Crane the Pines

Ha Bix. Compared to you Reg and August I'm just on the edge of the dark side. It is fun making the vids. I sort of do it so someday my son can say hey that's my Dad. I suppose for now I'll just keep the Stihl bar and chain catalogue as my 5 minutes of fame. Hopefully it comes out soon so all you guys have to look at my ugly mug. Lol
 
What size crane being used in the vid? Pieces look like there coming off with some force . Could you see crane op or on communication hand/headset?
 
I believe it was a 60. No communication or sight with the operator. I'm really not sure how much tree work he had done. I got sent up after the first climber(who was giving him my hand signals) overloaded him and had the rigged tree all hung up in an oak we weren't taking down. I think he was a little gun shy and put quite a bit of pressure on the tree so he could burn it up and out of the way. To be honest, compared to many on the buzz, I have fairly limited crane experience. I try to do it like I was taught but with so many different operators and companies, as well as differing operator comforts with trees, everybody has me do it somewhat different. For instance we did a huge oak with big long leads. I was prepared to balance those limbs with multiple chokers. The operator who was "experienced in tree work" had me single choker everything and all the limbs flipped or dropped into the crane like a rigging block. It didn't feel like the rite thing to do as I could hear the cable slap the boom every time. Sorta freaked me out and my saw got hung in cuts all day. I was making wedges and preparing for lift and he did the exact opposite from what I thought he would every time. He basically worked the crap outa me. I usually love crane work but that particular job, I couldn't wait to get away from the crane. I'm curious for you to explain your observations in a little more detail Aaron. Maybe I can take away a little insight from them.
 
Nice vid, Steve. I see what Aaron is talking about in the first pick. The piece rises several feet and takes off away and to the side. That's a lot of bending force acting on the crane (think of a fishing rod). Cranes are designed to move loads smoothly not with so many dynamic forces. No need for that much action when the piece is properly slung. Try to get one operator as you're go to and a second as a back up to develop a better rapport with them. It's a joint effort between the climber and operator. You have as much say in the operation as they do.

Your oak job just proves the point. I had one operator like that who I will not work with again. Climb safe, climb smart!
 
What treehumper said. I use one Crane company, and I told the owner that when I schedule work I will only accept one of his 3 guys that are really good with trees. Otherwise we will look for another day to do the work. Sure on occasion I get stuck, and have to accept one of the others but it normally winds up being a pretty rough day. One thing that will help with the bounce effect after the cut is get good at estimating the weight of the piece you are picking. Become confident in those numbers and you can tell the operator what your estimate is and he can start there with tension as per their scale. You put together a couple in a row that you are dead on and the op starts to trust you much more. And that's when cool stuff happens, when you trust each other completely.
Head sets are key. It is so much nicer to just talk to each other rather than thru someone else or yelling over the chipper.
 
Steve ..T.H. Covered my observations with his words quite well ..looked like some big picks for a 60 .. Did you find out the mass of any of those picks ? Long stretch as well? . Good work on your end . I always like to talk to op before going up to see where his heads at ..Like you pointed out they are not all familiar with dismantling trees and some get too familiar and slightly over confident . And if picks start flying away like that bring that to their attention. After the first pick hits the scale everybody involved needs to know what it was . Go from there keep it mellow . I feel like a proper pick should hardly move off the kerf until you give the signal for it to. I know that is perfect world shit ,but you have to aim for something right?
 
his max was 5k picks. We did talk before I went up. I guess its a macho job site thing. I say I have limited experience and will be looking to him to get the weight rite. He says ok and walks away. No real dialogue. I'm just a climber. I have no say who when and why we get a crane. I was actually amazed when we got the crane for the oak. I showed up on the job site and asked the boss where the crane was. He laughed and I said, no way Im gonna get it limbed out in one day more over, I'm gonna smash into the house rigging blocks down. He said "seriously". I said somebody bid this in a hurry. He walked away. Next I got, do what you can do the crane is on the way. I really haven't been looking at weight. I have been looking at the operator giving me a thumbs up or down where to cut. I feel pretty good about the balance of where I set the rigging but...........

I appreciate your input. It's a dangerous world out there and teaching yourself has some shortcomings. Again, that's why I'm here on the buzz.
 
Steve Connally said:
his max was 5k picks. We did talk before I went up. I guess its a macho job site thing. I say I have limited experience and will be looking to him to get the weight rite. He says ok and walks away. No real dialogue. I'm just a climber. I have no say who when and why we get a crane. I was actually amazed when we got the crane for the oak. I showed up on the job site and asked the boss where the crane was. He laughed and I said, no way Im gonna get it limbed out in one day more over, I'm gonna smash into the house rigging blocks down. He said "seriously". I said somebody bid this in a hurry. He walked away. Next I got, do what you can do the crane is on the way. I really haven't been looking at weight. I have been looking at the operator giving me a thumbs up or down where to cut. I feel pretty good about the balance of where I set the rigging but...........

I appreciate your input. It's a dangerous world out there and teaching yourself has some shortcomings. Again, that's why I'm here on the buzz.[/
Steve Connally said:
his max was 5k picks. We did talk before I went up. I guess its a macho job site thing. I say I have limited experience and will be looking to him to get the weight rite. He says ok and walks away. No real dialogue. I'm just a climber. I have no say who when and why we get a crane. I was actually amazed when we got the crane for the oak. I showed up on the job site and asked the boss where the crane was. He laughed and I said, no way Im gonna get it limbed out in one day more over, I'm gonna smash into the house rigging blocks down. He said "seriously". I said somebody bid this in a hurry. He walked away. Next I got, do what you can do the crane is on the way. I really haven't been looking at weight. I have been looking at the operator giving me a thumbs up or down where to cut. I feel pretty good about the balance of where I set the rigging but...........

I appreciate your input. It's a dangerous world out there and teaching yourself has some shortcomings. Again, that's why I'm here on the buzz.
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That's y I'm here as well .. I wouldn't put crane work at the top of my resume either..but as the climber your responsible for definitely your safety . Being as you don't get to pick when ,where ,how and your going to continue crane work being thrown your way . I would suggest a green log weight chart .. TREESTUFF has them ..and study up even bring it with you . Dont expect crane op to know and remember what your dealing with crane size don't let them push the limits and I know how the macho job site stuff goes ,but your like me your most important job is to get home safe to play with the kids and of course not getting beat up in the process so you can go do it again!:)
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You're part of the process Steve and the one whose life is on the line. Try to guess the weight and then ask the op to give you the actual weight. You'll get better at it.
 
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