The working man, and chainsaw thread!!!!!!!!!

[jropo]

For sure trust the gear, and that takes time too. It will all come in time. John 160 feet in a Redwood. Other pic he is about 100 feet up topping a fir.

UUmm ya, not me anytime soon!
Maybe some day!

 

[parrisw]

Trust your gear!
I'm still working on that part!
I need a beener and better saw strap.

Do you use wire core?

Yes, must use wire core flip line when using a chainsaw in a tree, if your not, there is something wrong with your head. Many guys have died by not doing this.

There is only one way to say it, i could not do it end of story.
i have a mate who does do it and i have said to him many times, you don't need to worry about me undercuting your price to get the job. I 'm staying on the ground.....

Ya its not for everyone. Now I'm no pro by any means, but I can do it, not real fast, I just don't do it enough.

 

[jropo]

Yes, must use wire core flip line when using a chainsaw in a tree, if your not, there is something wrong with your head. Many guys have died by not doing this.



Ya its not for everyone. Now I'm no pro by any means, but I can do it, not real fast, I just don't do it enough.

I got my sattle from a Tree's Inc. guy in excange for saw work. They use two flip straps. (power lines) PITA!!!!!!!

I'd at least like to prune my own yard trees.

 

[Brian13]

Well Brian never done it myself due to fear of heights for me, but been with it and in the game just turned my 24th year. I have been there with the rigging seen it done it, but climb. But watched John my best buddy for year's, and other excellent climber's. From what you posted it is not the hitch, or technique, but the confidence in your climbing, we need to work on. It takes a big man to come out and ask for help, and say I am trying. I really respect that my friend! Like I said before too bad we are not closer. I have been working with another of our best friend's and tree work partners. Jesus I saw alot of natural ability in him. He used to free climb, and is getting the hang of spur's and flipline now was not easy for him at first, and we are still working with him. Proper cutting techniques, and climbing. The last job we had John was out of town, and Jesus got a little nervous up in a pine about 40 feet. Not the height's but the topping of the tree with some wind added. I pushed him a little, and help with some instruction from the ground, kind of coaching told him yes you can do it, and you will be fine seen John do it many times. Walk him through it and he got a confidence boost, and gained some experience. It does reallly help if you have a partner you know, and trust to help each other, push each other, and balance each other out. I suggest push your self a little each time with another level, height and added technique. Stop second guessing your self you been doing it right because you got this far. You ever need help to talk, or ask a question call or text anytime. Norm Green 707-480-0155. Text me youre number if you want I will talk to John, and think you guy's should talk, he is in the best of the best class his family has done this for generation's. Keep at it that book is fabulous, and you will get there it takes time, and experience, just like falling trees, and cutting and other tree work.

I am actually afraid of heights as well, which probably has a lot to do with me questioning my knot and crotch selection. That and I dont get to do it often. I am pretty certain that I tie my knots right, and the crotch will hold, but not having someone there to say yeah its good I get that nagging nervousness. Then there is rot, hollowed trees, and other defects. I watched a huge oak at my parents house, about 4'X6' at the base, get pulled over by a 1/2 ton truck because it was hollow. I feel a lot more comfortable with spikes and ropes, but most of what I have been climbing was not going to get removed. But when I am on just rope, those worries are just enough to keep me tense and very slow LOL.

What part don't you trust? You hitch? or where you are tied off too? I've tied off to branches as little as a couple inches around, as long as the tie point in right next to the trunk. I agree with Norm about having someone there to help that knows what he's doing. I've gone up very high with just flipline and spurs.

I am pretty certain the hitch is tied right, but all I have to check it with is pictures. I am using a distel hitch right now, its pretty simple to tie just dont have anyone to check and say yeah thats set right. And I know the only way the crotches I choose are going to break would be due to a defect. And 9 out of 10 times I am ok with it, but on occasion I sit and wonder if it will hold.

