Why Not Pull Trees Over With Chain?

[StihlRockin']

What reason(s) are there for not felling trees over by pulling with a chain instead of bull ropes?

Back in the early 80's when I was just a pup, I had been working for a tree service as a grunt. They pulled trees over using cable. Afterwards when I went on my own, for a short while I used cable too because that is how I was taught. I know better now but recently met a fellow... who's stubborn as any mule I know of, uses chain to pull trees over. You can't tell him anything.

Anyway, what reasons can you think of to NOT pull trees over using chain?

StihlRockin'

 

[Tree Pig]

What reason(s) are there for not felling trees over by pulling with a chain instead of bull ropes?

Back in the early 80's when I was just a pup, I had been working for a tree service as a grunt. They pulled trees over using cable. Afterwards when I went on my own, for a short while I used cable too because that is how I was taught. I know better now but recently met a fellow... who's stubborn as any mule I know of, uses chain to pull trees over. You can't tell him anything.

Anyway, what reasons can you think of to NOT pull trees over using chain?

StihlRockin'

expensive, heavy to work with, not easy to get 60' up in a tree and hurts like hell when it snaps and hits you in the back of the head or go through your windshield.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Pick up a hundred foot of chain, then pick up a hundred foot of rope and let me know which you'd rather carry up a tree.

 

[flushcut]

Heavy!!!! is there a better reason to not use chain?

 

[StihlRockin']

I have a few myself.... one of them being... like if there are only 200 links on a very short chain, those links are only as strong as the weld holding them together. Hence, it's only as strong as the weakest link. I trust arborist's bull ropes more than any chain.

StihlRockin'

 

[ddhlakebound]

In addition to all the great reasons above.....

The stretch of the rope is your friend, and,

It's pretty damn tough to apply a MA system to a chain compared to a rope.

 

[flushcut]

I've always had trouble pulling a chain up into a tree with a throwline.


....and a running bowline is hard to tie in a chain, too.

I never had an issue tying one but untying was a PITA!

 

[StihlRockin']

Anyone else have an opinion or reason why having the stretch in a rope to work with is an advantage? If so, please explain.

Thanks,

StihlRockin'

 

[KenJax Tree]

I dont think my big shot would launch a chain very far

 

[VA-Sawyer]

Anyone else have an opinion or reason why having the stretch in a rope to work with is an advantage? If so, please explain.

Thanks,

StihlRockin'

Well, if you are pulling with a truck it really doesn't make much difference. If using MA to pull a tree overcenter, ( ie back lean ) it allows you to 'preload' the tree, and as it starts to move, the stretch tends to keep it moving in the pull direction.
Rick

PS If you are jerking on the line with the truck, the rope will reduce the black and blue areas on your chest, compared to a chain.

 

[Tree Pig]

I never had an issue tying one but untying was a PITA!

Well you can do the stick trick with the running bowline but you have to use rebar

 

[VA-Sawyer]

Well you can do the stick trick with the running bowline but you have to use rebar

True, but it needs to be the smooth kind, and that stuff is hard to find nowadays.
Rick

 

[mattfr12]

Pick up a hundred foot of chain, then pick up a hundred foot of rope and let me know which you'd rather carry up a tree.

I'd like to see someone pull 100 foot of chain up a tree.


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[tree md]

Chains have their place, usually skidding or when doing something in dirty, rough conditions that would be really hard on a rope. They are a ##### to work with in the air. I had to use a logging chain with a come along a few years back to brace up a compromised, codominant tree that I needed to rig from. Had to set it about 20' in the tree and it was a #####, I'll tell ya.

 

[ddhlakebound]

Anyone else have an opinion or reason why having the stretch in a rope to work with is an advantage? If so, please explain.

Thanks,

StihlRockin'

When pre-tensioning with a cable or chain, it's much more difficult to determine how much pull you're putting on the stem, with a rope you can tell how tight the rope is by the amount of downward deflection when you pull down (or hang from it). Too much tension (with rope, cable, or chain) and the chances of a barber chair increase. It's easier to apply too much tension with cable or chain.

Once you've got it properly pre-tensioned, for many trees that just need a bit of help to get them started, the rubber band effect of the rope will pull it over without ever having to move the pulling vehicle.

 

[VA-Sawyer]

I'd like to see someone pull 100 foot of chain up a tree.


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My mistake, I thought the OP was trying to use chain in the same manner we use rope to pull trees. Didn't understand that the plan was pull 100 ft of log chain into the tree and let the weight pull the tree over. LSNED

Rick

 

[ddhlakebound]

Chains have their place, usually skidding or when doing something in dirty, rough conditions that would be really hard on a rope. They are a ##### to work with in the air. I had to use a logging chain with a come along a few years back to brace up a compromised, codominant tree that I needed to rig from. Had to set it about 20' in the tree and it was a #####, I'll tell ya.

I've hauled two 20' sections of log chain 30' up to chain co-doms together. Felt alot safer having them in place, but man what a pain getting them in place and hooked up.

 

[climberjones]

I am with lake bound when pulling with a chain it makes me a wee bit nervous on just how much pressure im putting on the spar! Thats why i wont use a chain ill just stick to my dynasorb!

 

[sgreanbeans]

U guys are too funny!
I have used them with ratchet binders to tie splits back together while I worked the tree. HEAVY! They were just my chains for my machine so they were only 22.5ft long. I have a 50ft chain we call the raping chain. When I bought it, I NEEDED IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE! I was desperate. Price on the shelf was .98 cents a foot. When I checked out, it ran up at 2.70 or so per ft. I was raped by the register. I needed it badly, so I reluctantly paid. It was my mistake, they politely showed me the correct price that was right in FRONT of me!, guess my mind drifted to the prices above, instead of below...........I gotz me a nice chain do. I didnt get away scott free

 

[imagineero]

the trouble with chain is it's made of steel. When they start making chain out of spectra, they'll be on to something....

+1 on all the above posts of heavy + expensive. Chain is king when when it comes to pulling, so long as you've got a skidder. Stands up to a heck of a lot of abuse, and no trouble getting MA on it with chockers, plus plenty of devices pull chain anyhow. High test is the only way to go though, the're not talking home depot here.

Rope has surpassed steel in terms of strength for weight. Plus it floats on water. Even inthe lower weight classes, spectra/dyneema etc rope has surpassed steel cable and chain for strength/weight. It still suffers from low reistance to dirt/abrasion and heat though. Nobody has mentioned the other low side to rope - it seriously degrades in strength over a short period, like 2-3 years regular use. I've got chains kicking around that my grandfather used. I'll pass them on when I'm done with them. Stretch can be a pro or a con depending on the situation. With competent operators most of the cons can be negated.

Shaun