climbing and rigging

[priest]

I have some basic climbing and rigging skills, enough to "get by" most of the time, but I am looking for the best way to learn more so I can be faster, safer, and just plain look cooler when I'm doing that tree next time at the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house . I don't have the time to teach myself by reading about a dozen different methods and practicing them on my own to decide what works the best for me. I've considered ordering a set of instructional videos or preferably taking a hands-on course (especially if I could find one close by). My foreman and another one of my current groundsman are also wanting to learn the ropes. Any good advice on this would be appreciated.

 

[hobby climber]

Check out this site: www.arbormaster.com They offer a number of two day courses. Good luck! HC

 

[Jim1NZ]

Talk to Ekka, he has some great instructional videos and can possibly give you information on them

 

[Ekka]

Thanks Jim

You know, I'm going to have to make some basic videos ... you just assume everybody knows how to climb ... well safely that is. Gotta do some videos of rigging etc, be good to have another climber in the tree with the camera or vice versa. Hey Jim, when are you coming back here mate?

Priest, I have pm'd you.

 

[clearance]

Priest-keep it simple, when you get good then is the time to try the fancy stuff like some advocate here. The basics work well for removals (spurs, steelcore, tautline, etc.). For the huge majority of branches that you have to lower because they are too big to hold, do this. Tie a rope clip at the end of a rigging line, throw it over another branch, wrap it around the branch you want to cut, snap it and cut the branch, have your groundsman lower it. Done lots of big removals this way, sure beats tying a clove hitch or running bowline dozens of times. There is really no need to get fancy unless it is faster, this work is not rocket science, it takes skill and will power to be good, concentrate on the basics. All the knots you really need to know to cut down trees are the bowline, double bowline, running bowline, bowline on the bight, tautline, figure eight and the clove hitch. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

 

[SteveBullman]

ekka, jim.....how come the two of you are mates then? im working with a kiwi at the mo and he gave me the impression kiwis and aussies all hate each other

 

[Ekka]

ekka, jim.....how come the two of you are mates then? im working with a kiwi at the mo and he gave me the impression kiwis and aussies all hate each other

Ah, he could be stirring, but usually we get along, I try to get along with all tree guys where-ever they're from ... we're bit of an unusual lot. And Jim, well he's pretty good and extremely well educated and trained in this industry, it's good to work with guys like that.

 

[ou812]

Priest-keep it simple, when you get good then is the time to try the fancy stuff like some advocate here. The basics work well for removals (spurs, steelcore, tautline, etc.). For the huge majority of branches that you have to lower because they are too big to hold, do this. Tie a rope clip at the end of a rigging line, throw it over another branch, wrap it around the branch you want to cut, snap it and cut the branch, have your groundsman lower it. Done lots of big removals this way, sure beats tying a clove hitch or running bowline dozens of times. There is really no need to get fancy unless it is faster, this work is not rocket science, it takes skill and will power to be good, concentrate on the basics. All the knots you really need to know to cut down trees are the bowline, double bowline, running bowline, bowline on the bight, tautline, figure eight and the clove hitch. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

Good grief... you call that advice?

Yes, level out, hit that plateau and STAY there. Dont take the time to learn safer, more efficient techniques, stay stuck in your old ways.
Ive done hundreds of removals that you could not do with only a snap tied to the end of a rigging line. If your gonna remove complex trees you need to know more than the basics.
Preist-look into the arbor master training, what can it hurt?
You can never know too much.....

that is unless you are clearance. He obviously knows all he needs to know.

 

[BostonBull]

I will put a blast out there for Arbormaster! I just sat in a 10hr seminar by Ken Palmer last weekend about climbing/rigging mostly rigging. WOW is all I have to say. I had already planned on taking Level I and II rigging this fall but now I cant sit still waiting knowing how much I will learn!

