Chainsaw Vid by August

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What your missing Bix is that videos used to get torn apart and cause bs like this everytime. I kinda brought it around by attacking the attackers and starting the trend to, nice work thanks for sharing. Just tipping the balance back to some middle ground and boldly going where others refuse to go and saying the truth. Keep putting up your videos I've been able to watch a couple of the later ones without cringing.

Feels like you already rammed my boat.

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No ramming here Bev.

I'm just not picking up what your putting down.
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I thought you were making some big deal out of one handing a little climb saw in a tree?
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Something about not taking the time, going to Sizzler's and having steak? If you want fair and balanced watch Fox News
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, you want an entertaining tree vid YouTube Chainsaw.
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What's your take on one handling a climb saw aloft?
 
My take on one handing in the tree is the same as bucking standing on one foot off balance. Sometimes it's got to be done but it's very little effort and time more to do it safer and more comfortably. There's been a rash of it by videographers, I'd put it in the hotdogging catagory. Or pointlessly rushing your work.
 
"If you feel the need to one hand the chain saw while in the tree, you probably need to improve your work positioning skills." (Quote by Mark Chisholm)

Whenever I find myself compelled to one hand a saw, I stop and rethink my situation. There is always a better way. I'm certainly no poster child for perfection, but I do not one hand the chainsaw, ever. I have allowed it for my employees as the 'safest possible method' a couple times, and I would defend those situations if there were an incident.

Having said that, I have tried to enjoy everyone's videos without calling anyone out. I do wonder what people are thinking by documenting their one handing, but I am not the authority on it and therefore do not pass judgement.

-Tom
 
No Bev, you guys don't need to tiptoe, I know you're there. That's an interesting take on the deal.
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Tom, I figure I document just about everything, whether people disagree with it or not, either way is fine.
 
like every two years on here we have to discuss One Handing and the pros and cons.

here is last one, 2012, even has a survey to take.

68% said one handing is okay.

http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=326437&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

I am one of those that use it in a safe way (in my opinion). I'm not going to write new stuff about this. I've shown pictures and examples in the past how one handing can be a safe move.

my text pulled from that 2012 thread (good enough):
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the push for TWO HAND USE at ALL TIMES is an attempt to prevent more accidents to general workers. The push has been quite successful, as many pro's even believe it.

I think one hand has it's place in certain situations and I definitely do it a few times a day.


It's just like the push to convince people that the coating on wires is just weather proofing and not insulation. Well, if it wasn't insulation, then they would not braid all three wires in a loop drop to a house. They would not run primaries, called tree wire over limbs and touching limbs if it was not insulation. If it wasn't insulation, it would be blasting sparks.

But, if we tell the tree guys, it's weather proofing, and never trust it to insulate, then it will save lives.

Same with saying NEVER ONE HAND A CHAINSAW, EVER. It will save more lives and injuries saying that, than saying it is okay sometimes. The few people that get hurt using two hands, just because of the teaching; will be very few.

Me, I don't lie, I don't think I manipulate no matter the possible outcome, i say it how I see it.

One handing is okay if you use it correctly and you are strong enough.

Actually, even if you were weak, you could still one hand in a few situations and the loss of control would not result in an injury.
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"Never one-hand" statement is for the general good of the masses of people that likely won't one hand responsibly. THE END.
 
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"If you feel the need to one hand the chain saw while in the tree, you probably need to improve your work positioning skills." (Quote by Mark Chisholm)

Whenever I find myself compelled to one hand a saw, I stop and rethink my situation. There is always a better way. I'm certainly no poster child for perfection, but I do not one hand the chainsaw, ever. I have allowed it for my employees as the 'safest possible method' a couple times, and I would defend those situations if there were an incident.

Having said that, I have tried to enjoy everyone's videos without calling anyone out. I do wonder what people are thinking by documenting their one handing, but I am not the authority on it and therefore do not pass judgement.

-Tom

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I one handle quite often, because it makes my job much easier and quicker....and FWIW my work positioning skills are pretty good too.

