? number of spider legs = more stable.

Re: # of spider legs.

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I've done over 90 percent of all my thousands of crane picks with a single steel choker. I like, and go out of my way to ensure that all my picks are vertically oriented. This is a courtesy to the crane operator in that it gives him a smaller footprint threading each pick safely to the LZ.

I like to stand large laterals up with a tip grab, or butt hang them on a slow hinge.

High production and the KISS rules work well together when removing trees with cranes.

jomoco

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I am kinda with you on just standing the stuff up instead of hogtieing each limb but have been in places where I have set 3 straps for the pick.
Would you mind getting me a pic of this steel choker you are using. I am headed to stock up on some new big slings and straps and such for overhead lifting and rigging. I have shied away from chains and cable cause ,well, the stuff is heavy but maybe you could explain some good points to using the steel choker as well.Thanks.

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Have a reputable shipyard supplier make them for you Dan.

I like to have atleast 8-10 cables myself, two short 1/2 inchers at 6 feet long, two more at 14 feet long, then two 5/8ths cables at 12 feet long for medium wood, and finally two 3/4 inchers at 20 feet long for the big stuff.

All these are standard cables with machine press suaged one foot loops on each end.

These used in conjunction with 1/2, 5/8ths and 3/4 steel clevis' are good for the vast bulk of my crane picks.

Having an assortment of nylon loops and heavy duty rated straps is a good idea when working in any close proximity to power lines, insulated or not.

I prefer steel cables for crane work, always have.

I admit to using 1/2 inch and 5/8ths sliding quick connect skidding cables on alot of my crane work even though they're not approved for overhead cranework, but I don't recommend anyone else do so. As long as they're connected with the slider in the proper orientation to the load, they are a great timesaver.

I'll post pics next time I'm at the crane's rigging box Dan.

Welcome to the Buzz, "Where the Pros Go".

jomoco
 
Re: # of spider legs.

There's no reason the average Buzzer couldn't splice his own slings for rigging (hollow braid splice).

If you wanted someone else to do it, Nick from WI does first rate work.

The main legs of most all of my picks have been the crane company's Tuflex slings.
 
Re: # of spider legs.

what happens if the load bounces or unweights accidentally? nough said about skidding slings! thats just not being a smart rigger. time is not that important. i've seen things fall off the hook and it's not pretty. as for that matter don't use steel slings that are too big for the load they will shake loose. as far as speed in rigging goes you can add a shackle to the sling and do the same thing as a skidding sling only a lot safer. safety and efficiency go hand in hand. why lose on a job gone wrong for an extra five seconds, thats just lazy. my $.02
 
Re: # of spider legs.

Jeff, are you talking about a sling with a choker bell and knob?

I must have missed where anyone was talking about them before you?
confused.gif
 
Re: # of spider legs.

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Jeff, are you talking about a sling with a choker bell and knob?

I must have missed where anyone was talking about them before you?
confused.gif


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I'm the guilty party, I have done thousands of light and medium weight crane picks using the old esco bell quick connect system. They are a little iffy if you put them on your pick backwards, but I just simply don't do that, ever.

This is the sliding esco quick connect choker I use.

http://www.vannattabros.com/iron39.html

And I'm not recommending anyone use them. I myself put them away when the wood gets big and heavy and break out the 3/4 steel clevis'.

jomoco
 
Re: # of spider legs.

i've done thousands of picks on iron with the sling- shackle set up and found it to be the most efficient as far as setting and removing small and large slings
more efficient than sling to eye most of the time. the shackle adds weight to the sling eye and it makes for an easier toss around the work. shackles will also extend the life of your slings. my $.02
 
When it comes to rigging anything wether it comes to treework or not the goal is to have the hook directly over the center of gravity, if you can do this with one sling, then do it with one. A greater number of slings does not make the load more stable the placement of the slings does.

The situations that require more sings are: weak slings(more needed to carry the same load.), no attachment point at the center of gravity, or branch unions too weak to bear the load.
 
Re: # of spider legs.

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I average 4-6 picks an hour, I have never had a bell and ball choker open up after it was pretensioned. and I personally trust them to stay closed, stay strong, and really grab the wood better than anything else.

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I do the same # of picks with slings choked and no chance of them ever seperating. Not a chance sling opening up. The bell and ball chokers specifically say not for overhead lifting. Not good practice at all.
 
Re: # of spider legs.

is it just human instinct that makes them argue even when they know their wrong. dude you won't find one training institution that condones bell and ball chokers for overhead lifting. two with all that fumbling i bet you could swing a shackle around a limb unscrew it and put it back in in less time than it takes to fool around with a bell and ball and safer. you dont have to hold tension on the rigging until the crane gets tight. so no more wire splinters in your hand. regular chockers are cheaper and shackles are used for everything.
 
Re: # of spider legs.

yes but what if the new climber or ground man you just hired didn't understand the danger and put the pin on the running end of the choker because it was easier. You are right though when i teach a course i don't even mention bell and ball chokers.

we do have a type of sling much like the bell and ball which are designed for overhead lifting I will get some pics of them today.
 
Re: # of spider legs.

i've with some real nutcases (iron and trees) and i haven't had one come loose yet. in fact it helps them always use the right side of the choker. if you are talking about the slings with the hooks on the running side i've used em. still don't like em even with a mouse on the hook. as you have to hold tension until the crane gets tight. to me that is wasting time. shackles once you and your crew get used to them you won't look back. i use them on my 3/4 stable braid with a spliced eye i have to marl a few more times but it takes like 5 seconds to undo my rigging, shackles you have to love em
 
Re: # of spider legs.

well in steel the chokers being it the right spot is probably more important than in trees.if the chokers not in the right spot (ie dead over cg) then the piece will have a roll in it or it will try to high low on ya. making it really hard the connectors and make for an unproductive day
 
Re: # of spider legs.

[ QUOTE ]
well in steel the chokers being it the right spot is probably more important than in trees.if the chokers not in the right spot (ie dead over cg) then the piece will have a roll in it or it will try to high low on ya. making it really hard the connectors and make for an unproductive day

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I'm not sure what your talking about can you explain better?
 
Re: # of spider legs.

Heres a couple of pics of the chokers I use now, I wasn't very clear before I have used the bell and ball chokers, but I have switched to these because they are rated although harder to work with.
 

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