buffalo bill
ArboristSite Lurker
We did a helicopter tree removal job recently. Has any one got experience in this type of work?
Helicopter Work
- Thread starter buffalo bill
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
Canyonbc
Addicted to ArboristSite
Really...
Is it a joke..????
Just never heard of anyone using a helicoptor on a removal
Is it a joke..????
Just never heard of anyone using a helicoptor on a removal
Podaltura
ArboristSite Operative
Podaltura
ArboristSite Operative
More, and not is a joke:
jomoco
Tree Freak
A tree removal?
It would be extremely unusual to use a helicopter to remove one tree unless the client had some very deep pockets.
I sub'd to an old logging family outfit in Lake Arrowhead that logged with helicopters on some very steep terrain off the main highway between Arrowhead and Big Bear.
It only pays off on a volume of trees removed basis, and you have to have a landing/yarding area to drop the logs off and yard them onto the logging trucks in a high volume rate.
Daily rates for a helicopter capable of this type of logging are 25-35K per day depending on lifting capacity.
To make it pay the operation has to be perfectly timed to keep the copters moving back and forth between the pickup and dropoff points in an almost nonstop fashion (fuel). Today's helo logging copters utilise automatic pickup and dropoff cable hooks, and the crew setting up the pickup point chokers find themselves under alot of pressure to keep up with the volume of logs being moved by working long hectic hours of overtime.
But when done right, the teamwork between the separate feller, choker, aerial and yarding crews is a beautiful ballet to behold, and if done right can payoff very well for the contractors with the experience to pull it off.
Usually it's a state or federal contract with limited access or special environmental concerns that call for helo logging.
jomoco
It would be extremely unusual to use a helicopter to remove one tree unless the client had some very deep pockets.
I sub'd to an old logging family outfit in Lake Arrowhead that logged with helicopters on some very steep terrain off the main highway between Arrowhead and Big Bear.
It only pays off on a volume of trees removed basis, and you have to have a landing/yarding area to drop the logs off and yard them onto the logging trucks in a high volume rate.
Daily rates for a helicopter capable of this type of logging are 25-35K per day depending on lifting capacity.
To make it pay the operation has to be perfectly timed to keep the copters moving back and forth between the pickup and dropoff points in an almost nonstop fashion (fuel). Today's helo logging copters utilise automatic pickup and dropoff cable hooks, and the crew setting up the pickup point chokers find themselves under alot of pressure to keep up with the volume of logs being moved by working long hectic hours of overtime.
But when done right, the teamwork between the separate feller, choker, aerial and yarding crews is a beautiful ballet to behold, and if done right can payoff very well for the contractors with the experience to pull it off.
Usually it's a state or federal contract with limited access or special environmental concerns that call for helo logging.
jomoco
Last edited:
OTG BOSTON
Addicted to ArboristSite
It had to be done here a few years back. Was near the airport in swamplands
opcorn:
opcorn:
Canyonbc
Addicted to ArboristSite
Wow those are some crazy pictures. I have always thought you know what it would be like to have a helicoptor on the job...but always joking didnt no anyone did it.
However i guess that makes sense on very steep terrain. I dont have experince in logging, and logging on supper steep hills.
COol pics, thanks for the info.
You do learn something everyday.
Canyon
However i guess that makes sense on very steep terrain. I dont have experince in logging, and logging on supper steep hills.
COol pics, thanks for the info.
You do learn something everyday.
Canyon
cantcutter
ArboristSite Operative
There is an outfit near Springfield Ma that does alot of logging with helicopters.... they have done some work in Vermont in the national forest..
Ed*L
ArboristSite Guru
I see them use a chopper occasonially to sit rooftop equipment on the GM factories. The buildings are so wide, some areas can't be reached with a crane. Big bucks for sure!
Ed
Ed
Canyonbc
Addicted to ArboristSite
That is some crazy stuff...
Anyone no how much a helicoptor can lift...?
Anyone no how much a helicoptor can lift...?
I cut for a Sikorsky? years ago in AK.... Seems like the optimum turn was 10,000 lbs.
jomoco
Tree Freak
With a Sikorsky S64 Skycrane helicopter the optimum load weight was 15,000 pounds, and it's maximum capacity was 18,000 pounds.
So about 7 tons is the target weight per lift with the Skycrane copter.
jomoco
Canyonbc
Addicted to ArboristSite
Thank you Jomoco...
That is fair lift.
Jomoco...have you ever done in Helicoptor work in San Diego...?
That is fair lift.
Jomoco...have you ever done in Helicoptor work in San Diego...?
jomoco
Tree Freak
No, only the Big Bear logging contract in the San Bernadino mountains, and I was just a lowly sub climber/feller.
I do know that many years ago a local tree contractor here in San Diego tried it on a federal brush clearing contract and went bankrupt.
It takes a great deal of experience and teamwork to pull it off successfully.
The down draft from the rotor wash on a big Sikorsky is unbelievable, and good goggles are a must out in the dirt.
jomoco
Canyonbc
Addicted to ArboristSite
Ya, sometimes out in the back of Descanso...Japutal Valley and on up to Julian...there are times a helicoptor would be nice..but never ever feesible.
Joe -
Been wondering...do you own your business...or just sub your self out as a climber??
Joe -
Been wondering...do you own your business...or just sub your self out as a climber??
jomoco
Tree Freak
I'm a semi-retired independent sub, basicly a one man show with my trusty old 84 Toyota 4X4 tool truck packed full of chainsaws & rigging locked down in diamond plate aluminum boxes. The truck has a custom rear mounted 12K Warner winch that comes in very handy at times. The old warhorse has almost half a million miles on it and averages about 150K per engine.
I'm doing less and less tree work as I concentrate on breaking into the wind power industry with my Wind Rocker system.
I doubt that I'll ever fully retire from the tree biz, it's been very good to me and keeps me from getting fat from sitting on my butt at the computer.
jomoco
Magnum783
ArboristSite Guru
We used a chinnook to lift a D6 dozer in Iraq. I have also seen them life an A-1 tank. Don't know how much either weigh but I have seen the chinook lift them both. At seprate times mind you.
Jared
Jared
Canyonbc
Addicted to ArboristSite
That is a hell of a truck...a good friend of mine is Descanso has a 1982 Toyota 4x4...great little truck. That winch i am sure has come in real handy from time to time...
i rigged up a 5500 pound winch to run off the back my 98 ranger...but for a college student its gets me by.
In the summer time..if you ever need help, i am 19 hard working, and insured. I would be honored to work with someone of your knowledge and experince
i rigged up a 5500 pound winch to run off the back my 98 ranger...but for a college student its gets me by.
In the summer time..if you ever need help, i am 19 hard working, and insured. I would be honored to work with someone of your knowledge and experince
cantcutter
ArboristSite Operative
An M1A1 weighs 67.7 tons.....or 135.000 lbs....that is alot of lifting power:jawdrop:
jomoco
Tree Freak
I don't think that there's a helicopter in the world capable of lifting that much weight.
I could be wrong I guess but even the giant Russian made biggest baddest helicopter in the world only claimed a maximum lift capacity of about half that.
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/helicopters/q0284.shtml
jomoco
