I always enjoy your longer videos that talk through what you are doing. Would have loved to hear more about the reasoning for span rigging and how you thought through placement. Nice job on this one!
Thanks Austin! I prefer to make videos more like that too. I was working with that crew for the first time thay day and I spent a lot of my focus on the job and the teamwork. I'll be sure to get back to better explanations when I'm working with my regular crews again 👍 For this job I chose span rigging to spread the force put over two spars and to move the limbs away from the house and into the driveway where the ground crew could get to the easier. We could have also run two ropes, but I was short on ground people and there wasn't extensive added benefit I don't think.
@@zaccheus thanks! I’ve not used span rigging yet. Thinking back there were a few removals that it would have worked nicely on for me. I’ll be trying it sometime soon 🤙
@Austin Smith there are a bunch of variations. The biggest thing is just to keep in mind the different force application and when you dump a load into a horizontal line, it can develope as much a 3x the weigh of the load.
I can't here stories like that enough. I know things just happen, but I definitely don't ever want to get so comfortable I stop looking up every time. To many bad days I've heard and seen were avoidable.
@Matt Rybacki you're absolutely right. It's amazing how a close call will set your alertness to level 11 and then only a month or two later you'll find yourself doing the same thing again. Habit development seems to be the best combat, but it has to be habit for the whole crew.
Nice work Zach. Your rope man did a good job of not rattling you .ugh at all up there. With all the injuries being shared online this year I try to learn all I can by watching others.
@@zaccheus yes and thanks for that question. I bought Z133 and read it all just before I started my biz. Several other books on knots,, the tree climbers guide and how to fell a tree.. My background is in maintenance in oil refineries. I'm familiar with daily safety meetings and OSHA. All my gear top notch. I don't use cheap carabiner or ropes for heavy loads nor to climb on. The weather is warming up here in NW Indiana. It will be in the 40s all week.
@Billster1955 Nice! Sounds like you're skipping all of the mistakes I made when I was getting started! Only other thing I'd like to share is how much I have found a ton of value in finding a veteran of the industry who was willing to mentor me in the stuff I couldn't find in books or online. If you come across any big projects and need a hand, I might be willing to drive out there if you'd be interested in help 🤙
@@zaccheus that was my specialty in my younger days. I made them float to the ground. The companies I worked for didn't worry about the ground so I was able to let the big chunks run when possible. It's hard to find a good competent rope man. I enjoyed watching you work sir good Job and thanks.
I enjoy the content. Would like to see more details about the rigging and climb line placement. It’s always good to see other ways to skin the cat, and most videos focus on the cutting. The cuts only work well when the rigging details are good. The angles may not show as good as wanted on the videos, but would love to see them
Sure thing Dan! Rigging is my favorite part too. I'm sorry I didn't make a good explanation of the set up on this climb. It was a challenging tree and my first time with thay crew so I just had too much to focus on. I'll get back to showing the set up more when worl picks back up with my local crews here.
Almost 15K subscribers. Maybe use a wedge on the big wood? Really watch those stubs, they can immediately change your day. Thanks for the video and keep up the great work.
Thanks! I could probably use a wedge. I try to avoid using wedges aloft because there are just so many things to drop. Maybe thats not a great reason though. I suppose I also could have put a pull rope on it to have someone pull over for me. And you're absolutely right about stubs 😅 Thanks for your comment!
@@zaccheus I think it was Metaspencer that showed this cool little mini wedge + paracord that hangs from his suspenders he'd take climbing. Doesn't give much lift but can help in some annoying situations. Maybe a normal-sized plastic wedge could be adapted too? Run the cord through the sides instead of the face(?) of the wedge so the paracord wouldn't get bashed
@Steve Wilkos I tried a mini wedge on a retractable key chain for a little while. I found myself using it only rarely and so I took it off of my harness. I think I've seen someone do what you mentioned with a medium wedge. I have taken a bag of wedges and a hammer up in the tree before. It worked, I just felt like I want gonna drop stuff and hurt someone.
I'm certainly no expert, but on a recent instructional video climbing arborist suggested both the lanyard and the climbing rope be above the rigging gear. Now that you mention it, if the climbing rope is SRT, I suppose it might not matter if the climbing rope is below, as long as the actual rope wrench doesn't get trapped. If the climbing rope is a double rope attachment, it needs to run freely to allow one to get down quickly in an emergency. So, I can see how if the loaded rigging gear gets jammed up in the climbing rope, you're ability to quickly rap down is gone.
