What makes a GOOD groundman?

[MasterBlaster]

I worked most of that into 8 for ya, Erik.

 

[a_lopa]

actually good people skills,presentation would be good,although im not that good at that myself ha ha,being able to drive truck and back chipper to where its got to be is a big one,i supose being able to think is best, last groundie i was paying charity to couldnt remember the two loops to attach my saw to life line after refill after being shown a hundred times i knew it was all over when he was holding the correct loop with his fingers closed thru it saying ''i dont understand''at least showing them the wrap doesnt take long as they get hot fingeys to remind them

 

[murphy4trees]

How about driving/operating truck and chipper... backing up a chipper and operating a stump grinder... taking apart and putting fences back together and repairing turf...
I heard adjusting chain.. did anybody mention replacing chain... cleaning bar and sprocket area... sharpening a saw comes in handy too...
setting up a 3:1 z rig.. using midline knots...
Being comfortable working a pull and lowering line at the same time..
belaying a climber by pulling on the tail of his climbing line (advancing the friction hitch)... Butch wouldn't know a thing about that though!!!!!!!!!!
using a pole sawpole pruner to pull hangers/prune lower branches and deadwood... therefore must understand target pruning
did anybody mention using a bigshot or cutting notches and felling trees???..
Good eye for aesthetics... making good calls on questionable cuts when the climber asks "how this look?"
Same for judging landing zone and clearance on felling a tree...
More later if you like???

 

[a_lopa]

true daniel but if they can do that 99%of them will be able climbers and will be advertising themselves

 

[MasterBlaster]

Geez Murph!

We've 30 already, we don't wanna turn a light read into War and Peace. A lot of what you mentioned is already covered, but I read a few that I can work into something.
And you're asking a newbie groundhand to be expected to do a lot of advanced techniques. But, eventually, they should.

Then, they become climbers!

 

[a_lopa]

come on stick to the subject rocky,what do you require in a groundie???

 

[MasterBlaster]

Originally posted by aussie_lopa
come on stick to the subject rocky,what do you require in a groundie???

I was thinking the same thing.


Murphy, I worked your suggestions into 17, 18, 24, and 26.

You said you had some more? Lay em on me,

Just don't get TOO detailed... thats MY part.

 

[a_lopa]

if there are some decent sized wheels left after a removal they are to be ripped in two that always leaves a good impression

 

[okietreedude1]

a little off thread here going back to groundie pay: $15/hr for a groundie????!!!!!!!!!???????

HOLY SH*T!!!!

Ive been climbing for 9 1/2 yrs, ISA Cert., 4 yrs college and I dont make that!

Maybe I need to move? Especially since some out there are paying in Gold.

Id be your best groundie for $15 (granted cost of living was comparable). It'd save a lot of the crap I put up with sometimes.

 

[Ax-man]

How about something on what to do in case of an emergency.

I'm not talking about an aerial rescue, but let's just say a climber cuts himself, but is still able to get to the ground. A good ground man should know that the first thing to do is make a bee- line for the first aid kit, render some kind of first aid to the climber to avoid shock or at least minimize it, call 911 if needed or send some one for help.

Larry

 

[MasterBlaster]

Thanks Larry, thats now 31.

 

[murphy4trees]

knowing the difference between phone, cable and electric lines and how to drop phone and cable lines..

pruning shrubs by hand... not with hedge trimmers

digging/moving shrubs and perrenials

basic tree identification

making tobacco offerings and talking to the trees and nature spirits

have a good eye for other work or tree problems on the property

walking the roof to clean it and the gutters

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

How about arranging your list a little more logically. Start with showing up sober and end with the hard stuff like roping or not dulling the topping saw. Sequence it like a day of work.

In the roping section, speaking of that, new guys always want to stand in line of the swing where they might get hit, and have the rope wrapped around their hand real good. LOL

I also disagree with the unrgency of lowering asap. I would perfer a new guy have complete control, lowering slowly so it doesnt burn the rope, hit gutters, or get hung up on the way down. There are some jobs where the peices can be lowered fast, and some cut where it needs to be dropped fast, but from a safety perspective and in the interest of control, slow is better. It also reduces the chance of huge dynamic loads.

 

[murphy4trees]

I also disagree with the unrgency of lowering asap. I would perfer a new guy have complete control, lowering slowly so it doesnt burn the rope, hit gutters, or get hung up on the way down. There are some jobs where the peices can be lowered fast, and some cut where it needs to be dropped fast, but from a safety perspective and in the interest of control, slow is better. It also reduces the chance of huge dynamic loads.

Point taken MM... and I think it is a matter of symantics...
get the piece on the ground as as fast as possible without sacraficing safety or control...

On that note how about letting a lowerred piece swing out over obstacle and then drop lowering line in perfect time to let it run to ground before swinging back..

 

[kowens]

chipper

http://www.stonegrooves.net/chipper.html

if ground men can't read just look at decals on chipper
i can't count the times i have had to fly out of tree to stop this from happening
1when feeding chipper no lose clothing no watches just make suer you are wareing nothing that brush can grab and pull you into chipper

 

[MasterBlaster]

The list is a rough draft. If you haven't noticed it by now, I've added to it as this thread has progressed. The numbers are not in order for the time being. Remember Mike... rough draft.

Again, I want to emphazize that I don't want to go into extreme detail concerning the advanced techniques. And least not at this time. Maybe later.

And yes, there is still a lot that can be added to the existing points, and plenty of new ones still to be thought up!



Kowens, you gave me 33!

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Originally posted by MasterBlaster
Remember Mike... rough draft.

Note to self: Mb can't take cirticism. LOL

Don't stand in line with the swing and don't wrap the bull rope around your hand, are the first two things I say to a new guy. Then I ask his or her name.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Thanks Mike. I'll work that and Murphys suggestions into it later.

I gotta go to work!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I was wondering about some of the suggestions coming of late. More in line of a crew leader, or ground captain if the climber is the lead, then a groundman.

I would say the z rig, speedline and such would fall into show a willing ness to learn techniques that are not often used, but can add to productivity when the situation allows.

 

[Climbing mike]

Most of the time I have found that the climber does most of the driving (which is me) The other guys dont pay attention to where we are going or even what part of town we are in. If I was to get hurt and they called 911 from our cell phones it would probably take a while to find out where I am. Pay attention to where the job is, dont try to sleep in the truck on the way to the job.
Mabey add some of this to #31



Great thread, MB

Mike