The Case for Full Wraps and Long Bars, Pt.II

fishhuntcutwood · Feb 27, 2007

Despite starting a thread specifically demonstrating why full wraps and long bars are considered standard here in the West, and why they're so useful, folks still ask "why?"

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=30994

So today on my way down to the steelhead river walking through a clearcut, I came across these gems.

Gary and I talk about the extreme terrain and slope out here, and guys sometimes doubt us. Well, no doubting these pics. This row of trees in the first pic (hemlock if I'm not mistaken), and the fir in the second are perched on what we out here consider "common" terrain. Logging happens in places like this. This isn't the exception, this is the norm. I didn't measure (I was in a hurry to get down the water), but these are each in excess of 32"+ dbh.

If you doubt that this is workable timber, notice the stump next the to the standing tree in the second pic. Someone walked up to that tree and falled it. And I can guarantee you he didn't use a 460 with a 20" and a half wrap! There were no springboard cuts, so he did it from the ground.

When we talk about terrain, and having to work a tree from one stance, this is what we mean.

Tzed250 · Feb 27, 2007

must have

the full wrap and a 36" bar

STIHL-KID · Feb 27, 2007

Jeff,

Thanks for posting those pics! I was starting to forget what home looks like.

opcorn:

chowdozer · Feb 27, 2007

I'd rep ya if I could! :clap:

But we all know how that goes! :deadhorse: :deadhorse:

Lakeside53 · Feb 27, 2007

Just cut the big root vertically and gravity will do the rest:monkey:

Great pics and post Jeff... rep? I'm out too...

RaisedByWolves · Feb 27, 2007

I got him.

Great pics!

fishhuntcutwood · Feb 27, 2007

Lakeside53 said:
Just cut the big root vertically and gravity will do the rest:monkey:

It'd be a candidate for root pull, with the back side over the edge and the tree with a bit of headlean. You'd want to hobble that sucker for sure.

Gologit · Feb 27, 2007

Yup. This is why you never see fat timber fallers in this part of the country. To work all day in country like that and make the kind of cuts you have to make just to get your job done will seperate the men from the boys...real fast. I always get a kick out of some of the debates about one saw being eight ounces heavier than the other...by the time you pack your saw, wedges, gas can, axe,nose bag, and maybe a tree jack through some of that country it probably won't matter much at all.

RiverRat2 · Feb 27, 2007

Me 2 FHCW

fishhuntcutwood said:
It'd be a candidate for root pull, with the back side over the edge and the tree with a bit of headlean. You'd want to hobble that sucker for sure.

No rep allowed but I tried,,,, Great post,,,,, BTW some of us Flatlanders do actually understand and SOME OF US have a saw or two with Full wraps and Long bars just for the same applications,,,, just dont have tu use it everyday,,, but whe you need that combo... it is the only way to go,,,:rockn:

Timberhauler · Feb 27, 2007

I'm not impressed....I cut trees that big or bigger at least once a month,most of the time,more often than that....Out of the ten different saws that get used on a regular basis,only one of them has a full wrap on it....There is just enough handle on the clutch side of a husky to where if you do have to turn it over,it's fairly easy to handle...Lots of times,I'll cut down some huge oak tree in someone's front yard,then have to flush cut the stump to the ground....That's the biggest problem I have with full wraps....But I do have some long ass bars.

turnkey4099 · Feb 27, 2007

That's the type of country I grew up in. We farmed the benches and flats. Took a lot of country to add up to 160 acres of farmable ground. That terrain still makes me pity the kids just starting their logging careers. First job was always 'choker setter' Drag cable up those hills, set, follow down and repeat for hour after hour. There were only two dreams while doing that. "get out of this miserable business" 'Somehow get a saw and at least buck on the landing'.

Harry K

MAG58 · Feb 27, 2007

Well I love my 2171 whit full wrap, it give me a bit more safety and more versatility when I cut tree's on difficult pleases.

JUDGE1162 · Feb 27, 2007

Nice trees but how was the fishing!!!

I really want to head out that way to do some steelhead fishing, lake erie and upstate NY steelhead are nice but I would love to head out west for them

RIX · Feb 27, 2007

Beautiful trees and landscape Fish, and Mag, its great to see other parts of the world. I tried to rep as well,,, no joy. :bang:

GASoline71 · Feb 27, 2007

I actually had rep available! I got ya Jeff.

Anybody wanna experience cuttin' on those side hills... just come on up to the PNW, we'll find you a tree. Cuttin' BIG wood in someones yard is a far cry from fallin' BIG TIMBER on sidehills.

Good thread Jeff.

Gary

Gologit · Feb 27, 2007

Lakeside53 said:
Just cut the big root vertically and gravity will do the rest:monkey:

Great pics and post Jeff... rep? I'm out too...

:hmm3grin2orange: But then you'd have to jump off the cliff to get down there and buck and limb the damn thing. And then crawl back up. And then have lunch.

Timberhauler · Feb 27, 2007

GASoline71 said:
I actually had rep available! I got ya Jeff.

Anybody wanna experience cuttin' on those side hills... just come on up to the PNW, we'll find you a tree. Cuttin' BIG wood in someones yard is a far cry from fallin' BIG TIMBER on sidehills.

Good thread Jeff.

Gary

As soon as I got old enough to move out...I moved over here to where it's a little flatter....I have done my share of runnin' up and down them hills,chasing skidders,and falling trees....Not to mention holding your breath and praying that the tree doesn't decide to come into your only escape route.....I still bid jobs up in the mountains,and work up there four or five times a year....But the price ain't cheap,and every time I do a job up there,I always swear that I'm never goin' back.....But what can ya' say?? Money talks,BS walks....Last year I cleared five acres....and it was nothin' but straight down...We had to set a rig on top of the hill where the road was and winch everything up.....There were hardwoods nearly four feet in diameter,and I could only cut ten foot logs because that's as big as the old Massey would winch....We ruined two brand new 300ft. long 3/4 inch bull ropes because we were dragging with them...I know I could have used a longer cable,but the ropes are much lighter and easier to handle on the side of the banks..They were $400 bucks a pop...There ain't too much this old mule ain't seen or done when it comes to loggin' and cuttin' trees....This was just one job..I've been doing jobs like this in the Great Smokies all my life.

Peacock · Feb 27, 2007

I definitely see the case for full wraps...

I also know that although less common, those conditions are everywhere. We've all cut trees bigger than we should on terrain where we shouldn't.

I remember a few years ago my father and I took 10 cords of hedge from a steep hillside where every tree was tangled into each other. No full wrap and only a 20" bar. Smallest tree was over 30" and they were so tangled it took cutting 2-3 trees to get any to fall over. No way to get a truck or other equipment in and help with the felling.

GASoline71 · Feb 27, 2007

Timberhauler said:
....Not to mention holding your breath and praying that the tree doesn't decide to come into your only escape route.....

Been there, done that too. That will cause a brown stain in your undershorts fairly quick!

Good post Timberhauler.

Gary

Timberhauler · Feb 27, 2007

GASoline71 said:
Been there, done that too. That will cause a brown stain in your undershorts fairly quick!

Good post Timberhauler.

Gary

That's why you always see me wearin' brown boxer shorts and brown Carhart pants.

.......Even worse that that is being 75 feet up,cutting a top that is only 16 to 20 inches.....But if that sucker doesn't go exactly right,you don't make it home.......Some of ya'll that think you love cutting wood so much outta' try it.

The Case for Full Wraps and Long Bars, Pt.II

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