsaw use outweighs PPE in firewooding

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Most of my gear is husky for hedging etc, my pants are sip and pretty nice

 

[Migmac]

I agree, i think proper chainsaw use outweighs PPE in firewooding

Your probably right.

 

[mtt.tr]

Most of my gear is husky for hedging etc, my pants are sip and pretty nice

hugely underrated brand sip