Asheville Volunteer Work, Day 1 of .... Dangerous hung-up tree

[AussieSawyer]

Hello everyone, how is your week going?

The weather continues to be beautiful here in Asheville, after the mayhem ended.

A local church reached out with my first project - a hung up pine that threatens to cut off part of the community if it comes down (across their access road). And it's nasty - split through down to the ground, evidence of ants, and snapped off at about 8 ft above the ground.

First I cleared out the area - at first it was too entangled with undergrowth and saplings to even assess what-was-what.

My 455 did fine with the clearing, but then it was time to start my new-from-the-store 372XP with 24" bar. It just will not start - even with starter fluid jetting in through air intake at carb. It burbled and ran for apx 2 seconds, no pops after that. The store did run it briefly as I paid for it. Is there an area of the saw to focus on in terms of getting it to run? (it's topped up with bar oil and Husky original fuel). All businesses are on short/unpredictable hours - so no chance to talk to any of the staff over the rest of today.

In the end, I took this as a sign that I should apologize to 'the client', walk away for today, and regroup.

This gives me an opportunity to ask all of you - what are the options for taking out the base of this hung up tree as safely as possible? Of course, I would imagine a crew of sufficient size would potentially have the hydraulics and cables to just tear the lower section out. Once the 'new base' is on the ground, it's still a take-down that requires vigilance and caution, but at least you're past the risk presented here - this could blow out at any point in time.

Back to my AirBnB to be blasted with nerf guns. (host's daughter). Something to make me smile as I pack away gear! Life is grand.

 

[Mad Professor]

Good to see good people helping out.

Be careful besides the tree.

The 3-leaved viney stuff growing on the trunk is poison ivy.

I'd get in the shower ASAP and wash down with cold water and dish soap. Wash your clothes/tools too. Survey the area for more PI.

 

[AussieSawyer]

Very important information! Normally I would’ve noticed, but I think my head was swiveling between the failed points of the trunk, and the hung up remains of the tree.

I am finding it incredibly frustrating. Trying to find tools and supplies to support chainsaw work. Today, I have gone as far as Travelers Rest in South Carolina, but even down here the shelves are cleaned out. If anyone recognizes that they are within an hour’s drive of Asheville, & would be prepared to loan out some chains and straps, I would be most grateful. Ditto for rental or sale.

I was hoping to buy a high-quality cable puller (is this the same as come along in USA?), however, it appears I will have to settle for an off-the-shelf pressed metal, Chinese made unit.

There is a community in the Asheville area which is waiting to have this tree removed that could potentially cut off access to the whole community. I have worked out a deal where they would fund the extra tools I need to drag this tree to the ground where I can easily and safely handle it. (in reality, it will end up costing approximately $15 per household)

I want to generate a separate thread where I ask for opinions about repurposing my 455 to work with a 24 inch bar. The bigger saw that I bought from Tennessee will not run.I have verified spark and fuel… There is nothing else I can do at this point. Internet keeps erasing my drafts/more later/be safe!

 

[Mad Professor]

Very important information! Normally I would’ve noticed, but I think my head was swiveling between the failed points of the trunk, and the hung up remains of the tree.

I am finding it incredibly frustrating. Trying to find tools and supplies to support chainsaw work. Today, I have gone as far as Travelers Rest in South Carolina, but even down here the shelves are cleaned out. If anyone recognizes that they are within an hour’s drive of Asheville, & would be prepared to loan out some chains and straps, I would be most grateful. Ditto for rental or sale.

I was hoping to buy a high-quality cable puller (is this the same as come along in USA?), however, it appears I will have to settle for an off-the-shelf pressed metal, Chinese made unit.

There is a community in the Asheville area which is waiting to have this tree removed that could potentially cut off access to the whole community. I have worked out a deal where they would fund the extra tools I need to drag this tree to the ground where I can easily and safely handle it. (in reality, it will end up costing approximately $15 per household)

I want to generate a separate thread where I ask for opinions about repurposing my 455 to work with a 24 inch bar. The bigger saw that I bought from Tennessee will not run.I have verified spark and fuel… There is nothing else I can do at this point. Internet keeps erasing my drafts/more later/be safe!

Keep up the good work.

Will the other saw pop/fire if you put some mix in the carb?

 

[AussieSawyer]

I tried some starter compound (spray can) into the carb inlet - no change. The shop I brought the saw from told me not to do that again - saying it's a fluid with no lube and can lead to cylinder scoring.