My New Climber

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Brian, c'mon....he knows how to start a saw, I think what he meant was which side of the tree do you start your cuts, in relationship to the way you are positioned in the tree. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with where you want the limb or chunk to land. I thought I asked you guys to take it easy on him :D No he doesn't have the tree climbers companion...I DO...and I haven't seen it since I bought it.

Jeff
 
My apologies, Jeff and Kurt. I couldn't help myself, it was too easy. :p
Seriously though, there are tons of different cutting techniques to steer and direct limbs. For larger cuts, you use a lot of the same techniques as felling a tree from the ground. For smaller stuff you can combine chain speed, direction of cut, notches (or lack of), and other subtle variances to direct limbs and even determine whether they fall butt first or bushy end first.

The way I learned was by intensly watching climbers I worked with, then later practicing different cutting techniques when I was on my own jobs. An important point to remember is that every climber will have different techniques- some good, some bad and some that may or may not work for YOU. In my first 5-10 years climbing I learned something from every climber I watched. I learned what to do and what NOT to do. I adopted different tricks and methods from most and combined them into a style that works for ME.
Nothing will get Kurt's wheels spinning faster than watching a good climber in action. I used to drive around on my days off and listen for chippers. I'd follow the sound and stop to watch the climber in action. My hunger to learn took me to lengths that most people will not bother with. But by the look of Kurt's eyes in that picture I'd say that he probably stops to watch climbers in action. :cool:
 
comfort

Kurt,

You have to be comfortable on the ground, with the saw and the types of cuts that your going to make. The two books that Kevin mention are both excellent. I would get out into the woods find a down tree, limb it buck it , practice undercutting on weighted limbs. Locate the branch bark collar, make some pruning cuts. Use the chain brake all the time, start the saw with it on, place the saw on the limb to be cut with the brake on. When you are actually ready to start the cut, click off the brake, make the cut, be aware of the chain, your body and your life line.
Snap the brake on with your left wrist, before you move to the next position. Many people have been cut with a coasting chain. They shut the machine off and think it's safe but the chain is still spinning for a second or two. Practice Practice Practice. Go slow and let it sink in.

Corey
 
Kevin (or anyone else),
Would you mind giving me a description of your lanyard and or flipline setup that you use with a chainsaw in the tree?

Kurt
 
This is how my rope flipline is set up.
I use a distel instead of the prusik.
Thanks to the Tree Climbers Companion for the photo ...
 
This is the wire core set up from Sherrilll for use with the chainsaw....
27652.jpg
 
Originally posted by treeclimber165
I used to drive around on my days off and listen for chippers. I'd follow the sound and stop to watch the climber in action.
You don't do this anymore? Am I weird, I do this almost anytime I'm riding around and hear a chipper! If I have a minute or 10 to watch you bet I'm going to check it out!
Just remember you can cut through that steelcore pretty fast too. My lanyard is setup like that steelcore with a microscender on one and a gibbs on the other.
 
I have to go along with trust your gear and safety first. My dad was a climber also and I started young. I now have boys of my own 5 and 8. I set ropes and put rock climbing harnesses on them and send them up. They enjoy it alot but I don't think I would ever want them climbing on the their own no matter what age. So why the long trip to NY? I'm willing to bet there a bunch of people out here who would be willing to take you on meaning hire you and teach you more than you will ever get from Rip. I had worked for a company who had Rip come out quite a few times from Arbormaster. It's very informative and great for those who hadn't done much. You don't pick these skills up just by watching or at least I didn't, I loved work when I was kid I could watch it all day. Seriously though I would ask around first and see what comes of it. Alot us includeing myself like teaching (and learning) others who are eager to learn what we know. There is so much knowledge out there and you find it in one place. What most of us know you won't find published anywhere. I am lucky enough to work with some of the best climbers in PA and because of that I too am better today. You off to a good start here. Don't give up and climb safe.

Big John
 
Bigjohn,

Actually I am going from New York to Wisconsin for the Arbormaster trianing. I am taking the week off work and kind of making a mini vacation out of it. Unfortunatly it is the closest one offered beore late summer. I am sure I could get more hands on experience elswhere, but I am not looking for another job (I work 50 hours a week as a moldmaker), I feel I just need a little of the thoery behind it to apply to the work my father and I do part time. As I mentioned before I have an Uncle who is a very good climber and will answer any questions he can. In going through high school and college I have learned that I can relate and interact very well from a "formal" teacher, possibly better than most, based mainly on my personality. Right now I think the Arbormaster training is right for me.

Kurt
 
MasterII

Kurt I climb in a master saddle also, a little tuff on the jewels, but the attachment points up front make it a good saddle. When doing removals use your climbing line to choke the sparr just below your flip line,just unclip it from your left front attachment point, and clip it to itself, (or tie a running bowline with a long tail, around the standing part of the rope so you choke the spar) if you want to get really fancy, you can ****** a figure eight to your middle d and run the falling end of your climbing line thru it after it passes through your friction hitch. Make's for a better perch should you gaff out, and is a quick way to the ground should you get hurt, better than climbing down with your gaffs.
Good luck, by the way where is kendall NY


Good luck
Corey
 
corey,
Thanks, that is great information. I had read about using your climbing line as a choker in the tree climbers companion. Sounds like the best way to go, if you can't crotch your climbing line higher in another tree for a second tie in point. Kendall is just nothwest of Brockport, probably not too far from you.
Kurt
 
I have a lot of relatives in that area, Lockport , Brockport, Holley, Hulberton and around Rochester. Love that place, used to live w/ my aunt in Hulberton for a little while and went to high school at Holley High for a year.
Don't remember seeing any tree or landscape companies around there though.:D
 
Holley huh, big soccer/baseball rivals of kendall. I can remember many tough games against them. :mad:
Hey, it's a small world :p
 

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