Crane questions

[Texas Traveler]

being a crane operator do you think the crane was overloaded or overboomed on saw for hire

That is really the same. I missed what ever you are refering to on saw for hire.
When you are boomed down low you have very little lift capacity, I have been on some rigs where I have used helper cranes just to get the boom off the ground.
Also some crawler rigs with boom that you could lay down only if over the front of the tracks never over the side. On other machines you can lift more over the side than the front.

It is what ever is on the load chart of each machine you go by.

Boom trucks are really dangerous to the inexperienced, most have no load chart over the front. Even on the larger moble rigs it is not recommended.

On figuring a crane lift you need to include the block, ball & hook. Even the amount of cable you have out on the end of the boom.

 

[treeclimber101]

That is really the same. I missed what ever you are refering to on saw for hire.
When you are boomed down low you have very little lift capacity, I have been on some rigs where I have used helper cranes just to get the boom off the ground.
Also some crawler rigs with boom that you could lay down only if over the front of the tracks never over the side. On other machines you can lift more over the side than the front.

It is what ever is on the load chart of each machine you go by.

Boom trucks are really dangerous to the inexperienced, most have no load chart over the front. Even on the larger moble rigs it is not recommended.

On figuring a crane lift you need to include the block, ball & hook. Even the amount of cable you have out on the end of the boom.

thank you for that explanation the info is understood , i do not have a link for footage of the rig and pic but everyone is saying how awful of an operator this fellow is. i spent a few years as a ironworker and understand cranes from the experience as a connector.

 

[treeclimber101]

how's about a link to footage... so we can see what you are talking about..

i have no link, the show was removed and it is next to impossible to find any footage

 

[Texas Traveler]

i have no link, the show was removed and it is next to impossible to find any footage

I did a search & it sounds like they were a bunch of idiots

 

[treeclimber101]

I did a search & it sounds like they were a bunch of idiots

had time working with a 888 11250 and a ringer wow what a impressive piece of equipment

 

[tree md]

how's about a link to footage... so we can see what you are talking about..

046, there was footage on Nosaks website. Not sure if it is still there. The footage has been mysteriously disappearing since the show got pulled. Looks like someone might have heard from OSHA.

I always ask the operator how much he can get fully extended and try to give myself a good safety margin. I worked off of 2 different boom trucks back in the 90's for about 2 years working for two tree services. One of them I worked with the owner and myself working the crane on every job he could get it set up on (he like to get close to wires and paid the ultimate price in the end). Anyway, it gave me a good knowledge on what logs weigh and the limits of crane work. It was good experience. Unfortunately, the Owner of the crane service I use knows that I am knowledgeable of aerial lifts and has started sending inexperienced operators to me. An experienced operator sure makes life easier.

 

[treeclimber101]

046, there was footage on Nosaks website. Not sure if it is still there. The footage has been mysteriously disappearing since the show got pulled. Looks like someone might have heard from OSHA.

I always ask the operator how much he can get fully extended and try to give myself a good safety margin. I worked off of 2 different boom trucks back in the 90's for about 2 years working for two tree services. One of them I worked with the owner and myself working the crane on every job he could get it set up on (he like to get close to wires and paid the ultimate price in the end). Anyway, it gave me a good knowledge on what logs weigh and the limits of crane work. It was good experience. Unfortunately, the Owner of the crane service I use knows that I am knowledgeable of aerial lifts and has started sending inexperienced operators to me. An experienced operator sure makes life easier.

i've seen the footage ane watched the show once. what kind of fine could they give him for underestimating the weight. its seems to me that the only way that he would be liable of something is if he picked the tree had a weight and tryed to go too far with it . am i wrong

 

[046]

sure wish I could see the footage, everyone has been going on about.

 

[Texas Traveler]

had time working with a 888 11250 and a ringer wow what a impressive piece of equipment

Last job I was on I had a new triple 7 Manitowoc just off the truck all hydraulic but I perfer the old friction rigs. Like the 4100 with full dress counterweights. or even the old 3900.

 

[treeclimber101]

sure wish I could see the footage, everyone has been going on about.

the footage shows a rear mount terex in drive way front yard .he took out a sycaomore on the back right corner of the house appox 8000 lbs and stood the crane about six feet in the front .landed it in the back yard behind where he picked it from by 15 ft. close call smashed the fence but no one got hurt .

 

[tree md]

I've also had operators tell me that we can set a spar pick down if the load is too heavy. We usually have a little powwow before we start picking the spar and discuss how much weight we can pic and where to make cuts. We do this between every cut on the heavier lifts. This is when most will try to take too much. When your tired from being in the tree for a few hours and fighting a large saw it is tempting to try to push your luck with heavy lifts. I had operators tell me that I can cut them bigger if I want and he can just set it down if it's too big. I always figgure it is best to just do it right and get it out to the curb while you have the crane there. Less work for the men on the ground and I don't want to have to saw a large log on the ground and have to try to roll it over on a choker. Not when I'm paying over a hundred an hour for the crane service. Best thing is just to take it in smaller bites even though your tired and sore. I mean it's your job and insurance. Why take a chance on tipping a crane?

 

[treeclimber101]

Last job I was on I had a new triple 7 Manitowoc just off the truck all hydraulic but I perfer the old friction rigs. Like the 4100 with full dress counterweights. or even the old 3900.

i worked for cornell and comp and have worked with old conventionals kangaroos and some new stuff i like the sound of the old americans when they get up on the loads and the sound of the drum brake when they want to slow them down

 

[treeclimber101]

theres a guy on youtube that runs a roofing fold up hydro that is remote controlled . the climber runs the crane by the remote that he wears like a backpack he is the man i've didn't believe til i saw it

 

[Texas Traveler]

I've also had operators tell me that we can set a spar pick down if the load is too heavy. We usually have a little powwow before we start picking the spar and discuss how much weight we can pic and where to make cuts. We do this between every cut on the heavier lifts. This is when most will try to take too much. When your tired from being in the tree for a few hours and fighting a large saw it is tempting to try to push your luck with heavy lifts. I had operators tell me that I can cut them bigger if I want and he can just set it down if it's too big. I always figgure it is best to just do it right and get it out to the curb while you have the crane there. Less work for the men on the ground and I don't want to have to saw a large log on the ground and have to try to roll it over on a choker. Not when I'm paying over a hundred an hour for the crane service. Best thing is just to take it in smaller bites even though your tired and sore. I mean it's your job and insurance. Why take a chance on tipping a crane?

A pro does not gamble.

 

[tree md]

:agree2:

 

[B-Edwards]

There is no excuse for this stuff. Professional? That word alone is supposed to mean something. I know plenty of guys around my area who advertise professional tree care/service. What a joke! I don't mean to sound like a jerk but people die not being professional!