North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Training

Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

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Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

Looks and sounds like a great success Jim
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Hopefully some of the participants might offer some feedback on this thread.
 
Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

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Looks and sounds like a great success Jim
beerchug.gif


Hopefully some of the participants might offer some feedback on this thread.

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I can tell you, as a spectator on day 1, all the picks were very smooth.

When we've done crane work we use 1 steel choker most of the time. The seminar showed me the ins and outs of using spider legs and/or round slings to tie pieces higher in multiple spots so the picks will be butt heavy but still safely tied, spreading the load to 2 or 3 points. Definitly key stuff to know.

Also shown were ways to choke spar pcs. so they will pick nearly vertically but be able to be landed more easily than absolutely vertical picks.

In other words, how to make picks that look like Reg picks...
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Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

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Looks like it was an amazing day. Great photos! Hope to be there next year.

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YAY!!! Bear's here!!!! Welcome to the buzz, Bear!!!

-Tom
 
Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

If anyone has any additional pictures please send me a PM or email, Ill host them on the Facebook page and here for everyone to see.
 
Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

[ QUOTE ]
If anyone has any additional pictures please send me a PM or email, Ill host them on the Facebook page and here for everyone to see.

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I think Laura has a few but it may take a day or two to get them uploaded.

Anyway, props to you guys for a good little course. My main suggestion for you if you choose to continue putting on this event is to get a few more knowledgeable people on site. Mark and Brian were excellent but a bit too busy in my opinion. One or two more people on the ground with expertise would have not only lightened their work load but would have made it easier for those not in the tree to discuss what was going on, the weights of the picks, the reason for certain sling placement, why the cut was being made where it was, etc. This would have changed the ground time from a fruitless socializing event and speculation on crane work with other newbs to a much more productive learning experience.

As was already stated, Mayer's equipment is top notch and a joy to work with, it's almost hard to believe he has to pay guys to work with that level of machinery. I felt as if I was in some sort of treework playground both days and am honored to have that experience under my belt.

I think everyone involved did an excellent job from the instructors to the cooks and staff at "The Farm" ( my new favorite diner/bar, wish there was one near me ) but most of my respect goes to the crane ops. These guys are used to a seriously fast paced world of high production and they were kind enough to slow their roll and hold the hands of fumbling newbies like myself through the ins and outs of crane assisted removal. As a very impatient and production oriented man I have to say that the level of patience they exhibited during these two days was awe inspiring to say the least.
 
Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

I can tell you first hand as a participant that this was the most professional and instructional workshop that I have ever attended. Everyone there from novice to expert was extremely helpful with techniques and encouragement. All the instructors and participants took as much time as was needed to make the two-day event a success.

The use of multiple slings is what I found the most interesting. Most of the time we had two endless loop crane slings that always stayed on the hook and were great for slinging around the larger trunk wood. The spider leg slings we used were mainly for balancing, but we also used them for lifting and sharing the loads as well. I believe that they were 5/8”x20’ and 5/8”x25’ Endura Braid with 12” Chafe sleeves on the eyes. I forget what they were rated for, but they were plenty strong.

The use of the master link, which also stayed on the locking hook, was a great way to hoist the climber. Very quick and safe. Hopefully someone got some pictures of the rigging gear that we used, so we can show others. I had my camera, but my stupid batteries died and I didn’t have spares.

I take my hat off to Crazy Jimmy for climbing so well as he did with his foot looking like a black and blue basket ball from an injury that he sustained working on a job just the day before coming up for the event. He’s one tough Texan!

Thank you Mayers Tree Service, Mark, Brian, Jim and Dan for everything!
 
Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

Looks like fun maybe next year Ill come.
Nice to see yah buzzin Bear.
 
Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

I agree with with Chris this was a very professional workshop and I learned alot of key elements for my next crane removal.I also feel better equipped to train my employees to do crane rem-.The foot wasnt that bad Sam in spikes,it actually hurts alot worse just walking.But with the entire trip already paid for,i didnt really have a choice.One suggestions that I also echo was to have someone on the ground sharing what was said between the crane operator and the in tree instructor.Besides that everything was perfect and I would I highly recommend anyone who does crane assisted removals to attend the next workshop.It was nice to put a face to alot of the buzzers and also cool to meeet new friends.Plus got to see a few old friends.I was really impressed with Mayers Tree Services equipment,I didnt know one tree company had that many cranes.Awesome time just wanna thank Mark,Jim,Dan and Brian and anyone else who im forgetting.
 
Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

Jimmy, wish I had a picture of those purple toes sticking out of your foot immobilizer in the cold rain on Friday. Never expected to see you climbing Saturday.

More feedback for the organizers. Blakesmaster hit the key area for improvement. All participants can benefit from more awareness of the decisionmaking process on each pick.

Additional areas to emphasize:
*knot tying skills & checks (Brian spotted a cow hitch I had not set properly to load into the bend)
*gear checks
*weight estimations of pieces being cut, and compare to actual weight
*work positioning
*the daily debrief could review significant "unplanned events" that are worthy of discussion with the whole group. i.e. the choked Maple top that broke while lowering to the landing.

Kudos to all who helped make this event happen. The workshop was well worth my investment.
 
Re: North American Hands -On Climber/Crane Trainin

It was an amazing seminar. The spider leg balancers were great to work with. I have never done crane work and I felt more than comfortable in the tree with Mark making what to me were enormous pics. I felt like all my questions were answered on the ground and in the tree. you usually just had to wrangle someone who looked like they knew what they were doing. I have taken a few arbormaster and arborcanada courses, and this was on a whole other level. Making a bunch of new friends was a plus
 
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