Blown trees, discuss.

[blazer]

I agree with all the comments just want to add abit, first walk around it and make a plan - at this point you can walk away safely,

 

Assess the balance - where it could roll, high even small branches can whip down on you.

 

Remove small brash to assess the tree, then using a hammer/mallet tap the ground contact branches to find which ones are under load supporting the tree.

 

Be carefull of bowed branches under load, they can whip out under massive power.

 

You are typically under pressure to 'get on with it' but have a good escape route in case it rolls.

 

The one word that keeps coming up - Winch. I clear alot of boughs on a large estate and for my own safety fitted a 4 tonne winch to the back of my L200. I found it's the difference between doing the job or leaving it but even then you have to know when to walk away, and it becomes a big tractor job.

 

Ok I did alot of heavy engineering in the past so the experience is valuable, the main part often overlooked is a structured command safety procedure.

[blazer]

One bit to add on, during the big storm nearly 20 yrs ago a 11kv line gang were working at night on a road when an 'expensive car' crashed in the guys killing one, in court he got away with it claiming he was confussed by all the 'flashing lights'.

 

For me I don't trust barriers, I use the truck to block the road.

[blazer]

couldn't edit this bit to add on.

 

Just 'googled' recovery driver killed, bit of a shock how many die on the roads.

With the dangers of tree work - add on roads and it must be well up on risk level.

[pgkevet]

It's a shame you guys can't just wrap some turns of primacord around any suspect branches and then sit in a polycarbonate booth to watch the show <g>

[Stereo]

Call in an air strike.

[David Goss]

It's a shame you guys can't just wrap some turns of primacord around any suspect branches and then sit in a polycarbonate booth to watch the show <g>

 

now that IS a great idea:thumbup1:

[Daniël Bos]

It's a shame you guys can't just wrap some turns of primacord around any suspect branches and then sit in a polycarbonate booth to watch the show <g>

 

you can. There is a "system" available that does just that, aplied with a telescopic grabby-stick-thingie you just snap on the charge and blast the bugger off. It was mentioned in a thread on here some time ago but I can't find it now.

[Daniël Bos]

Here you go, it's called safe T cut. see also this thread

There's a video on their website

Edited September 9, 2011 by Daniël Bos

[Paul Smith]

I think that original thread covers most points but I would like to say having played with det cord and PE to remove trees it is great fun!

 

The video says 50m safety clearance, way to close!

[David Goss]

Here you go, it's called safe T cut. see also this thread

There's a video on their website

 

There you go then thats the safest way to do it so far, just clip on the charges to each load bearing limb, stand well back and boom problem solved, just need to cross cut it and your done.

I am guessing because its explosives then it will be very difficult and expensive to use in this country with all the anal twits we have in the HSE making our work more difficult by the minute, just to justify their existence sitting behind their desks. They would much rather we risked our lives doing it the old fashioned way and spending ages setting up ropes or whatever to keep us safe. Not that i am against the HSE in fact the contrary but it does get rediculous sometimes. I would guess the paperwork you would need to be allowed to do this wouldnt justify the costs involved getting it all, for the few real dodgy trees like that we come across. Please someone correct me if i am off the mark but i just cant see it being worth it, although i really would like a shot:thumbup1: