Rate My Hinge.

[shendy]

Here is a conifer pole from today.

[18 stoner]

its not something ive considered - but it obviously works for you guys - fair play:thumbup1:

 

Just keep in mind it's the outer extremities of the hinge that provide the most holding fibres in the direction of the fell. Gutting out a third or even half the hinge in the middle will have little difference in this strength yet reduce the effort needed to bend the hinge by upto half. Very safe procedure IMO.

 

Most awkward stem iv had too get a saw into too fell but was soft as owt with only a little sound cambium around the edge

 

Funnily enough the above applies in a similar way. Although this looks a very dead/rotten stem, the crucial part of the hinge is still in tact(although its very thin!). It truly is amazing how much hold such a small amount of sapwood can give. Good on you for taking it on

Edited June 22, 2013 by 18 stoner

[Gray git]

It's pos a little larger than the photo looks about 26" ish and had chainlink fencing on 2 sides so could not get in with the saw, I did consider taking out the centre but didn't as was pritty sure the timber would be soft as pooo and snap out ok, not as bad as these larch from a while back, this was a good1 and all open growen with about 30 ft crown spread.

[Tony Knight]

Never gutted a hinge like that, but if your happy with how its working for you all's good. I imagine anything with a side bias or lean you wouldn't use this cut?

The only method that I use in some instances that's simular is the tongue and grove. Whilst its slower and requires more skill it also guts the hinge wood but offers further directional support to the remaining hinge through the first 45 deg of the arc.

 

(that's if the heart wood is still solid)

Edited June 22, 2013 by Tony Knight

[daltontrees]

Exemplary! Boring the hinge centre out is in my experience pretty much essential on a back-leaner, you have to put some force into pulling it over against the lean, a wide hinge is useful and the extra wood is just a hinderance to that.

[Coletti]

Here's my effort for today on an 18" ash

 

 

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[Coletti]

Forgot the image

 

 

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[lop and top]

I wish I had a smart phone wen my 1st boss Barbour chaired a leggy ash hahaha. Luckily it was in woodland, just thought I'd add that before the know it alls move in for the kill

[daltontrees]

A scots pine last week, was leaning at right angle to direction it had to be felled, so we left a hefty hinge and pulled it over. Worked a treat, landed the top of the pole on a tonne bag of brash 8 metres away so as not to break slabs.

[Trees-]

Dead oak, pull line attached to a tractor