Anti Vibe Gloves

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WesternSaw

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Hi Fellas
I see there are a couple of threads on the topic but wonder if there are any updates to this topic. I'm getting some numb fingers on my right hand when running my 90 Kombi unit .Maybe I'm holding it too tight .
Thanks
WesternSaw
 
Just had numbness in my thumb and pointer finger on my right hand about 2 months ago after weed whacking with an FS90R for about four hours straight with a couple 2 minute breaks for refueling and water. I had never had any issues with vibrations before that.

I bought ProFlex 9000 Certified Lightweight Anti-Vibration Work Gloves off Amazon for about $30 including shipping. I wear them every time I use the trimmer now because they say the effects are cumulative. I’m also planning on using them for hedge trimming because according to a Stihl chart the hedge trimmers are the worst when it comes to vibrations.

I’m still getting used to the thickness of the gloves. My fingers get tired from gripping the machine now, but that’s just from the new grip. The gloves I have aren’t too bad in the heat and high humidity either. Overall wasn’t too difficult of a change comfort wise. Hope this helps.
 
Just had numbness in my thumb and pointer finger on my right hand about 2 months ago after weed whacking with an FS90R for about four hours straight with a couple 2 minute breaks for refueling and water. I had never had any issues with vibrations before that.

I bought ProFlex 9000 Certified Lightweight Anti-Vibration Work Gloves off Amazon for about $30 including shipping. I wear them every time I use the trimmer now because they say the effects are cumulative. I’m also planning on using them for hedge trimming because according to a Stihl chart the hedge trimmers are the worst when it comes to vibrations.

I’m still getting used to the thickness of the gloves. My fingers get tired from gripping the machine now, but that’s just from the new grip. The gloves I have aren’t too bad in the heat and high humidity either. Overall wasn’t too difficult of a change comfort wise. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advice Lumberjackelf ! That's when I have noticed it as well, after about 3 hours continued use .It's not not good !
I have heard that continued use under those conditions will lead to a permanent condition and who wants that . Sort of like RSI's ( Repeatative Strain Injuries )
WesternSaw
 
Thanks for the advice Lumberjackelf ! That's when I have noticed it as well, after about 3 hours continued use .It's not not good !
I have heard that continued use under those conditions will lead to a permanent condition and who wants that . Sort of like RSI's ( Repeatative Strain Injuries )
WesternSaw

Here’s the Stihl vibration data sheet for brushcutters.

http://static.stihl.com/security_data_sheet/downloads/GB_FS_KWKZ.pdf

And this page you can find all Stihl vibration data sheets as well as other information about Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome.

https://www.stihl.co.uk/eu-vibration-directive.aspx
 
My hand cramps stopped when I switched to the anti vibration saws. I did use very thick leather with the wool liners army gloves. Even with the anti vibration.

My hands get numb on the dirtbike when I grip too tight.
 
I’ve had good results with the padded anti-vibe leather gloves from Home Depot or Lowes—it’s been a couple years since I bought them. I actually had to switch to a Husqvarna 525L line trimmer because of it’s very advanced anti-vibe grip. My right hand (throttle hand) was going numb. The gloves and new trimmer have helped tremendously!
 
My hands would be numb if I gripped a push broom for four hours straight. If you don’t do something like this on an almost daily basis your body will not be used to it. If you do this work daily, or several times a week, as an occupation and symptoms are persistent then you best see a doctor. Everybody’s different though. Age and autoimmune diseases can really exacerbate cumulative trauma disorders. Carpal tunnel syndrome might be a nuisance to some, debilitating to a few, but Reynaud’s (white finger) is not something you want to mess with.


When I rode off-road bikes slight changes in the thickness of gloves and/or grips can make a big difference. A steering dampener is a must. Helps reduce arm pump.

It’s not only vibration but how you grip the tool as well. Anti-vibe gloves are great in reducing fatigue which to me is the main advantage/benefit as a weekend warrior. We all know that fatigue opens the door to something bad waiting to happen.
 
I have a Kombi and it's a vibrating son of a gun. I get buzzing hands if I use that thing for more than 20-30 mins at a time. For the $$ it cost, you'd figure they could balance it better!
 
