"never cut above your head" the warnings read

[gemini5362]

Workin one of the guys that I worked with had what you were talking about happen to him. He had retired and was trimming a tree. He had a ladder up on the limb but did not have the ladder tied off. The police think that when he cut the limb it swung down into the ladder knocking it over and he fell and landed on his head. I realize that safety says you should not work in a bucket but I personally feel a lot safer having something that is on 4 wheels and weighs about 6000 pounds supporting me up in the air instead of being on a ladder. I know that buckets can fall but so can ladders.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Workin one of the guys that I worked with had what you were talking about happen to him. He had retired and was trimming a tree. He had a ladder up on the limb but did not have the ladder tied off. The police think that when he cut the limb it swung down into the ladder knocking it over and he fell and landed on his head. I realize that safety says you should not work in a bucket but I personally feel a lot safer having something that is on 4 wheels and weighs about 6000 pounds supporting me up in the air instead of being on a ladder. I know that buckets can fall but so can ladders.

If you have a lot of trees that need to be trimmed you can always look at renting a lift from Home Depot or a decent rental yard.

 

[gemini5362]

I am not sure what type of lift you are talking about. I looked into renting a snorkle lift to do some work on my house and figured i would also use it for trimming trees. The one I needed was going to be a 20 foot with 4 wheel drive. The lift was aproximately 250 a day and had to be delivered by a semi. Delivery was going to be 125.00 each way. I did not figure it was worth 500 a day to rent one. But that is just the local figures I would not hazard a guess what it costs in other areas

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Home Depot rents JLG trailer pull articulated lifts. One of the TBN members rented a similar unit that raised to 40'. This way you pull it in with your pickup and do not have the trucking charges.

 

[workinallthetime]

well i found on the stihl web site that i can get a "prunner" atachment for my kombi system and even a extension to take the entire thing to about 7 feet plus my 6'2". Interesting thing is, no where on thier site is a pole saw listed as such, only pole prunner. To me this would indicate things as big around as maybe 6" or so. Its only about 250.00 to get mine system up to cutting since i allready have the engine part. I think i will get one asap and start working with some help on the more tricky things.
My biggest atribute is also my worst fault, im not scared and dive head first into everything i do and when things are going fast and smooth sometimes i forget to step back and take another look.
have fun all i have said my .02 worth.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

well i found on the stihl web site that i can get a "prunner" atachment for my kombi system and even a extension to take the entire thing to about 7 feet plus my 6'2". Interesting thing is, no where on thier site is a pole saw listed as such, only pole prunner. To me this would indicate things as big around as maybe 6" or so. Its only about 250.00 to get mine system up to cutting since i allready have the engine part. I think i will get one asap and start working with some help on the more tricky things.
My biggest atribute is also my worst fault, im not scared and dive head first into everything i do and when things are going fast and smooth sometimes i forget to step back and take another look.
have fun all i have said my .02 worth.

I thought about buying that type of system from Husqvarna since we needed a pole saw and a gas powered pruner. The problem was the pruner being on a pole was nice for one aspect but would be a liabilty for all the other uses I had so we spent $1k on two different gas powered tools that excelled at their jobs since I needed them to work great. In your case I would just go with the attachment as I am sure it will work well for you and not have a second motor to maintain.

Do you have a harness for your machine? If not you will want one for sure as the saw head hanging out 13' will put a lot of strain on you without the harness. I have the one that came with my saw but Husky makes heavy duty ones also that appear more comfortable.

 

[Rara Avis]

I am not sure what type of lift you are talking about. I looked into renting a snorkle lift to do some work on my house and figured i would also use it for trimming trees. The one I needed was going to be a 20 foot with 4 wheel drive. The lift was aproximately 250 a day and had to be delivered by a semi. Delivery was going to be 125.00 each way. I did not figure it was worth 500 a day to rent one. But that is just the local figures I would not hazard a guess what it costs in other areas

I'm sorry, if you will be offended, but if you HAD been seriously injured...the medical costs would far exceed the numbers you are quoting here...

In my almost 30 years of Fire/Rescue...I've run on plenty of calls like yours where the outcome was on the very bad side...just because you got away with minor injuries this time, does NOT mean that you will dodge the NEXT bullet...

I hope you are safe this year...but when you cut corners to save a few bucks, in the long run you will pay for it one way or the other...

 

[jimmer2880]

I agree, that I'd sooner be in a bucket, than on a ladder with a chainsaw. Ladders and chainsaws don't mix. Climbing spikes can be picked up used for a $100-$200. If I can't reach it from the bucket, on go the spikes (Since the spikes are shared with my buddy, I have to go to his house to pick them up when I need them). Provided you have your climbing rope, and a safety rope, the spikes are much safer than a ladder or the bucket of a tractor. Just be sure you don't cut your rope

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I'm sorry, if you will be offended, but if you HAD been seriously injured...the medical costs would far exceed the numbers you are quoting here...

In my almost 30 years of Fire/Rescue...I've run on plenty of calls like yours where the outcome was on the very bad side...just because you got away with minor injuries this time, does NOT mean that you will dodge the NEXT bullet...

I hope you are safe this year...but when you cut corners to save a few bucks, in the long run you will pay for it one way or the other...

I agree 100%, my 2 week hospital stay as a result of a 22' fall cost over $41k. I am lucky I am covered by insurance as if not this would not be a very good time

 

[gemini5362]

Home Depot rents JLG trailer pull articulated lifts. One of the TBN members rented a similar unit that raised to 40'. This way you pull it in with your pickup and do not have the trucking charges.

Thank you for the idea. I dont believe that my Home depot rents stuff but I will see if one of the rental places has the articulated lift.