Chipper

Just for your information MaryAnn.

I'm a 40 year tree veteran who's been the foreman of some of the biggest most reputable tree services in Southern CA.

None of these reputable companies who run up to 12 crews would ever allow a BC 1800 to be operated solo, period.

jomoco
 
I have 2500hours logged behind an 1800a that i purchased used off this site. I was trained were the danger zones are and what constitutes dangerous behavior and attitudes when chipping and how to get the most production out of the machine by a large cooperation. Now running my own company, i have had guys chip everything imaginable: rope, tarps, rakes, a metal scoop, a plastic scoop, and who knows what else, but no people. that is because of one simple rule and i have had newbies, vets, and everything in between loading brush into that chipper. my one constant is this: we don't allow new people to chip by themselves, green or vet, until the new hire proves that they can use the chipper properly, i.e. no rocks or dirt, no tools around the in feed, no body parts around the in feed, where the in feed controls are, how to stop it, how to slow it, what is auto feed, how does auto feed work, when doesn't auto feed work, where are the danger zones, what the chipper is supposed to sound like, what does the chipper sound like when there is a problem, how to clear all the different jams safely, how to clear a stuck piece in the drum ( which is not putting a piece in like a splitter that will only make the jam worse. you must chip a BIG log 16"-18" in diameter maybe 4' long hardwood. that works every time), how to maintain it, how use it to its maximum performance, how to cut and dice pieces while maintaining safety and production, knowing what to chip and what to slab and throw in the back of the truck, how to load it with a crane, how to load it with a grapple truck, how to load it with a mini skid, how to load it with a grapple loader, where the crush points are, where are the safe zones, when to say no. If the person operating the chipper cannot do all those things then someone else needs to be around for the newbies safety and the machines safety; this goes for any chipper. I run a three man crew and i really don't like chipping until the job is close to being finished or the brush just has to be processed. I have made a lick with that chipper and have found a good chipper operator is hard to find, but when you do hold on to them and they will train the rest and make you money.
 
One more thing you'll never regret buying the 1800 for that price even if you have to rebuild the entire chipper and weld a winch on it. you will regret buying the 1200 POS and think everyday how you spend to much at the dump, how it take to long to process this tiny bit of mulch, and how you should have bought that 1800. the ball is in your court shoot it where you will, but you might want to research who you get advice from some of us buzzards are a little on the radical side.
 
J,

You've been ranting about this for years. Good for you.

The way to make change in the industry is through ANSI Z133.

Have you submitted your reasoning to the Z Committee? I don't think so, or it would have come up at one of the meetings.

I'm weary of you blaming TCIA for complicity in chipper deaths. Who do you blame for deaths by electrocution, falling, vehicle accidents?

Enough already...
 
What do you do with the wood you can't chip now? Do you have a market for it? While a bigger chipper is great, I oft find myself thinking that there is a whole lot of wood that could be put to better use than mulch being thrown through.

Going to the bigger model will generate more chips and then your chip truck may become a limiting factor. Be sure to look at the whole picture before you make the leap.

As for the debate on number of operators, it comes down to training and company code of conduct. Does production trump safety? Then 2 ops are just as dangerous as one. People will find shortcuts, rush, push limits and take chances if they think it'll up production. This is a given that has plagued every industry. It is when companies establish and reinforce safety first codes of conduct that workers feel confident that they can do things in a manner that won't jeopardize the wellbeing of themselves and their workmates. It may be written in the employee handbook but is it practiced in the field? Is it reinforced by the ownership, management?

Here's a good example (http://www.skanska.com). That's a commitment from a global leader in construction with revenues of over 130 billion.

Their goal is zero accidents in a company of 57,000 employees. That's more than the number of people employed in arboriculture. So, where is our industry leadership? Where is our zero accident drive? Why is it there is a feeling that there is a "natural" accident rate that can't be overcome?
 
TH

It would be possible to drive down the death rate if there was uniform buy-in and enforcement like one would expect from a company. The buy-in has to uniform from top to bottom too.

I have personal experience that shows that management talks safety but doesn't walk the line. My experiences show me that being the 'safety geek' can make for an alienation in the workplace.

''Industry' can lead but there is no enforcement from 'industry'
 
That is the very real problem within our industry. No reinforcement from management, no enforcement from industry. While management may say they want safety, there is no consequence for those who are directly responsible to put this into practice day to day.

My wife works beside a Skanska project in Newark and they are serious about safety. Take a look at what they are doing.
 
Is there something about the BC1800 that makes it more dangerous than other chippers of its size? FWIW, the 1800 seems to be most preferred chipper of medium to larger companies in my area.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Just for your information MaryAnn.

I'm a 40 year tree veteran who's been the foreman of some of the biggest most reputable tree services in Southern CA.

None of these reputable companies who run up to 12 crews would ever allow a BC 1800 to be operated solo, period.

jomoco

[/ QUOTE ]
Isnt Davey one of the biggest, they pull them 1800's around BC with two guys in the truck, and one of em goes up in the bucket ?
Another thread massively derailed into a rant about chipper safety by Jomo.
What else is new.
Not much, but good luck finding a new chipper MaryAnn.
 
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