I tell you guys though, its a whole different ballgame up there, looking up at it aint so bad, when your up there looking down it seems sooooo much higher. You'll be pretty hard pressed to come out of the tree with just a flipline and spurs, you got 3 points of contact there and pretty safe, I've had spurs kick out and still never slipped down.

You got that right. Everything looks easy from the ground. I use spikes if the tree is going to be removed, but try to avoid using them on trees that are going to stay. I have had them kick out, and it made me nervous LOL. I feel a whole lot better when I can use spikes and ropes.

 

[parrisw]

I am actually afraid of heights as well, which probably has a lot to do with me questioning my knot and crotch selection. That and I dont get to do it often. I am pretty certain that I tie my knots right, and the crotch will hold, but not having someone there to say yeah its good I get that nagging nervousness. Then there is rot, hollowed trees, and other defects. I watched a huge oak at my parents house, about 4'X6' at the base, get pulled over by a 1/2 ton truck because it was hollow. I feel a lot more comfortable with spikes and ropes, but most of what I have been climbing was not going to get removed. But when I am on just rope, those worries are just enough to keep me tense and very slow LOL.



I am pretty certain the hitch is tied right, but all I have to check it with is pictures. I am using a distel hitch right now, its pretty simple to tie just dont have anyone to check and say yeah thats set right. And I know the only way the crotches I choose are going to break would be due to a defect. And 9 out of 10 times I am ok with it, but on occasion I sit and wonder if it will hold.



You got that right. Everything looks easy from the ground. I use spikes if the tree is going to be removed, but try to avoid using them on trees that are going to stay. I have had them kick out, and it made me nervous LOL. I feel a whole lot better when I can use spikes and ropes.

Just takes time and practice. It does help that I'm not afraid of heights, or afraid to try anything.

 

[oscar4883]

Yes, must use wire core flip line when using a chainsaw in a tree, if your not, there is something wrong with your head. Many guys have died by not doing this.

In the US there is no law saying you need a wire-core. Personally I only know one guy who uses one all the time. I break mine out for conifers only. Being tied in twice, and making careful cuts matter regardless of wire-core or not. However, there is nothing wrong at all with using one for added protection.

Brian- as far a the distel hitch goes it is a great hitch that sets all the time when tied properly. It takes some time to get used to what diameter is safe to tie in to. Big difference between 3in. white oak, and 3in. willow, lol. You will get more comfortable as time goes on and it seems like you have very good common sense. I totally agree with Will that looking up at a guy working is easy. It is a radically different story when you are the one climbing.

 

[parrisw]

In the US there is no law saying you need a wire-core. Personally I only know one guy who uses one all the time. I break mine out for conifers only. Being tied in twice, and making careful cuts matter regardless of wire-core or not. However, there is nothing wrong at all with using one for added protection.

Brian- as far a the distel hitch goes it is a great hitch that sets all the time when tied properly. It takes some time to get used to what diameter is safe to tie in to. Big difference between 3in. white oak, and 3in. willow, lol. You will get more comfortable as time goes on and it seems like you have very good common sense. I totally agree with Will that looking up at a guy working is easy. It is a radically different story when you are the one climbing.

Well, when it comes to life or death, I don't screw around, careful cuts don't mean squat when you slip, I make careful cuts regardless. I don't know why anyone would not use a wirecore??? Its not like their difficult to use, I think its easier to flip up with a wire core.

 

[NORMZILLA44]

Yep Will we are on the same page. It will take time Brian, and you will start to get more comfortable. I know it! Speaking of spur's kicking out, John has done it in redwood, sometimes the bark slip's out or strips. Did that to him on a tree job, and he dropped down the tree 30 feet or so. The bark stripped out on him.

 

[ausneil 1]

Yep Will we are on the same page. It will take time Brian, and you will start to get more comfortable. I know it! Speaking of spur's kicking out, John has done it in redwood, sometimes the bark slip's out or strips. Did that to him on a tree job, and he dropped down the tree 30 feet or so. The bark stripped out on him.

man i would have to call it a day after that,,,

 

[parrisw]

man i would have to call it a day after that,,,

I would at least have to clean out my undies before I went back up.

