Chain sawing calamity - almost . . .

I've cut trees for 40 years and never used any saftey equipment - except when I worked for Asplundh and was forced to wear a helmet once in awhile when climbing. Any way, my point being I've never been hurt while wood cutting or tree felling.

Well, at my wife's insistance, I now wear a seat belt maybe 1/2 the time in the car or truck if she's in there with me. And today, wore ear protection. That's what got me in trouble. I've got new ear protectors with a built-in radio. So, I was listening to Rush Limbaugh, cutting down these trees - and . . Well, all came down fine, nice big crash for my kid. Then, all of a sudden, I had "flies" all over me and I instinctively started swatting them with my hand. Then, finally some intelligence kicked in and I realized they were not flies. I'd just cut down a bee-tree with a very active, and large hive of honey bees. If I hadn't been wearing those stupid ear protectors - I'd heard them! I yelled to my wife to grab the kid and run, and followed closely behind. We just made it back to the house, maybe 500 feet way, with the bees chasing us and bouncing off our faces. My wife got a few stuck in her hair.

I couldn't go back and get my truck or saws until dark. Funny, I've had angry squirrels, raccoons, hornet nests, etc. get in my way when tree cutting - but first time this ever happened.
I suspect maybe they weren't as noticeable because it was cool today and they weren't buzzing around to much until I dropped the tree.

It depends on who is operating the equipment. I've driven cars and trucks with the radio on for 40 years and zero accidents.

As far as having the radio in the headphones - doesn't distract me from the work at all. It's more like "white noise" than anything else. Many people can do two, maybe three things at a time without getting hurt. All depends on who's doing it.

Ask me 20 years from now, if I'm still alive, and I'll be able to give a better review.

I bought the Makita because it seems they are low-balling prices to get a presence in the US professional saw market. It's a popular professional saw in Europe, and I've read a lot of good things about it. The US version is downsized. It's actually built on a bigger saw platform with a smaller jug and piston. This is 64 ccs. but a 74 cc jug and piston will go on it with no other changes. I paid $500 for it with $8 shipping and no tax. The saw appears to be very well built, starter feels abnormally solid and HD, crankcase is all magnesium - not plastic, and it has a nice-working compression release. I cut up a bunch of 36" diameter hard maples yesterday and . . . with sharp, full chisel 20" chain - it cuts just as fast as my Stihl 056 Magnum. Probably won't lug as well - but I don't ever lug a saw, anyway. The Stihl 056 is 94 ccs. and weighs 17 lbs. This Makita Dolmar is 64 ccs. and weighs 13.5 lbs.

I was pretty used to the Stihl as far as weight - but after using this Makita for a few hours, the Stihl feels like a boat acnhor. Anyway, I'm impressed. In fact, I'm going to keep my eyes open for another Makita if any deals pop up.

You might want to do as I did, good for the crops.

scott#2

The biggest thing that really gets me mad is Rush Limbaugh and the others,who promote this class thing,like Rush talks about people he calls "top drawer"like they are a priveledged club,then they spin all this propaganda and screw these poor folks out of their livlyhood,sernd their job overseas,cut their benfits and pay,and basically reduce the way of life for them and you are good with that?

Ill admit I get sarcastic with you,I know you are smart,at least you think you are,and possibly may be.Except here is a question for you,how does going to college classes make you smarter,or exclusive,or top drawer,when nobody is supposed to be better than anybody else?

A lot of what you need to learn was in Sunday School and Church or beat into you by life.

You were succesful,fine.That dont make you better or exclusive.I am no psychiatrist,Im a mechanic.You can get lots of people to tell you besides David Ikes,whats wrong.You can learn that you arent any better than anybody else.Heck I dont care.However you are going to make me and lots of other people mad if you let Rush Limbaugh tell you what to think,or any of the other scum on the talk radio conservative side.There will be more later,I have something else to do.

gotta watch them bees... I blow up like a balloon when stung

About the frame - yeah, they are usually a mess. My truck, believe it or not, only has 55,000 original miles on it and it's a 1985. A large construction company bought it new and never put plates on it. They used in a large contruction material storage yard and used it for transporting materials around, for years. The frame completely rusted out, and they put it in their welding shop one winter - and completely re-did the entire frame. They did a really good job, but I suspect the little truck is a lot heavier now. Exspecially with the diamond plate steel bed in back and the pipe racks. That being said, going down the road it gets 27-30 MPG and it has no overdrive (wish it did). Just a 4 speed manual trans. The 3.41 axles make the engine humm a bit at 65 MPH.

The New York conservation department has been saying that NY has a bee shortage. Well, they ought to come to our place. We have a bee hive inside the walls of our house, and a bee tree down by one of my ponds. So, this one I cut down is the third near our house that I know of. Funny thing is, with the other bee tree - you can hear then buzzing from a long way off. This one I cut down, I didn't hear a thing and had no idea they were there. If I'd known, I would of left them alone. I certainly didn't need that tree down now. It's just part a long-range plan of enlarging a small frog-pond that's near it.

I will say, our field of pumpkins did very well this year. NO pollination problems.

Larry in Michigan

Glad you are OK, I agree that the cooler weather must have slowed the bees down a bit..

I'm all for safety gear, unless it really gets in the way, don't like running a saw unless I've got hearing protection and eye protection, have never wore the chaps, but will be getting a pair soon, as I realize, as careful as one is, it don't take much.

I like the soft ear plugs on a string, you can adjust them in your ear to allow some noise to get through or put em in tight, though I can hear someone speak, it sure takes the bite out of the noise, my ears are so darned sensitive, I can't deal with any machinery or pounding of metal etc. etc. Firetruck goes by, kind of know how the dogs feel now, not sure but they'e always been that way, chainsaw is no different, but no way I'd have those with a radio when cutting trees.

Well that is one memory your son will remember, wanted to see a tree fall, got a little extra experience there, and no harm done, 'cept those badly needed bees might be in a bad spot, good thing no one was allergic either.

Bill in WI

Ear "protection" that replaces one noise with another is a spectacularly stupid idea. Not only does it impair your ability to hear warning signs, it distracts your attention from a job that truly requires your full concentration.

Same concept applies to talking on the telephone (hands free included) while driving.

My opinion, you're welcome to yours.

In my case, my hearing is bad enough that I have to concentrate really hard to hear anyone on a regular phone, much less a cell phone. The person sitting next to me is much easier to hear, but, while driving, there have been times when I have to tune them out too when things got tense.

Like, while driving through NY on the Cross Bronx Expwy just the other day.

Radios are mostly just noise to me in any situation, and on the odd occasion when I listen to one in the car, it's classical, not talk radio.

That was DARNED thoughtful of him!