How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Groundie

Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

How about not chunkin the wood onto the brush.
In the case of a tree that can be blown apart quickly, I tell my groundies to take a break while I get all the brush on the ground, then we clean up together. This way I'm not sittng in the tree waiting to make cuts while the ground guy clears out, and the ground guy doesn't have to drag ALL the brush.
I believe if you can get your groundies to respect you they'll be better groundies.
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

The way I like to do it is not to over load the groundie with brush, I'll cut a few limbs, they'll drag them out while I'm moving up to the next ones.

A couple of times I've had guys tell me they want to just sit around while I knock all the limbs off, so I let them go on and on about how it would be easier if I came down and helped them after then, one day I do just that, we waste a long time and alot of energy pulling apart the pile and suddenly they respect the fact that by not coming down to help them I'm actually saving them alot of hard work.
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

[ QUOTE ]
The way I like to do it is not to over load the groundie with brush, I'll cut a few limbs, they'll drag them out while I'm moving up to the next ones.

A couple of times I've had guys tell me they want to just sit around while I knock all the limbs off, so I let them go on and on about how it would be easier if I came down and helped them after then, one day I do just that, we waste a long time and alot of energy pulling apart the pile and suddenly they respect the fact that by not coming down to help them I'm actually saving them alot of hard work.

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That's a good point, if you're dealing with a lot of brush like as in an evergreen removal, it's better to cut a whirl let the ground crew clear it away while moving up to the next whirl.

Another thing I try to do when practical is to cut pieces small enough that the ground guy won't need to cut anything. Since I already have a saw in hand, why not make the cuts for him?
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

I'll do that if I know I'll be refueling. If I can get the tree down on one tank then I'll minimize the running time of the saw. Nothing more frustrating then being down to the last cut and running out.

It is usually better if the groundies aren't seen by the clients sitting around too much.
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

Groundie, It still sounds weird to me. In my whole life I've never called anyone a groundie. There's always tomorrow. I'll give it a try, see how it bodes with the crew. What's the worst they could do? Laugh at me for using such silly terms?
Bring it on groundies.
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

I do not need a ladder, But after 10 or so big climbs a day X 6 days a week, I can sure appreciate one!
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

Great thread! Uh...how about, wait until the chainsaw is tied and I yell an audible before pulling it up!
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

.... the reason sitting is NOT tolerated is the fact that if something "un-expected" happens you will be able to move easily out of the way ... as opposed to the dude sitting who first has to stand up ...
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

THE ONLY THING THAT STRESSES ME OUT ABOUT A GROUND GUY, IS WHEN THEY WONT LEARN A COUPLE SIMPLE KNOTS, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THAT YOU TRY TO TEACH THEM, SO THEY CAN GET WHAT YOU NEED TO YOU, A BOWLINE OR CLOVE HITCH! RULE 30, LEARN A COUPLE OF KNOTS! EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE NOT CLIMING OR RIGGING, THEY STILL COME IN HANDY!
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

Run the game like you are a top-flight quarterback.

Call every play, clearly, concisely. Your "receivers" need to know which way to turn on a timing play.

Realize that no matter how effectively we "block", "run" and "catch", the top or chunk you're square-rigging will hit the trunk: take the hit, be ready for it. All we can do is take the speed off the hit, give you time to get ready.

We expect you to have a portfolio of set plays. If a set play has not worked twice, we need a time out or a practice before we try it again.

When a tough play is handled well, it's your job to be cheerleader, we're just getting it done, on the line, down the field.

Start screaming or acting like a prima-donna, we'll lose faith, suggest the "Coach" get a new QB or look for a trade.


Northwind
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

AHhhh.... the relationship between a climber and a groundman. It's always interesting for me to hear about other climber's experiences with various aspects of the job, particularly with clearing brush. I think we all probably started on the ground, learning the trade before donning a set of spurs. I remember dragging brush for a very proficient climber. He kept me busy and I started thinking that he had it sooo easy just cuttin' and chuckin' while I did all the real work. HA! Soon thereafter I started climbing myself and realized the difficulty of the job that he made look so easy. My point is this- while I truly believe that tree work is a team sport and we all should strive to work in a way that makes us all safe, efficient, and able to deliver a quality job, in the end tree work is just that... WORK! So, for me, I sometimes find it hard to swallow when a "groundie' complains about how hard he is working, thinking that he's the only one. Quit whining!
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

Rule #1 Bring your own smokes at least once a week! (Just because I might make more an hour doesnt mean I can afford your habit!)
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

I remember when I started doing tree work I was the groundman for a hot shot climber who thought every tree was a race. There is nothing like cleaning up a huge pine that had huge logs sitting on all the brush while your "amazing" climber sits in the cab listening to howard stern. I will admit he was fast but he was pretty dumb too. After enduring that for 4 months in the beginning of my tree career I swore I would never do the same to my groundman.
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

I worked with a climber like that. He'd stop only when he couldn't move his rope. Always drop only as much as the ground crew can move to keep the drop zone clear and the ropes free.
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

I love this !!It should be like a well timed dance!! Ebb and flow....I think talking the whole time is a great way to go .....draw your team into the equation. not only is it efficient it s respectful!! And oh yes as stated earlier.......definately No whining! I keep kleenex in my truck just in case someone cries!!! lol
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

[ QUOTE ]
Realize that no matter how effectively we "block", "run" and "catch", the top or chunk you're square-rigging will hit the trunk: take the hit, be ready for it. All we can do is take the speed off the hit, give you time to get ready.



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I beg to differ I have a groundman who is also a climber and he is unbelieveable with a rope. I have one job still stuck in my mind where I was about 60' up a spruce after hand bombing out all the brush I tied the tops on cut them and got jerked a very little amount on each, the next block was about 10-12" and 6' long, cut it closed my eyes, braced myself and waited for the bang, NEVER HAPPENEND...

I couldn't believe it at all, I couldn't praise him enough, to have the skill to bring a block down that size without shaking the tree, hitting the garages on either side or even knocking down the fire wood pile stacked at the base.
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

The "groundie" that can rope like that is better than a second climber on a job. I've known a few guys that can rope like that and some of them can't really do anything else as good as they can rope...to me it doesn't matter. I will come down and drag all the brush and move the wood too if they rope like that every day (maybe i'm exagerating a little) but anyway, I love it when you brace for the load that never happens! Its like waking up from a dream where you just got arrested!
 
Re: How to be an Excellent Climber---from the Grou

Yep, one of the groundies that work with me on the weekend is like that. Soft hands on the rope, never a bump. Almost like falling and missing the ground.
 
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