 

[Brian13]

Just takes time and practice. It does help that I'm not afraid of heights, or afraid to try anything.

The fear is part of what makes it fun for me. The actual climbing isnt so much what makes me nervous, it the the positioning to cut where I really start to get nervous. For some reason letting go of the rope makes me feel like I am going to loose balance and or control. Part of it is lack of self confidence and other part is not yet quite believing that a rope wrapped around another will keep me for falling.

In the US there is no law saying you need a wire-core. Personally I only know one guy who uses one all the time. I break mine out for conifers only. Being tied in twice, and making careful cuts matter regardless of wire-core or not. However, there is nothing wrong at all with using one for added protection.

Brian- as far a the distel hitch goes it is a great hitch that sets all the time when tied properly. It takes some time to get used to what diameter is safe to tie in to. Big difference between 3in. white oak, and 3in. willow, lol. You will get more comfortable as time goes on and it seems like you have very good common sense. I totally agree with Will that looking up at a guy working is easy. It is a radically different story when you are the one climbing.

Thanks! I just switched from the VT to the distel. After reading mostly good things about it here and that it is less likely to come loose I decided to try it. So far so good, it has not slipped, but I dont have a whole lot of time on it yet. As for picking a crotch, I try to err on the safe side. The only reason on I pick would break would be because of defect. I know you can go smaller, I just dont have the experience to tell how much, or how to spot possible defects that arnt obvious.

Yep Will we are on the same page. It will take time Brian, and you will start to get more comfortable. I know it! Speaking of spur's kicking out, John has done it in redwood, sometimes the bark slip's out or strips. Did that to him on a tree job, and he dropped down the tree 30 feet or so. The bark stripped out on him.

I wish I could get out more. I dont get to go out more than once a month or less it seems. With a wife and twins, seems like I dont have much time for anything unless it makes money LOL.

 

[Rounder]

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Some pics from last week for you Norm. Nice fir in that draw system. Kind of a pain cutting all those little swales running into a main draw! Got about ten different leads going and trying to keep them in order of what will be skidded in what order so things aren't crossed up is interesting.

Hope all's well in the new year pard - Sam

 

[oscar4883]

Well, when it comes to life or death, I don't screw around, careful cuts don't mean squat when you slip, I make careful cuts regardless. I don't know why anyone would not use a wirecore??? Its not like their difficult to use, I think its easier to flip up with a wire core.

Understood. There are an awful lot of reckless, non-wirecore, users on this site. LOL

 

[parrisw]

The fear is part of what makes it fun for me. The actual climbing isnt so much what makes me nervous, it the the positioning to cut where I really start to get nervous. For some reason letting go of the rope makes me feel like I am going to loose balance and or control. Part of it is lack of self confidence and other part is not yet quite believing that a rope wrapped around another will keep me for falling.



Thanks! I just switched from the VT to the distel. After reading mostly good things about it here and that it is less likely to come loose I decided to try it. So far so good, it has not slipped, but I dont have a whole lot of time on it yet. As for picking a crotch, I try to err on the safe side. The only reason on I pick would break would be because of defect. I know you can go smaller, I just dont have the experience to tell how much, or how to spot possible defects that arnt obvious.



I wish I could get out more. I dont get to go out more than once a month or less it seems. With a wife and twins, seems like I dont have much time for anything unless it makes money LOL.

Keep things simple helps too. I climb pretty basic, I run a Blakes hitch and you have to advance that manually.

Understood. There are an awful lot of reckless, non-wirecore, users on this site. LOL

 

[oscar4883]

Keep things simple helps too. I climb pretty basic, I run a Blakes hitch and you have to advance that manually.