You can quote me on that anytime, Tom. I got know issue with your post by the way. Having met you in person and read many of your posts here you seem to be solid, respectful and honest guy. Hope to bump into you again some place.

Sometimes i'll one handle the throw bag too. Handsaw. Razor when I'm shaving. Welder. Steering wheel on the truck even....and lots of other stuff. Hands are truly amazing.
 
In your last vid here Reg I think you were through cutting 5' or so chunks one handed. A couple things could of went wrong that wouldn't of, or were greatly reduced with a snap cut and two handed chuck correct? I didn't mind the work I thought it was a fun show.
 
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In your last vid here Reg I think you were through cutting 5' or so chunks one handed. A couple things could of went wrong that wouldn't of, or were greatly reduced with a snap cut and two handed chuck correct? I didn't mind the work I thought it was a fun show.

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But they didn't go wrong Bevin. Arguably it would've been safer too not the climb the tree in the pissing rain that morning....could a waited for a dry day, or hired a crane even, maybe just don't climb trees at all ? Where do you draw the line of what is acceptable risk?

The least of my worries day-to -day is whether I think one handleing a saw safe or not. Plenty of situations where I wouldn't, but plenty where I can and do. Quite often it will put me in a safer work position with added stability, offer better ergonomics if you please, and unquestionably speed up productivity. You still need to focus hard, and be very disciplined, but it really is within the scope of my ability to perform without feeling unsafe. And there's thousands of guys like me out there too, doing our job in a way that feels instinctively logical. If it feels the opposite to you then cool, I'm not gonna critisise....and nor should you if someone else's informed preference differs to that of your own.

I enjoy August's videos. I would like to see at least a couple that are a little less condensed so I could get more of an insight to his thought processes....but I understand he's just trying to make it entertaining. Have exchanged many emails etc, solid guy, devoted husband and father. Without looking back at the video I also saw your earlier comment about no stopper knot. Was that on his climbline ? Did he have enough line to make it down ? Every chance he knows how much line is needed to make it down so why would he need one ?
 
He might of even had a splice on the end I thought later. Unless I missed something this video was a showcase of making the simple look spectacular. Your probably bored with spar work you've been doing it so long.
 
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He might of even had a splice on the end I thought later. Unless I missed something this video was a showcase of making the simple look spectacular. Your probably bored with spar work you've been doing it so long.

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In many cases its true what I think you're implying Bev, in that single stem conifers are often very uncomplicated (so long as you're not afraid if height or swaying). But for the same reason you're having to push hard and think fast in getting the job done quicker than anyone else, as theres an abundance of competition trying to claim the work. So, often is the case you're squeezing big tops, spars and entire trees in the tightest of spots....knowing full well that if you don't bid the job that way, somebody else will. It seems like much of the PNW is very competitive in that respect.
 
I wondered about out competing others with a unique service. Waterfront work off the water. It's always downhill. Go lake to lake with a caravan and advance promotion. Or a tour schedule.
 
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The least of my worries day-to -day is whether I think one handleing a saw safe or not. Plenty of situations where I wouldn't, but plenty where I can and do. Quite often it will put me in a safer work position with added stability, offer better ergonomics if you please, and unquestionably speed up productivity. You still need to focus hard, and be very disciplined, but it really is within the scope of my ability to perform without feeling unsafe. And there's thousands of guys like me out there too, doing our job in a way that feels instinctively logical. If it feels the opposite to you then cool, I'm not gonna critisise....

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Excellent post
 
That's an excellent post. You three hammegos are brutal, I must like it or or I wouldn't keep adding provocative posts. I wannabe a hammego too. Windy -40 will do that.
 
It's really not relative to other day-to-day risks to me, Reg, it's that it is a SHALL in the Z, and as an employer, I must prove that one handing is safer on a case by case basis should an accident occur. There are plenty of other risks on and off the job that we consider every day, but there isn't necessarily a standard written around them. The reason I don't one hand is that I need to set an example for my employees if I am to expect them to comply with the Z. Your situation is different, and I can't say what I would do in your shoes… I'm simply explaining my position. I certainly do not intend to condescend or be an authority on the subject, my position is solely to protect my company from exposure through compliance.

