gaffing, or 'hooking' question.....

[cableguy256]

nice work... watch out trees can become addicting.

lol thanks for the pointer. I have to admit I was def. having fun out there today

 

[Mikecutstrees]

Nice Job, I'm sure you learned alot. Keep learning and be safe!!

 

[VINIFIREWOOD]

If your gaffs are replaceable you could just get a set of longer gaffs to swap out for tree work cuz you know your addicted now, I know I am

 

[tramp bushler]

Nice to hear someone else has used these types of gaff's on tree's before. Plus thank you for the pointer on watching for the bark build-up! I normally don't even look at my hooks anymore when climbing... little signs like that that I'm getting too comfortable with it and that's when accidents happen.

.

. A set of tree 2,3/4" replacement gaffs are usually less than 80 bucks . A fast unscheduled slide down a tree could give you a compound fracture of the femur . That could kill you ... A friend of mine came down way too quick , like free drop and his spur caught at the base of the tree . He was out of work fro a year and a half ...... Linemen don,t use their strap to climb because it can cause line slap ... A very bad thing !!!!!! Loggers use wire core climbing rope that goes around the tree . We used to use 4 strand manila that was around 7/8" diameter and treated for water repelancy . . the wire cable core was in the spliced eye also and we used a cat's paw knot . ( sheet bend ) That way we could tighten up or loosen up our rope without being totally untied ....... I strongly recomend against free climbing trees . A pole strap isn,t that great . But a chain works well . Shackle one end to your none adjusting side then after you throw it around the tree run it thru your d ring on the side you adjust and use 2 small biners thru the links to adjust ...... Or get a flip line with an ascender ........ I really recomend , if the trees are 80 ft tall , that you go at least half way up the tree to hang the pulling line ..... It keeps the strain on the pulling line down ... 60% up is very good ....

 

[tramp bushler]

I should have started my last post saying I have been climbing trees , Silver Poplar and White Spruce for the past year with Klein Pole gaffs , and finally got so tired of the potential to crush my nuts from spuring out I bought the tree gaffs like I,ve always had ........ Climbing around the limb swell is an easy way to spur out , or when going around the tree .

 

[cableguy256]

Thanks for the extra pointers tramp bushler.... When I get the other hooks off my friend, he said he has the climbing belt along with rope to 'hitch-hike' the tree. It's lookin like it's gonna be a couple more weekends before we drop the other tree's (approx. 15 more need climbed). Believe me all the advice given here is greatly appreciated.

 

[tramp bushler]

If you can take a look at Gerry Berenek's climbing some of the big timber out west .......The loggers tecknoligy was stolen by the linemen for climbing poles ... As soon as the steam donkey was invented they started climbing spar trees ...You might pm Slowp . he has some good climbing pics that have been posted on the Forestry and logging forum ...

 

[KodiakKen]

Hey cableguy

I work for the local telephone company and made firewood out of plenty of hardwoods on pole spikes.. at 270 pounds..I don't take un-needed risks..I always had 2 tie in points. I have never gaffed out in a tree but watch out for the green poles..there are no branches to catch you and they are HARD..I recommend serrated spikes on those. FOR THE RECORD. I run klein tree gaffs now. a bit to adjust to until you look down and see that you hit a soft spot and that is the only thing that saved you..a very very worthwhile investment.. like was said before..you can bet your ars that if you sound a utility pole at head level ...most of it will be good..sound a tree at head level and 10 feet up might not be so sound. Keep your wits and learn as you go. I am still working on it..plan on learning for a long time. Just when you think you know it all..That Mother (nature) will prove you wrong. make a plan and have someone within eyeshot when climbing. Be safe and keep us cackling in the future with some of the funny new guy stories..I think I could write a book about my stupid mistakes.