The Stihl 4mix weed trimmers are the worst vibration attenuation into my wrists of any hand powered tool I run. I can't explain it, but I can run my oldschool FS80 2stroke trimmer all day long. If I run my fs70 (4mix) my hands literally hurt after 30 minutes. Strange.....same with some stihl chainsaws....run a stihl for 20 minutes= hands lose their dexterity and strength, run a Husky for 4 hours straight and no problems at all..... the ***** mittens was a joke fellas. I'm sympatheic towards vibration issues as I have a steel plate in my forearm and 6 screws.
 
I have no issues with most saws, mostly run Stihl, but have a few Husqvarnas, Poulan Pros, Efcos, etc around the shop. I had an MS290 years ago and that was rough on the hands.
 
My hands would be numb if I gripped a push broom for four hours straight. If you don’t do something like this on an almost daily basis your body will not be used to it. If you do this work daily, or several times a week, as an occupation and symptoms are persistent then you best see a doctor. Everybody’s different though. Age and autoimmune diseases can really exacerbate cumulative trauma disorders. Carpal tunnel syndrome might be a nuisance to some, debilitating to a few, but Reynaud’s (white finger) is not something you want to mess with.


When I rode off-road bikes slight changes in the thickness of gloves and/or grips can make a big difference. A steering dampener is a must. Helps reduce arm pump.

It’s not only vibration but how you grip the tool as well. Anti-vibe gloves are great in reducing fatigue which to me is the main advantage/benefit as a weekend warrior. We all know that fatigue opens the door to something bad waiting to happen.

I too used to ride bikes. I rode between 20-60 miles at a time. The numbing from riding without good gloves is a PITA, but it can lead to permanent nerve damage. I wonder if cycling gloves wouldn't work well for O P E use as well?
 
One other thought on vibration.
Pull out the drive line~cable and re-grease it every year. (twice ain't gonna hurt a thing)
I've found that keeping fresh grease in the drive lines helps damp some of the vibration.
Lower boom of the attachments usually just has two fasteners to remove and you're able to slid it out then.
a shot of lube in the gear head while you're doing this, is good too.

Now if only the upper boom was easier to lube.... the crimped assy means cable doesn't slip out like the lower boom.
 
I try to avoid using my stihl combi as much as possible, it really vibes like crazy. Pretty much prefer the Honda 435 over the stihl, so smooth but a heavy lump.
As av gloves I use tegera, expensive but worth it.
 
Between my saw and weed eater at home I seem to have ended up with damaged hands. Now a month on after I stopped I still have swollen and tingling hands all night every night, a trigger finger that won't open up normally, carpal tunnel pains in my forearms, and a general weakness in my hands. Hoping it all might still improve, but surprised it has not done so much at all yet.

Anyone else had similar experience? Sure would like to hear about it.
 
Between my saw and weed eater at home I seem to have ended up with damaged hands. Now a month on after I stopped I still have swollen and tingling hands all night every night, a trigger finger that won't open up normally, carpal tunnel pains in my forearms, and a general weakness in my hands. Hoping it all might still improve, but surprised it has not done so yet.

Anyone else had similar experience? Sure would like to hear about it.

How much work do you do at home? Must be a lot!

When I use my Bolens 110 string trimmer, it leaves my trigger hand numb in a manner of minutes due to the vibration. But I only use it once a week or so for about 45 minutes. I also alternate trigger hands. Oh, and the tingling/numb sensation goes away after just a few minutes of non-use.
 
How much work do you do at home? Must be a lot!

When I use my Bolens 110 string trimmer, it leaves my trigger hand numb in a manner of minutes due to the vibration. But I only use it once a week or so for about 45 minutes. I also alternate trigger hands. Oh, and the tingling/numb sensation goes away after just a few minutes of non-use.

I bought some timerland/new home and (was) probably overdoing it - 4-6 hours a day for a few weeks. Have been living way too soft since I retired and jumped back in, I thought I'd season up, so Iignored it, instead I'm sidelined, and worried it's not getting better. I wonder if the people with bicycle type handle bars have a lot less vibration. I have a shoulder strap, but that's it - I hear what you about the weedeater being the true culprit.
 
I bought some timerland/new home and (was) probably overdoing it - 4-6 hours a day for a few weeks. Have been living way too soft since I retired and jumped back in, I thought I'd season up, so Iignored it, instead I'm sidelined, and worried it's not getting better. I wonder if the people with bicycle type handle bars have a lot less vibration. I have a shoulder strap, but that's it - I hear what you about the weedeater being the true culprit.
The heavy and expensive full A/V frame trimmers like the fs310 & fs360 are going to be very smooth. I know I get it no vibes from my old fs550 with that type of frame.
 

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