Do you work with one tie in point?

[treesquirrel]

Just curious how many folk here do work in a tree with a single TIP. Hopefully none.

I recently did some work for another company and their climber flips up with his buckstrap (yes, old school but hey, it works,) then starts running his saw with only the buck. Its also not wire core and really old looking. I retire equipment at the first signs of significant wear which may be a bit paranoid but I like myself in one piece. I place a second lanyard once I start cutting. I have a pre-rigged climbing line ready to clip in at all times.

I'm not trying to be picky. This was a good company to work for as far as getting the job done goes, the ground crew was very efficient, but the safety precautions were worrisome.

I will be climbing for them again on a large number of pines tomorrow so I hope to see the climber with a new toy or two. He did comment on my precautions so I think he fully realizes the risk he takes.

 

[EdenT]

Yeah I find my underwear generally stays cleaner if I have 2 TIPS. I have never cut or snapped a pole belt or a lifeline, but if I ever do it would be great to be able to tell someone about it afterwards!

 

[lone wolf]

1 0r 2

if you think you can be safe wihout a climb rope think again .what happens if you get cut and dont have a climb line how about wasps the list goes on but you get it.

 

[Grace Tree]

Nope; never. On removals one steel core and one rope and on trims a top line and one rope. If I'm tempted to use only one I just have to think of past mistakes or close calls. The older I get the more methodical and deliberate I find I need to be.
Phil

 

[lone wolf]

1 or 2

ive seen steel core cut by saw no prob and youll be glad to have a second life support rope take my word you dont wanna try.

 

[MonkeyMan_812]

I often work with just my climbline. I use the buck strap a lot too, but not in all situations. The buck strap is just to stabilize my postion in the tree not really a tie in point although I sometimes use it as one. But i never just use my buckstrap to climb with. thats asking for trouble. Not to mention how difficult it makes things to climb.

 

[treesquirrel]

I've seen steel core cut by saw no prob and you'll be glad to have a second life support rope take my word you don't wanna try.

Yes, I saw a steel core that had been cut into about 1/3 by a saw when at a seminar. I could not believe it. yes, it less susceptible but not indestructible.

 

[fishercat]

i try to use two as much as possible.

i have cut while just on rope but been very careful and not near the rope.

i also climb on wire core lanyards. no non wire core lanyards for me.

 

[lone wolf]

watch the wire core flip near power lines when undone and hanging and your on your climbing rope ,use a non conductive flip line in those cases.

 

[Blakesmaster]

I cut with only 1 TIP farily regularly but have been getting in the habit of hooking up twice more often. I doubt I'll ever be the dude that does it every cut every time due to my love of production but I'm getting better.

 

[jomoco]

There are scenarios in this biz where a second TIP not only just slows you down, it can get you killed.

There are exceptions to dang near every rule in this biz, and generally speaking has a better ring to it than shall does.

Sometimes my favorite second attachment point is my foot in a crotch. And yes, I've gotten stuck that way a few times!

Because I'm so fond of cutting with one bodyline TIP, I've started using two leather cambium savers, so I have one in the TIP crotch, and one protecting my bodyline rope on my rope snap at my saddle.

I've always been rather envious of the monkey's prehensile tail, so functionally handy in the trees.

jomoco

 

[lone wolf]

2nd tip

could give us a scenario of where it gets you killed

 

[Blakesmaster]

could give us a scenario of where it gets you killed

Your tied into a different tree because the one your on is dead and rotten When you blow the top out the tree your on loads up and cracks off at the base, your positioning lanyard around that tree drags you to the ground with it. Your turn, jo.

 

[jomoco]

could give us a scenario of where it gets you killed

Your primary TIP is high in a central leader, and you are catching the head on an independent big lateral, your ropes are set, face cuts made, all that's left to start the fun is a finish cut, do you want that second TIP on that lateral if it's base attachment is included bark?

What happens to you if the whole mess fails and you're tied into it? Keep your chainsaw running and cut your lanyard at the critical juncture?

Not with one hand! That's against regulations!

jomoco

 

[outofmytree]

Your primary TIP is high in a central leader, and you are catching the head on an independent big lateral, your ropes are set, face cuts made, all that's left to start the fun is a finish cut, do you want that second TIP on that lateral if it's base attachment is included bark?

What happens to you if the whole mess fails and you're tied into it? Keep your chainsaw running and cut your lanyard at the critical juncture?

Not with one hand! That's against regulations!

jomoco

Your tied into a different tree because the one your on is dead and rotten When you blow the top out the tree your on loads up and cracks off at the base, your positioning lanyard around that tree drags you to the ground with it. Your turn, jo.

These two are quite similar scenarios. Your lifeline is safe and your lanyard/polestrap/flipline is pulling you down. Rather than abandon the 2 TIP basics try these options.

1. Strap the branch immediately below the cut point with a tiedown ratchet preventing splitting.

2. Use a second life line from an alternative TIP that is not attached to the high risk branch.

3. Use a rope flipline which as a last resort you can cut before being pulled out of your spurs.

I am sure that if you give any scenario some thought you can find a safe way to use 2 TIP's. I never cut from 1 TIP deliberately. I have, on occasion, repositioned and forgotten to tie in with my flipline.

 

[Rftreeman]

it depends on the situation of where and what I'm doing but I have done it a lot and will continue to do it....

on a side note: steel core lines are made with steel for the stiffness which makes them easy to "flip" hence the name "flip line" they are not made to prevent you from falling in the event of a cut and I think they give a false sense of security to some people...I'm not looking for an argument so don't waste the time....

 

[blueatlascedar]

For most climbing/ working situations I have a over head TIP and use the lanyard to help stabilize during the cuts. Do I do this 100% of the time, no but close to 99% of the time I do.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

There are scenarios in this biz where a second TIP not only just slows you down, it can get you killed.

That is what is called "the exception that makes the rule". where the exception is so far out there that one rarely sees it. Yeah, I've tied into an adjacent tree to work an unstable one twice this year. Q few weeks ago the work tree shifted on me after two cuts, but i was ready for that.

Most of the time one is actually more stable when using two points of mechanical contact, quite often i will fiddle with them to optimize the situation instead of fighting the physics.

Thoug if using the handsaw and I can reach out and get the cut with a toe-hook to stabilize me...

 

[EdenT]

I've always been rather envious of the monkey's prehensile tail, so functionally handy in the trees.

jomoco

Yeah, damn those simians. If they ever learn to use chainsaws we'll all be out of a job.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

always 2 TIP when im using a chainsaw, sometimes when im pruning to postion better or stabilize, i never climb without a flipline