Gerasimek's Tree-mek

Jerad Oren · Dec 27, 2015

luckydad said:
When are you going to sell that bucket truck ??

Yes I think it time

ROYCE · Dec 27, 2015

How do you remove a large conifer tree? Also, could you show a video of a complete tree removal. I have seen videos of the brush being removed, but no one has shown anything od how you remove large wood, or the large main stem.

frashdog · Dec 27, 2015

Yes wondering about the same.
Like a spruce. Tons of small limbs.

You can use just the saw, correct?

Jerad Oren · Dec 27, 2015

Conifers that are very bushy can be a pain for that setup. Either put the bucket on or take it in sections with the hook. I'll try to set up a full takedown for a short video

Lumberjack · Dec 27, 2015

You could use the saw to bomb the limbs, or just run the grapple in and cut the truck carrying the limbs with it if the whorls are far enough apart.

Gerasimek · Dec 27, 2015

Lumberjack said:
You could use the saw to bomb the limbs, or just run the grapple in and cut the truck carrying the limbs with it if the whorls are far enough apart.

If it's a sparse conifer, it'll work great. If it's really thick, getting the grapple in to grab the trunk can be difficult and sometimes impossible. The great thing about the tree-mek is its versatility. You have options. You can still do it the old fashioned way with the basket. On my facebook I have many pictures of pine removals and removals of spars with just the hook.
This picture is of scotch pine removals.

Gerasimek · Dec 27, 2015

ROYCE said:
How do you remove a large conifer tree? Also, could you show a video of a complete tree removal. I have seen videos of the brush being removed, but no one has shown anything od how you remove large wood, or the large main stem.

In most removals, I can get enough off of the tree to just drop what's left. In this case I climbed up my ladder and put some slings on to lift it out.

Gareth's Tree · Dec 27, 2015

Jerad Oren said:
Conifers that are very bushy can be a pain for that setup. Either put the bucket on or take it in sections with the hook. I'll try to set up a full takedown for a short video

Jerad, what kind of setup were you using? Do you just have the bucket or do you also have a crane? I currently have a small (65' 12.5 ton) crane (with a bucket attatchment when needed) that we use on almost all of our tree jobs. And I am wondering how the Tree-Mek will compare to using a traditional Crane method as far as time savings?

Gerasimek · Dec 27, 2015

frashdog said:
Yes wondering about the same.
Like a spruce. Tons of small limbs.

You can use just the saw, correct?

Gerasimek · Dec 27, 2015

These pines were growing in a line along a busy road. They were sparse enough for me to use the Mecanil SG220 to remove everything down to about 20'-25'. At this point I just grab the top of the spar and cut it off at the ground.

ROYCE · Dec 27, 2015

Gerasimek said:
These pines were growing in a line along a busy road. They were sparse enough for me to use the Mecanil SG220 to remove everything down to about 20'-25'. At this point I just grab the top of the spar and cut it off at the ground.

The nice things is it is a crane. Just take the grapple saw off and go back to traditional style of sling and cut. Even if it's just for the last few cuts or picks. I am just trying to wrap my head around if it would really be any faster or more efficient than the traditional style of crane work. Seams to me like you have this crane that is capable of picking large, but instead your taking MANY small picks. I understand that there is no climber involved, and that is viewed as a savings. Yet so many of these Knucklebooms come with a remote control that the climber or bucket operator can use.

Gerasimek · Dec 27, 2015

ROYCE said:
The nice things is it is a crane. Just take the grapple saw off and go back to traditional style of sling and cut. Even if it's just for the last few cuts or picks. I am just trying to wrap my head around if it would really be any faster or more efficient than the traditional style of crane work. Seams to me like you have this crane that is capable of picking large, but instead your taking MANY small picks. I understand that there is no climber involved, and that is viewed as a savings. Yet so many of these Knucklebooms come with a remote control that the climber or bucket operator can use.

I guess the biggest questions you need to ask yourself is : Can I climb and do bucket work until I retire? Do I enjoy having employees?
Here's the thing about taking smaller pieces: you can bring a piece down, rotate it, and set it right on the chipper deck for 1 guy to process while you're getting the next one and you don't need a big area to do it.
So, at the end of the day(comparing to a stick crane, ground crew, and climber) I pay less for labor, less workers' comp, and there is hardly any risk involved. I, as an employer, put far more money in my pocket.
Is that a good explanation? I want to make sure I'm clear.

KnuckleboomTrader · Dec 27, 2015

Hey guys, I'm working on an article about the Mecanil grapple saw and I am looking for some pictures or videos to add to the article. If anyone has any that they will give me permission to use that would be awesome. I will give you or your company full credit in the article.

Thanks,

Todd

ROYCE · Dec 27, 2015

Gerasimek said:
I guess the biggest questions you need to ask yourself is : Can I climb and do bucket work until I retire? Do I enjoy having employees?
Here's the thing about taking smaller pieces: you can bring a piece down, rotate it, and set it right on the chipper deck for 1 guy to process while you're getting the next one and you don't need a big area to do it.
So, at the end of the day(comparing to a stick crane, ground crew, and climber) I pay less for labor, less workers' comp, and there is hardly any risk involved. I, as an employer, put far more money in my pocket.
Is that a good explanation? I want to make sure I'm clear.

