Beech removal - city crane

[RC0]

This mature beech was condemned because of a crack at the union of co-dominant stems low down, that and its position sprawling over the playgrounds of two neighbouring schools. The pruning and bracing option was rejected by the tree owner.

 

The 10t city crane was the only one we could get in through the gates....as well as, it came to light that the tarmac was only set on a couple of inches of hardcore, so even with better access we’d have had to boarded the whole access route to drive on anything heavier.

 

For anyone who hasn't done crane-work, the problem with small cranes in that you often have to set up very close to the tree relative to its height, and in doing so it’s often difficult if not impossible to manoeuvre the boom through the outer-facing foliage/branches to sling the tops, especially since this particular crane has a Boom-Extension-Wire which is always a major cause for concern in the event of snagging and breaking it with a branch. So a little more thought and strategy is involved i.e. seems as the boom is already near vertical the picks can only be slewed left or right, so similar to conventional rigging space must be created here and there to make room for what will follow in the most logical sequence.

 

Then there’s the reduced load capacity where normally you might look to leave lots of limbs still attached, sometimes purposely to balance out the logs, but now you might be forced to pick the limbs off the logs because you don’t have the capacity to do both and big enough to balance.

 

Even riding the ball can be very inefficient where many horizontals must be picked singularly i.e. it is often quicker to strategically leave high tie-in points (but low enough not to obstruct the boom) and just be there at the next slinging point when the hook returns....I had to mix it up on this job, as much forward thinking as could muster to keep my climbing to a minimum, but even small cranes beat the hell out of manual rigging....and apart from being sick all week I was still pretty fresh at the end of the day.

 

Lots more picks than what Ive shown, but I think there's enough here to set the scene.

 

The other guy in the tree actually came down from Scotland just to watch, he’s also a contract climber but wanted to get a taste of crane work....Ken, (Caorann from AT), just read your post, glad you thought it worth the journey, thanks and take care.

[WeeDee]

Very interesting brief at the start, Reg. Thanks.

 

By my standards, some of those lumps are still big lumps!

[testcricket01]

looked like a perfect day for it reg, how long it take to get down out of interest?

[Stephen Blair]

WHO is going to replace YOU when you move Reg????

your employers must be in tears

smoother than a smooth thing as usual mate

[tommer9]

WHO is going to replace YOU when you move Reg????

your employers must be in tears

smoother than a smooth thing as usual mate

 

Well i think that pretty much sums it all up Reg.

[RC0]

James, it was a full day but we still had time to stop for a bite to eat etc.

 

Stevie, they'll manage just fine I'm sure....probably just do things a little bit differently thats all.

 

Thanks

[David Humphries]

This mature beech was condemned because of a crack at the union of co-dominant stems low down, that and its position sprawling over the playgrounds of two neighbouring schools. The pruning and bracing option was rejected by the tree owner. .

 

 

Out of idle curiosity Reg (& nothiing more), could you get a clear look at the crack when you dismantled it at the union ?

 

 

Fine set of clear story like photos, thanks for sharing

 

 

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[scotspine1]

Really nice work Reg, thanks for posting the pics.

[Rik]

awsome set of pics and nice detailed brief at the start. ive not done any crane work at all yet and this job does look fairly daunting to me at present!

 

id like to ask if i may what are the coms system i see your using? im currently using some cheap in ear vox two ways from amazon. i really they make the job so much safer and more manageable in my opinion and im looking to improve to something a bit more suited possible. do you use vox or open channel or ptt?

 

cheers for the pics and story!

[foofodder]

Great Pics Guys. Cheers