Distel is a great simple hitch. As is the Blakes. Basic is good for me too. Less thing to mind and also less of a chance for me to forget something important! Distel is a great lanyard hitch. Even works great on a wire-core. LOL

 

[NORMZILLA44]

Neil a guy would definately shart himself, slipping like that the first time or two for sure! Brian, time you will get there buddy! We all had alot to learn, and continue to learn it never end's. No two trees are the same, and no two tree job's are the same either. It is a trade that will keep you on your toe's, push you to the limit's, and make you evolve. Sam great pics brother! I love the one overlooking the valley below, glad to hear from ya, and glad you are doing good buddy! Oscar good call on the hitch Will I am to a believer in the wire core, not only can it save a guy who accedentaly clips his line with a saw, but also the added protection of all the friction, and abrasion from bark.

 

[Brian13]

Keep things simple helps too. I climb pretty basic, I run a Blakes hitch and you have to advance that manually.

Distel is a great simple hitch. As is the Blakes. Basic is good for me too. Less thing to mind and also less of a chance for me to forget something important! Distel is a great lanyard hitch. Even works great on a wire-core. LOL

I have tried a blakes and taughtline using the climb line itself, and I dont know if it was because the rope was new but it didnt feel like it wanted to hold well. Felt very slippery. When I ordered my ropes I copied the set up of the guy who helped me on the pine tree I posted a pic of earlier. He used the I2I set up with a VT hitch. The distel looks pretty much like the taughtline only with both ends terminating at the carabiner. Seems simple enough, and it feels like it holds well. I dont really think its the knot, but more like I said earlier I am new to friction hitches. The idea of a rope wrapped around another that can slide one way or the other freely is going to hole me hasnt quite sunk in yet lol.

Neil a guy would definately shart himself, slipping like that the first time or two for sure! Brian, time you will get there buddy! We all had alot to learn, and continue to learn it never end's. No two trees are the same, and no two tree job's are the same either. It is a trade that will keep you on your toe's, push you to the limit's, and make you evolve. Sam great pics brother! I love the one overlooking the valley below, glad to hear from ya, and glad you are doing good buddy! Oscar good call on the hitch Will I am to a believer in the wire core, not only can it save a guy who accedentaly clips his line with a saw, but also the added protection of all the friction, and abrasion from bark.

I am still very green to all of it. Probably doing a disservice to myself by trying to learn about all of it at once. But weather I am testing out a saw I just rebuilt, trying to cut a cut a tree down, or trying to climb I am having a blast. At some point I really hope to be working in the field one way or another.

I have both wire core and rope lanyards. I had just a wire core to start with, and was doing some reading here about a guy who had his lanyard around a large lateral branch that was being cut. It ended up splitting on him and pinning him to the tree, he was able to cut the rope with a pocket knife and get himself free. I have heard good and bad about both, so I have both and use both.

 

[NORMZILLA44]

Good deal Brian, and sounds to me like you are doing just fine. All of us have been there I have also always been a believer, in everybody finds there own little niches, and things that work out for them best, along the road. I have always tried to be open minded, and take in all ides and thoughts from others. If I have not seen the methods tested before I will usually try the stuff, and see how it may work. I also take tried and true methods even of my own, and always look for ways to improve any of them.

 

[parrisw]

I have tried a blakes and taughtline using the climb line itself, and I dont know if it was because the rope was new but it didnt feel like it wanted to hold well. Felt very slippery.

I found that too when I started if you use the same size rope for the hitch as your climb line, my climber friend does this and works for him, you really have to work the blakes tight I found, but I'm much heavier then he is. So I went to a Bee Line prusik cord, and it holds amazing now, if you have one of these don't do the blakes too tight cause it holds too well and you'll find yourself stuck in the tree!! Ask me how I know. After I used it a few times it loosened up and now it runs great you can repel down fast then let go of it and it stops me instantly, but have to be careful doing this with a blakes cause it gets real hot.

Got it from Baileys. They have 3 different lengths, 24", 30", 36".

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=BL516+30&catID=

 

[NORMZILLA44]

Good call Will, and I always wondered how those prusik cords work. Now I know always seemed like a good idea.