Thanks for bringing that up! I actually filmed this, then saw his video 😂 I think he mentioned that the critical thing is to have the lanyard above and that an srt anchor below the sling was okay but not his preference. I like it below simply because it makes it easier to keep climbing line and lanyard separate. Thanks for mentioned the DRT aspect too, that's important and I forgot all about it!
@@zaccheus You make a good point about how important it is to have the rigging point as high as possible, to reduce shock loading. One extra inch means two inches more of free fall, plus stretch, all of which increases the momentum of the falling log before the line is tight. So the real estate in that area is expensive. This was a fun video to watch!
@@zaccheus first of all, awesome video, rigging was on point. That tree looked like a bitch, pretty tough structure. Secondly, totally agree with you about one above, one below the block to keep them separated. I put the lanyard below and the climbing line above because one time the rigging line ran on my climbing line below the block and cut halfway through it, then I descended and didn’t realize the line was damaged until I retrieved it from the ground. Could’ve really screwed me up. I have a wire ore flip line so I figure even if the rope runs on it it won’t fully fail. Just thought I’d throw in my experience, certainly not saying your system isn’t as good
@callmefletcher thanks man! Thays a fair concern with what you mentioned about burning a climbing line. I guess it would be ideal to keep it tucked uo under the block. Then there wouldn't be very good separation between the flip line and the climbing line. I used to use a mental core flipline. Then I got shocked through it and hung it up. I probably should use one for spar work though 🤔
I love climbing and rigging an recently learned about span rigging. I felt compelled to want to try it an try to lift this huge walnut limb with the Grcs. The problem was was my rigging point wasn’t high enough although it was at the top of the tree the limb was just to long and too horizontal but like an idiot I tried anyways. While lifting the limb my groundie was cranking a little slow with the Grcs an instead of the limb lifting straight up it freakin kicked off to the side and tips of the branch swept the crap out of the neighbors roof. So embarrassing but I learned my lesson and completely understand what I did wrong. But I felt like such an idiot trying something new with such a huge horizontal limb an it just completely failing an going sideways almost like a balance tie would vs a tip tie. Haha thought I would share my first attempt at a span rig. Lol all was well no serious property damage.
Haha, thanks for sharing! I've only ever tried a span rigging lift with the GRCS once. Depending on the rope angles, it has the potential to reduce your lift capacity and put more force on your rigging points. I'm glad to hear your education experience didn't cost much. As much as I'm embarrassed by educational experiences like that, I'm thankful for them because they'll help me keep from making a big error when it counts.
Hey buddy when you use that block to lower the branches what kind of knot are you tying on the side of the sling that goes on to the side of the branch
Nice climb! Any recommendations on climbing boots? I’ve been climbing in redwings for the past 5 years, the pair I currently have are getting worn out and I’m trying to branch out. I’ve tried the Evo’s, to give you an idea, I didn’t really like them, they didn’t have a thick heel like the redwings, but I did like how light they were compared to the redwings. Always watching! Hope your channel gets big like some other tree guys!
Thanks Collin! I'm afraid I don't have any great suggestions. I climb with the evo2's right now. They're my first climbing specific boot and I love them for spike climbing or prune climbing. They're also one of the more cost effective options available. Most modern climbing boots don't have a big heel on them. If you were struggling to keep the shank in place under your foot, you could try velcro lower straps. After having velcro lowers I don't think I'd much like going back to old school ones. They're so easy to get perfect tension on. A buddy of mine has some Georgia loggers. He's really happy with them. I believe they come with a 1 year warranty too.
And buddy when you get a chance order the West Coast saw side cover for your 500i I'm telling you what what a world of difference keeps the chips away.
Ah, I don't think that's for me. I would try it if I didn't have to spend money on it, but I love my captured bar nut too much. Half the time it's the wind blowing the chips back at me anyway 😅
Yes pretty much, when I get higher than the other side of the system the block won't slide down to me. Then I gotta have the ground man tie the tail of my rope to it so I can pull it over to me.
Nice job. Nubs bad. Your lanyard is usually in the crotch while cutting. In school 10 years ago they taught lanyard below and a tall posture. Little uncomfortable if your doing it all day. Lanyard above or below so that you can use the coller to assist in the action and direction of the piece being cut. Plus no nub left. We used to say bad nubs kill good climbers. Nice climbing hard tree.
