What logging gear stopped being “optional” after one bad day?

[Alan]

What piece of logging gear did you used to think was overkill, until you hit the wrong conditions and it went from optional to never leaving the truck.

I’m thinking the stuff you only appreciate when it’s wet, icy, steep, blazing hot, or you’re deep into a long day and little problems start stacking up. What was the exact situation that changed your mind.

Drop the gear and the conditions that convinced you. Also curious, if you had to pick a close second “never again without it” item, what would it be.

 

[cjmac163]

Immediately following my apprenticeship as a teenager, I foolishly ditched chaps for the sake of feeling lighter and less bulky moving amongst logs and brush in rough/steep terrain. Worked great for a couple years until a rock shifted under my foot while I was cleaning up a face cut, and I fell awkwardly and ended up getting some square grind to the shin. Cut me to the bone. A couple dozen internal stitches, a couple dozen more external stitches, and a couple weeks off the job taught me. I now wear chainsaw protective trousers. Some argue they are not as good as full-fledged chaps, but a friend of mine (who got me into the chainsaw pants) had a minor snag with a 455 Rancher while helping me piece up some small limbs that came down in my backyard (glad he put his work pants on for a seemingly redundant task) and they worked great! They help reduce a little "bulk" from the chaps, without really sacrificing safety

 

[What]

A machine on site with a winch.
At least one, must have a winch, preferably a dozer if possible. Sure a ripper is handy occasionally , but when someone gets stuck, that winch will be your best friend. Even better, two machines with winches. A pair of D7s with winches, is a God send.