Do You Use Your Saws Brake ??

[scooby074]

If im moving more than a few steps I set the brake. There is no extra wear caused from this IMHO.

On this same topic, have you guys seen the Husky Trio-Brakes? It takes applying the brake while moving to a new level. I understand that it's going to be required for government work in some jurisdictions.

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[amateur cutter]

Do you engage the brake while moving around, walking here and there ? , or is it just for emergency kick back , and otherwise you don't use it at all ???
Honest

To answer a question with a question, do you use your car brakes?
Yes I use the brake, got in the habit to pass some safety tests. Yes I've had more than 1 saw kickback, brake engaged before my knuckles ever hit the guard just like it should. If the brake is faulty, I use a different saw till I fix the broken one. No I've never been hurt by a running saw, nor do I want to be. Yes I have nicked my fingers on chains, & burnt myself on hot saws/bars a time or two, but nothing serious. A C

 

[MasterMech]

If im moving more than a few steps I set the brake. There is no extra wear caused from this IMHO.

On this same topic, have you guys seen the Husky Trio-Brakes? It takes applying the brake while moving to a new level. I understand that it's going to be required for government work in some jurisdictions.

Stihl has been doing that for years with the CQS saws. MS270, MS280, MS291, MS261, MS361, MS362, MS441 all have had a version available with the back-handle activated chainbrake.

 

[nate379]

I keep my fingers off the throttle if I'm not cutting so there is really no way that the chain would spin. Actually NOT setting it saved me this summer. Was walking across logs, one rolled and I lost my footing. I fell on the saw, my arm ran across the chain. Because the chain was able to move I just had a small cut from a couple teeth. Had the brake been on I would have tore open my arm!

I really don't see any reason to set it. In fact I started a thread about this very thing a few weeks ago...

 

[scooby074]

Stihl has been doing that for years with the CQS saws. MS270, MS280, MS291, MS261, MS361, MS362, MS441 all have had a version available with the back-handle activated chainbrake.

Correct. Being a Husky guy, I forgot about the Quickstop saws,

 

[herdbull]

Yes. I do use it. IMO it's a good habit to get into and cheap insurance against something stupid happening. I started doing it early on in my firewood cutting career and use it a lot.

 

[Tramontana]

Same as I've posted elsewhere, I use my brake whenever I'm not cutting.

Pretty simple habit for me. Release brake when ready to cut, make cut, engage brake. Move saw, change footing, etc, line up cut, release brake, cut, set brake. Repeat as necessary. If walking more than 10-12 feet, kill saw, restart when ready to cut again, release brake.

Cheers!

 

[fabsroman]

I have been running a 460 for quite awhile now. Cant see setting the brake making it any safer but if that's what they want......460's really stop on a dime even with a 16 inch bar.

I wonder why they put safeties on guns. I mean, unless you pull the trigger, that gun isn't going to fire. And of course nobody ever pulls a trigger by accident, do they.

I feel the same way about the brake on my chainsaw. It is just another safety precaution that should be used when practical. If I am moving from one cut to another cut on the same log, I do not use it. However, if I am walking to another log, walking anywhere for more than 5+ steps, or just putting the saw down, I put the brake on. I do not use it when starting the saw though.

I think you are a big advocate of chaps and safety gear, so why not use the "safety" brake on the saw when moving any significant distance with it running or allowing the saw to sit while running? It just seems like a good habit to get into.

 

[MasterMech]

I wonder why they put safeties on guns. I mean, unless you pull the trigger, that gun isn't going to fire. And of course nobody ever pulls a trigger by accident, do they.

That's a pretty damn good comparison.

 

[Highbeam]

I wonder why they put safeties on guns. I mean, unless you pull the trigger, that gun isn't going to fire. And of course nobody ever pulls a trigger by accident, do they.

I actually find it to be a terrible comparison. My current concealed pistol is a modern ruger with no safety. Not all guns have safeties and I do not depend on or even use gun safeties. False sense of security.

I do not set the chain break on purpose. It is vital safety gear in the event of a kickback but is no substitute for proper use of a saw which includes shutting off the engine if you are hiking. It is a perfect storm to somehow simultaneously fall on your bar and reach aroudn and pull the trigger. Is that even possible? It is far more likely that a tree will fall on your head.

 

[MasterMech]

It is a perfect storm to somehow simultaneously fall on your bar and reach aroudn and pull the trigger.

Only if you carry the saw one handed. Which is proper while "hiking" but for moving around in the tree tops, most use both hands. Does not have to be you hitting the trigger either. Mother Natures' fingers (branches, etc.) could do it for you. Most never see that perfect storm coming either.

 

[smokinj]

I actually find it to be a terrible comparison. My current concealed pistol is a modern ruger with no safety. Not all guns have safeties and I do not depend on or even use gun safeties. False sense of security.

