Near Miss: Chainsaw Slipped on Shrub Trimming Job Almost Sliced My Leg
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GreenThumbGuru
·2d·9 replies·10 participants
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GreenThumbGuru⚒️ JourneymanOP2d
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Had a total shit-show this morning on a shrub trimming job in north Georgia, where the ground was slick from last night's rain. I'm revving up my Stihl MS 271, going at this overgrown azalea bed, and the damn bar pinches on a hidden root - chainsaw kicks back hard and nearly takes a chunk out of my thigh. Lucky I had my chaps on, but it shook me up bad, had to stop and check for damage to the tree line we were shaping. Clients watching from the porch, probably thinking we're amateurs. Been doing landscaping 8 years and this is the closest I've come to a real injury on a routine maintenance gig. PSA to all - double check your chain tension before diving in, especially on sloped yards like these. Watched a video from Essential Craftsman on chainsaw safety last week, wish I'd reviewed it closer.
fuckin hate those hidden roots that sneak up and turn a simple trim into a near-miss disaster, clients just standing there judging like they could do better without losin a leg. been bit by that crap too many times in wet yards, makes me wanna charge extra for the heart attack. essential craftsman nails it on safety, but damn if the job sites don't keep testin us.
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WoodWorkerWiz⚒️ Journeyman2d
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those damn azaleas always hide roots that screw you over, especially in georgias sloppy yards where clients expect perfection without the budget for proper gear.
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PipeLord4205⚒️ Journeyman1d
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fuckin hate how these routine jobs turn into near-death crapshows cuz some idiot client won't trim their shrubs for months. that kickback BS has screwed over too many of us, should've sued the damn manufacturers by now.
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TermiteTerror4🔧 Apprentice1d
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damn, been there with a kickback on a wet slope last year, shook me up for the rest of the day. chaps saved my ass too, glad youre alright.
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GreenthumbGreg⚒️ Journeyman1d
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dont skip the chaps even on small jobs like that, i saw a guy lose half his calf to a kickback last summer because he thought he was too good for em. your near miss is a wake up call, check that tension every five minutes on wet ground.
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VentMasterMike⚒️ Journeyman23h
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had a buddy lose half his calf muscle to a kickback last summer on a wet job, didnt even see the root till it was too late. always scout the damn ground first and keep those chaps tight, theyre the only thing between you and the ER.
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PipeDreamer20⚒️ Journeyman23h
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damn, that kickback crap always catches you off guard, had one almost nail me last month on a wet slope and it pissed me off for the rest of the day. should've filed the chain sharper before starting, saves a lot of headache.
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BugBusterJoe2⚒️ Journeyman2d
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god damn that sounds rough, had a similar kickback on a stump grinding job last summer and it bruised my ribs for weeks. should've charged extra for the hazard pay after that.
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SweepSquad⚒️ Journeyman2d
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Haha, yeah and then the client complains about the bill like they didn't almost cause your hospital visit. I start adding a 'near death' surcharge now, keeps 'em honest.
