I'm a Topper !

R

Reg

Branched out member
Location
Victoria, BC
I\'m a Topper !

Lots of arborist or related workers around here seem to have either present or past ties to the logging industry, and generally talk in those kinds of descriptive terms.

I was speaking with the owner in a local saw shop who’s also breaking into arborist hardware of recent. After about 10 minutes of explaining my role as a contract climber, he interrupted.... “ so you’re a topper?”.....I paused, and then replied, “ yeah....that’s right, I’m a topper”. I just couldn’t be bothered going any further. So be it.

Some headcam views from the last couple of months, been a pretty good spring all-in-all

Switch your youtube setting to HD. Thanks

http://youtu.be/FZZB_FTDnwg
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

Your best vids yet Reg.

One handing, bell and ball wire rope chokers on the crane job.

You're becoming a veritable outlaw mate!

Love the drifting, speedlines and other good stuf.

Lookin good and confident up there, gettin paid to play my friend.


jomoco
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

Meh...not bad for a topper.

Sure hope you don't have allergies, some serious pollen flying off some of those.

Always good to watch your vids Reg. Kinda miss some of your old crane vids. Do you mind scooting back over to the UK for some new footage?
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Nice work as always
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

Atta' boy reggie... putting on a clinic! Some nice views up there, it's nice to see the wrench show up, plenty of action shots... glad you posted, I was starting to go through withdrawals.
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Q: What's your review on the 201T?
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

Nice video Reg. I'm curious though, what is the reason that you were hired on most of these as a contract climber? Did the companies just have more work than climbers? Or was there something about them that was particularly difficult?
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

[ QUOTE ]
Nice video Reg. I'm curious though, what is the reason that you were hired on most of these as a contract climber? Did the companies just have more work than climbers? Or was there something about them that was particularly difficult?

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess because I'm more productive all round under the circumstances i.e. my decisions are faster, as is my climbing, and executed with minimal fuss. Most companies dont hire a contract climber because they cant do the job them selves....more in that they dont want to amid all the other pressures of running a tree business.

And then there's the footage I included of the load-share rigging. Not sure if its obvious but the only reason we were able to clear such a great span without touching down is because the the portable winch (mine) was pulling/lifting the loads at the far rigging point. Probably saved about 6 hours labour otherwise, so I guess that foresight and implementation was a good reason to hire me.

You see, being productive is not all about being physically fast and able....but more importantly having the foresight and confidence to make a decision, the right decision from the start as opposed to getting half way and realise that this isn't really working out and then having to come up with a new plan. Thats down to experience and apptitude. I hope that answers your question.

Bixler, the stock 201t is junk. It has a job even push the chain around the bar let alone cut anything.
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

Foresight and implementation, I like it. I have been called brilliant when in all actuality I sometimes consider myself inherently lazy. I want the job done as quickly and safely as possible with as little work as possible so I can get back to doing nothing.
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

Portable winch is a wonderful tool. I've got one in the back of my truck (it's not mine though), used it yesterday to pull down 16 trees in 10 hours, it turned a two day job into a one day job -I thought I heard that thing humming in the background. One of my favorite tree tools. Glad to hear it's in your arsenal.
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

Reg, you're a topper, you're a flopper...

you're a real life bopper


Bein' as you just dance through dem treetops....

See ya in Portland?

Great vid...I just skimmed it a bit. love the one cut straight through crane cuts starting at 17:10 or s0.

I love my chain saw capstan winch..in fact I'm sure I was the first to use it for bi-directional use via a mod of the rope guide. I've lifted then lowered substantial tree tops off houses, and once picked a 85 foot hung bitter cherry in one piece. Had a porta wrap behind it for the real lowering.

Don't use it much now that I have a GRCS (and Super Hawg right angle drill when needed to fast line pull), plus the Hobbs
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

Did yu see the bell n ball ole Reg was usin Rog?

Kinda remind yu of somebody yu ole outlaw?

Fastest draw in the west!

jomoco
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

So that's Cowboy Dave n you tearin up a saloon eh?

That weren't a spur jinglin so much as a bell ringin n clankin!

What size crane 120?

Oops! 40 Ton?

jomoco
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Re: I\'m a Topper !

Thanks again.

Rog, I dont know. Its difficult to get a way because of my wifes work commitments and then not having anyone to look after our daughter. Mite be in Seattle for a weekend this month so I'll call ya.

Adrian, the thing with conifers (single stem) is that they're pretty uncomplicated, and the hinge wood can work in your favour in ways that never would on the majority of hardwoods. Having said that when you're working very much against the clock all the time you still end up walking the tight rope by way of calculated risk. Its often a fine line between success and disaster. I feel fitter for being here with so much high climbing thats for sure.

I think by far the toughest place I worked was Australia....but that was 20 years ago and I'd be better able to deal with some of those horrors with all that I've learnt since.
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

Love the footage Reg. Its so familiar I almost get deja vu...except for all the complex rigging. Looked like your skills saved a bunch of people a lot of bull work on that shoreline job.
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

[ QUOTE ]
I guess because I'm more productive all round under the circumstances i.e. my decisions are faster, as is my climbing, and executed with minimal fuss. Most companies dont hire a contract climber because they cant do the job them selves....more in that they dont want to amid all the other pressures of running a tree business.

[/ QUOTE ]

This answers my question perfectly. I have no knowledge to speak of with using a contract climber or working with one, and I always assumed that they got hired to do things that the company couldn't do. I guess its a perfect example of what happens when you assume. Thanks for taking the time to make videos and answer questions. Not only are they good to watch, I always learn something new. Keep them coming and keep up the great work!
 
Re: I\'m a Topper !

[ QUOTE ]
So that's Cowboy Dave n you tearin up a saloon eh?

That weren't a spur jinglin so much as a bell ringin n clankin!

What size crane 120?

Oops! 40 Ton?

jomoco
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Yup, Dave, who just moved to Oklahoma...he hates our weather...

And that was Mike's 23 ton truck mount...twas the only crane that would fit betwixt the houses....as only its main outriggers need 23 feet....Here's a slide show from that job, going on three years now.

I just took another look at a 78" dbh 120 foot tall plus lombardy poplar I just bid on. They said my price was way high at ~$3800, which included only about $375 for Mike to crane the big wood, and $550 to truck it to the wood recylers so we don't have to buck it to (nearly worthless) firewood. It wouldn't be that hard, but still needs to have a mess of limbs pieced out or tip tied and lowered, and either lower 35-45 foot tops or dump slightly shorter ones. Could possibly be a short day plus two hours max of craning. I'd like to know who the yahoos are who bid it "a lot lower" If we had to buck that big wood, it would easily be worth $900 in labor, and then they'd have to give all that big crap away.
 
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