I delivered a half cord to a regular customer on Thursday. He asked me to bring a saw to cut up a bigger dead limb that had fallen in his yard. I get there and he asks me if i would cut off a big limb from the same tree, which i declined. Next thing i know he has his ladder up and is starting his craftsman saw. He had asked to use my 261 which i said no. The saw kept stalling so he is climbing while throttling the saw, chain racing. He reaches far out to cut while using his left hand on the throttle...OMG!!! Im standing back watching and somewhat cringing. He makes the cut okay luckily and the limb was the only thing to fall. Saw was sharp enough from what i could tell. Scary what some people do with saws! Same guy i got my used 460 powerhead from for $40 two Winters ago. Pic is after it was done!
The guy is kind of an egotistical type so i wasnt about to interject even though ive removed limbs off ladders plenty of times and wouldve felt perfectly comfortable doing so.
Chainsaws and ladders don't mix.....it's like gambling at a casino. The odds are usually on the house. Anytime you're relying on something underneath you for support, and dropping a heavy piece down, chances are it's gonna foul your support. Always cut from above and be tied in where you aren't relying on support from below the cut.
I no longer trust ladders anywhere. Even a step ladder I'll put a good size sheet of plywood under (each pair of) the feet so the legs don't start sinking into the soil when you start adding weight unevenly to the legs as you climb up. Real easy way to find yourself hanging off a gutter.
