At Home In The Woods

   / At Home In The Woods #5,761  
Dup post removed. Missed that had happened.

Excavators and dozers are not the same beast as a small to medium size tractor with attached hoe.
I did read Eddie's thread. And just because someone can do a task in a particular way does not mean encouraging others, especially those who lack experience working with chainsaws, tractor mounted hoes and trees is wise; even under the best of circumstances. There are way too many variables, and thus too many risks to mitigate.

I call it like I see it from over 50 years of working around equipment; the old type of drum chippers, 100' telescoping cranes mounted on tractor trailer beds, Stihl saws before chain brakes, safety chain, and the like. From the days of climbing with sharp spikes, no chaps, no helmets, no ear plugs or muffs.

Safest practices were always uppermost in the minds of the companies owners and crew; yet bad things happened more than anyone could prevent.

My point is to offer a view that is from a place that is different than a generic claim of; no one I know has said using a hoe to drop trees is unsafe. Professing ignorance about a potentially deadly outcome is sheer foolishness. Regardless of someone having written a book about the topic, that fact doesn't make it a safe method of felling trees for amateurs.

No need for disclaimers or safety warning labels, IF common sense were still in abundance. Evidently in the general population it is in very short supply.

TBN will move along just fine when the various sides of some serious issues are fully aired out rather than just receiving a cheering squad for completing a task in the most inane way possible.
It comes down to money too. Most DIY types do whatever to save a buck and for bragging rights to say, 'hey, look at what I did, and lived.' No tree crew for this 'ole boy. Got 'er done and lived to tell.

Tree work of any kind, limbing, climbing, felling, etc. all have associated risks; the wise person makes a decision to tackle any tree work by weighing risk and choosing whether to hire out the work to a pro or go it alone.
 
   / At Home In The Woods
  • Thread Starter
#5,762  
Coyote machine said:
Excavators and dozers are not the same beast as a small to medium size tractor with attached hoe.
I did read Eddie's thread. And just because someone can do a task in a particular way does not mean encouraging others, especially those who lack experience working with chainsaws, tractor mounted hoes and trees is wise; even under the best of circumstances. There are way too many variables, and thus too many risks to mitigate.
Coyote,
Your point is well taken. I completely agree that there are trees for which it would be unwise, unsafe, or completely foolish to drop using my tractor mounted backhoe. Certainly there is a size tree at which it can be safe to drop using my backhoe? I bet you would agree that it is perfectly safe to drop a 10' tall sapling with my tractor backhoe. How about a 20' tall tree? 30' tall? Behind our house, I cut down with my chainsaw a 30' tall "elephant tree" that was only 4 inches in diameter. I think you would also agree my backhoe could safely drop a little tree like that.

I'm therefore going to assume what you mean is that there are some trees that even I, with limited experience, can safely drop with my backhoe and there are others that I cannot safely drop. Thus, it becomes a judgement call as to what size tree to tackle. Nobody can make that call except the operator.

Tree work of any kind, limbing, climbing, felling, etc. all have associated risks; the wise person makes a decision to tackle any tree work by weighing risk and choosing whether to hire out the work to a pro or go it alone.
Agreed.

Good chatting with you.

Obed
 
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   / At Home In The Woods #5,763  
Obed,

Yes some trees could safely be dropped with your tractor mounted hoe.
My concern is your and other's well being- meaning, not as safety police, but rather some people are better able to ascertain risks and are more or less situationally aware of what they are endeavoring to do than others.
What works for you and might cause no problem, might be a real danger to another TBN member.
Trees are like snowflakes, no two are identical in lean, condition, soil and rooting, etc. Wind and soil moisture play a part, as does terrain, surroundings, other trees, or lack thereof, etc.
Tree work is a look carefully before you leap type endeavor.

After much thought it occurs to me that you, and other posters might want to consider adding a warning with risky tasks like backhoe felling of trees, that this is something you decided to try, BUT you're not advocating it's use or safety for other members/readers precisely because the method is highly risky....

CM
 
   / At Home In The Woods #5,764  
My gosh, it wasn't that big of a tree and he did a great job with the equipment he has!
 
   / At Home In The Woods #5,765  
Coyote,
I understand the concerns you have based on your knowledge and experience. That said, Obed didn't write a "how to" article, he wrote his experience with a task. He claimed no expertise therefore I think any warning is unnecessary.
 
   / At Home In The Woods #5,766  
I would be more worried about how Obed cleans his chimney.
 
   / At Home In The Woods #5,767  
Obed is a lot safer than me or most of my redneck friends. That's why I don't post what I do on here - don't want anyone thinking they should copy my techniques. My MO is 'Git 'er dun' and I will be the first to admit that I have definitely put more wear and tear on my body by doing things myself when I should have asked for help.

I would also be willing to bet that most of the people who criticize Obed for doing things his way, if they really think about it, could also be criticized a lot for some of the things they do.

The difference is that Obed posts up for us all to read and help learn. Thanks Obed! I will never be one to criticize you for your can do spirit.

I also believe that Obed knows full well that if he gets hurt, it is his own fault and he won't blame anyone else or try to sue the manufacturer of his ladder, ladder stand offs, tractor, etc.

He is using old fashioned ingenuity and I applaud him for that and for letting us see his progress, warts and all.

I have been following this thread since the beginning and will continue to do so.
 
   / At Home In The Woods #5,768  
Like slappie said :thumbsup:
 
   / At Home In The Woods
  • Thread Starter
#5,770  
I also believe that Obed knows full well that if he gets hurt, it is his own fault and he won't blame anyone else or try to sue the manufacturer of his ladder, ladder stand offs, tractor, etc.
Oh, I'll find somebody to blame. :laughing: Probably won't sue 'em though.
Obed
 

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