Ever Chainsaw at night with portable lights?

[leftyscott]

I'm finding there are not enough hours on the weekend to get my wood gathering done so I'm considering using portable lighting where I am chainsawing. I have dozens of trees close to a well marked atv trail on my property.

Extra safety concerns?
Anyone do this?
Anyone wouldn't do this?

Opinions???

 

[zzr7ky]

Hi -

I have been avoiding it. Every season I find some metal in the stove/ash bin. I've noticed discarded wire in the area where I cut. I'm concerned that I might have a harder time seeing it under artificial lights.

I have been getting enough wood out by altering my routine. When I have favorable weather I'll drop several trees. I dropped 8 in the last 2 evenings. The I can haul loads out in the evening after dark.

I suppose one could inspect the trunck fo rhazzards in the daylight and buck under worksite type lights.

Walmart had automotive 12V DC to 110V AC inverters that could support a 500 watt work light for $60-80.

All the best,
Mike

 

[smokinj]

Saw in the day split at night if you have to.

 

[Thistle]

Saw in the day split at night if you have to.

+1 I've done that lots of times over the years.Also, If you're buying wood,DO NOT buy it after dark,unless you know the Seller really well.Same with buying a used car or truck.

 

[RNLA]

I have used saws at night, or early morning to be more specific. Back a few years we had a bad winter storm with 60+ mph wind. I was awakened at 2:15 am with the first call for a tree on the house... The calls kept coming till 3-4 days later. The first day we had 70+ phone calls. When the power is out it is very dark, no ambient light from anywhere. I personally would not recommend doing any cutting after dark. The danger is high even when you have work lights. You are usually less alert or tired after work. :-/

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I have used saws at night, or early morning to be more specific. Back a few years we had a bad winter storm with 60+ mph wind. I was awakened at 2:15 am with the first call for a tree on the house... The calls kept coming till 3-4 days later. The first day we had 70+ phone calls. When the power is out it is very dark, no ambient light from anywhere. I personally would not recommend doing any cutting after dark. The danger is high even when you have work lights. You are usually less alert or tired after work. :-/

That's a big point I think. I quit at some point in the day because I get sloppy.

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

Saw in the day split at night if you have to.

+1 I've done that lots of times over the years.Also, If you're buying wood,DO NOT buy it after dark,unless you know the Seller really well.Same with buying a used car or truck.

Why you think bars are dark just before closing time?!?? :bug:

 

[RNLA]

Hey BTU this is a family forum... I quit going to those places long ago cause I don't like police cars and wakin up in strange places! :gulp:

 

[ecocavalier02]

Saw in the day split at night if you have to.

+ 2 . even running the splitter can be a little hairy. course my outslde liting where i split sucks.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I have used saws at night, or early morning to be more specific. Back a few years we had a bad winter storm with 60+ mph wind. I was awakened at 2:15 am with the first call for a tree on the house... The calls kept coming till 3-4 days later. The first day we had 70+ phone calls. When the power is out it is very dark, no ambient light from anywhere. I personally would not recommend doing any cutting after dark. The danger is high even when you have work lights. You are usually less alert or tired after work. :-/

Right on the money! Why take chances?

I do remember sawing some after dark though. It was about 45 years ago when we had a bad storm one June night and a big box elder tree fell across the road not too far from us. I cut just enough to open up the road and then shut down the saw until morning.

 

[firefighterjake]

I'm not the smartest guy . . . but when the daylight fades and shadows appear it's the cue for me to pack it up for the day . . . and keep all my fingers and toes.

 

[RNLA]

Hey I can't feel my fingers or toes anyway... I'm just cold and want to go inside!

 

[Naandme]

I agree with smokinjay Cut in the daylight split at night its dangerous enough cutting in the daylight no need to add in other risk factors.

 

[woodsmaster]

I wouldn't consider cutting at night unless I had a couple of those huge tow behind lights, and probably still wouldn't do it. I have split at night.

 

[KarlP]

I have been avoiding it. Every season I find some metal in the stove/ash bin. I've noticed discarded wire in the area where I cut. I'm concerned that I might have a harder time seeing it under artificial lights.

Yeah, but the sparks are so much easier to see when you do hit the metal!

 

[Cascade Failure]

Hey BTU this is a family forum...

How do you think so many family's got started?

 

[TreePointer]

In addition to the safety issues already mentioned, I wouldn't cut at night for a couple other reasons. Some folks might call the police because of the noise. Other folks might think the sawyer is up to no good (stealing timber, breaking into a barn, vandalism, etc.). In short, it's certainly not a good idea in my area.

 

[billb3]

street light
hurricane
necessity


otherwise, no


I've swung a maul and split at night with a drop light and moon light

 

[mbutts]

Portable as in Truck headlights?
Yes, in snow while snowing.
Would I do it again? I have backup heat and know how to use it.
Most dangerous thing IMO is tripping over something. Depth perception is not as good at night.
Emergency? Maybe Would walk everything and look it over b4 I start, plus wud not go out alone or at least have someone know where I am and when I am to get back, plus have cellphone with good signal.
Most ppl as we get older get more cautious. Or maybe the word is smarter.
I guess do what you gotta do, and for next year do your sawing in the spring summer or fall at ur leisure.

 

[leftyscott]

will opt for cutting during the day, splitting at night.