Best rigging for crane

[chief116]

I've never used the gunnebo hooks, we just use regular 6ton shackles. same idea, slings don't have to come of the hook each time. We have a ton of slings, but theres usually 2 10 ft attached to the hook. This is especially better if you have no choice but to tie in the hook. wire the gate on the hook shut, and its a lot safer to tie into the hook.

Get yourself (2) 10s, (2) 15s, and a 20 and you'll be able to deal with just about any tree. Don't use the slings for anything other than crane days, inspect them and let the crane op inspect them before each use, and you'll be fine.

 

[chief116]

Do you guys really think you are improving efficiency by having a bucket and a crane? I haven't used them simultaneously and I don't really see a reason to, I would much rather have the bucket out on a job where it will produce more.

I really like the idea of having one cutter and one rigger, I am definitely going to try that approach.

I can't wait for my next crane job now!

In my opinion, a bucket helps on big, sprawling trees where you may have say, 4 or 5 good sized horizontal leaders and are making a ton of picks. But on tall straight pines, its easier to just put the climber in the top, rapel down, make the cut, hook up the next piece.

The only time i've used 2 climbers was over high tension wires working for the MBTA. I put the ball exactly where i wanted it choked, had the groundie lift me up, choked the pick, rapelled down and the climber cut it at the trunk. I don't see how it could save that much time regularly. How big is your crane crew? What does the second guy do while not rapelling? is he chipping and cutting brush with his rope and gear laying around in the dropzone? is his belt going to get hooked on branches? Is the op waiting for him to finish ground operations? or are you just piling picks up and waiting til everything and everyone is on the ground?

 

[superjunior]

In my opinion, a bucket helps on big, sprawling trees where you may have say, 4 or 5 good sized horizontal leaders and are making a ton of picks. But on tall straight pines, its easier to just put the climber in the top, rapel down, make the cut, hook up the next piece.

The only time i've used 2 climbers was over high tension wires working for the MBTA. I put the ball exactly where i wanted it choked, had the groundie lift me up, choked the pick, rapelled down and the climber cut it at the trunk. I don't see how it could save that much time regularly. How big is your crane crew? What does the second guy do while not rapelling? is he chipping and cutting brush with his rope and gear laying around in the dropzone? is his belt going to get hooked on branches? Is the op waiting for him to finish ground operations? or are you just piling picks up and waiting til everything and everyone is on the ground?

For some reason I just feel safer in the bucket when working with the crane. Might not be much faster but I feel a lot safer (I'm sure I'll get over that) plus I have the next piece hooked up and ready to go when the ball comes back - maybe saving a little time there.

As far as 2 climbers, when working with 4 or 5 guys it does seem to save time and less work for each climber. I'm usually the rigger, so after hooking up a piece I shoot down to the ground and yes I will grab an armload of brush and bring it to the chipper or whatever. When the pic comes down I ride the ball back up and the other climber is already in position to make the next cut. It saves time..

 

[no tree to big]

since when are "cables clearly marked not for overhead lifting" WTF!

its not the the cable itself its the way you secure the cable to the load if you use a traditional choker like is used to skid logs on the tv show Ax men there is no locking device and it could pop loose unexpectedly do to no "lock"

not sure if these are the ones we use but you get the idea Bailey's - Pre-Made FSE Choker 1/2"x 14' and in the specs it says "WARNING: For skidding only. Not to be used for overhead lifting"

 

[Kottonwood]

note: although they are very handy, round sling hooks are NOT designed or intended for choker applications. the load is designed to be carried in the bowl of the hook, and the latch is not designed to take any side loading (which can occur in choker applications), it is designed as an anti-fouling function, not load bearing. to date, no manufacturer lists hooks that have a side-load rating. if any climber is in such a hurry that he can't thread a strap or endless sling and place it in the hook, because it takes too long, (making a positive connection that insures HIS and everyone elses safety) he needs to calm down. sorry gentlemen if i sound like a SOB but i am only interested in your safety, not saving a few minutes over the course of the job. regards, tom.

That makes sense. Though, I am always trying to shave seconds off the job, never at the expense of safety. I do think that the endless loop or eye sling is definitely the way to go over cables though.

 

[Kottonwood]

In my opinion, a bucket helps on big, sprawling trees where you may have say, 4 or 5 good sized horizontal leaders and are making a ton of picks. But on tall straight pines, its easier to just put the climber in the top, rapel down, make the cut, hook up the next piece.

The only time i've used 2 climbers was over high tension wires working for the MBTA. I put the ball exactly where i wanted it choked, had the groundie lift me up, choked the pick, rapelled down and the climber cut it at the trunk. I don't see how it could save that much time regularly. How big is your crane crew? What does the second guy do while not rapelling? is he chipping and cutting brush with his rope and gear laying around in the dropzone? is his belt going to get hooked on branches? Is the op waiting for him to finish ground operations? or are you just piling picks up and waiting til everything and everyone is on the ground?

All good points, I guess it all really just comes down to the job. My crew is BIG sometimes. I have three climbers (including me) and two (sometimes three) groundies. Usually I try to separate it out into two jobs now that we have the two trucks. We were a bit slow last week and we were all out on the crane job. I have never seen brush and wood disappear so fast, though there was a lot of standing around. Probably would have been better off having two guys working the tree.

 

[Kottonwood]

For some reason I just feel safer in the bucket when working with the crane. Might not be much faster but I feel a lot safer (I'm sure I'll get over that) plus I have the next piece hooked up and ready to go when the ball comes back - maybe saving a little time there.

As far as 2 climbers, when working with 4 or 5 guys it does seem to save time and less work for each climber. I'm usually the rigger, so after hooking up a piece I shoot down to the ground and yes I will grab an armload of brush and bring it to the chipper or whatever. When the pic comes down I ride the ball back up and the other climber is already in position to make the next cut. It saves time..

Man, I am just the opposite. I hate the bucket, never feel safe in that thing, especially at full extension. I prefer my rope....... maybe I'll get over that in time.

 

[mattfr12]

That makes sense. Though, I am always trying to shave seconds off the job, never at the expense of safety. I do think that the endless loop or eye sling is definitely the way to go over cables though.

get polyester tho i used nylon for a while and will never go back just very easy to work with you can i can wad a few 12 foot slings in a rope bag and hang it on my saddle. i usually get the tan colored straps for in the tree their rated at like 6800 pounds in a choke. i just ordered a lot of them mine where getting kinda crappy they really are not to ridiculously expensive i got 2-12's 2-8's 2-6's 2-4's it was right around 400$. if you don't pick big wood a lot tho a heads up is a 12 foot strap seems to run short on me a lot. the first time i ordered i had to go back in and get some 18's.

 

[Kottonwood]

Yeah that seems the way to go, I like the idea of having some different lengths with you in the tree.

As soon as I get paid from this retarded net 30 corporate job those are as good as bought.

 

[mattfr12]

Make yourself some spider legs out of 5/8 pieces of rope i just tie a bowline and throw it over the hook and then have say a 15 foot piece tie the knot up against it so theirs no slack a lot of times i just wrap it around it and throw 3 or 4 half hitches in holds fine. since its not really load bearing doesn't have to be special. i very rarely use two slings usually one sling and a spider leg or 2.