I do not set the chain break on purpose. It is vital safety gear in the event of a kickback but is no substitute for proper use of a saw which includes shutting off the engine if you are hiking. It is a perfect storm to somehow simultaneously fall on your bar and reach aroudn and pull the trigger. Is that even possible? It is far more likely that a tree will fall on your head.

Neither does my xdm..... Now with that in mind there is some saws out there that will spin at an ideal. I know my saw (and xdm well) If I need to change the way I carried either I would know by now. On the other hand I have no problem with someone who does or does not.

 

[dorkweed]

Engage brake between cuts? No.
If I walk a bit with the saw running? Yes
Have I ever had a brake automatically engage during a kickback? Yes

No.............Waste of time.
No...........idling, my chain isn't turning, and when walking around, there is no finger in or near the throttle.
No...........always have a firm grip on the saw when cutting AKA, two hands on saw!!


Sounds like you work for OSHA.

 

[TreePointer]

No.............Waste of time.
No...........idling, my chain isn't turning, and when walking around, there is no finger in or near the throttle.
No...........always have a firm grip on the saw when cutting AKA, two hands on saw!!


Sounds like you work for OSHA.

Hehee! Not OSHA, but I've worked in private industries where safe practices must be followed (chemistry & BSL-3 labs, HAZWOPER trained), and we were hounded by OSHA and FDA.

As for chain brake, I don't freak out if someone isn't using it. Everyone has his or her own comfort level, and that's none of my business. There is an exception--I don't permit anyone to cut on our farm without proper PPE.

The point about using the chain brake when walking around is what happens when you trip. We can't predict how/where we fall and how we'll react to the unexpected. Maybe we'll instinctually grab a part of the saw without thinking. Maybe the saw will fall in such a way that the trigger will be activated. Yes, modern saws have a trigger lockout to prevent thist, but what if that breaks on impact with something hard on the ground and you fall on the saw? Maybe you'll bump something and the saw will stick on it's fast idle setting. Is any of this likely? No, but we follow safe practices because we do know freak accidents do occur.

As far as kickback goes, that can happen whether one has a proper two-handed grip or not. In my case, the tip of the saw touched the end of a log I didn't see in a pile. The tip kicked up but didn't contact my upper body because, thankfully, I did have a good two-handed grip. The inertial chain brake automatically engaged because of the force involved.

 

[dorkweed]

As far as kickback goes, that can happen whether one has a proper two-handed grip or not. In my case, the tip of the saw touched the end of a log I didn't see in a pile. The tip kicked up but didn't contact my upper body because, thankfully, I did have a good two-handed grip. The inertial chain brake automatically engaged because of the force involved.

So you admit to not looking where you're cutting then??

 

[TreePointer]

So you admit to not looking where you're cutting then??

Definitely operator error on my part. I was cutting treetops wit some scattered logs underneath, I did look, but apparently I didn't look careful enough.

 

[Tramontana]

Just found this photo elsewhere online and had to cross post...

Hope he uses his brake?!

 

[computeruser]

I use it regularly on all saws that's have one. I have a couple saws that don't and they do not get used for woods work, just cutting downed logs. When I was younger and dumber, I didn't care. I drop started saws, cut without PPE, and all that crap. I learned the hard way that there is a point to much of the safety stuff, and practice it religiously now. Should have done all along.

 

[Hearth Mistress]

I don't all the time but I should..... unless it's my 61, that doesn't have a brake.

My wife is learning to use her 170 and I insist she use the break whenever she moves around or sets the saw on the ground

Practice what you preach....The limb you save may be your own

 

[Hearth Mistress]

Just found this photo elsewhere online and had to cross post...

Hope he uses his brake?!

OMG !! That is NOT the proper starting stance in the manual!!

 

[mecreature]

i use the brake

 

[firecracker_77]

I use when moving around or setting down between cuts. I don't want that sucker spinning and dulling the chain on the ground or biting me when I'm not paying attention. Doctors get paid big money and I'd rather not see them any more than is necessary.

 

[firecracker_77]

OMG !! That is NOT the proper starting stance in the manual!!

Wow! Hopefully the choke switch is in the off position. A little closer than I'd want that thing. I have heard of psychologically disturbed teens cutting their forearms but cutting your junk is a whole new extreme

 

[JeffT]

Neither does my xdm..... Now with that in mind there is some saws out there that will spin at an ideal. I know my saw (and xdm well) If I need to change the way I carried either I would know by now. On the other hand I have no problem with someone who does or does not.

My xdm has two,grip and trigger.Both have to be depressed to go bang.

 

[ScotO]

The only saw that I have with a brake is the 372XP. It has never gone off from kickback as of yet, bit I do use that brake when I sharpen the chain. Comes in handy for that. Like some others have said (and I've said it on other posts) the chainbrake is NO substitute for proper saw handling. You shouldn't be hiking around with the saw running, when maneuvering you should have both hands on the saw, etc. It gives (IMO) a false sense of security. They serve their purpose (kickback), so they are a good thing, but just like some gun safties, you do not rely on them as a failsafe.