Thanks for your comment, Don. You're right in bringing up my lanyard placement. I think I've been told both ways and probably let a habit develope without vetting it. Either way, you're right, nubs never help anything. Oddly the nub that branch got hung up on wasn't one I made, but it is one I left. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Is that a Bandit 12 or 15xp? I'm looking to upgrade my 6" to a 12-15" a lot of people have told me bandit drum chippers are good and Vermeer are bad, but obviously, I can't afford a brand new gas bandit 15xp lol what are your recommendations on a used drum chipper?
I think it was only a 12" chipper. It did pretty good though. I've never owned a bandit drum chipper, but I feel like they are good units. Morbark has really only disappointed me. Vermeer seems to be okay, but they seem to have a lot of gizmos that cause problems down the road. Vermeers are probably the safest if you're worried about that. I've run a rayco or two that were alright. Best thing to do is to rent one and give it a try for a couple of days. Our bandit dealer here has a couple rental machines and a couple of rental places have bandit machines.
That's fine Bill! I always like reading your comments! That rope at the end was 5/8 stable braid. That rig that pulled the groundy across the driveway glazed it pretty bad and it's getting old enough to replace it. I'm hoping to get a hank of that new all gear multi pro. It has an average break strength of 19,500lb as I recall.
I can't say that I do. Could try the good old ebay... sometimes people sell new there. My go to dealers around here are Schlabach Engine and Akron Tractor, but neither of them sell online. You might be able to call them and see if they'll ship to you 🤷♂️
@Gonzalez Family Thats an awesome attitude! Seems like most folks who have been at it that long aren't interested in learning anymore. I hope I can maintain humility as well as you have 😅
Span rigging a semi phototropic (decurrent?) tree? I always tell my help...no major screw ups. That piece that brought your groundy almost up in the tree...major screw up. Not enough porty wrap. Also looked like you ran 1/2" or 9/16 line the whole job. Maybe time to increase dia. of lowering line with the big blocks. Bottom line...just an easy bucket/crane job made difficult...but editing changed that impression.
Thanks for your comment, man! You've made some fair points. Something you may not be aware of, I was on a contract climb so I didn't get to choose a bucket truck or a crane. Those tools would have made the tree much easier and safer, probably not cheaper. I chose to span rig the portion over the house to share the load on two sections of the tree and improve force application. Im interested in hering your thoughts if you think something else would have been better. That groundy was the 18 year veteran climber for the company as he told me and wasn't super interested in heeding my advice so I let him choose his wrap count. Maybe that was a poor choice in my part, but I believe a good groundy can choose the wrap count better than a climber giving instruction. Either way, you're right, that was an unacceptable mistake. I used a half inch line with an ABS of 10,500lb for most of the job. It's purely speculation at this point, but I don't think we exceeded SWL on this tree. On the matter if editing, I did include the two most egregious mistakes of the day. I hope you don't feel like I am misrepresenting how the job went.
Thanks man! I actually don't climb with a knee ascender. I do use both feet to rope walk with a little system I figured out. I'm planning on making a video specifically about it. I. Just waiting one one more piece of gear to come available at my local arb supply store.
I just started my LLC got my ein and duns number about to get a million dollar insurance policy Monday morning any tips for me on building buisness credit for equipment like a chipper an maybe a bucket truck
That's great man! Sounds like you're headed in the right direction! I did almost everything cash for the first season. The exception being that I got a loan for a kubota tractor at the end of the first season. I imagine opening a business line of credit or getting a business credit card would help. Getting rewards on fuel is always nice.
@@zaccheus forsure my goal is to do this full time within the year my company is Tree Docs LLC in Ohio I’m a foreman doing line clearance with this on the side right now I love how much I’ve learned at my job but the risk just isn’t worth the reward hopefully I can transition soon just trying to get all my ducks in a row mostly just trying to figure out what il do with all the brush and logs I’ve been doing no cleanup jobs for now working on getting net 30 accounts to build this credit but anyways man I love the vids I learn a a lot from you an it’s honestly inspiring climb high brother be safe
@Meditation & Relaxation that sounds duper great! One of the guys I work for regularly was a foreman for line clearance. He enjoys being self employed way more. What part of the state are you in?
Also buddy I don't know if I asked you before I have a brand new pair of Buckingham titanium light Tree gaffs I like to get rid of them if you're interested or you know anybody I will ship them for free I will send pictures whatever you guys need thank you buddy God bless
Aw man, I've heard those are sweet! I don't have a use for them. My edelrid talons are serving me well. I'll keep an ear out for anyone interested though.
