Archive for the 'chainsaws' Category

Is Stihl the Best Chainsaw Manufacturer?

Among the many choices of chainsaws, there is a body of opinion that Stihl is the best chainsaw manufacturer. Whether this is true or not, there is no doubt that Stihl ranks with the very best in terms of ruggedness and it’s commitment to the professional logger or landscaper. Always, safety is of paramount importance, and Stihl has been at the cutting edge (no pun intended) in this regard. We came accross this article which discusses Stihl Chainsaws along with other brands. Take a look, and draw your own conclusions.

Stihl - Best Chainsaw Manufacturer

A chainsaw is a movable, mechanical and motorized saw. It is used in logging activities like felling, limbing, and bucking. Chainsaws started around the 1830’s. Bernard Heine, a German orthopedist, was the known inventor of chainsaw.

Chainsaw is classified as a power tool. It is a dangerous machine if mishandled. Users must be fully knowledgeable of the machine before trying to use it. Know the parts and functions of each for your safety.

A chainsaw has the following parts:

• Chain catcher - this is a plastic or metal guard used to prevent a broken or derailed saw chain from hitting the operator.
• Fly Wheel - a weighted wheel which controls the engine speed and assists in cooling the engine.
• Clutch - it is the connector that controls the driving part of a saw
• Decompression valve - this allows easier starting by releasing saw compression
• Anti-vibration handle system - this relieves stress to the operator’s hand, arms and joints.
• Hand Guard -plastic shield that protects the hands from kickback.
• Muffler - reduces engine noise.
• Chain brake - stops the chain when kickback happens to prevent injury.
• Throttle - regulates RPMs by increasing or decreasing the volume of fuel to the cylinders.
• Throttle interlock - this is a locking mechanism that prevents the throttle from activating while the interlock is pressed

There are a lot of chainsaw manufacturers in the market. Some of them are:

- Stihl
- Husqvarna
- Homelite
- Echo
- Jonsered
- Pioneer
- Makita
- Husky
- Ryobi
- BlackDecker
- Mcculloch
- Poutan
- Craftsman
- Remington
- John Deere
- Shindaiwa
- Partner

Despite so many competitors, Stihl remains one of the world’s best manufacturers of chainsaws. Their products are versatile to hobbyists and professionals. Their wide selection of chainsaws suits the different needs of farmers, professional loggers, landscapers, construction crews and fire departments.

Popular Models of Stihl

MS 180 C-B has a fast engine and is easy to use. It has a STIHL Quickstop inertial chain break and an anti-vibration system. The standard chain adjuster is the Stihl’s Quick Chain Adjuster (B).

This model was released in 2007, having a grayish or orange in color. It has the following specs:

- Displacement: 1.94 ci (31.8 cc)
- Horsepower: 2 hp (1.5 kW)
- Fuel Capacity: 8.5 oz. (250 cc)
- Oil Capacity: Chain: 4.9 oz. (145 cc)
- Weight: 8.8 lbs. (4 kg)
- Chain: Oilomatic®: 3/8 in. PMN
- Guide Bars: 12-16 in. (30-40 cm) STIHL Rollomatic® Mini
- Miscellaneous: Recommended Guide Bar: 14 in. (3005-000-3909) Recommended Saw Chain: #3982 (61 PMN-50) Oilomatic®

The price of this unit is definitely worth the excellent work output of this machine.

Choose the right chainsaw needed for your work. A unit may be too powerful but unnecessary for your needs.

For more information on Sithl Chainsaws and Husky Chain Saws please visit our website.

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January 04 2009 | chainsaws | No Comments »

Chainsaw Safety: Training Employees in Safe Handling

The first thing that should come to mind in using a chainsaw for the first time is chainsaw safety. They are wonderful tools, but can cause serious injuries in the wrong hands. The wrong hands, in the case of employers, can be those of an employee what has been using chainsaws without proper training. From using the right protective equipment to following correct procedures, chainsaw safety is essential. The following article covers what you need to keep in mind when you hire new employees who will be using the chainsaw.

Chainsaw Safety Training - The Important Points to Cover With Each of Your Employees

Did you know that more than 30,000 people are injured each year while using a chainsaw? And, that figure is in the United States alone. Since worldwide numbers are not readily available we can see that the actual number is much higher. For this reason, particularly if you are an employer whose employees use a chainsaw regularly, safety training is an absolute must. By providing proper training for those affected employees, you can reduce your on the job injuries, reduce your workers’ compensation insurance costs, and have a much cleaner safety record.

First and foremost, ensure that any new employees that are hired are trained on the proper use of the chain saw before they use it. Regardless of the employees experience level, it is your job that any new hire is trained before being allowed to use this dangerous tool. Why? At least two reasons: 1) It is an OSHA requirement that all new employees be trained before they enter a hazardous workplace, and 2) you took the time to find, hire, and retain this new employee and you don’t want to have to start over again. Is this selfish on behalf of you the employer? Absolutely.

Much of your chainsaw safety training needs to revolve around the use of the proper personal protective equipment or PPE. Much time should be spent discussing the use of hard hats, proper hand protection such as gloves, eye protection in the form of safety glasses, and hearing protection such as ear plugs. Proper training on PPE will go a long way to ensure that your employees who use a chainsaw on the worksite will remain safe while on the job.

Finally, make sure that your employees are trained on the proper process of starting the chainsaw. Although this sounds overly simple, many accidents occur by employees doing an “air drop” technique to start the saw. This is where the operator holds the starting cord with one hand and drops the saw forcing the start of the tool by gravity. Many employees think this is the “cool” way to start a chainsaw and many an operator have lost their hands while attempting this. There is only one proper way to start a chainsaw and that is with the tool in complete control at all times. Your employee’s should know that safety is important at your company and that any violations might result in discipline or termination.

If you want to use a comprehensive training solution, check out this chainsaw safety training video.

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October 27 2008 | chainsaws | No Comments »

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