Protective gear recommendations

[Dman]

I finally got a chainsaw to start cleaning up my property. My wonderful wife found a brand new in the box 346xp at a small Ace Hardware store and got a heck of a deal on it. So now I need chaps, gloves, and helmet. Most of my work will be storm cleanup type stuff but I do have some trees to drop. I don't want to break the bank but if I have to spend the money to get quality gear then so be it. What do you guys recommend?

 

[Thornton]

Our local Stihl dealer has a Stihl combo drawstring bag with chaps and helmet with face and ear protection for $ 99.00

 

[Thornton]

I think its called stihl woodcutter kit

 

[Zale]

You've got the basics down. Get a couple of wedges for when you pinch your saw.

 

[UpOnTheHill]

Also don't forget to respect the saw. Take your time, do things right. Think about your cuts before making them. When you get tired, take a break. Saw maintenance is also very important. Read up on chain sharpening and practice. I ruined many chains before I got the basics down and now a chain lasts me a good long time and saves me a lot of cutting time (not that I dislike cutting time ). Treat that saw right and it will treat you right. Welcome and happy cutting!

 

[TreePointer]

My minimum:

Safety glasses
Earmuffs
Full-wrap chaps
Steel toe boots
Antivibration gloves

I'll wear a forestry helmet (built-in earmuffs and metal mesh shield) if I'm around wood that can fall on me. Dedicated chainsaw boots and chainsaw gloves may be substituted in the above list.

Specifically, I wear cheapo Harbor freight clear safety glasses under a Stihl Forestry helmet, Labonville full-wrap chaps, and Stihl AV gloves. If I'm wearing earmuffs I have on the 3M Peltor H10A Optime 105 model (30 db NRR).

 

[Dman]

Thanks for the recommendations guys!

Treepointer, how have the Stihl AV gloves held up? I like the concept but I would have thought they would have leather construction instead of nylon.

 

[TreePointer]

I've had the same pair of AV gloves for the past three years. I only use them when operating chainsaws and other OPE like trimmers and hedge clippers. They show some wear on the grip side, but they are still effective. I've even thrown them in the clothes washer's cold cycle and let them air dry without any noticeable deterioration.

I do switch to regular leather gloves when I have to perform another task like moving brush or logs by hand.

 

[TreePointer]

When I first considered AV gloves, I wasn't expecting a dramatic improvement, but the gloves proved to be surprisingly effective in reducing the vibration effects I had been experiencing. They may not be necessary for everyone, but I seem to be more sensitive to vibrations than others, so I wear them.

If I didn't have vibration sensitivity, I'd be wearing good leather chainsaw gloves and maybe some with anti-cut uppers.

 

[Dman]

Thanks TreePointer. I'll have to pick up a pair and try them out. I seem to be sensitive to vibrations too. I've noticed that after using a weedeater for a while I can pick up a bottle of water and my hand will be shaking. I figured it's from the vibrations because I'm not fatigued after using it but my hands will shake when holding something light.

 

[TreePointer]

In the past, I had hand tendonitis from using computers and pipetting in a laboratory. A hand specialist gave me certain stretching exercises to keep these issues from recurring. Later, when my hands would tingle well into the night after using my chainsaw, I was worried that I could be on the way to something like white finger syndrome. Under a physician's supervision, I switched to saws with better AV technology and started using AV gloves. The tingling went away.

 

[juttree]

Don't forget to use a good quality oil in your mix also, and make sure to use the right amount.

 

[Dman]

Ok a couple of more questions. Can anybody tell me what the difference is between these two helmets? They look the same but one is $10 cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-577...d=1403138998&sr=8-2&keywords=husqvarna+helmet

http://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-Pro...d=1403138998&sr=8-1&keywords=husqvarna+helmet

2nd question. From what I've read here and other places it seems the Labonville chaps are the most recommended chap but how do the Husqvarna Pro Forest full wrap chaps compare? The reason I ask is that this Husqvarna kit seems like a pretty good deal:

http://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-531...9351&sr=8-1&keywords=husqvarna+protective+kit

It has the combo helmet, full wrap chaps, suspenders, chainsaw gloves, and safety glasses cheaper than I could get just the helmet and labonville chaps separately.

 

[HortGuy]

Class C (Conductive) Hard Hats differ from their counterparts in that they are not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical conductors. Class C hard hats may include vented options, which provides increased breathability for added ventilation but doesn't protect against electric contact. The Class C probably has a metal screen, the other one is plastic so it doesn't conduct electric.
http://www.amleo.com/product.aspx?p=CU60
http://www.amleo.com/product.aspx?p=CU30V

 

[CTYank]

One thing about the Husqy combo helmet- the muffs are noticeably more effective than on the Stihl. Why's'at? Bud has stihl and can hear me easily; with my husqy, he has to shout to be heard. I really like low noise levels.