Best Way To Remove This Tree

[Obed]

Recommend that electricity be disconnected first before using. Safety and all that.

BTDT,
My wife has been lurking on this thread and says people must think that I'm going to kill myself somehow based on my descriptions of what I'm doing.

I failed to mention that the power company has not run wire to the electric pole yet. The pole and breaker box are not live.

Also, my description of dropping the tree sounded like the tree fell much before I expected it meaning I could have gotten hurt. Actually, I had pushed really hard on the tree until it was leaning significantly (my pictures didn't show this lean). When I pulled my bucket away from the tree the roots gave way and it fell. After I had pushed on the tree and made it to lean, there was no way I was going to position myself under the leaning tree. So I really wasn't in danger. However, my wife said my description made it sound like the tree was standing straight up and then fell over on its own. If that were the case, then that would be dangerous. But it didn't happen that way.

Thanks for the safety reminder.

That was quite an elaborate drawing you made of the post-puller. Looks pretty good. If I were doing much pole pulling, that tool could be very useful. Since this is a one-time deal, I'll just have to make do with what I already have.
Obed

 

[jk96]

One thing to be careful off is small trees. The have been the most dangerous. The trunk on sapplings and trees that are just a few inches thick are still very flexible. If you do anything wrong, they will wip arond and come right into the cab. I've had more busted knuckles from two inch thick pines than any construction job I've been on. Even down, they wip around and sanke there way into the cab, or parts of the tractor until they find a weak point, then break it off.

Same goes for small limbs on big trees when cutting up after felling. Learned that the hard way. I had a dozer clear some trees for a new road. I started cutting a 12-14" diameter tree into smaller pieces so I could move it. When I cut one of the smaller 4-5" diameter limbs it whipped forward after cutting a good 24" and straight into my shin. Cut and bruised it pretty good. If I had been standing a foot closer I would have had a broken leg. When the dozier pushed aside, it obviosly pulled the limb back and placed it under pressure. I usually laugh at others with no common sense but in this case the possiblity did not even occur to me.

jk

 

[Defective]

Obed,

I would like to suggest that you leave that conduit at its current length. If need be, either extend the top of the pole or just replace it with a longer one. (maybe one of your practice trees and a bit of fancy carving ) You will regret any lost height at the weatherhead. Ever see what happens when your ROPS catches an overhead power line?

Don't even try to pull it with the parts attached. They won't take any compression from your chains or strap. (short story...but embarrassing... )

 

[BrianW]

Patiently waiting to see more pictures of your progress on that tree!

 

[MarkV]

Good thread whether you prefer the chainsaw method or the backhoe method. I’ve been dropping trees with the backhoe method for years. For me it works better than trying to remove the stumps and I feel as safe as or safer than when I use the chainsaw method. Also I agree that some trees are better attacked with the chainsaw when the situation doesn’t allow proper placement of the backhoe.

With safety being the main concern advocates of both methods have, I am surprise that safety gear has not been mentioned. Falling dead limbs are part of removing trees with either method. A logger’s hard hat should be standard equipment for either method. I am sure that the chainsaw crowd is also wearing saw chaps around a running chainsaw. Now it would seem to me that the three main danger issues are the tree falling the wrong way, falling limbs and getting cut by the chainsaw. Without safety gear I would rather eliminate the “cut by chainsaw” possibility by sitting on the backhoe. Personally I use all of the above as well as sit under the FOPS of my TLB. Just not as daring as I use to be.

If anyone is not familiar with logging helmets and chainsaw chaps take a look a www.Bailey-online.com . A search in the Safety forum will also bring up some interesting stories that might make you consider the purchase of safety gear.

Obed, practice on a couple of other trees before you take on that double stump tree. It looks to me like your room to maneuver is limited and that those two are not going to want to fall down the road as easily.

MarkV

 

[norsker]

On the fall side cut 2/3 the way through and do not pin your bar. on the back side cut 3 inches higher 1/2 way through.

Timber, have you ever felled a tree? This is just plain bad and dangerous advice.

There is nothing wrong with not knowing how to do everything, there is something grossly wrong with giving unfounded advice concerning a potentially dangerous activity.

Your prescribed method has no notch so a Dutchman is guaranteed and 2/3 through the front then 1/2 through the back ensures that you have absolutely no hinge for directional control either. You`ll end up with a severed tree standing atop the stump wondering which way to run.

This is a very good way to get hurt or killed on a small tree that should be an easy and routine takedown.

 

[norsker]

If anyone is not familiar with logging helmets and chainsaw chaps take a look a www.Bailey-online.com . A search in the Safety forum will also bring up some interesting stories that might make you consider the purchase of safety gear.

Hi Mark,

I want to add a correction to your link, it should read Bailey's Husqvarna Chainsaw, Logging and Woodsman Supply

Your`s was simply missing the s on Bailey`s.

 

[MarkV]

Hi Mark,

I want to add a correction to your link, it should read Bailey's Husqvarna Chainsaw, Logging and Woodsman Supply

Your`s was simply missing the s on Bailey`s.

Opps, My Bad. Thanks for the fix.

MarkV

 

[norsker]

Hi again Mark,

I don`t know how or why the software did what it did, but when I added the s to the info that you had posted it added the whole Bailey`s Husqvarna........spiel as a title for the link. But atleast it will take you to their site.

 

[Obed]

Hi all. Sorry I've been absent from this thread for a while. I spent the last two Saturdays re-setting our electric pole and panel. Re-setting Electric Pole & Panel Pictures. If the weather cooperates, I plan on taking down the tree that is the subject of this thread this Saturday. I'll take some pictures and post them. Unfortunately the forcasted high for Saturday is 31 degrees F.
Obed