Jacking Trees

[b101uk]

I have used toe jacks in the past, much easer work than wedges or felling bars and far more powerful though a little harder to set up, but good for big stuff

[Andy Collins]

toe-jacks??? I use a bottlejack for biggies, is toe-jacks another term for same?

[b101uk]

toe-jacks??? I use a bottlejack for biggies, is toe-jacks another term for same?

 

toe jacks:

 

google.co.uk images - toe jacks

 

google.co.uk search - toe jacks

 

 

 

 

[Andy Collins]

As this has cropped up in another thread, thought I'd start a seperate thread so as not to de-rail.

[Andy Collins]

When we've had a large stump to fell, we use a 12tonne bottle jack. shame I havent got any pics for now to post.

[madmatt]

We used a highlift jack once when we got in a sticky situation. Your right jacks are easy, but thumping a highlift wedge with a huge hammer is great stress relief!

[Andy Collins]

Oh yes matt, but when you've got one of those heavy old butts that just sit there all day while you smack away on your hi-lifts all day, its more satisfying when you just jack the butt up to the point of balance, then over she goes. And think of how many hi-lifts some of these students will get thru

[madmatt]

Oh yes matt, but when you've got one of those heavy old butts that just sit there all day while you smack away on your hi-lifts all day, its more satisfying when you just jack the butt up to the point of balance, then over she goes. And think of how many hi-lifts some of these students will get thru

 

Your right of course, I just have a passion for using big hammers! LOL but yep I'd use the highlift jack.

[b101uk]

Mm, I think there is also a safety element in using jacks vs. wedges for toppling BIG heavy butts

 

Things like driving in wedges all day tends to tire you out, some people make more mistakes when tired.

 

When using a big hammer on wedges you tend to be looking at the wedge rather then every ware else including the rest of the butt! (everything else is in the peripheral vision at most witch makes it harder to react to)

 

A big hammers braking can lead to you having NO big hammers left on the job and a butt in a dangerous position.

 

Jacks are more controllable as well as have a means of backing of pressure and have the easy ability to reposition with the aide of packers cut to specific size/shape from timber on site.

 

Etc, etc.

[madmatt]

You've taken things very literally! I enjoy using wedges but I allways have a the big jack on the truck only used it once but its there.. and if I know it won't go with a wedge I'd use it. I also keep two sledge hammers plus the spare shaft on the motor. But then I also have another weapon in my armoury the winch and seeing as I don't work in gardens i can winch most big stuff over that could be jacked.