Using a crane to trim hedges

[climbingmonkey24]

I have some hedges I trimmed back in 2022 that I’m going to be trimming again this year, and am considering using a crane rather than a lift.

In 2022 the lift worked well just required repositioning multiple times. The hedges are right along the driveway so my thought was with the crane I probably could reach all of the upper parts that I can’t do from the ground or from a ladder without even having to maneuver any equipment into the backyard. I can get most of the sides done without it, so basically would just be rounding off / flattening the top.

Because of how tall / wide the hedges are, with the capabilities of the lift I had to basically work both sides separately (the side facing driveway and side facing backyard).

Was just curious if anyone else has ever used a crane for this purpose and how it worked out? Did you find it more efficient than a bucket or lift?

 

[Boomslang]

I think I had a minor panic attack just reading that.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

How is the pruner supported?

Basket

Batten seat

Harness

???

 

[data farm 26]

Just do this

 

[ATH]

If you are bringing in other equipment, instead of a traditional tree lift, how about a lift without outriggers used more in construction...what I'd call a JLG Lift - not sure what the proper name is.

 

[Basswood]

I saw a company near me did a huge Tulip from a basket supported by a crane. Thought it was an interesting technique.

 

[data farm 26]

We call that the lobster pot, definitely an interesting technique.

 

[Bart_]

The riding mower over the hedge used to be someone's avatar?

On topic, the line of sight to get a flat/smooth level cut working the cutter head down by your ankles? unworkable? Also reacting staying stable vs the cutter head forces - enough to get me nervous on a tall ladder - you'd just swing around

 

[Boomslang]

I saw a company near me did a huge Tulip from a basket supported by a crane. Thought it was an interesting technique.

I did it once and it's not fun. You're constantly spinning and trying to get in the spot you want can be cumbersome.

 

[Bart_]

Dream machine for big hedge tops - like a cement trowel - it's on the end of a pole and sits and drives itself on the top surface of the hedge remote control fore aft left right. gotcha's - small is light but hard to get even average surface flatness therefore probably too heavy to be practical. regular 6 footer is heavy enough!

 

[Treemuel]

If you are bringing in other equipment, instead of a traditional tree lift, how about a lift without outriggers used more in construction...what I'd call a JLG Lift - not sure what the proper name is.

Telehandler

 

[climbingmonkey24]

Yeah, I have considered the possibility that it may be awkward being tied into the ball while also trying to handle a trimmer. A basket may be an option.
I’m either going to rent a self-propelled lift that I can maneuver without a truck or there is the crane option, not both. The construction-type crane is a great idea however the outrigger positioning really isn’t too bad on the lift I used last time. Everything can be controlled from the basket so it’s actually pretty straightforward.

I’m not doing the job until next month so it was just an idea I was considering. I saw someone else do it in a video. I appreciate the input though.

 

[DSMc]

What are the dimensions of this hedge?

 

[climbingmonkey24]

 

[Boomslang]

Ok, that doesn't look anywhere near as bad as I was envisioning. Maybe 20-25 feet tall, 8-10 feet wide? I was picturing twice that size.

A 14ft or 16ft orchard ladder to do the sides and then use a lift for the top?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Telehandlers come in articulating booms like in the pic as well as extendable. Quite a nice tool

I worked out of an extendable fir a few years on a college campus. Since I could drive it from the basket it was super capable

 

[evo]

What is the top like? You said you have done this before? Can you walk the top? From one plant to the other?
Weaving redirects across the top can allow you to reach out over the edge. Trimmer work is much easier top down. A pair of 2x12’s can help too

 

[MA Arborist]

I have a lift but if the hedge will support my weight I prefer to stand inside to get the tops. Depends on the hedge of course!

 

[climbingmonkey24]

I’ve worked from inside a hedge to do the top before but I’ve never really tried the “walking” technique.

I have a long extension trimmer (STIHL Kombi) so I can get pretty far up the sides from the ground, and then use a ladder to get a little higher if I wanted.

One of the things I was considering if I used the crane was starting from one end of the “U” and then cutting my way in so that then the crane operator could put me right in the middle of the top and lower me down to the point where I may have better stability and then trim whatever is in front / on the side of me, and work my way around the “U” so to speak. At least that way I wouldn’t just be hanging.

In 2022 when I used the lift, I worked both the driveway facing side and backyard side separately. Was too wide to get both sides as even as I wanted from just one side. Although back then I didn’t have the Kombi shaft extension so perhaps it could work from just one side. Wouldn’t know unless I tried. It may just be awkward having that long of a trimmer in the basket.

 

[Merle Nelson]

What is the top like? You said you have done this before? Can you walk the top? From one plant to the other?
Weaving redirects across the top can allow you to reach out over the edge. Trimmer work is much easier top down. A pair of 2x12’s can help too

I sometimes use 4x8 foot sheets of 3/8" plywood. "Surf" the top of cypress tree hedges here by the coast. (Regulations require tops be trimmed as soon as it impeads the inland neighbor's view.) About my least favorite tree work - usually only holds for 2 years max.