It’s called chain shot for good reason – the whiplash effect that occurs in a chainsaw break means pieces released by the chain at peak speed can essentially travel like bullets. With the amount of tree clearing currently being undertaken in NZ, it’s important that operators understand the risks and, with the use of quality attachments, know how to prevent this risk in the first place.
For forestry work and arborist operations the risk of chain shot is well known and carefully managed. Both the processes in place and the equipment in use ensure work is undertaken in the safest way possible.
Given the need for widespread tree and scrub clearing after weather events at both ends of the country, there are operators who may be unaware of how to safeguard themselves from the danger, however.
Cutting trees in New Zealand, especially in tight areas or urban spaces, should never be done in a substandard or inattentive way. Extra care needs to be paid both with how things are cut and what equipment to used. Here are a few simple tips for cutting with confidence…
1. Keep everyone up to speed. Everyone on site should be clearly informed and regularly reminded of the dangers of chain shot, especially if using smaller, fast-spinning chains. If possible, these chains should be avoided altogether, which means operators need to…
2. Use the right attachment. A subject close to our hearts! At Earthworm we’re finding more customers are valuing the Vosch Grapple Saw due to both its productivity and safety capabilities. Most saws use a standard .404 pitch chain. The Vosch grapple saw has been specifically designed to run a heavy-duty 3/4” pitch chain. This stronger, heavier chain spins slower which means that, if the chain breaks, there’s no whiplash effect (and no chance of chain shot).
3. Create a risk zone – and stick to it. Even with equipment that has no perceived risk it’s always important to keep others out of the 20-metre exclusion zone, ensuring no flying debris can reach them.
Swedish researchers studied a wide range of breakage instances and estimated that chain shot occurs for 1 in every 50 broken chains.
While New Zealand has a proud tradition for getting stuck in and making do with the tools at hand, the number 8 wire mentality shouldn’t be applied when there are such high risks.
Excavator-mounted grapple saws are helping operators make the move to safer methods of tree clearance. However not all grapple saws are created equally. The Vosch model is unique as a purpose-built, fixed excavator grapple saw, with industry-leading stability, safety, and performance criteria.
To find out how a Vosch grapple saw can help your work, get in touch today.
“In response to international reviews on grapple-saw safety, Vosch undertook extensive chain shot testing using the framework of ISO 11837… The findings confirmed that the Vosch system does not trigger the whiplash effect, meaning chain shot cannot occur within the tested conditions.”
Earthworm, Nov 2025: Go. Saw. Conquer.