Andy Gline has his Huber on the sawmill again this year at the Evansville show. We were entertained by stack talk and the whistle as we strolled around looking at gas engines. The show continues Sunday, and the weather is ideal, so head to Evansville first thing in the morning.
Evansville is celebrating a century since Hercules engines began production, and the number of Hercules-built engines on the grounds today was quite impressive. There were more 12 HP Hercs in town than at any time in the past. Hercules built five at a time, and they didn't build that size unless there was an order. I think I counted twelve of the big 12 Horse models today, and several of them were running.
We are reaching the end of the seven inch discs worth sharing. Brat has been very patient with me as I played thse old timers, and he will be glad to get back to some good dancing records. One more Friday with a couple of these old ones, and we will go back to some 1920's music.
..Stood Here. Walked a quarter section of timber today, and found the old homesite; also the trash pile, and the old horse drawn wagon, and a Hudson. You can tell this was a barn by the hay rail draped over the foundation stones. There is a manure spreader standing next to it, so this was a busy farm at one time. I shouldn't get blue when I find places like this, but I do. More photos will come in another post. I love Hudsons. Brat, and a couple of very old 7" discs are uploading to YT now, and I will post him in the morning. It's been a long day, David aka TBS.
The annual steam and gas engine show at Evansville begins Friday, and goes through Sunday. I hope to be there for a while on Saturday to shoot some new video for our blog followers.
Hercules (and Economy) engines were built in Evansville, so expect to see a good lineup of both.
While we cut trees the other day, a chainsaw newbie was with us, so everything we did became a lesson. She didn't know what was coming...
Crank it up, and start cutting! Aim completed, and a clean open face-cut was made.
That first bore-cut is an unreal experience. Use your knees to push that saw. One steering correction and she had it done successfully,
and punched it from the other side with no problem. She already has her knee behind her hand for power.
On target; on the ground...
...and cleaning up without rocking the saw.
Here is one of our problem trees. It had a split, lots of dead wood, and plenty of rot. Don't let a successful drop make you think you're good. Size them up and know where they want to fall, and where you need to be in order to be safe. Trees like this one are anxious to get down, and they don't care if you are under them.
Ruger let one of these Race Rifles out of the safe about a year ago, and a very lucky person bought it away from sleeping firearm fans. This one is generating considerable interest, but if you gotta have one of these, you better place your bid. This fine rifle will sell mid-day, Wednesday, June 11, 2014. 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit the Light Foundation.
I just had a very enjoyable day dropping hazard trees with friends. Most of them were completely dead, and rotten limbs and widow makers hung over our heads all day. Every drop went as planned, and nobody got hurt. Here's the first one:
Firearms; Col. Jeff Cooper's Rules 1. All guns are always loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. 4. Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it.
Knives 1. Never cut toward yourself. 2. Always cut away from yourself. 3. Never cut yourself.
AND If you drop a knife or gun, let it fall!
Chainsaws
1. Always wear your safety gear when running your saw: hard hat, eye, face, hearing protection, cut resistant protection for your legs, heavy boots, gloves (depending on work conditions).
2. Safety devices on the saw must be in working order: front hand guard,chain brake, chain catcher, throttle lockout, and right hand guard.
3. Hold the saw on the ground or lock it between your knees for starting. No 'Drop Starts.' Set the chain brake before cranking.
4. The engine must idle reliably without turning the chain.
5. The chain must be sharpened properly, including properly set depth gauges.
6. The chain must be adjusted to remove slack and still run freely.
7. The operator must understand the forces on different parts of the bar as the saw runs: push, pull, kickback and attack.
8. Both hands must always be on the saw when the chain is running. The thumbs must be wrapped around the handles. Both feet should be firmly planted on the ground.
9. The operator must always know where the end of the bar is, and what it's doing.
10. Don't let the upper (kickback) corner of the bar contact anything when the chain is running unless the tip has been buried with the lower corner.
11. Let off of the throttle before pulling out of a pinch on the top part of the bar.
12. Make a plan for every tree you cut. Assess hazards, lean, escape routes, forward cuts, and back cuts. Evaluate the forward or backward lean, and the side lean of every tree you cut. Know your limits.
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!
25!! Pause and review; reflect, when you are being pushed. You may be pushed into danger. Do not let pressure cause you to ignore safety rules!
Cutting dead and rotten trees is extremely risky, and your safety always comes down to basics and following the rules. Build a good hinge, even if there is just a thin shell to work with. Support the back side of the hinge with wedges if the tree is punky or hollow before you cut out the back. Don't fight side lean or back lean when cutting unsound trees. Release it quickly and get away from the stump. Tell your co-workers what your steps are before you crank your saw. You will live long.
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