Chogging down?

[michael larder]

Tomorrow i am chogging down a poplar stem using a rigging block. This is very new to me. I have already done one for the first time this week but it was much smaller than the one i am doing tomorrow . What is the best way of chogging down? What is the best way of getting down quick if i need to? What is the safest position to be in because i worry that the piece falling is going to crush my foot or knock me off my spikes, and what is the best cut to use?

 

Cheers:001_smile:

[htb]

Flip line and main line through pulley saver round trunk so you can get out of tree if needed. Lowering pulley attached just below your lines so dosen't lock your lines when loaded. Good groundy to let wood run therefore missing your feet and reducing shock loading

[defenderjack]

ideally you want to probaly watch a couple first to get the jist of things but if you done a smaller one then its no different just a bit bigger , your not essentially "chogging down " that term really comes from step cutting managable peices to break off and throw down .

 

presumably your be using a lowering pully with a suitable capstan or lowering device on the base of the tree , and more importantly a GOOD GROUNDSMAN who is used to running a lowering line so you dont get any snatch in the lowering and it all runs smooth , if that happens then you wont need to worry about your feet getting smashed and falling off your spikes , if your really that unsure and dont even know what cut to use then not sure you should be doing it yet ,

this isnt meant to sound patronising so sorry if it comes across like that ,

 

loads of vids on here have a search , best of luck and be carefull

[Joe Newton]

Stand behind the stem when you tip a lump off. You don't want your feet in the way when the lump hits.

 

Be careful, take your time and think each move through. If you're unsure and don't feel safe don't be afraid to ask for help.

 

Will you have a more experienced climber there to advise/help?

 

The only way to gain experience is by doing. Your brain is your best ppe, and if you're slow, don't worry. Mistakes happen more when you rush. Be careful

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[michael larder]

ideally you want to probaly watch a couple first to get the jist of things but if you done a smaller one then its no different just a bit bigger , your not essentially "chogging down " that term really comes from step cutting managable peices to break off and throw down .

 

presumably your be using a lowering pully with a suitable capstan or lowering device on the base of the tree , and more importantly a GOOD GROUNDSMAN who is used to running a lowering line so you dont get any snatch in the lowering and it all runs smooth , if that happens then you wont need to worry about your feet getting smashed and falling off your spikes , if your really that unsure and dont even know what cut to use then not sure you should be doing it yet ,

this isnt meant to sound patronising so sorry if it comes across like that ,

 

loads of vids on here have a search , best of luck and be carefull

Thanks for the advice. Yea got a stein portawrap and all the proper equipment to do it apart from a pulley saver which htb mentioned. On the one i did this week i was using felling cuts . I just wondered if it was ok doing other cuts. Its a little bit out of my comfort zone but im confident i can do it. I will have to do it at some point so might aswel start now.

[michael larder]

Stand behind the stem when you tip a lump off. You don't want your feet in the way when the lump hits.

 

Be careful, take your time and think each move through. If you're unsure and don't feel safe don't be afraid to ask for help.

 

Will you have a more experienced climber there to advise/help?

 

The only way to gain experience is by doing. Your brain is your best ppe, and if you're slow, don't worry. Mistakes happen more when you rush. Be careful

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Thanks. No i will be on my own with a groundsman. My boss has something else on but thinks i can do it and yea im not bothered how long it takes me to do it just as long as i come down safe.

[htb]

Pulley saver can be replaced with a cambium saver or like. If you do not have one of them once you get to your work possition choke your main line round trunk with running bowline use figure of 8 to descend if you need to backed up with a prussic knot, practice this low and slow until you get used to it.

[michael larder]

Pulley saver can be replaced with a cambium saver or like. If you do not have one of them once you get to your work possition choke your main line round trunk with running bowline use figure of 8 to descend if you need to backed up with a prussic knot, practice this low and slow until you get used to it.

Will a cambium saver hold though if i need to come down because theres is nothing for it to go around apart from the stem

[defenderjack]

Thanks for the advice. Yea got a stein portawrap and all the proper equipment to do it apart from a pulley saver which htb mentioned. On the one i did this week i was using felling cuts . I just wondered if it was ok doing other cuts. Its a little bit out of my comfort zone but im confident i can do it. I will have to do it at some point so might aswel start now.

 

yeh crack on the only way to learn is to have a go as others have said dont rush , dont forget to put your gob in before you tie the piece on , that way you wont cut the lowering line ! (and ive seen it done:lol:) you can sometimes get away with step cuts but mainly on smaller bits that you can ensure are gona fall away from you , dont forget if its a straight stem and you doing quite a big peice then a pulling line also is probably your safest bet but that would mean you need 2 guys on the ground , nothing worse than getting you gob and backcut spot on but the piece still wont fall , youd be amazed at how much of a tiny hinge can hold it

[michael larder]

yeh crack on the only way to learn is to have a go as others have said dont rush , dont forget to put your gob in before you tie the piece on , that way you wont cut the lowering line ! (and ive seen it done:lol:) you can sometimes get away with step cuts but mainly on smaller bits that you can ensure are gona fall away from you , dont forget if its a straight stem and you doing quite a big peice then a pulling line also is probably your safest bet but that would mean you need 2 guys on the ground , nothing worse than getting you gob and backcut spot on but the piece still wont fall , youd be amazed at how much of a tiny hinge can hold it

Yea good idea with the pulling line just incase. Couldnt the groundsman choke the rope on the portawrap, pull on the pull line and then lower the piece. I know a third man would be ideal but im just thinking of a scenario where this needed to be done with just the one groundsman