Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
Why would it be necessary for the log to 'come off even'??
It would take twice as long to rig 2 chokers instead of one, and it would be more difficult for the groundman to guide the log into the dump truck. It would also take longer for the groundman to unhook and unwrap 2 chokers.
So what would be the purpose for all this?? 
The climber should be able to drown the ground crew with brush and wood when using a crane if he wants. It genrally takes a lot longer to clean up a pick, than to take one. That said, for the climber to use two straps should not affect the time it takes to make a pick.
A climber might opt to use four straps, two go with the pick and two stay with the climber. As the pick is being move to the landing zone, the climber sets the other two straps. When the hook comes back, remove the straps and put them on your belt, at the same time hook the preset straps up and cut away.
The added safety of two straps is worth the small effort. Doing tree work with a crane is quite dangerous compared to other crane operations because you are dropping loads onto the boom (dynamic). In most other operations loads are picked up (static), and if they are too heavy, nothing happens. In an operation where youy drop too big a load on the boom, bad things happen.
The best way to reduce shock loads is to use two straps, one on each side of the COB, take up the slack and gently apply the load.
Also consider what you do with a crane. Picking huge amounts of weight and lifting them over expensive homes and sometimes people, with straps the crane operator brings with him. You don't know what's been done to that strap (cycles to failure), or crane, for that matter.
