more fun with knucklebooms

MikePoor · Jul 11, 2006

here is the trunk being picked. (sure would've been nice to have that out the way, but didn't slow us down anyway)

Norm_Hall · Jul 11, 2006

That is one impressive crane pick. WOW!

allmark · Jul 12, 2006

How much did you figure that weighed?

Colin · Jul 12, 2006

Any particular reason for the low sling placement?

MikePoor · Jul 12, 2006

in my last post i forgot to type in the word car (next to the outrigger in photo) sorry. hey m.b., i set slings low to make it easier to lay down in the truck bed (but only when i'm sure it won't flip over eg. decay below & solid above)hey allmark, how's crane shopping going! i figured the log weight about 7400 lbs. hey norm, your pal mike dirksen came by a job (elm removal) a couple weeks ago & took some photos. it was cool to see him there. (dozens of arborists from out of town tell me they're going to come check out the crane, but dirksen is the first to check out the newer/3yr. old crane) we did alot more talking than working! which was a nice break.

tod_k · Jul 12, 2006

Mike that limb over the house looked like a good canadate for some spider legs, you got to try them.

Mark Chisholm · Jul 12, 2006

Here's a question I'd like to ask the gang; What do you do when you have to pick short hunks of wood due to weight constrictions?

The reason I ask is I am wondering how you all deal with having to pick from a max radius and you'd like to ensure that there is no tip over of the log.

I have a 44" cottonwood to remove between a couple of summer homes that will require some 4' logs to be picked off. Some have told me that they used tongs in this case. What do you do?

Mr_Ed · Jul 12, 2006

Myself, I use two chains with locking hooks. set them opposite sides of the log, and cut deep (6") notches in the top of the log to sit them in. That way, I get no tipping, and if you tension them first, the chains will 'bite' into the wood far better than a sling.
Have used tongs for lifting off the ground, but not for lifting out of a tree. They seem to work well, and I'd trust them 95% of the time.....

Mangoes · Jul 12, 2006

Long Amsteel slings, not that I've done it lots, but I'd running bowline low, with a Marl above c of g, with the dead eye in the hook/shackle. 2 slings, 180 degrees opposed.

Only an idea from a guy who plays with big cranes at most half a dozen times a year.

Norm_Hall · Jul 12, 2006

This is what we do. Appropriate size wire rope choker and 2 screw pin shackles. Notches are cut to fit the choker into to prevent slipping off. 3 pic sequence.
1st one shows how we would normally choke it using wire rope.

Norm_Hall · Jul 12, 2006

This 1 shows the opposite side. We take the other eye off of the hook and place the middle of the choker back on the hook. We need the other eye for rigging.

Norm_Hall · Jul 12, 2006

Plumb the load line and the result is a strate lift.

TreeCo · Jul 12, 2006

That looks like a great rigging technique Norm.

Mark,

Cottonwood bark slips easily I believe.

allmark · Jul 12, 2006

Mike shopping is going well Im trying to schedual time this fall to come out and see yours. Been doing alot of repairs on my stuff lately so it gets me itchy to buy. I still have to use my head and wait though.

MikePoor · Jul 12, 2006

hey norm, isn't that the "norm hall self leveling rig" that you showed us a few yrs. ago? that's one of the coolest set-ups i've ever seen! hey mark chisholm, i would think norms rig would be the ticket for short wood. what do ya' think? ( i usually just use 2 polyester round slings set high & wedged in notches, if i had more steelchockers i'd try norm's rig.)

Mark Chisholm · Jul 13, 2006

I'm still thinking a bit. I have seen Norm's setup before (very cool) and have notched wood before. Just wondering what other solutions others have found already.

Norm_Hall · Jul 13, 2006

That's the 1. Have used it many a time for strate lifts.
Mark, the largest tongs I have found for overhead lifting only opened to 24". The larger tongs say "Not for overhead lifting. For skidding purposes only".

Mark Chisholm · Jul 24, 2006

I have to do the Cottonwood tomorrow. Here's a pic of it. No big deal, just no drop zone and will be a long radius, so long day. I always say long radius=long day! /forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I have an idea for the wood to enable me to not tip it over, yet keep it taught without slipping. I'll try it tomorrow and get some pics.