balancing horizontal limbs

[DavidT]

What is the best way to balance a large horizontal limb with 2 slings? I'm worried about the limb flipping if I don't balance it correctly.

 

[tod_k]

I strongly recomend spider legs (dead eye rope slings). Put the ball where you fell center of mass is and simply tie it up. It works extremely well. I usually have 3-4 on the hook. With just two round slings of equal length it's very challenging to balance the load.

 

[DavidT]

I actually have a spider leg balancer. Is that the same thing? When I determine where I think center mass is, how do I determine where to place the spider legs?

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

Either side of it. Placing the outside leg where you know the limb will be butt heavy and the other leg where you know the limb will be tip heavy. They cancel each other out. But wont stop a limb from twisting over if it's side heavy.

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

Reg Coates posts a lot of crane videos and I have to say his picks with the crane have been consistently some of the smoothest I've seen. Minimal flip, twist, turn. He's got a good feeling for it.

Not saying other cllimbers are not, but most don't post as many vids as Reg does either.

 

[Reg]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Jerry.

Although, David, I think what Todd and Jerry have already suggested is by far the smartest method, mate!

However, just for fun, heres one that was begging for a single point attachment: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1095961566416913391&hl=en

Also, notice how the crane-op keeps the section moving right from the off

 

[Jesse]

Nice pic. That just takes a lot of experience to know where to place a single sling and balance it that well.

 

[skew]

I have found that by making sure each leg is snug rather no side being visably more slack that the other I get better load balance. When messing around with different points I found that having one leg too slack the result was crap.

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

It's a good thing you were clear of the butt of that one, Reg.

 

[Norm_Hall]

[ QUOTE ]
I actually have a spider leg balancer. Is that the same thing? When I determine where I think center mass is, how do I determine where to place the spider legs?

[/ QUOTE ]

Have equal amounts of weight outside of the triangle; i.e., have the same amount of weight outside the tip tie off, as there is outside of the butt tie off.
It takes a little practice.

 

[Reg]

[ QUOTE ]
It's a good thing you were clear of the butt of that one, Reg.

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely Jerry, wouldn’t want that under the chin

Here’s another, less seesaw but with a little roll this time. As I remember we had real clumsy chains on both trees which can be a real pain to set up a cradle…. so I opted for simplicity but again took the precaution of being well clear for the lift http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5836980074405492836

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

It's times like that when being under the work is sometimes the safest place. And while contrary to many safety rules rigging scenarios can present exceptions, as shown.

Unfortunately though most written rules for riggers don't cite exceptions.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I'm luv'n spider legging stuff lately. It is sick when the limb goes away pretty much the same as when it was attached to the tree.

Tomorrow, I'm gonna be spider legg'n a Siberian Elm most of the day.

 

[No_Bivy]

go light when your learning.......

 

[Mark Chisholm]

Nice work Reg! Now, just imagine what you could do if you had an 18" chipper

with a winch on that job!

 

[tod_k]

Here's an image of a semi horizontal very close to the home. Once cut it had very little movement.

 

[tod_k]

On it's way to the landing zone.

 

[cuttenwolf]

for goodnes gracious tod you have to come here to monmouth county and explain this technique to tree guys here. for a few years now i have been trying to get the know-it-alls to work like that and am constantly rebuffed. maybe i present it wrong. "unless you are using big bulky straps the limb will not be supported by anything else." even after showing guys pictures of picks being done with the method you have just shown i still get the wise comments about size and strength. i don't know how else to convince companies of the ease and real safety of using balancers and more importantly more than one or two bulky straps. just a little frustating thats all. sorry about the rant.

 

[tod_k]

I feel your pain. It's challenging trying to change a culture. Persistance pays in the end. You just have to show then "how it's done". If you out perform them they will "buy in". Good luck.

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

Picture perfect, Tod. Good the way you calculated the lateral load. In many cases it's not always necessary there, but nonetheless it is always good to see workers covering their bases.