Competitive lumberjacking- 2 questions?

Anytime, I've seen it they always wear chaps and a full face shield. But it was funny, it was the first thing I looked for when I caught it on the tv the other day. Never noticed that at all before and I'd tuned in plenty of time in the last 5-10 years. Goes to show how hearth.com changed the way I look at the world. (One of many I'm sure.)

It depends on the competiton, but the real "pros" don't wear any PPE, and never have. They consider themselves trained athletes and, apparently, above all that.

I'm not knocking it per se, since these guys are basically athletic performers, not loggers. I just think it's unfortunate that chain saw companies that are, on one hand, promoting safety and PPE to their potential customers, sinultaneously endorsing a highly visible activity that flaunts safety gear. That would be like a motorcycle company or a car maker suggesting that seatbelts and helmets are only needed by some users of their product.

The wood they cut is all pine and other softwood & I have no idea what happens to it after the competition is done. I'm sure they re-use what they can, and leave the rest behind at the fairgrounds, where it tends to rapidly disappear within a couple of days.

the steel toes make sense, but I'd imagine that chaps wouldn't do much to stop some of those crazy saws. they run big chains, that take a big bite. I don't know that the chaps would stop the sprocket in time to make a difference. I'd love to do an experiment!

stangds said:

the steel toes make sense, but I'd imagine that chaps wouldn't do much to stop some of those crazy saws. they run big chains, that take a big bite. I don't know that the chaps would stop the sprocket in time to make a difference. I'd love to do an experiment!

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That's what I was thinking.
Other thing is run time is short and the only thing they have to think about is that one cut on a log that is positioned at the perfect height. The surrounding area is flat and clean, no vines or roots to snag your foot while you are wondering which way the tree is going to fall.
Any records of a competitor ever getting cut?

I've never heard of a competitor being cut, but I was at a field days once when a chain flew off into the audience, hitting and injuring a woman. As a result, I think they take extra precautions to protect the spectators now, inlcuding seating everyone off to the side and putting a cyclone fence between the crowd and the action.

When they swing that axe between their feet they're not splitting, but doing what's known as the Horizontal Block Chop. The point is to chop clear through the log (block) before your opponent--without cutting off your toes with those razor-sharp axes. You can get aluminum toe- knee- and shin- protectors, which tend to be worn by college lumberjack teams and beginners. Makes them look like Tin Men and Women. The pros wear jeans and sneakers, which I think adds to the excitement.

Besides, the pros have all learned that those steel toed boots and stuff just dull up the chain.... %-P

Gooserider

actually, i'd imagine a reasonably powered chainsaw would saw right through a steel toe... I sawed a 3/8 bolt half way through once with my 066, i also cut a 5/16 cable before I knew what I hit.

I'm not sure if chaps or saw pants would completely stop on of those hot saws but you would certainly be better off if you were wearing them. I saw a demonstration once where they took a pair of sawpants and slid a log in one leg. Then they took a husky 3120 (husky's largest saw) and with it full throttle pushed the saw into the pants. It stopped the saw instantly and didn't make it through to the log.

I took part in a similar experiment (accidentally) with my 372xp and am happy to report no damage to my leg. Although I had to listen to my wife yap about ruining a $70 pair of pants!

Craig

Watch a game of logging competition sometime, all ppe is required and you get points deducted for doing unsafe things!