When do you decide to call it a day?

[Redbull]

So, you get up in the morning, it's 0 degrees with wind chill, your truck won't start, so you spend a half hour freezin your ass off and finally get it started. Then you go to warm up the chipper and it won't start. Spend another 45 minutes working on it and it decides, "screw you, it's cold, I'm not working today." So when do YOU call it a day? Personally, I'm staying home today.:bang:

 

[fmueller]

I think running your equipment in this weather is gonna ruin it anyway. Not to mention trying to run a chainsaw or other stuff when your fingers are frozen. I look at it as a safety issue. Wait for another day when its not brutally cold. It'll still be there.

 

[Ax-man]

I agree, it just does not pay in the long run to try and get work done when it is really cold, better to just sit tight and wait for better working conditions. Equipment is more prone to breakdowns when it gets cold, then you are screwed. It is best to do jobs that don't require so much equipment and work during the warmest part of the day while the temperture is rising. My hands can't take cold weather anymore because of the vibration from running a chainsaw in cold tempertures.

Larry

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Ambient air temp effects machinery, wind chill only effects bare skin.

After spending years working in Minneapolis winters I developed some cold weather strategies. Engine heaters for the machiners and better clothing for me.

Working in the cold is still a shake of the dice. It's nice to have a variety of jobs to pick from. Tall trees out in the open don't get done on windy days.

 

[ShoerFast]

From the Minneapolis winters also,,,,,

Yes Tom
As I'm from the same area, but like you, found the banana belt called Colorado!

As a Mechanic from the tundra, it was clear how busy it would get during and just after a cold snap.

It seems that things just pick the coldest days or the hottest days to give up there ghosts!
Kevin

 

[skwerl]

So, you get up in the morning, it's 0 degrees with wind chill, your truck won't start, so you spend a half hour freezin your ass off and finally get it started. Then you go to warm up the chipper and it won't start. Spend another 45 minutes working on it and it decides, "screw you, it's cold, I'm not working today." So when do YOU call it a day? Personally, I'm staying home today.:bang:

Me and cold don't get along. My personal threshold is about 45*-50*. Work is slower here during the winter and we don't have too many cold days anyway, so I simply skip the cold days. I like to average about 3 days per week so it's no big deal kicking a job back a day or two. I crank it out all summer so this time of year I can kick back a little.

 

[bottlefed89]

I had the same not wanting to start deal with my truck and chipper yesterday, but they'd both been sitting unstarted for about 5 days. I let the chipper stay running most of the day yesterday, removed 2 small trees yesterday, went back to finish cleanup today and grind the stumps. I'm glad I rent the grinder, cause it didn't like the cold, but it ain't mine so I used the hell out of it....
Get ready, it's supposed to snow tomorrow night, so it's bradford pear removal time for the year...

 

[Newfie]

Started at 8:30 this morning and called it a day around 3:30. Dress for the weather and think before acting. No need to rush, that's what I find breaks equipment.

 

[fpyontek]

My personal threshold is about 45*-50*.

I don't blame you, 45-50 degrees, thats almost frostbite conditions.

If the temperature is in the single digits I won't go out. I went out last Jan. to try to finish a big job, before an approaching snowstorm. It was 3 degrees, nothing wanted to start, including me. I won't do it again.

In temps. in the teens and low twenties I wear a Carhardt. Removals aren't a problem, but pruning with a carhardt on is a little challenging.

Fred

 

[notahacker]

When my "Ugly Gloves" stick to metal I call it a day.

 

[pbtree]

The really *cold* weather is not really an issue where I am, but I do not like working in rainy conditions, not windy days. But those are really few and far between for the most part...

 

[Rygel]

I like to work more in the cold (really on climbing days) . Maybe do to me being fat! But a hot day SUCKS! Also cant say on a rainy/cold day i like to work either.
We've missed alot of days due to rain in last few weeks. Our power company wont let us work. Sure makes a poor tree guy have a bad check. Guess i need to start my own buisness.

 

[Redbull]

I don't mind working in the cold either, in fact, I prefer it. But, single digit temps. seem to be tough on the equipment. I spent all day yesterday trying to get my chipper started so I could let it run and move fluids. No luck. I'll have to wait till it warms up to 30 on Friday. Snowing it's a$$ off right now.

 

[jp hallman]

When to call it a day? When it gets too(hot, cold, dry, dusty, windy, wet, etc. etc.) OR, on good days, whenever somebody shows up with a cold Hamms. After six hours of felling of course.