To break or not to break....away

[jmcscrap]

That is my question.

What are all of your thoughts on breakaway chainsaw lanyards vs. non-breakaway? I personally like the breakaway for nothing else than a little extra piece of mind knowing if the saw does get pulled away with a branch I'm not necessarily going with it. (knock on wood) I haven't had this happen and will make kerf cuts on larger pieces to help minimize the chances, but, what if? Let me know what you guys and gals prefer.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

I have had a saw grabber on a snap cut once a long time ago and wish I had a break away lanyard. Luckily I was close to the ground and the ground guy help lift the piece enough for me to shake the bent bar free and drop the piece. Seen it once from a lift where the saw went to the ground with the piece. And seen a couple close ones... I would definately go with break away.

 

[Treezybreez]

The breakaway saved my bacon about for years ago. Had a saw snatched by the kerf, I felt a tug and that was it. Had another ordered the next day

 

[Treezybreez]

Another thing you can do is attach the saw lanyard to a weaker part of the harness.

 

[Boomslang]

Attach it to a caritool. Those things aren't rated for much so it will break well before you do. Added bonus of giving you a place to clip your saw.

 

[Leroy]

Another thing you can do is attach the saw lanyard to a weaker part of the harness.

I use a fl prussic and clip it to a red loop on tm harness.

 

[Treetopflyer]

I have a break away ,but rarely is my saw in the cut when I make hinges or straps anymore. I form the hinge or strap then holster saw and apply the action to make the piece work how I want.

 

[Jeff]

The breakaway saved my bacon about four years ago. Had a saw snatched by the kerf, I felt a tug and that was it. Had another ordered the next day

Exact same thing happened to me. Best part was somehow the MS200T survived the 40' fall with the log attached into a pile of boulders unscathed. OK, second best part - best part was I was still in the tree, also unscathed! For the relatively small price of them, I always keep a 2nd one on hand, just in case I decide to test one on a job. Only broke 2 of them in 17 years of climbing, so not too bad.

 

[Treezybreez]

Exact same thing happened to me. Best part was somehow the MS200T survived the 40' fall with the log attached into a pile of boulders unscathed. OK, second best part - best part was I was still in the tree, also unscathed! For the relatively small price of them, I always keep a 2nd one on hand, just in case I decide to test one on a job. Only broke 2 of them in 17 years of climbing, so not too bad.

My saw survived too, just had to hammer the bend out of the bar with a mini sledge.

 

[Treezybreez]

I use a fl prussic and clip it to a red loop on tm harness.

I still prefer to have a breakaway lanyard because occasionally I will attache it to my flip line swivel in order to have a better reach.

 

[jmcscrap]

Another thing you can do is attach the saw lanyard to a weaker part of the harness.

I like the idea - but how do you determine that parts strength?

I use a fl prussic and clip it to a red loop on tm harness.

I've thought about using that loop as well, but again, what would that break at?

 

[TreeCo]

The attachment ring on the back of an MS200T looks like it would break away without too much effort. No idea how much though but it is my break away. If I feel I'm in a high risk of a 'snatched' saw I hand hold it only and would let it fly. Have never had to do it though.

 

[Leroy]

I've thought about using that loop as well, but again, what would that break at?

I have no clue, it doesn't look that strong though.

 

[Merle Nelson]

I use a break away.
TreeStuff's with double snaps is nice because when you go to use it for a few ground cuts you don't have a bunch of lanyard on the saw to be in the way.

Note: You can easily extend the length of a breakaway lanyard if you are long armed etc. by girth hitching a saw strap with metal ring to the saddle side.

 

[limbwalker247]

make your own with bungee cord, tubular webbing and zip ties. works great and inexpensive.