Sawhead Feller-Buncher Starts Woods Fire

BACKGROUND: A logger was clearcutting a pine plantation using a rubber-tired, sawhead feller-buncher on rolling terrain in the Appalachians. It was a clear spring day, and fuel conditions were dry.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The 40-year-old operator, with 20 years of logging experience, had run the feller-buncher off and on for seven years but had been filling in full time for about six months due to health problems of the regular operator. He was considered fully trained.

UNSAFE ACT OR CONDITION: Apparently the rotating sawhead grazed against a rock and spread sparks, or debris that was stuck between the sawhead and the upper blade guard heated to ignition by friction and then was thrown free. (Discussion with the logger revealed that, over the years, he had experienced four previous fires that had been started by the sawhead tree cutter.) When the logger left work for the day, he did not notice any smoke or fire.

ACCIDENT: The local fire department noticed smoke during the evening coming from a forested area. Upon investigation, they discovered a fire burning in a cutover area near the loading deck. The volunteer fire department called the Forestry Department to plow a fireline around the burning area. The fire burned about three acres before it was put out.

INJURY: There were no injuries, but the logger was billed for the state’s cost to control the fire. The logger was fortunate that the wind direction kept the fire away from his equipment parked at the loading deck. (He learned of the fire when he returned to the job the next morning.)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION: Inspect sawhead tree cutters regularly for debris stuck in the sawhead. Debris should be removed promptly. In addition, clean debris daily from the radiator, engine compartment, and other areas where heat builds up. Keep properly charged fire extinguishers mounted in harvesting machines.

The cutter and skidder operators should visually inspect the harvest site while traveling back to the deck area before leaving for the day. Consider keeping a 30-minute “fire watch” after end-of-shift machine shutdowns. Be observant in areas with exposed rocks when operating a sawhead, and be extra cautious during periods of high fire danger.

Courtesy of the Forest Resources Association: forestresources.org

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