Know Your Equipment's Decibels Before You Use It

I just checked my Stihl FS 240 Brush Trimmer, and it is at about 110 dB. I checked my chainsaw a Stihl MS 261 and it is rated at 216 dB.

So I used the trimmer today with foam plugs and then a pair of Browning 37 dB muffs. This should give me a 20 dB reduction, or take me down to 90 dB. I worked with it for about 20 minutes and my ears are hissing louder than ever. I will most likely never be able to use it or my chainsaw again.

Boohoo.

 

Don't play with fire. IMO 110dB even with double protection is too loud and dangerous.

But the spike will most probably go away soon.

 

I agree. I thought it would be at maybe 100, but at 110 it is too much. I bought a brand new 27 ton woodsplitter with a Honda motor. I haven't even put oil in it. I don't think I can even use it, although it will be a 4 stroke motor... Maybe if I can get someone to block up my tandem load then I could split it, but I don't know if it is worth it.

 

I don’t think you're measuring that right. A chain saw at
216 dB would immediately blow out your ear drums and make you deaf.

 

Oops. 116dB. No editing the op though.

 

I have some slightly less powerful saws around 110db that are fine. I use LiON for everything I can; LiON weedwhacker is effective, and actually the LiON chainsaw I have is fine for felling and sectioning stuff up to about 24". Bigger trees need gas saws.

I bet my mower at redline is more than that, though, and you have to redline it a bunch. We've been here 2 summers now and it's been fine so far, fingers crossed...

 

216 dB doesn't just make you deaf, it may literally kill you!