Top handle saws - what's the deal?
- Thread starter joecool85
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Top handles good for in tree work.+ Kick back risk is higher.-
ciscoguy01
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Idear
In what I've read, top handle saws are generally lighter. They are also balanced better for working farther out from your body, i.e. arms extended, like the dude above me said in tree work. They are primarily smaller saws but light and nice to use. If you've never used one before, try it, you'll like it. Good luck guy...
In what I've read, top handle saws are generally lighter. They are also balanced better for working farther out from your body, i.e. arms extended, like the dude above me said in tree work. They are primarily smaller saws but light and nice to use. If you've never used one before, try it, you'll like it. Good luck guy...
mini kahuna
ArboristSite Guru
top handles are intended for the guys that climb or work out of buckets,they are compact and light.
the top handle setup makes them easier to cut at different angles and heights.
the handle spacing puts you at a greater risk when/if the saw kicks back,you just don't the control and leverage you have with a rear handle saw.
they are a necessary evil for the climbers but using them on the ground really raises the danger of getting injured
the top handle setup makes them easier to cut at different angles and heights.
the handle spacing puts you at a greater risk when/if the saw kicks back,you just don't the control and leverage you have with a rear handle saw.
they are a necessary evil for the climbers but using them on the ground really raises the danger of getting injured
joecool85
Addicted to ArboristSite
Are they really that dangerous to use on the ground? I'd be using it as a limbing saw on ground if I kept it. Or I suppose I could learn how to climb...I can see that going over well with the fiance
Yes they are that dangerous... if they weren't I suppose all saws would be top handle.
Rear handle saws obviously have their place, with your hand farther apart you have more control and reduce the chance of kickback.
Craig
Rear handle saws obviously have their place, with your hand farther apart you have more control and reduce the chance of kickback.
Craig
Ed*L
ArboristSite Guru
I think the saw companies have pushed the danger factor way higher than it really is to get them away from the homeowner. They aren't as safe as a rear handled saw but......top handled saws have been around for years AND they were sold as homeowner saws.
Poulan and Homelite made tons of them, they are still in use by the thousands.
Personally I don't have a problem using a top handled saw for small limbing on the ground. Just make sure the saw has a chainbrake that works!
If you are really worried about the safety factor and don't think you will be comfortabe with it, don't buy one. You need to have respect for your saw, not fear. If you are afraid of it you probably will get hurt.
Most companies also offer the same saw in a rear handle version thats made for ground work.
Ed
Poulan and Homelite made tons of them, they are still in use by the thousands.
Personally I don't have a problem using a top handled saw for small limbing on the ground. Just make sure the saw has a chainbrake that works!
If you are really worried about the safety factor and don't think you will be comfortabe with it, don't buy one. You need to have respect for your saw, not fear. If you are afraid of it you probably will get hurt.
Most companies also offer the same saw in a rear handle version thats made for ground work.
Ed
GASoline71
Mr. Nice Guy
100% climbers saw... nuff said.
Gary
Gary
joecool85
Addicted to ArboristSite
This is exactly what I was thinking, and since it can work on the ground (so long as one is careful while doing so), and is a good climbing saw I think it will be a good project saw. Worst case I resell it once I fix it.
They are only as dangerous as the owners let them be. I am just a homeowner user and have been using my little TH 33cc saw since 94.
I have also broken all the rules of usage and use it one handed stretched out into trees limbing on a ladder. To each their own, its your life, its your choice, just live it to the max.
I have also used it to buck small stuff when it was down and didnt want to get another saw out at the time. Which everyone says its a no no too. Whens its your time, its your time and nothing is going to stop it.
Everything happens for a reason!
Also living on the edge, no chain breaks on my 3 TH's.
I have also broken all the rules of usage and use it one handed stretched out into trees limbing on a ladder. To each their own, its your life, its your choice, just live it to the max.
I have also used it to buck small stuff when it was down and didnt want to get another saw out at the time. Which everyone says its a no no too. Whens its your time, its your time and nothing is going to stop it.
Everything happens for a reason!
Also living on the edge, no chain breaks on my 3 TH's.
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GASoline71
Mr. Nice Guy
Everybody has one handed a saw. If they say they never have they are lyin'.
No worries.
Gary
No worries.
Gary
Poley4
ArboristSite Guru
Any saw is dangerous if you are an idiot!
If you will use a little common sense when you are running any saw, you will be fine. I can remember when almost every small saw produced were top handle. Just stop worrying about it and go limb a tree or something!
pbtree
Addicted to ArboristSite
What was the final bid?
Ekka
Addicted to ArboristSite
I reckon top handled saws are safer than rear handled saw when one handing.
Nuff said.
Nuff said.
joecool85
Addicted to ArboristSite
$41, I would have gone to $45 maybe $50 but it takes 6 seconds or so to place a bid. I had placed a $40 top bid 2 hours before the auction ended, and when it got to 7 seconds and I was still the high bidder I figured I was safe, I should have just re-bid to my $50 top limit and then I would have had the saw, or at least this other guy would have had to pay more.
joecool85
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yeah, I don't plan on doing any one handing. At least not until I've got a lot more chainsaw experience. I like my arms and would like to have them attatched to the rest of my body. It might be hard to play guitar with an arm missing.
OK, top handles, they're for the light small specialist tree climbing saws, the saws are compact design, excellent for finicky use in awkward angles and positions, you only want to use them one-handed below shoulder height and even then two hands is still preferable, the best design has a side wrap style handle matched with the top handle, makes it easier to keep both hands on the saw, specially above shoulder height, for firewood and 'normal' use, a rear handle saw is a lot better all round..
PS the top handle echos are absolute junk/crap/rubbish/garbage compared to top handle huskys or stihls, missing out on that echo was actually a stroke of good luck..
PS the top handle echos are absolute junk/crap/rubbish/garbage compared to top handle huskys or stihls, missing out on that echo was actually a stroke of good luck..
Ax-man
Addicted to ArboristSite
If you have ever watched a person one handing a top handle limbing a tree on the ground it is scary to watch if you know what proper chainsaw operation is all about. The operator is usually slash cutting through limbs with one hand and either trying to move or worse yet holding the limb he or she is cutting with the other hand. This is not good as you only have 50% control over the saw. Operating a top handle in this manner it is very easy to over cut and have the saw get into a leg.
Even with two hands on a top handle they are difficult to operate for groundwork because your hands are closer together and your range of motion is limited compared to a rearhandle. The compact design of the tophandle also will have the operator bending down more reaching out more than you be using a rearhandle.
Top handled saws are best suited for bucket truck work. Just my opinion on this as it is a very debatable subject. As an in tree climbing saw they are OK but are dangerious unless the climber is skilled in how to operate one knowing when and where the time should be to one hand, otherwise both hands on the saw for safety and to have 100% saw control. I think a small rear handle is ideal as a climbing saw, but this is just my opinion only.
Even with two hands on a top handle they are difficult to operate for groundwork because your hands are closer together and your range of motion is limited compared to a rearhandle. The compact design of the tophandle also will have the operator bending down more reaching out more than you be using a rearhandle.
Top handled saws are best suited for bucket truck work. Just my opinion on this as it is a very debatable subject. As an in tree climbing saw they are OK but are dangerious unless the climber is skilled in how to operate one knowing when and where the time should be to one hand, otherwise both hands on the saw for safety and to have 100% saw control. I think a small rear handle is ideal as a climbing saw, but this is just my opinion only.