-Tom
 
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The reason I don't one hand is that I need to set an example for my employees if I am to expect them to comply with the Z. Your situation is different, and I can't say what I would do in your shoes… I'm simply explaining my position.

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Well you didn't need to Tom, I never called you or anyone else out on it....but thanks for you're take on it all the same. In your shoes Im not sure how I'd feel about it either. The problem with z is that it doesn't cater for differing levels of skill and experience. Its very much a blanket z. I completely understand your position.

I shall further digress from my own experience that when working predominantly hardwoods, keeping two hands on the saw is perhaps a much easier discipline to uphold.... by incorporating smart rigging and less cutting in the tree.

However, if you have 100 limbs to strip off a 100+ ft conifer, the first one in a line of half a dozen maybe, of which the limbs/branches need some guidance but not really practical to rig. Its hard to resist using your otherwise redundant hand to achieve this, cut and hold. I realize too that there are people out there who claim to be able to work just as fast with a handsaw. They are delusional. 10 branches its not gonna matter so much, but a hundred per tree, sometimes a thousand a day....you're gonna know the difference.

Another common practice here is is to work off a single tie (flip-line) while stripping out a tree, because they dont want a climb-line or additional choker etc slowing their progress. The thinking is, you wouldn't use a two steel core flip-line to ascend a bare pole, so what does it matter if you have to cut some limbs off on the way, be-it 10 or 100.
I personally try to employ 2 fliplines in such instances and there's really no hold up.

Probably the worst Ive seen, when i say worst I mean employing a very narrow margin of safety, is after the tree has been topped - rappelling DdRT off the notch where the tree was just topped. Now I dont mean cutting for the rope to run in the top of the spar, rather simply leaving some stumpshot as a crotch and rappelling down the opposite side to the face. I definitely draw the line there, but to others its a practice they've been employing for decades. Who am I to judge, really. And its all factored to the bid.
 
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That's an excellent post. You three hammegos are brutal, I must like it or or I wouldn't keep adding provocative posts. I wannabe a hammego too. Windy -40 will do that.

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Didn't mean to be brutal.

I just saw this thread all going in one direction and I don't entirely agree with the direction and I felt Bixler didn't say enough. I didn't want to get into it again so soon on one handing, but felt I had to enter at least a short post.

IF I owned a large company with say 7 or more employees, I would probably be like any other smart business owner and cover my azz by making a written statement that: one hand chainsaw use can not be performed. Maybe even include an exception that if a unique situation came up, they would have to document the choice of possibly using it, during the job briefing and have it explained in writing why and signed.

I just did some nasty oak removals along I-95 this week. Trees went into extreme arched shape toward the highway (the sunlight area). Lots of weight at the tips, lots of wood ready to explode. We had to rope rig them down too, so they would not land in the highway or smash guardrail. I think the limbs were around 1000 to 1500 lbs, one might have been near 2000 lbs. (yes, I could have went out to the tips and widdled off tiny pieces, but that kind of work goes to the lowest bidder and therefore we have to be efficient at what we do, or go out of business. (Plus I loathe taking little pieces).
I used notching and bore cutting technique to prevent barbar chairing. AND I often used ONE HAND to cut the back-strap releasing the limb. This gets my chest with vital organs farther away from the action. Also allows me to be perpendicular to the saw blade, thus making a more narrow target for something also (much like a policeman firing a handgun at someone else with a handgun, you don't stand square and expose full front of body). All went fairly well, except apparently one hinge thickness must have still been too wide even though it sure looked good and it split down the limb, luckily didn't barbar-chair. But if it had barbar-Chaired, my one-handed body position may have helped me not be struck.
 
David, Reg and Bix, you guys ARE the practicing arborists, and I hope that your input can and will be written into the Z someday soon. I have the utmost respect for your work, and perhaps you can have some influence on the standards eventually. I am working with what we have now.

-Tom
 
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