Chain saws

[D. Hayes]

Sitting here watching storm chasers and they showed Reid coming upon a bunch of trees down and it got me to thinking.

Does anyone here carry a chain saw with them for downed trees?

I kind of doubt anyone goes that far but I could see it being extremely helpful.

 

[Dan Robinson]

I'd considered it for hurricane chases before, but if a tree is big enough that it can't be moved by 2 or 3 people, it's going to take a long time with one chainsaw to get it cleared. Most of the big trees I've seen blocking roads look like it would take one guy with a chainsaw at least a couple of hours to get it cut up to the point that it can be safely moved. In other words, I don't think chainsaws are a solution to quickly clear a road so a chase can continue. Maybe more of a end-of-chase volunteer plublic service effort.

 

[Jason Foster]

I've taken a hand saw with limb cutting teeth with me on past hurricane chases, but that's because I had a pick-up and could easily carry tons of gear. I carried power tools, hand tools, etc.

However, in the more compact vehicles I tend to chase in these days, a chain saw is overkill. It certainly isn't going to help much in the middle of an active chase on the plains when you're constantly moving, and there isn't really time to cut a tree apart to move through or around it. Also, as we saw on Storm Chasers...if trees are down, you're certainly going to have wires down also. That is something a chain saw can't fix.

Now on the lighter side...you could always carry one with you, put a little red dye on the blades/chain....and if anyone bothers you in the middle of a chase....just whip out that bad boy.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Nah, I just pick em up and move em out of the way. No big deal.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Jason is right, and you don't have to be Paul Bunyan either.

I think it was May 5, 2007? I was in a line of chasers and there were small trees or branches down in the road. Everyone would stop, get out of their cars, and run up the line where everyone then worked together to clear the road. It was quick and effective.

If you come across a situation where you need a chainsaw to continue the chase, your chase is over. So why bother bringing one?

 

[Marcus Hicks]

I think a chainsaw is overkill. I agree with Skip it the road is blocked by a tree during an active chase its done. Besides I have enough stuff with me already. I like Jasons idea of the red dye on the chain though.

 

[Bruce M. Sumner]

Fastest way to move a tree too large for several individuals is to hook up with a chain and drag it out of the way. Even small front wheel drive cars can move substantial trees. Just make sure to hook to the frame of the vehicle and lay a blanket on top of the chain, just in case it breaks.

 

[MClarkson]

if you have one I say bring it on a large hurricane chase. We wished we had one leaving Ivan. Fortunately after clearing enough(just enough to get by with one wheel on pavement) of a few trees with our axe, some locals with chainsaws appeared and we sort of formed a convoy, one guy cutting and the rest dragging. Then we proceded to clear like 100 trees. Not joking. It took 4 hours to go about 10 miles. With 2 chainsaws in the group.

 

[Steve Polley]

I actually do bring a small chain saw with me on each chase. Main reason I do is not to continue a chase as much as it is to help a community in need. This probably comes from my background as a firefighter. I carry my bunker gear, chain saw and first aid kit everywhere I go. I hope I never have to use any of it.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

I bought a chainsaw, with the intention of having it with me on local chases this year. It never happened, since we never really had any straight line wind events.

I got on a bunch of cruddy mud roads in West Michigan last year, and wanted to keep going because I didn't want to get so stuck I couldn't get out.I eventually got stuck by a tree that I could have moved with a chainsaw in about 10 minutes, but because of the fact that I was literally driving on a two track in the middle of a forest, it had other trees so I either had to cut it and move it out of my way or pick it back up the way it fell.

Needless to say, I had to back up and drive about 15 miles roundtrip through crappy roads to get out of that. My chase day was pretty much over at that point too.

So while it wouldn't really be useful in the plains, in the jungles here in Michigan it can come in handy.

 

[Elinor McLennon]

I keep emergency supplies with me in case I need to help someone; mainly medical supplies. Never thought about a chainsaw. Guess it depends on if you want to chase or help clean. I agree that if big trees are in my way, my chase is over.