The Shooters Apprentice
Addicted to ArboristSite
Guys, I had a scary close call today.
Headed out to a old logging claim to get a load of fire wood. Freshly sharpened 28” chain on my 372xp with the rakers filed down a bit just the way I like.
Backed my F350 up to a decent pile of nice delimbed tops just the right size for firewood.
Grabbed the saw, and started doing some clean up to get the the main pile of logs and get a better work area.
About 5 mins into cutting and man, that saw was tuned just right, and cutting like a hot knife through butter. I had climbed up on the pile a bit and was trying to cut a couple 6-8 inch logs out of my way to get ti the main pile. I’m usually extremely careful doing this, but failed to notice the log was under the pile at both ends and had tension.
I started cutting it, and about 3/4 of the way through I saw it start to move, but it was too late. That saw went through that log and it shot out from under me like a slingshot, and I went off the pile backwards with the saw still at full rev, and fell about 5’ before hitting ground.
Luckily I was able to slam the chain brake forward on my way down, and get myself turned just a bit before I get ground, but that bar and chain still smacked me in the face.
I never did find my safety glasses. I reached up and felt blood and knew half of face was missing. I could feel the burn. I couldnt see through the blood. I got to my feet and got to my truck, and found my first aid kit, and worked up the courage to look in the mirror. I’m 13 miles from the nearest road with no phone signal. My only hope is to get myself patched up and drive myself out. Finally sucked down my fear, looked in the mirror, and imagine my surprise to find barely a scratch.
Guys, I’ve been running saws for 15 years, cutting and selling wood, clearing land, doing other side jobs. My dad was a timber caller in south east alaska. 15 years, and I’ve never drawn blood until now.
Way to close of a call. Be careful guys. It only takes a fraction of a second, and one wrong move for things to go wrong.
Headed out to a old logging claim to get a load of fire wood. Freshly sharpened 28” chain on my 372xp with the rakers filed down a bit just the way I like.
Backed my F350 up to a decent pile of nice delimbed tops just the right size for firewood.
Grabbed the saw, and started doing some clean up to get the the main pile of logs and get a better work area.
About 5 mins into cutting and man, that saw was tuned just right, and cutting like a hot knife through butter. I had climbed up on the pile a bit and was trying to cut a couple 6-8 inch logs out of my way to get ti the main pile. I’m usually extremely careful doing this, but failed to notice the log was under the pile at both ends and had tension.
I started cutting it, and about 3/4 of the way through I saw it start to move, but it was too late. That saw went through that log and it shot out from under me like a slingshot, and I went off the pile backwards with the saw still at full rev, and fell about 5’ before hitting ground.
Luckily I was able to slam the chain brake forward on my way down, and get myself turned just a bit before I get ground, but that bar and chain still smacked me in the face.
I never did find my safety glasses. I reached up and felt blood and knew half of face was missing. I could feel the burn. I couldnt see through the blood. I got to my feet and got to my truck, and found my first aid kit, and worked up the courage to look in the mirror. I’m 13 miles from the nearest road with no phone signal. My only hope is to get myself patched up and drive myself out. Finally sucked down my fear, looked in the mirror, and imagine my surprise to find barely a scratch.
Guys, I’ve been running saws for 15 years, cutting and selling wood, clearing land, doing other side jobs. My dad was a timber caller in south east alaska. 15 years, and I’ve never drawn blood until now.
Way to close of a call. Be careful guys. It only takes a fraction of a second, and one wrong move for things to go wrong.
