salami cut aka "lawn dart technique"

[GibsonTreeCare]

Re: salami cut aka \"lawn dart technique\"

I used to be on a forestry crew, we thinned pine plantations all winter.

especially in white pine plantations that were planted in the 70's and the trees are a good height, but not that big in diameter.

This cut worked well in bringing the marked trees down where there is no room for dropping, it was slash cut, drop, slash/drop, etc until it would finally have room to flop.

we did it a lot and it worked well, but like said, sharp saws, high RPMS and once you go for it, do not back off.

on the ground was easier since you could move around to where it would not whip ya, but in-tree? I have been whipped quite a bit.
that being said, I always do a good check above before making a cut like this in-tree, to make sure there is not a limb hanging out that will crack you smartly on the way down, yeah, it happened once, so i always do a good check first to make sure nothing will reach me

Never wear a helmet cam doing these, it would probably tear it off the mount

 

[dylanclimbs]

Re: salami cut aka \"lawn dart technique\"

One thing you can do to avoid being whipped is to put a pull line on the top. Have the groundman yank it as the piece is cut free, which should ensure the piece is pulled clear enough to avoid you being hit. You have to be sure to place your pull line in a spot which will not result in the butt of the work being pulled towards the groundman. Think balance point.

NOT SOP, but...works like a hot damn. I would say I've used this cut out of necessity only once in my 6 years of climbing. Thin cedar with an (ahem) energized conductor behind the work. Groundman pulled the work off the cut and it squeezed into the dz with no problem.

I've used it once as am apprentice and got clipped pretty good, so it doesn't factor in as a normal work procedure.

It can be quite dangerous. I wouldn't recommend it as a normal work procedure, but there are always exceptions.

Usually, I've heard the salami cut used to refer to the same cut, but applied when blocking down wood. In the scenario you describe I've heard speed cut, fast cut, suicide cut slice cut. I don't think there is one precise term for it.

 

[Frax]

Re: salami cut aka \"lawn dart technique\"

We call it a spear cut. Because it can!

One of those specialty cuts for unique situations.

 

[unatool]

Re: salami cut aka \"lawn dart technique\"

"Very dangerous but helpful in dismantling pecker pole pines that you can't lay out: just a series of 4 foot chunks, preferably stuck vertical into the soil for easy pickup and removal. But you've got to watch where your feet and thighs are. Did it once and it came down onto my thigh and I was out for a day or two with a brutal charlie horse."

Ward's above quote struck a chord with me... One day we were doing this and a member of our crew had the tree land on his calf. He was cutting 4 ft sections - using the 'lawn dart' method. His leg just looked very bruised but it actually tore the cover of his calf muscles and he was out a month - hurt to work alot for almost a year.

p.s. - things only went wrong because he tripped over the previous 4 ft chunk - fell into the way of the falling tree

 

[dylanclimbs]

Re: salami cut aka \"lawn dart technique\"

Goodness!

 

[Daniel]

Re: salami cut aka \"lawn dart technique\"

Sounds like he's using it while aloft.. here's a couple videos of a similar cut that I like on the ground.. the "plunged vertical snap cut" was quite controversial when first seen, until some people tried it and figured out how well it works..

several examples of the cut in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0j69NCIKfw


here's a fairly detailed explanation of the cut:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUQ1p2QPdxU

this was done ad lib so its not a complete explanation.

 

[TreeDoctor]

Re: salami cut aka \"lawn dart technique\"

Yes I was referring to the use of salami cut while aloft to send vertical limbs straight down. That is a nice collection of videos Daniel.Looks pretty scary being that close when the trunk drops. Maybe a side pull rope to break the piece off would allow the sawyer to retreat? I have always face cut the compression side in those situations. That does push the butt out rather than fall straight down though.With in tree salami I have tried a narrow face on the under cut which makes the top move slightly away from me before release.All things considered this salami cut is a pretty sketchy technique for anything besides small limbs. When required it does work well. I am curious now about a salami snap cut? Never tried that. mostly I make either a rapid through cut or match the angled under cut.If snap type cut were used I wonder top cut beyond or behind under cut? top cut behind would leave shelf holding weight top cut beyond would likely yank the saw if it was in the kerf at release.The danger would be in the top beginning to move before the cut released the benefit would be having a moment to hang up saw and take a more defensible position before breaking it off. This got me thinking so I went out to wood pile and made a few. bottom right counterclockwise:through cut,match cut with micro face,match cut,snap with back cut
beyond undercut,snap with back cut behind. Picture attached
When I broke them off back cut below under cut would definitely be no good.Back cut beyond could work but through cut or match cut still seems like the best way.

 

[Paul Biester]

Re: salami cut aka \"lawn dart technique\"

sometimes ill do it w/o a notch...just back cut it...let it start to rip...when the top move a few degrees then finish quickly....sharp saw a must....this will get the top moving away from you a bit if'n ya need it to!!

 

[Gord]

Re: salami cut aka \"lawn dart technique\"

I use this sort of cut often for everything for skinny tops on poplars and alders to lowering down log sections when there's an overhead rigging point. A fairly specific use is on many-topped redcedars, a guy can fastcut out a large interior top and guide the butt down whatever direction works.

I think in Jerry's book he describes using it to slide large short sections of wood off a spar. I've done this as well, just be cautious that a strip doesn't tear off the front and pull your flipline with it.