 

[rbtree]

I am looking for the best way to learn more so I can be faster, safer, and just plain look cooler when I'm doing that tree next time at the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house

Choose the latest multi colored saddle that best complements and shows off the package :Monkey:

 

[rbtree]

But seriously, there's is tons to learn. Much can be picked up on this board, by using the search function. Find some better climbers to learn from....Join the ISA, buy training videos and manuals...like Arbormaster's "The Art and Science of Practical Rigging" Get Jepson's "Tree Climber's Companion" Get Beranek's "Fundamentals of General Tree Work". Dated and older but very very good!

There is no shortcut to becoming a competent arborist.....it comes with time, experience, training and studying.....

Been at it for 30 years and still learning!!

 

[pbtree]

But seriously, there's is tons to learn. Much can be picked up on this board, by using the search function. Find some better climbers to learn from....Join the ISA, buy training videos and manuals...like Arbormaster's "The Art and Science of Practical Rigging" Get Jepson's "Tree Climber's Companion" Get Beranek's "Fundamentals of General Tree Work". Dated and older but very very good!

There is no shortcut to becoming a competent arborist.....it comes with time, experience, training and studying.....

Been at it for 30 years and still learning!!

What he said and more. Take it easy and learn the ropes the right way. Some things are not meant to be rushed or short cutted - in this instance taking shor cuts may just shorten yours or somebody elses health of life - not a good thing...

 

[JonnyHart]

My foreman and another one of my current groundsman are also wanting to learn the ropes. Any good advice on this would be appreciated.

The foreman doesn't know the ropes already? How did he land that job? My advice is to go to work for a reputable tree service for a while. Learn from somebody that knows what they're doing, and can do it safely. Have you had any formal training or did you just get some gear and go to work on your own? The books and Arbormaster training sound like a great idea too, but I ain't got around to doing that myself yet. There is a huge amount to learn, and you can find alot of great stuff here. Get aquainted with the search engine

 

[Jim1NZ]

Hey Jim, when are you coming back here mate?

Ekka, mate il be back ASAP. Soon as i have completed level 6

 

[Jim1NZ]

ekka, jim.....how come the two of you are mates then? im working with a kiwi at the mo and he gave me the impression kiwis and aussies all hate each other

Na we don't hate each other, just give each other heaps! Its all good

There is mutual respect I'm sure.

 

[clearance]

ou812 I never said to stay there, I just said to get good at the basics first. I have climbed lots of big "complex" trees. Like alders over hanging a three phase 25kv line on the the west and a single phase 25 kv line on the north. In the utility world a mistake can easily have fatal results, ugly trees where there is no powerline around are always easier than ugly trees with a powerline. Anyways, Priest should not be climbing "complex" trees until he has the basics down, then like I said he can then try the fancy stuff. As far as efficient goes there is nothing faster than powering a tree down with one hand on your 020 and throwing branches or pushing of logs with your other hand. And it is not about looking cool, when you are good and fast you are cool. Be carefull, walk before you run.

 

[Jim1NZ]

powering a tree down with one hand on your 020 and throwing branches or pushing of logs with your other hand.

The first thing we should teach him is to use a saw with TWO hands!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

The first thing we should teach him is to use a saw with TWO hands!!!!!!!!!!!!

We will never convince Clearance that this is not a good practice. Let's keep it for another thread

The best thing you can do is take an idea and use it in a non critical situation, eg rig where you can bomb stuff.

Add tools to your kit slowly...

Think of the work as applied physics, "how will this force make this mass move, how can I do it better"

use knotches and back cuts to make your limbs move, redirect your rigging for the best movement...

 

[Dadatwins]

Trial & Error(minimal) are the best way to learn what will work and will not. Take small pieces that do not have to be tied and tie them to learn how they react when cut. Learn how different species of wood reacts when cut. Learn to adjust for lean and wind while cutting. While in an open area try different notches in different directions to practice. Books and class room training are all good starting points but actually doing the work is always the best way to learn. Good luck and be careful.

 

[iain]

im 37 this year and still the luv the challenge in dismantling a tree, it is complex at times and a piece of piss at others, each tree will, present its own challenge and headaches , listen too as many as you can, (they all think they know the best ) try what you like and keep what works ! dont get stuck in old ways ( try it out) but equally don't try to reinvent the wheel, imo