I hope my story will save someone one day

[czechsonofagun]

Glad to hear it had a good end. Get well soon.


Prokop

 

[BTDT]

So far, 28 of 28 replies to DDT's post have expressed sympathy but offered no insight at all into how this accident could have been prevented. If this is the safety forum I think we should refocus the discussion so we can help each other learn something rather than see this as just an extended "get well card".

Why did this accident happen? What preparation/equipment/technique would have prevented it? Was it predictable with an opportunity to learn from a mistake or does this just fit into the category of "Sh-t happens"?

I went back and read his post again. Along with the title of the thread. It seems that that's why he posted. He told us what he did, and how it happened, and how long he had been doing this kind of thing. Other than hire it out, I don't know what else could have been done. Maybe he just ran the wrong direction. Expect the unexpected. Maybe DDT would like to chime back in with what he would have done differently.

Btw, DDT, glad you weren't hurt worse.

 

[Raddad]

Cutting "urban trees" is much different that cutting the tall trees in a forest. Watch the wind direction and strength very closely. The total surface area of the broadside of a tree with leaves is huge. Hold a sheet of plywood up in a breeze and you'll see what I mean. The side weight and lean are tricky as are nails and wire. Look at the tree from different directions to assess the lean or heavy side.

I always lighten the tree by cutting all the branches as far as I can reach with my ladder on the side of the tree away from my notch. Put your ladder against branches not the round trunk. I always cut off any dead branches before working under them. I also use a 100' chain hooked as high as possible with a tractor or come along to pull the tree in the direction I want it to fall. The higher the better. When pulling on a tree, don't underestimate the weight of all that wet wood and leaves. It would take a huge tractor to equal the weight of a big tree. Keep the area arround the tree clear of trip hazzards. I then begin my final hinge cut pounding wide hardwood wedges in the kerf as I make the cut. I always have a loudmouth spotter to warn me of any danger while cutting. ( I will not mention her name). So far so good.

 

[SPYDERLK]

So far, 28 of 28 replies to DDT's post have expressed sympathy but offered no insight at all into how this accident could have been prevented. If this is the safety forum I think we should refocus the discussion so we can help each other learn something rather than see this as just an extended "get well card".

Why did this accident happen? What preparation/equipment/technique would have prevented it? Was it predictable with an opportunity to learn from a mistake or does this just fit into the category of "Sh-t happens"?

Exactly! I am quizzical about this situation. I can see no reason why a tree would slide off its stump since the angle of the wedge cut is on the top side. Maybe the message is to never cut a tree without extensive preparation. Maybe its to be very careful about going too far on the felling cut. Maybe its to look up before running. Maybe its to establish all run paths unobstructed.
Im sad youre injured and glad youre not ruined. Without a failure analysis tho there is no lesson except to those naive to predictive difficulties of tree cutting.
Larry

 

[tnau664]

Sure glad you were still with us instead of your angels. I to have been cutting many years, I'm 52. I still get very nervous, but cautious when dropping a larger tree.

As for explaination, there could have been a slight breeze that was undetected when the cutting started. Doesn't take much wind to sway a very large tree. Otherwise, same procedure I was taught. Get the notch cut on the expected fall side, then move up a couple of inches with the rear cut. Is it possible the tree was hollowed out? That could explain why it just sat there a minute before moving.

Hope you had that insurance!

 

[MikeD74T]

Exactly! I am quizzical about this situation. I can see no reason why a tree would slide off its stump since the angle of the wedge cut is on the top side. Larry

I'm guessing that a picture of the stump would show an undercut wedge & the hinge cut through. This happened to a coworker here 6 months ago & resulted in a severely broken foot. MikeD74T

 

[BBB]

Glad your still with us. Sh*t happens! Just mark it up to lessons learned.

 

[Thomas]

Speedy recovery wishes to you DDT.
Falling trees got to be one of the most dangerous jobs....usally one cuts alone.
You should consider passing your event along to Vol. Tech schools etc.. which teach logging.

 

[thcri]

Glad your still with us and I am sure your family is too. We all make mistakes, we all have accidents. Unfortunately some of our accidents end up in someone getting hurt. Will be thinking of you in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

murph

 

[Cottonhawk]

DDT, Thanks for the post and speedy recovery. I like the title and will remember it next time and every time thereafter I pick up the chainsaw to cut a tree.