Crane Work

I know it takes a lot of work to post videos. I appreciate it a lot. It can be very helpful to other in learning new techniques and to show the community what is going on in your neck of the woods.
A couple things I noticed that I have to comment on. 1. Why did you throw your friction saver to the ground? That is a piece of gear that is supporting your life. I think it should be treated with more respect than that. 2. I would highly suggest you use two points of attachment to the stem when making the cuts. Also, tying in with a system that can be used to safely lower you to the ground should an aerial rescue need to be performed. Not only is this just smart, it is also a shall in our safety standards.
But, other than that nice job. You have a system down and have the pick slung and ready to go before the crane gets back to you. That is efficient!!
 
ROYCE said:
I know it takes a lot of work to post videos. I appreciate it a lot. It can be very helpful to other in learning new techniques and to show the community what is going on in your neck of the woods.
A couple things I noticed that I have to comment on. 1. Why did you throw your friction saver to the ground? That is a piece of gear that is supporting your life. I think it should be treated with more respect than that. 2. I would highly suggest you use two points of attachment to the stem when making the cuts. Also, tying in with a system that can be used to safely lower you to the ground should an aerial rescue need to be performed. Not only is this just smart, it is also a shall in our safety standards.
But, other than that nice job. You have a system down and have the pick slung and ready to go before the crane gets back to you. That is efficient!!
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You're probably right about the friction saver, it SHOULD be treated with respect. Although I highly doubt I could drop it enough times to decrease the MBS to a dangerous level (those buckingham steel ring friction savers are tough as nails), but I suppose it's the overall attitude of respect that's important. I did actually tie in twice (2 lanyards) on the first pick but didn't bother for the rest of them. Maybe I just put too much trust in myself as well as my crane operator (I use him for over 90% of the crane work I do). As for the lowerable system...probably not gonna happen any time soon. Too cumbersome and time consuming. I know that comment is gonna open me up for an array of blasts from other arborists inhabiting this site, but so be it. I think the general consensus of the people that have watched my videos is that I am a cavalier SOB that throws caution into the wind to achieve higher production. But my characteristics go with the territory (Western Mountains of Maine). That's whats REALLY going on in this neck of the woods. You should have seen my old man do tree work. The way he operated makes me look over-cautious!

Your suggestions are duly noted, however, and I appreciate the feedback. Thanks!
 
Brady, a well response. I am just putting that out there so you can think about it, that is all. Maybe it will make a difference in your career, maybe it won't. Just planting the seed my friend.
 
I always tie my climb line around the stem near my knees in case the flip line comes off when the stem moves. And in case I need a quick retreat for any reason. Get real dude that tree was tiny a real badass would have just chunked that stem down in half the time and made more money. Why remove all the limbs and then crane out the stem? Would have been more productive to do the tree in 5 or 6 picks with the limbs on. I am not sure what cavalier means ?
 
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owScott said:
I always tie my climb line around the stem near my knees in case the flip line comes off when the stem moves. And in case I need a quick retreat for any reason. Get real dude that tree was tiny a real badass would have just chunked that stem down in half the time and made more money. Why remove all the limbs and then crane out the stem? Would have been more productive to do the tree in 5 or 6 picks with the limbs on. I am not sure what cavalier means ?
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Well Scott, I think you are assuming an awful lot considering you know virtually nothing about this job other than what you saw in the video. Any tree guy worth their salt should know that there are always more elements than the ones you can see from your comfortable computer chair.

The reason for using the crane and not blocking down the whole thing?

For the money I spend on this particular crane service ($100 an hour w/ a three hour minimum) using the crane was a no-brainer. It allowed me to taking larger pieces than I would have wanted to negative block, which in turn allowed me to salvage the value of the wood (logs put $231 back in my pocket). It allowed me to process the wood faster and easier; had I blocked it down I either would have had to rent a skid steer to move the chunks, or cut into handleable lengths (way more labor intensive and time consuming) rendering the wood worthless.

Why did I limb the tree first?

One thing you couldn't see from the video, was that the first pick (the top) was very tricky to put in a spot where it could be processed (this crane doesn't go 360 degrees). The limbs on the top were no longer than 15' and it was like threading a needle to get it down through the canopy of a neighboring birch. The limbs I removed before the crane got there ranged from 2" in diameter to 14" believe it or not (don't expect you to, it wasn't in the video), and some were over 20' long. Trust me, getting the limbs down before the crane got there was not only the best way to go, it was the only way to do it without creating a cluster fuck. And also, seems so obvious but I will say it anyway, why would I pay the crane his hourly rate (100 ph) to wait while my guys limb out each pick opposed to paying my guys (36 ph) to lower and chip the limbs before he gets there? Anything else I should address? I find it very naive to assume so much about a job I'm only catching glimpses of from in front of my computer.


cavalier
/ˌkævəˈlɪə/
adjective
1.
showing haughty disregard; offhand
 
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ROYCE said:
Brady, a well response. I am just putting that out there so you can think about it, that is all. Maybe it will make a difference in your career, maybe it won't. Just planting the seed my friend.
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I do appreciate the response Royce, don't think that I don't. I'm sure one day will come and the seeds that you, as well as others have planted, will take root. I have consistently endeavored to improve efficiency, as well as safety since my fiance and I started our own company. When it was my dad's outfit, shit was done on a wing and a prayer. We provided a good overall product, but were very unorthodox. He was half nuts, lol; he didn't fear death. Since Top Notch Tree Service was created there has been an overhaul on everything including safety, proper equipment, business practices, and a great many other things. It has been a journey but there are still some vestiges of the old ways. And that's what people on this site tend to see. I don't blame them, most of you guys probably went to school for this shit or trained under highly professional tree guys. My tutelage has been a little more colorful :). But little by little I am assimilating into somewhat of a safety oriented tree guy. But as you can see I'm going at my own pace :). But I still appreciate the feedback. Thank You!
 
