Given the choice?

tod_k

tod_k

Location
Chicago
While doing removals manually and you are down to just the spar, would you rather cut and chunck small portions or just rig it, given the job lets you choose? I saw some of my co workers at a job yesterday they choose to cut and chunk. I personally feel it is less demanding on the body to just rig out larger pieces plus you have less exposure to the power saw.
 
I will always take chunking over rigging if at all possible. For rigging, I must place my well-being in the hands of the guy on the other end of the rope. I have been slammed around one too many times from the 'ropeman' locking down and letting the chunk slam back into the trunk right next to my feet. Nope, I'd rather make a few extra cuts and let the chunks fall harmlessly away from my body.

Running a chainsaw does not bother me. I think it's even fun. Your 'chainsaw exposure' comment doesn't compute for me. I am leery of people who are afraid of running a chainsaw, I tend to stay way clear of them when they are cutting.
 
I uasually have the opportunity to cut and chunk big pieces.
grin.gif
 
I tend to cut and chuck for the same reasons as above. Also if the stuff needs to be cut into small pieces eventually either for the customer to keep for logs or in order to be able to remove from site by hand then doing it while up the tree means the ground crew can get on with shifting it rather than large pieces coming dowm which then need cutting up later. Using a chainsaw safely in the tree should be no more hazardous than using it on the ground. Also, if your lucky, the sawdust might blow away!!
 
The enviorment I am usally working in will not allow for cutting and chuncking. Given that I seem to be more comfortable rigging peices down. I am also fortunate to be working with well trained rope handlers so that part is not an issue for me. Part of the issue for me with exposure to a saw is repeated use, plus I just do not like them.
 
i prefer to 'cut and chunk' i think rocky j hit the nail on head with his answer.sometimes i feel it can be quicker on a job as a hole as the pieces can be loaded while the next is being cut also riggin large pieces off can sometimes be quite time consuming
 
Todd,

One factor I think about is how it will be loaded. If we are using a log truck, then I'll try to cut 16 footers (free fall when possible). If we will be using a tractor because the truck can't get close enough, then I'll cut 4'-5' lengths.

Whether or not to rope them depends on the risk of damage and sometimes how the day is going. If the roping is difficult and I am frustrated, then I'll try to eliminate the rope. If time is running well and the guy on the other end is on the ball, then I'll keep roping. I also look at the expectations of the client. If it was sold to preserve the grass, then so be it. If a pool is coming next month- no mercy!
 
I'd vote cut-n-chunk when possible. It seems faster than rigging and the wood is easier to handle (it's all by brute force in my little world right now!) I only rig when I have targets or no good landing zone. I must admit that I am hardly ever lucky enough for the sawdust to blow away!
 
As far as length it does not really matter for us.Most of the time the material is going through a 36" gate and we recycle all of our material into mulch. One thing I find fruastrating about this trade is how terms mean different things depending on locations. I have done a poor job in communicating my question. By cut and chunck was thinking more like having to make a step cut and then man handle the material to avoid obsticles like bushes or a fence. If I could put a pull line and face out a large piece I would obviously do that. So given the choice what would you do?
 
Air-mailing is always hazardous(watch the bounce!). I prefer control over everything I send down. Rigging enables larger pieces, less time on the spar, and less sawing in the tree. Yes, a chainsaw in a tree is fundamentally a bad idea, much safer to buck wood on the ground where you can be on you're feet and able to move quickly if need be. I have well over 5000 hrs. of saw use under my belt and I have never found it to be "fun". Don't get complacent, have respect for your saw, and no hot-doggin' in a tree. As for the groundsies, I find that they pay much closer attention when they are involved in the rigging process, I don't want anyone walking blindly into my drop-zone. Control reduces risk, increasing everyones chance of going home at night.
 
That is how I prefer to work. Like I said earlier I will bomb pieces out with a pull rope if the job lets me, but I would rather rig than cut and chunck I just find it safer and easier.
 
I'm on the other side here. If I'm on a spar bringing down logs, I expect a certain amount of "going for a ride" when the rigging catches the load. Of course, I try to screen for rope men who can minimize this, but there are chunks now and then that must be stopped before they are lowered to avoid swinging into house, etc. It's just part of it, I think. And I'm in the camp of "start the saw as seldom as possible" to reduce my exposure to the elevated risk. Yes, I stay well clear of the saw when it's running, but it only takes one mistake/fluke to end a career.

k

I've tossed a lot of chunks, but most of the time protecting the landscape is a priority and I don't want to risk the bad throw/bad bounce.
 
I agree with nearly all the points made above which makes it hard to say which method I prefer. Most jobs here in the uk have poor acces, so "log trucks" are rarely a feature. Cut and chuck only works where there is no risk not low risk. Rigging may be quicker for the climber to get back to ground but if its all got to be carried out, then the jobs not finished till thats done, then I would cut it small from the tree and let the groundies keep shifting it. No reason for anyone to go into the drop zone when the saws revving. As for pulling long sections off with a rope, no thanks. As MC says though, if the job is sold on the rigging expertise, then rigging it is, no short cuts there. Also rigging an easy spare that could be dropped in sections with no risk, is a great way for groundies to gain more experience for when it really counts, and that can't be bad. Loads of options either way.
How does one calculate number of hours with a saw?
I've got a great rigging job coming up and will try and post some pics. I've enjoyed looking at the pics on this site and will try and show a brit job in action. No huge trucks here though!
Oh and I've never had the sawdust blow away either. Would be nice though eh?
 
On the sawdust thing-
When chunking down a spar (repetitive cutting, one chunk after another) I can usually work with the wind to keep the sawdust off myself as well as not spraying the guys working on the ground. I can swap hands with the saw so it's discharging the other way, or else I will cut with the top of the bar.

Sometimes I will use the top of the bar and intentionally spray the landing area with sawdust so the ground guys know I'm ready to cut another chunk and to clear out of the landing zone. This is an effective method when the chipper is running nearby and verbal commands are inaudible. LMAO!
 
By blow away, I meant blow away gone for good no need to clear it up. Not ever going to happen I know. Keeping it away from myself not too much of a problem.
If your chunking down a spar, and I'm assuming we're talking 12inch plus, do you need the chipper running? I'm not sure a bit of falling sawdust is enough to warn people away from the drop zone, I would prefer that they could just hear my saw, or me, before cutting and keep them away for the whole duration of the cut, not just half way through when the sawdust might happen to land on their helmets and warn them of incomming widdow maker!
 
Hi Rupe,
I was trying to be humorous but I guess it was lost.

And yes, the chipper is usually still running when I'm chunking down the spar because I just got done putting the top of the tree on the ground and the crew is hustling to finish cleaning it up as I chunk the wood.
 
You can but tie a piece twenty feet long rigging it , and just let it run to hit the ground , than lay it down . Can save you time . The biggest benifet of lowering devices is that you can tell your lowering man how many wraps to take, if he doesn't know tell him . I 'm sure everyone "here" knows what a log wieghs . Why do you want to cut firewood in the air ? The bigger the better , the faster the easier.$$ Most ropes and trees will hold more than most people have the nads to cut.
 
Hi Rocky, the humour wasn't lost, and I was adding to it. Lost in translation? I'm trying to get to grips with our huge language barrier! I'm only guessing what a spar is! Trunk? Stem? Although if your groundies are still clearing the top of the tree, then they won't be under you while you're cutting so no worries. Oh and we would say chogging for cut and chuck. Toodle pip
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom