Maintainer's Tips | Winter 2009

Methods for Safe Chain-Saw Transportation

By Kerry Wood

As A.T. maintainers head out to clear the Trail of the usual lot of trees downed by winter storms, many will employ a chain saw to do the bulk of the clearing. And, as most maintainers know all too well, that involves not only cutting the often-snarled mess of trees, but also getting the chain saw and its associated equipment to each worksite. While a considerable expense in both money and time is made to teach safe and efficient use of chain saws, only a small portion of time is spent in training for transporting them safely. This article offers some guidelines, suggestions, and examples.

The U.S. Forest Service’s Chain Saw and Crosscut Saw Training Course—Student Guidebook (2006) provides these guidelines:

Saw Transportation

Saws must be transported in a way that protects them from being damaged, from injuring people, and from damaging property and equipment.

Transporting Chain Saws in a Vehicle

Keep the bar and chain covered with a chain guard.
Properly secure the chain saw to prevent it from being damaged and to prevent fuel from spilling.
Never transport a chain saw or fuel in a vehicle’s passenger compartment.

Transporting Chain Saws by Hand
The muffler and power head can reach extremely high temperatures. Avoid these areas when carrying a saw that has been used recently.

When carrying the saw for short distances, set the saw at idle speed and set the chain brake.
When carrying the saw farther than from tree to tree, or in hazardous conditions (such as slippery surfaces or heavy underbrush), and in all cases if the saw is carried more than 50 feet, the saw shall be shut off and carried in a way that prevents the chain, muffler, and bumper spikes (dogs) from contacting your body.
When carrying the saw on your shoulder, take extra care because of the sharpness of the chain and bumper spikes (dogs). A long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and a shoulder pad must be worn. The bar, chain, and bumper spikes (dogs) should be covered, preferably with a manufactured bar and chain cover. Chain saw chaps can be used to cover the bumper spikes (dogs).

There are a number of ways to satisfy those basic guidelines, many of which come down to ease of use, cost, and simply personal preference. Read full article.

ATC Regional Program Manager Kerry Wood is based in the Blacksburg, Virginia office. He manages ATC’s sawyer certification program in the region and oversees the Konnarock Trail Crew. He also is an A.T. maintainer for the Outdoor Club of Virginia Tech.

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