Cypress Removals

[mikewhite85]

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Some shots from a recent job beastmaster and I did. The guy is quite the tree wizard.

Unfortunately, the blowers in the chipping pic were STOLEN that day (welcome to Hollywood) AND I sent the last limb of the day through the electrical service line. Thankfully, with the loss due to the theft and the cost of replacing the electrical panel I broke even on the job but the lessons I learned were very valuable.

I will never again make a lazy cut at the end of the day. My chain was dull and I made a bad notch. I was too lazy to correct it, thinking to would be ok, and the log went right into their service line. The line caught on fire and sent sparks into the brush beneath. It was quite a scene. Sorry no pics for that! First time I ever did that- hopefully the last. I praise God nothing worse happened.

All that to say, when you are uncertain where a cut is going to go, don't cut it- correct it! Or Rope it! Don't be stupid!

Also never leave blowers by the street! Even when you have a 4 man crew going back and forth to the chipper!

At least I got a couple cool pics out of it.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Last cut-itis. Its a common disease which often develops into a damaging and expensive side effect. We all get a dose of it now and then, once you identify and accept it, your half way to finding the antidote.

Also sometimes refered to as get home itis, a killer of people on there last river crossing, last abseil pitch, last dive accent, last charge etc.

Sucks about the blowers! There are few places on this planet that they wouldnt have been tempting for some scumbag.

 

[imagineero]

look on the bright side; at least they werent saws ;-)

Shaun

 

[imagineero]

Hate to say it though, but what's up with that first pic? Most complicated ascending setup I've ever seen, for the simplest ascent. Figure 8 dangling in the breeze, gri gri, ascender, pulley, a few carabiners, and what is that thing going from the ascender to the tree? Stand up on your spurs and a pole strap would get you there with a lot less effort. If you took all the money you saved from that unnecessary hardware you could have got yourself a 200t instead of that little plastic thing, and with the time you saved by simply getting up the tree you would have been able to adjust the chain on it too

Shaun

 

[danjmoe4]

It looks like a RADS system but the pulley should be on top and the foot loop should me on the bottom hole. At leased thats how I was tought.

 

[beastmaster]

Thanks for the creative criticism on my RADs system. It was after lunch, I had been up and down those cypresses a hundred times it seemed, so I was just looking for an easy way up. I don't often use SRT with spikes on and wasn't sure where to put that leg strap. I normally footlock up. I do put the pulley on top, if for no other reason I like the rope locked in with the biner.(just not that time for some reason)
I sometimes use a more advanced SRT system with a Croll chest ascender. It's quicker but more labor and gear intencive, and a pain to change over. With the RAD's on short ascends I am ready to Work the tree off the Gre Gre with no change over. I personally after trying many different SRT systems have went back to the RAD's for day in day out work.
I had to climb up high in those cypresses with only 4 or 5 in. of wood to hold me and dead catch the tops. I got beat up on one like Rodney king, but rode most like a professional bullrider.
As far as my little red plastic saw goes, Hey it cost 225.00 new and does the job good enough for now, what can I say.
I really enjoy working with Mike, he's the future of this business, and is heading in the right direction, he is still picking up on things but is a fast learner and strives to do things right and professional. He's a Young guy, and learns from his mistake, I have the up most respect for him. We should of all been that good at that age. Beastmaster

 

[beastmaster]

I just looked at all the photos. The last photo of me in the palm, that was a removal. There wasn't much of a drop zone and the wind was blowing. I had the ground guys put a cone out for me to aim at. From up there the drop zone looked like a postage stamp. I had maybe an 4 by 8 area to drop those pieces. Tile roof, fence, plumbing, sidewalk, no mistakes allowed. So for the record I do know how to use gaffs and a "pole strap," to get up a tree. Left my lil red plastic saw on the ground for this one, used my classic sthil 038 mag with the muffler mod.
Palms can be tricky sometimes because their so fiberis, you have to be ready while making a back cut to guard against a piece of fiber changing the direction of the cut or worse causing it to hang up and fall behind you. Luckily this removal went off with out a hitch.
Beastmaster

 

[freeweight]

really erks me to see a chip truck with no box ,or atleast 1/4 of the bed box .....

 

[beastmaster]

Mikes new in business and got a good deal on that truck, He's thinking about enclosing part of it. It has a heavy duty screen mash that pulls out over the top to prevent chips from flying out.
Boy a little critical on a guy who's trying to do the best with what he has. You had a nice chipper box starting out? You were lucky, I had a trailer my self.
Beastmaster

 

[jefflovstrom]

Palms can be tricky sometimes because their so fiberis, you have to be ready while making a back cut.
Beastmaster

Hey beast, you only need a back cut, no notch, You push and pull as you enter and exit.
Jeff

 

[beastmaster]

Hey beast, you only need a back cut, no notch, You push and pull as you enter and exit.
Jeff

I was taking 4 and 5 ft. pieces, maybe weighed 200lbs each. Felt like a tipping line and notch was needed. Plus I needed that extra few feet of distance you get from a good pull to hit my target, and make them land flat. Hand chunked one across the street and used your technic, and hand tossed them. Even a 16in piece was hardly manageable for my weak old self. Beastmaster.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Oh, my bad. Yeah, those would be more like a couple hundred pounds. I get it.
Jeff

 

[beastmaster]

You know your my Idol Jeff. I'm not being sarcastic. Upper management is where I have my sights set some day. I get it. Us Cali boys have to stick together.