Paddy
Veteran Member
I posted this topic on the Chain saw site, but didn't get any interest.
I had 10-15 trees get closer to our house : ) They looked small when I decided not to to clear that far back, had really grown and leaned towards the house. These are oak, cherry and beach that were 50+ feet tall. Two were 24 inch dia at the base. I didn't feel comfortable to just cut them down for fear of them hitting the house.
The forest is so dense, I knew I would have trouble with them getting snagged in other trees as well. So I set out the de-limb them first and then cable them so I could control the fall.
"If I just had a pole saw that could reach 30 feet", yea right! Some how I did it. The basics; Attach a chain saw to a 30+ foot pole. use a block a tackle to raise the saw/pole.
There were several iterations but the working combo was a Harbor freight 14 inch electric chain saw. Wood blocks so a pole could be attached. The pole is a combination of 1-1/4 fiberglass poles and chain link fencing top rails, also about 1-1/4 inch. Each pole section has a strong connector with removable pins.
Steps.
1 Google "big Shot sling shot". This allows you to shoot the rope accurately high in the tree.
Jameson BIGSHOT SLING SHOT THROWLINE LAUNCHER ARBORIST TWO 4' POLES ARBORIST - - Amazon.com
2 Pull up your block and tackle and tie it off at the base of the tree
3 attach at the chain saw and raise it up cutting lower branches on the way up.
4 because you can't swing the long pole, you might have to re-set the block and tackle for better angles.
5 if your a bit crazy, you can actually cut the last branch that you block and tackle is attached too. (just don't cut all the way!!) then lower the saw/pole. Then use the same rope to pull the top out.
The limitations are; It really takes two people, one to raise and lower the saw by block and tackle. My wife was in charge of that. The pole can mostly be used to pull or push the saw. For example as you go up the tree de-limbing, to get branches on the back side, you have to walk the pole 90 dergees and push the saw to the next branch. The saw can get pinched if the saw/pole is to vertical. I mounted the pole such that the saw bar was 25 degrees angling down. You can find yourself needing to re-set the block and tackle for a better reach. But with the Big Shot that is no big deal.
Once you are done removing most if not all the branches, shot one more rope high in the tree for getting a cable attached. For a quick attachment; use cable clamps to make a perminant loop inthe cable, then use a removable chain link to make the lasso. Run it to a snatch block for safe dropping
This is not a fast way to drop tricky trees, but it sure gets them down safely.
I had 10-15 trees get closer to our house : ) They looked small when I decided not to to clear that far back, had really grown and leaned towards the house. These are oak, cherry and beach that were 50+ feet tall. Two were 24 inch dia at the base. I didn't feel comfortable to just cut them down for fear of them hitting the house.
The forest is so dense, I knew I would have trouble with them getting snagged in other trees as well. So I set out the de-limb them first and then cable them so I could control the fall.
"If I just had a pole saw that could reach 30 feet", yea right! Some how I did it. The basics; Attach a chain saw to a 30+ foot pole. use a block a tackle to raise the saw/pole.
There were several iterations but the working combo was a Harbor freight 14 inch electric chain saw. Wood blocks so a pole could be attached. The pole is a combination of 1-1/4 fiberglass poles and chain link fencing top rails, also about 1-1/4 inch. Each pole section has a strong connector with removable pins.
Steps.
1 Google "big Shot sling shot". This allows you to shoot the rope accurately high in the tree.
Jameson BIGSHOT SLING SHOT THROWLINE LAUNCHER ARBORIST TWO 4' POLES ARBORIST - - Amazon.com
2 Pull up your block and tackle and tie it off at the base of the tree
3 attach at the chain saw and raise it up cutting lower branches on the way up.
4 because you can't swing the long pole, you might have to re-set the block and tackle for better angles.
5 if your a bit crazy, you can actually cut the last branch that you block and tackle is attached too. (just don't cut all the way!!) then lower the saw/pole. Then use the same rope to pull the top out.
The limitations are; It really takes two people, one to raise and lower the saw by block and tackle. My wife was in charge of that. The pole can mostly be used to pull or push the saw. For example as you go up the tree de-limbing, to get branches on the back side, you have to walk the pole 90 dergees and push the saw to the next branch. The saw can get pinched if the saw/pole is to vertical. I mounted the pole such that the saw bar was 25 degrees angling down. You can find yourself needing to re-set the block and tackle for a better reach. But with the Big Shot that is no big deal.
Once you are done removing most if not all the branches, shot one more rope high in the tree for getting a cable attached. For a quick attachment; use cable clamps to make a perminant loop inthe cable, then use a removable chain link to make the lasso. Run it to a snatch block for safe dropping
This is not a fast way to drop tricky trees, but it sure gets them down safely.