Brady Chapman said:
I do appreciate the response Royce, don't think that I don't. I'm sure one day will come and the seeds that you, as well as others have planted, will take root. I have consistently endeavored to improve efficiency, as well as safety since my fiance and I started our own company. When it was my dad's outfit, shit was done on a wing and a prayer. We provided a good overall product, but were very unorthodox. He was half nuts, lol; he didn't fear death. Since Top Notch Tree Service was created there has been an overhaul on everything including safety, proper equipment, business practices, and a great many other things. It has been a journey but there are still some vestiges of the old ways. And that's what people on this site tend to see. I don't blame them, most of you guys probably went to school for this shit or trained under highly professional tree guys. My tutelage has been a little more colorful :). But little by little I am assimilating into somewhat of a safety oriented tree guy. But as you can see I'm going at my own pace :). But I still appreciate the feedback. Thank You!
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Brady, I think you have a very good head on your shoulders. I did go to school for this and was also fortunate enough to work with some very highly skilled people in my younger years. My comments to you are a way for me to pay that knowledge and teaching forward. If I can share something with you that helps you become better or makes you safer than I feel I am paying back all those that helped me along the way.
 
Brady- a couple of things- the nylon slings you are using can slip on dead trees or when its wet. I almost put a log thru a house once on a dead wet pine tree. I would suggest a liftex sling. Listen to Royce he is a phenomal climber and treeguy. You cant afford/ dont have have the time to not tie in with a lowerable system. Some of the most talented and productive people in tree care are on this site. They tie in twice. Youve got time. If you dont you havent sold the job correctly. Plain and simple. Your area is a great area for tree work. There is alot of tourist money. Forget your peers and be the leader. People are impressed and put at ease when they see the people on their property working safe. Good luck!
 
ROYCE said:
Brady, I think you have a very good head on your shoulders. I did go to school for this and was also fortunate enough to work with some very highly skilled people in my younger years. My comments to you are a way for me to pay that knowledge and teaching forward. If I can share something with you that helps you become better or makes you safer than I feel I am paying back all those that helped me along the way.
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What is the composition of the lowerable system you generally use? I'm sure there are different ones based on what you are doing...crane work, ddrt, srt.?
 
RE: Descent system as 2nd TIP

I like to explain it like this; planning an escape route is 2nd nature for most when felling.
- 2 routes
- 45* left or right, aft of the fall
- dont turn your back on the tree
- etc

So...what is our "escape route" when aloft? 1x or 2x lanyards dont provide the best options. A descent system affords a means of escape if required.
 
Brady Chapman said:
What is the composition of the lowerable system you generally use? I'm sure there are different ones based on what you are doing...crane work, ddrt, srt.?
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Could be as simple as a running bowline at the top of the spar while climbing SRT (rope wrench, Hitch Hiker, f8 revolver type ect. ect. ect). Even simpler, you have a double line set up right there on you, and could use that in conjunction with an adjustable cambium saver of sorts. There are many options out there. Im not sure if this is the case but there may also be a miss understanding here. Lowerable does not neccessarily mean from the ground. It can be at the climber such as the climbing system you are currently using.
Over all you did a good job, very efficient, no waisted movements. It may take a little getting used to with the safety concerns but after a couple weeks you wont see any delay.
Thanks for sharing.
 
brady dont take these guys knockin' ya. we dont know what we dont know. read thru the lines on some of these posts, find a system that works for you and disregard the parts where people talk to you like your a backwood Maine tree hack.
look up the Petzl Pirahna figure 8 or rope wrench even if just for spar work, or hitch climber set up. i climbed like i was suicidal or dumb until i was finally exposed to so much more than i knew.
 
CutHighnLetFly said:
brady dont take these guys knockin' ya. we dont know what we dont know. read thru the lines on some of these posts, find a system that works for you and disregard the parts where people talk to you like your a backwood Maine tree hack.
look up the Petzl Pirahna figure 8 or rope wrench even if just for spar work, or hitch climber set up. i climbed like i was suicidal or dumb until i was finally exposed to so much more than i knew.
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The Pirahna is a perfect, simple, and cheap option for you. I like this set up alot actually. Running bowline on the spar with the Pirahna locked while cutting. It is not only lowerable, but will give you advantages in negative rigging a spar (setting block/rings, face cut, and tying up the piece) or to just give yourself a rest and sit back in your saddle after hours on spikes with a larger saw.
 
MikePowers321 said:
The Pirahna is a perfect, simple, and cheap option for you. I like this set up alot actually. Running bowline on the spar with the Pirahna locked while cutting. It is not only lowerable, but will give you advantages in negative rigging a spar (setting block/rings, face cut, and tying up the piece) or to just give yourself a rest and sit back in your saddle after hours on spikes with a larger saw.
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Then graduate to a retrievable tip set up that allows you to lower rapidly to next cutting zone. Stay tied in from above as you cut your notch perfect, cause you can fly around the trunk so comfortably. Retrieve the set up, reset. Make the back cut, rinse and repeat. That set up rules in big pines sending big chunks. Safe and efficient.
 
frashdog said:
Then graduate to a retrievable tip set up that allows you to lower rapidly to next cutting zone. Stay tied in from above as you cut your notch perfect, cause you can fly around the trunk so comfortably. Retrieve the set up, reset. Make the back cut, rinse and repeat. That set up rules in big pines sending big chunks. Safe and efficient.
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SRT retrievable anchor for spar work?!

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