Back To The Old Grind!
Note the cog that is visible under the belly of the engine. This loco is meant for hitching to a rack and pulling a steep grade. Many Thanks, Merle!
Note that Timber Kutter eliminated most of the hinge when he cut out the center. Taking out the center is a useful tool, but you must leave enough hinge for safety. The yellow-poplar hung up and then rolled when one end of the hinge let go. Timber Kutter remained by the stump and when the tree rolled off the stump it landed on his saw. An adequate hinge, or making his escape from the stump would have prevented this accident. There is a list of 25 chainsaw safety rules on the left side of this blog. It is good to review them once in a while. Many of them carry the death penalty if you ignore them! I made the video below to review your falling plan. Every step is important.
Steamboatin'!
Thanks, Merle!
Merle found this one on Facebook, and I cannot find it on YouTube at all! This must be an extremely rare breed of engine. It's brief, so look close and fast to pick up the details that we like to see. Many Thanks, Merle!
13. Clear your work area and your escape path of brush, vines, and other hazards that can trip you or catch your saw.
14. Escape from the bullseye when the tree tips. 90% of accidents happen within 12 feet of the stump. Go more than 15 feet, and stay out of the bullseye until things stop falling.
15. Keep spectators away more than twice the height of the tree in the direction it will fall.
16. Don't cut alone.
17. Keep your body and the swamper's out of the line of the bar in case of a kickback.
18. Set the brake when taking over two steps or when moving through tripping hazards. Keep your trigger finger off of the throttle when you are moving.
19. DO NOT operate a chainsaw from a ladder! Operating with your feet off the ground requires special training.
20. Do not cut above your shoulders.
21. Springpoles must be shaved on the inside of the apex between the ascending and descending sides. If the apex is higher than you shoulders, stand under the springpole and cut it low on the descending side. It will release upward, away from you.Leaning and heavily loaded poles that are too small to bore cut for a hinge should be shaved on the compressed side until they fold.
22. Do not cut a tree that is holding up a lodged tree. Do not work under a lodged tree. Think about a mouse trying to steal the cheese out of a trap.
23. Instruct your swampers and helpers to NEVER approach you from behind or the sides to within the reach of your saw when you are cutting. If you pull out of a cut with the chain running, or have a severe kickback, the swamper can be killed if he is coming up behind you!
24!! Quit When You Are Tired!