Yeah, I understand that side of the equation. However, Your talking about 1 less guy on the tree crew. That is not really saving you a ton of money at the end of the year. Also, in my area with a smaller size tree company I need to think about ways to get the job done FAST. In the summer months, heck..even this winter we have been extremely busy. I am looking at ways of getting those two or three more jobs done in a week. Just to keep up with the demand.
We run two guys on the ground, one climber, We sub out the crane. I wouldn't buy a stick crane, I would buy a knuckle boom that would allow the climber, or bucket operator to use the remote control. That right there saves you a high paid employee. Now, you have two guys on the ground processing up the branches. Also, one good ground guy with a good chipper and a log truck can process a good size crane pick in minutes. It's tiring on that individual to do it day in and day out, that is why we have two. Plus we need a driver for the third vehicle.
Again, I am not against your method. Just trying to decide if it would work in my business. I am sure your making it work and that it works wonderfully for others who are in a different situation than me.

Tanner28 · Dec 27, 2015

ROYCE said:
The nice things is it is a crane. Just take the grapple saw off and go back to traditional style of sling and cut. Even if it's just for the last few cuts or picks. I am just trying to wrap my head around if it would really be any faster or more efficient than the traditional style of crane work. Seams to me like you have this crane that is capable of picking large, but instead your taking MANY small picks. I understand that there is no climber involved, and that is viewed as a savings. Yet so many of these Knucklebooms come with a remote control that the climber or bucket operator can use.

I've also purchased a Palfinger that is waiting to be built with the grapple saw. In my opinion, no specific setup will always the fastest, but the grapple will be most of the time. For me anyway, it brings a different strategy to the table for handling tree work and that is appealing. There's less rigging, yet as much or more gets done with a more simple approach. Each business has a different game plan, and a grapple saw is just another way for the team to play the game.

ROYCE · Dec 27, 2015

Tanner28 said:
I've also purchased a Palfinger that is waiting to be built with the grapple saw. In my opinion, no specific setup will always the fastest, but the grapple will be most of the time. For me anyway, it brings a different strategy to the table for handling tree work and that is appealing. There's less rigging, yet as much or more gets done with a more simple approach. Each business has a different game plan, and a grapple saw is just another way for the team to play the game.

I disagree that the grapple will be fastest most of the time. I know there are a lot of variables, but using my dingo to grapple out one limb at a time from the back yard is not as quick as grappling out half of the tree at a time. I kinda feel that is what is being done with the tree grapple. 100's of little picks that are easy for the ground guy to process. Instead of taking larger or even medium size picks. I am interested in seeing this process in person, or side by side with a traditional knuckle boom removal.
Again, if your desire it to be a two person crew I think this would be great for your tree company. Its just around here, we take down huge trees.

Gareth's Tree · Dec 27, 2015

ROYCE said:
Yeah, I understand that side of the equation. However, Your talking about 1 less guy on the tree crew. That is not really saving you a ton of money at the end of the year. Also, in my area with a smaller size tree company I need to think about ways to get the job done FAST. In the summer months, heck..even this winter we have been extremely busy. I am looking at ways of getting those two or three more jobs done in a week. Just to keep up with the demand.
We run two guys on the ground, one climber, We sub out the crane. I wouldn't buy a stick crane, I would buy a knuckle boom that would allow the climber, or bucket operator to use the remote control. That right there saves you a high paid employee. Now, you have two guys on the ground processing up the branches. Also, one good ground guy with a good chipper and a log truck can process a good size crane pick in minutes. It's tiring on that individual to do it day in and day out, that is why we have two. Plus we need a driver for the third vehicle.
Again, I am not against your method. Just trying to decide if it would work in my business. I am sure your making it work and that it works wonderfully for others who are in a different situation than me.

My previous post was asking much the same question. As I said, I am currently using a stick Crane for my removals, although it is a small crane. I guess I will be a guinea pig to find out what I think about the grapple saw vs. at least a small stick Crane. I think that the versatility of being able to use a grapple saw, a man basket, or a Crane with the climber having a remote control, will be an advantage. But I am not sure how often the grapple saw only will be the fastest way to remove a given tree. I guess time will tell.

Gerasimek · Dec 27, 2015

ROYCE said:
I disagree that the grapple will be fastest most of the time. I know there are a lot of variables, but using my dingo to grapple out one limb at a time from the back yard is not as quick as grappling out half of the tree at a time. I kinda feel that is what is being done with the tree grapple. 100's of little picks that are easy for the ground guy to process. Instead of taking larger or even medium size picks. I am interested in seeing this process in person, or side by side with a traditional knuckle boom removal.
Again, if your desire it to be a two person crew I think this would be great for your tree company. Its just around here, we take down huge trees.

You should come out and watch. It'd be the best way for you to make up your mind.
Allmark came down from Albany to watch. I never timed how long rigging a limb down took. Apparently, he had and was excited to tell me that the tree-mek was faster than rigging and he intended to set up his crane with a Mecanil SG220. As far as lifting giant picks goes, yes, that is fast. There's just alot of people, equipment, and space involved. If that works for you, that's great. Don't be foolish and buy a knuckleboom without hydraulics at the tip, though. A Mecanil SG220 is a cheap attachment that you will definitely want as an option.
Good luck and feel free to stop out next spring. I won't be starting up until March.
This picture is a big tree for me. I do many like this. Bob Montgomery (tree-mek #2) in Cleveland does freaking monster trees! Cleveland has some massive trees. You should talk to him sometime. He doesn't really do much social media though.