Trigger interlock

What exactly is the purpose of it ? it probably isn't to safe but all my saws have them taped up , everything else is operational the brake and so on .

So if you turn around and a limb hits the trigger it won't go wide open with you holding the front handle and nothing else.

mdavlee said:

So if you turn around and a limb hits the trigger it won't go wide open with you holding the front handle and nothing else.

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Ah OK I think the old saws my dad bought from WEYCO (Stihl 075) had the interlocks removed too .

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I don't understand the tape.

I have never been bothered by an interlock....



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Tzed250 said:

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I don't understand the tape.

I have never been bothered by an interlock....



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Agreed, I can imagine that trouble is brewing with it all taped up like that.

hiluxxulih said:

What exactly is the purpose of it ? it probably isn't to safe but all my saws have them taped up , everything else is operational the brake and so on .

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why would you do that thats like taking the chainbrake off. Im not saying it will prevent all accidents but it will sure help keep you safe.Theres enogh ways to get hurt running a saw with out diabling safety equipment.

i never even think about mine..they way i hold it i never notice them

My military training tells me "NEVER disable an interlock". Yeah, well, I haven't always followed that on every piece of equipment, every time, but it's still a good general rule. Not Getting Hurt is a pretty noble effort.

Interlocks Yea or Na?

If I'm bucking a log larger than the bar, I then stand the saw on its nose and using the front dawgs cut the opposite side of the log first. Doing this the palm of my hand is not on the interlock so having an interlock is an issue. I'm inclined to tape the interlock down.

My Husky 455 does not have an interlock, but the 435 and 32cc Poulan both have interlocks. Seems odd.

Comments?

The interlock is there for your safety,there's no logical reason to disable it. A lot of fallers used to remove the chain brake claiming that it interferred with their work sometimes(And they were for "Girly-men"),finally one day a very experienced faller(customer of mine) had his saw kick back and lop off 2 of his fingers,the next day he had the saw in the shop having the brake re-installed before Worker's Compensation saw it,and was telling a yarn of how the trigger somehow stuck open on him... I know another guy who had his 056 Mag 2 kick back into his face because he removed the chain brake,he looked pretty gruesome afterwards.
Even a small saw can severely injure you,so it's not worth disabling safety devices I think.

All tape has been removed from my trigger interlocks since I started this thread , it was a stupid ass thing to do in the first place IMO :frown:.

Here's another gruesome tale...

A logger buddy of mine was using a MS460 with no chain brake. His hand slipped off the top handle during a kickback and without the brake handle being there, his left forearm went right into the still spinning chain and it severed 4 of the tendons controlling his left hand. From the looks of the scar it still appears he is literally missing about a pound of flesh from his left forearm, there is an incredible void in his forearm I would say it is 6 inches long and a half inch deep, I seriously can't believe he can still use it, but he does. He can use all his fingers now though and the only lasting disability (besides the incredible scar) from it is his fingers wont lay flat when they are relaxed, they are pointing somewhat upwards, as his tendons are now shorter than they are supposed to be.

Bucking pants are a great investment too,not very expensive,I've got a nice lightweight set,cool in summer too for less than $100. I almost cut my leg twice by not being careful (Ripped my pantleg open),and saw a friend cut his leg and go for stitches-his chain flew off. And I've got a good rip in my bucking pants now,but no wound thanks to them.

The interlock acts as an operator presence safety, ya gotta press here and here for things to work.

Turns out on the Husky 435, there's a long mousetrap spring from the pocket of the trigger to the pocket in the interlock. Taking that spring end out of the interlock and placing it in the handle puts the interlock in the down position. Only one screw to access everything and the bar wrench fits the screw, easy field mod.

If my larger saw (455) had an interlock I'd been more compelled as to its need. Seems more of a gimmick, much like the molded starting sequence and molded chain direction. As to the inertia chain brake, it stays, already used it once.

The 455 came with an interlock on it from the factory..........did you lose yours? It should be replaced, seen alot of people trip in the brush only to have there throttle pinned open by a branch, the interlock just makes it a bit trickier for nature to achieve the goal of maiming you.

MtnHermit, you may wish to re-visit some of your cutting practices.

hamish said:

The 455 came with an interlock on it from the factory..........did you lose yours?

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I was all set to prove you wrong. Went out to the cold garage and opened the box, low and behold a trigger interlock on the 455. So if I hadn't noticed it in 50 hours (3 years) of cutting, must not be a problem. Have the 435 partially disassembled for photos, will replace spring with reassembly.

It should be replaced, seen alot of people trip in the brush only to have there throttle pinned open by a branch, the interlock just makes it a bit trickier for nature to achieve the goal of maiming you.

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I would never walk in brush with a running saw. If I walk any distance with the saw it is off. One pull start and I have lots of time, just cut firewood for myself.

MtnHermit, you may wish to re-visit some of your cutting practices.

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If you are prone to walk in brush with a running saw, ouch.

Bottom line, you were right, I was wrong.

Thanks for your concern.

SkippyKtm said:

A logger buddy of mine was using a MS460 with no chain brake. His hand slipped off the top handle during a kickback and without the brake handle being there, his left forearm went right into the still spinning chain and it severed 4 of the tendons controlling his left hand. From the looks of the scar it still appears he is literally missing about a pound of flesh from his left forearm, there is an incredible void in his forearm I would say it is 6 inches long and a half inch deep, I seriously can't believe he can still use it, but he does. He can use all his fingers now though and the only lasting disability (besides the incredible scar) from it is his fingers wont lay flat when they are relaxed, they are pointing somewhat upwards, as his tendons are now shorter than they are supposed to be.

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i can relate.
i can add: don't use a chainsaw with -out a working chainbrake AND don't saw wood when you are angry!
i was already missing the 2 middle fingers from playing with firecrackers at age 11 :msp_mad: chainsaw kickback age 36 :bang: :taped:
2100 HVA