Crane removal staying attached to the ball

[Jman]

How long have you been climbing and how many accidents have you had?

 

[Colin]

Too long and more than I like.

 

[RDMOTT]

Norm,
That was an awesome job in one ugly tree!!!!!!!! I don't see any other way of doing that removal safely.

 

[KentuckySawyer]

And to think that Norm can do that after having a six pack of Bud for breakfast! ....or was it five? Regardless, hell of a job man!

 

[STLTreeclmbr]

I think that even with a void in the trunk like that and not to mention to V rig I would just assume tip tie the limbs to the crane 3/4 the way up the limb if the wood was good let the opperator swing the limbs AWAY from me and the trunk, not a big fan of useing the crane as my Primary tie in point with the load! How was the root sys?

 

[Norm_Hall]

We used a probe to check the root system, and nothing unusual was found. The client wanted a 3 foot stump left for a shelf as a planter. At the 3 foot height, it was solid. The only real defect was the cavity 25 feet up. I have used this crane operator for 12 years. He is extremely safe and we respect each other. I wouldn't have done this job without Scotty as the operator. Rock on Scotty.

 

[RDMOTT]

[ QUOTE ]
not a big fan of useing the crane as my Primary tie in point with the load!

[/ QUOTE ]

So you would rather tie into that p.o.s. tree instead of the crane? What is more likely to fail? The tree or the crane?

 

[STLTreeclmbr]

At that point the POS was loseing weight!! Check out www.craneaccidents.com! I wasnt there, just an observation!

 

[Colin]

Cranes are great for tie-ins! I prefer to do it without a load, though.

 

[allmark]

I think I would not ride the load once suspended by the crane,I would repel to the ground.I would also consider making the cut repelling then lifting if the situation allowed for that.
I still think it was nice work done,just my thoughts.Thanks Norm.

 

[Norm_Hall]

[ QUOTE ]
I plead ignorance on the legalities of the technique,

[/ QUOTE ]

Kevin, according to ANSI Z133.1-2006;
5.7.9.12 When the qualified arborist is attached to the crane while it is under load, the total weight shall not exceed 50 percent of the load capacity for the radius and configuration of the crane. I personally phoned the crane company and told them of our dilemma, and told the dispatcher (a former crane operator himself) what we wanted to do. He was OK with it as long as I faxed him the ANSI Z regs. So, when Scotty arrived at the site, he already knew what our plan was.

This is only the 2nd time we have had to do this in 21 years of crane use.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Norm: I am no expert, but I do have a couple of questions.

I understand you didn't feel the tree was safe to tie into during the removal. I understand that feeling. When I saw the videos I was wondering why you didn't "fly" with the loads if you had that concern. I am aware of the 50% rule if it is necessary to "fly" with the load. So, this is where I am leading up to...

You were already tied into the ball. Were the loads exceeding the 50% rule? If they were, then why would you be tied into the ball (with the load) in the first place? Would a second crane for a T.I.P. been more safe?

Perhaps the answer is; you were comfortable with doing it the way you did. If so, I'm okay with that. You still did a good job.

Just asking. I'm just learning. Not criticizing.

 

[TreeCo]

Great work and video!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mangoes]

Thanks Norm!

You wouldn't get a union operator any where near that technique/method in Ontario. I really wish I had 4 years to spare to go and get into a crane op. apprenticeship.

 

[Norm_Hall]

[ QUOTE ]
Norm: I am no expert, but I do have a couple of questions.

I understand you didn't feel the tree was safe to tie into during the removal. I understand that feeling. When I saw the videos I was wondering why you didn't "fly" with the loads if you had that concern.
Just asking. I'm just learning. Not criticizing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jamin, if you read my 1st post, I chose to ride the load to the chipper in the front yard. The co-worker in the vids chose to descend after making the cut. Just his personal preference.
At that radius the crane was good for 4,000 lbs. Scotty wanted to keep the loads at around 1,500 pounds. Like I said earlier, we respect each other, so I trust his opinion. All but 1 pick was 1,500 or less. The last pick was 1,600. But, I told the cutter where to make the cut. I was off by 100 pounds. Scotty didn't have an issue with it.

Excellent observation Jamin.

 

[dhuffnmu]

That was some awesome footage. Norm could you possibly post how your worker or yourself tied into the crane. Do you have any pictures of that setup. I want to see how you guys do it.
Thanks.

 

[CleanupPro]

[ QUOTE ]
OR he coulda been slower on the final cut and let the natural tear hinge allow the load to settle slower and more peacefully into it's final position.

[/ QUOTE ]

Remember, not all types of trees have a good hinge factor, and even between trees of the same species there can be significant differences of hinge factor.

 

[Colin]

THAT topheavy NO attempt at hingeing will be successful.

 

[CleanupPro]

You are right. That is why I quoted you. I think that it would be safe to say that that the cutter learned a little from that cut. Maybe he can tell us what the plan was.

 

[Norm_Hall]

[ QUOTE ]
Norm could you possibly post how your worker or yourself tied into the crane. Do you have any pictures of that setup. I want to see how you guys do it.
Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here is how we usually do it.
17 ton screw pin shackle resting on top of the ball.
A 2' friction saver is laced over the shackle 'pin'.
A steel locking carabiner is inserted in the shackle pin 'eye' and captures the friction saver, to prevent the shackle pin from unthreading.