Felling tongs?

[5thelement]

I’ve seen them used but not in the UK, didn’t see any benefit over setting the pulling rope high up using a set of AUS poles, just as quick and they have other uses.

[green heart]

With due deference to Peasgood and others, here :

 

It all looks very interesting, but I don't understand why not use a light throw line and weight (small, portable, safe and very cheap), thrown over an appropriate branch in the tree to be felled, to pull through a heavier pull-rope/cable ?

Cost say, £30- ?

 

Obviously, a bit less convenient if it's needed several times a day, but I've found this works pretty well, for the last few decades.

 

-This also avoids the very slight possibility of a set of timber tongs falling 20' onto an unfortunate operator -which might just save hundreds or thousands of pounds...

🧐

I'll get my coat...

 

Sorry 5thelement, you beat me to it! 

Edited Saturday at 18:10 by green heart

[Mick Dempsey]

More importantly, what about that little chain winch?

I want me one of those!

[green heart]

11 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

More importantly, what about that little chain winch?

I want me one of those!

 

Nah, just get yourself a Maasden rope puller -way lighter to carry !

 

[Mark Bolam]

2 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

More importantly, what about that little chain winch?

I want me one of those!

Little beast isn’t it?

 

That one is about £400.

 

Cheapo versions for £200.

 

1.5m chain as standard.

I reckon you’d need at least 5m, maybe 10, so cost would increase.

[Peasgood]

10 hours ago, Brushcutter said:

Minimum pull height for assisting felling is 2.2m so you don't have to go too high. Although pulling power and back lean really determine pull height.

 

In that case I can use the telescopic handle off my Stihl turbocut. An absolute godsend for non climbers like myself, amazing what trees you can dismantle with one of them. That should get my rope high enough to pull.

 

2 hours ago, green heart said:

It all looks very interesting, but I don't understand why not use a light throw line and weight (small, portable, safe and very cheap), thrown over an appropriate branch in the tree to be felled, to pull through a heavier pull-rope/cable ?Cost say, £30- ?

You are correct but you also assume there's a suitable accessible branch, the trees I want to use it on don't have such branches so much better to grip the pole.

2 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

More importantly, what about that little chain winch?

I want me one of those!

Nice winch and I like how smooth it is. Can tell it is well polished from use.

I'm just tying off to a tractor and pulling.

 

Thank you for all of the answers, they are all food for thought and helpful.

What I am cutting down is a row of leylandii that are 90'+ tall. They are grown as a hedgerow so are mostly single stems. The catch is I want them cut off at approx 8' high so I retain the hedge and the privacy it provides. Not really a great challenge for a young, fit, experienced and brave person, unfortunately I don't really possess those qualities apart from being just about fit enough.

I have done half a dozen of them today while it was still, all went well and not as challenging as I had anticipated. Pulled one, pushed one and the others just straight felled. The pushed one was short and skinny, not something I would do with the big ones.

Edited Saturday at 20:30 by Peasgood

[Mark Bolam]

That will be the worlds shittest hedge.

Fell them and bang in some 4’s which are cheap as chips.

In 2 years you’ll have a nice 8’ easily managed hedge.

[Peasgood]

 

1 minute ago, Mark Bolam said:

That will be the worlds shittest hedge.

Fell them and bang in some 4’s which are cheap as chips.

In 2 years you’ll have a nice 8’ easily managed hedge.

Actually makes a good hedge believe it or not. They can get a bit wide if not side trimmed regular but still a tidy enough hedge, same as any leylandii hedge. We had miles of them and I am talking from experience, sometimes you get a stretch that dies but 99% of the time they thrive. The only difference this time is it is me cutting them.

I have 400 metres to do, I don't want to buy or plant that many new trees.

[Mark Bolam]

Fair enough mate, that’s a lot of hedge.

How wide are they at 8’, and how are you sending 80’ heads out without trashing the bottoms?

And who’s on the saw at 8’?

Not a nice place to be.

[Mark Bolam]

I’m not trying to be a twat here mate, I’m genuinely interested.

You know I always value your input.