Spurs are killing me!

I used Bashlin Alloys for 10 years until I couldn't wear spikes anymore they were killing me, my right instep was seizing and cramping up when not at work, the pain made life miserable I was beginning to think I'd have to quit treework.

then I switched to Buckingham Titanium with the twisted shanks and footplates and rigid Buckingham BigBuck pads, now I dont have any problems with my feet at all. Been using them for 5 years, most of our work is removals.

What people need to realise when you wear spurs you're putting pressure on a part of your feet (instep) that was never designed to withstand long periods of pressure. Which is why the footplates are so good as they put pressure back onto the heels and balls of your feet where it should be.

Also it's critical to have good rigid padded pads round your shins
 
i agree Jomo. I like pole gaff a whole lot, but tree gaffs have their place. thick bark or soft dead trees get the tree gaffs, everything else gets the pole gaffs.

Big wood keep the gaffs sharp and shaped right, then you won't have to set them so hard. guy who taught me said all you should have to do is apply weight and the gaffs should sink in to the appropriate depth. that advice right there will take a whole lot of wear and tear off your feet. do you ever cinch your lanyard and sit on your saddle when blocking big trunks or waiting on the crane/ground crew? do you alternate your high foot/low foot stance to alleviate pressure on your body on the spar BEFORE your legs get tired? do you use a leg strap saddle or bosun seat? or a POS butt swing 4d? do you know how to properly use a lanyard for work positioning or do you call it a CHICKEN STRAP? do you lay down on limbs to but hitch the end and get flopped all over the place while cussing the ground men or do you ri right? not picking at you but all that stress to your body will add up?
 
Jeff, this is good practice for me for when my daughter starts asking me every question in the book, she's almost 2 so I figure I got just over a year.

Starting from the top, I sharpen gaffs to razor blades. Enough that just my weight will push them through almost anything but a cinderblock.
I use a friction save prusik as much as I'm able, or stay tied into the crane till I'm 3/4 the way through my cut.
Alternating stance(also referred to as the poo shuffle), I do that too.
Ergovation w/upper body.
And the last about "flopping" around a tree.... I've had the same wire core for years, not a mark on it. And all of our junior climbers are quite happy to p/u tips and tricks on work positioning from watching me.
Think I need to focus on dialing in the geckos and insoles for I while before I start changing my safe, productive and proven techniques.
 
If the individual responsible for geckos was at my job site yesterday, I would probably have bent over an kissed their a$$! 2.5hrs on 3-4foot willow wood and I could have gone back for seconds.
Question answered?
 
Big wood keep the gaffs sharp and shaped right, then you won't have to set them so hard. guy who taught me said all you should have to do is apply weight and the gaffs should sink in to the appropriate depth. that advice right there will take a whole lot of wear and tear off your feet. do you ever cinch your lanyard and sit on your saddle when blocking big trunks or waiting on the crane/ground crew? do you alternate your high foot/low foot stance to alleviate pressure on your body on the spar BEFORE your legs get tired? do you use a leg strap saddle or bosun seat? or a POS butt swing 4d? do you know how to properly use a lanyard for work positioning or do you call it a CHICKEN STRAP? do you lay down on limbs to but hitch the end and get flopped all over the place while cussing the ground men or do you ri right? not picking at you but all that stress to your body will add up?

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I came back to tree buzz with the outlook that everyone here had a certain level of professionalism and skill level. Apparently some members took a attempt to trouble shoot an equipment problem, as an opportunity to stroke their own ego. And then took my attempt at levity and spontaneously reverted to grade 4 I'm better than you. Oh well, something bad about you!
To the rest of you, thanks for all the great advice/suggestions.
 
So you can serve it up, but you can't eat it? That tells me all I need to know about you, MR. BIG WOOD. I asked important questions for anyone that might be reading the thread that might have the same problems not just you. By the way what do you consider big wood? And that moniker alone would say that you are a self centered cocky son of a gun. I have no problems with this as I am the same way, but don't get all butt hurt when people ask questions that may help you, oh all knowing one.
 
Isn't a well designed piece of equipment the bomb?

If you ever get a chance to try for free the carbon ones, they feel even better than the geckos to me. It's only a couple of more happy meals and even better IMO.
 
Mangoeseseses should be getting their beauty sleep if they are going to take over the world!!!
wink.gif


Seriously, 1:45 in the morning?
 
BW - Took a 20min break from a rather large Powerpoint presentation i was preparing. Finished and left the office for home a 4am. Up at 6:30 - shower - shave back at the office for 7:15 to start the guys. Down to Mham for 9am to prepare - deliver presentation and land rather large Condo contract at 12pm.

Tree Preservation Plan Report tonight - wonder when it gets done.......

"Take over the world"? - I guess some may think so, just trying to make enough to get the kiddies into and through university so they dont EVER lay a hand on a saw....

Peace bud
 
[ QUOTE ]
Oh the things I mite do if I had your drive!
Try not to wear yourself out, and stop to enjoy the scenery once in a while.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bigwoods
Glad to hear you found the Gecko's to be of help. I have been on the carbon fibers a few years now and they are awesome. I own all three sets of points American tree, European tree, and pole. Most of my time has been spent on the American tree but got the others this winter to test them out and see how much reduction in lateral pressure to the knee there would be with the gaff point being closer to the shank. I have been currently spending a good bit of time on the European points and for the most part it has been a positive experience.

Hey and as for Jeff I hope you dont have any bad feelings towards him, sounds like you guys got off on the wrong foot, he really is a good guy and usually has quality input on quite a bit of stuff. He has always been professional with me.

Scrat
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Oh the things I mite do if I had your drive!
Try not to wear yourself out, and stop to enjoy the scenery once in a while.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bigwoods
Glad to hear you found the Gecko's to be of help. I have been on the carbon fibers a few years now and they are awesome. I own all three sets of points American tree, European tree, and pole. Most of my time has been spent on the American tree but got the others this winter to test them out and see how much reduction in lateral pressure to the knee there would be with the gaff point being closer to the shank. I have been currently spending a good bit of time on the European points and for the most part it has been a positive experience.

Hey and as for Jeff I hope you dont have any bad feelings towards him, sounds like you guys got off on the wrong foot, he really is a good guy and usually has quality input on quite a bit of stuff. He has always been professional with me.

Scrat

[/ QUOTE ]
Absolutely right, Jeff had a lot of valuable info that did/ does help. I just jumped on what I thought of as my skill level being questioned. My bad Jeff! Thanks.
Been on the crane last few days so haven't gone anywhere Near "my new" geckos, I'd be lying if I said it bothered me.
 
I went to the Birkenstock store and purchased their rigid insoles to put in my boots. I have spent 7 hrs. on my
geckos with no foot pain. They are well worth the money and you can put them in any boots. Pole gaffs have also helped with the leg discomfort.
 
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