Re: \"Extreme Rigging\"
4ft bar on an 088/3120 - or even a 3ft bar on a 066/394. There are few pros I know who can handle a saw this awkward accurately in the horizontal on spurs. So this is definitely not a technique for novices! I don't associate trees this complex with novices! Which is another reason for using this technique - avoids the awkwardness of cutting a proper notch of this diameter - the elbows can stay close in at the lower ribs. There seems to be an oversight of what working with timber this size is like
.
I think there are also differences in the way businesses are set up typically in the US compared to UK; I get the impression some of you have big lifting equipment and big chippers and usually easy access? Thats just not the case over here. We have poor access. There is no point having gear like that unless you have a regular municipal contract - most of the time it wouldn't get used because it won't fit through the tightbends and narrow roads, and if it does you can't park it. The example is a big backyard tree with narrow roads and little drop zone, but typically a prize lawn and other expensive property. In my area, steep hillsides with roads below are typical. Thats a lot of compounded risks. Most experienced riggers I've updated over here immediately see the benefits of the technique once we run the risks, numbers and options.
Everything has to be cut up and carried out. The sort of jobs that take 3 men between 3 and 5 days. Its normal over here.
Also, the trees don't have metres and metres of wood of that consistent diameter - its usually many forks and burrs/bulges at all angles for the last 25ft max. So little rope length for energy absorption or distance for fall of long sections. Plus little opportunity to place a sling where you might like. I'll take some pics when I next see a typical example. Quite often its just a few cuts to bring the pole down to a safe felling height, but those few pieces can run away at great speed into traffic/targets.
This is what is meant by 'extreme' - it can't be done in the usual way, and you can't risk free dropping lumps or even chogs.
If I was worried that 'experienced climbers' might laugh at me, I'd probably be dead by now doing things I know are dangerous - I've got bags full of wrecked equipment from such climbers. And I've seen them have unnecessary accidents, and cause road traffic accidents, because they didn't think things through properly.
There are 5 climbers I knew personally pushing up daisies, and others who were also mechanical engineers. All died rigging trees.
Run the numbers.
