RC0

Conifers mostly Ben, Douglas and Grand fir especially. Lots of spurring, my pole gaffs are almost redundant. More SRT access in just a few weeks than what Ive ever done previously. Not sure if intersting is the right word....different for sure!

So what do you do, climb out of the bucket for the high stuff? Rob has some nice equipment there

Ben nice work, long hot day i bet. The house looks about 35ft to the top of the gable, so your tree would've been at least 3 times the height of the house to reach 110. And you'll be using at the very least a 60m (200ft) lowering line right, probably need the same size climbing line to reach without having to use 2 just to reach the ground? Ben you wouldn't be exagerating slightly with that 110 estimate now would you?

No those were at Goldstream park Stevie, thanks Goldstream Provincial Park, Attractions

Thanks Dave, Drew....the move was never going to be easy, I'll spare you the details....getting organised has been quite the trial, and we've still a little way to go yet. Lots of big dead limbs came out of that tree....but the greater concern is the huge head-lean sat on top of defective timber above the surrounding trees, while hanging over a new development. Whatever the power's that be decide I have no say in the matter. The work itself is generally more physical than just sitting there either rigging or making crane-picks....but thats cool, change is good. Victoria has an abundance of conifers, they're everywhere you look....no grass of fields, just 2nd and 3rd growth conifers in each and every direction! There's a beautiful old-growth woodland about 25 minutes drive from here that'd be right up your street actually Dave (Attached) I'll get more photos of round and about when my charger gets here for my camera.... the bulk of our belongings have yet to clear customes you see, having only just arived at the dock a day ago.

Deadwooded a big old fir this morning, followed by a couple of small removals in the afternoon. Srt'd the first 90ft and then scrambled up the remainder. Made the mistake of not drinking enough this morning and paid for it with cramps throughout the afternoon.

Dont do it Melanie. When was the last time your GP climbed around a tree on a rope and harness, having all his insides squashed in? Cimbing up and down stairs is no comparrison. Seeing a your dead baby on a screen is horrific, no matter how tiny. You've got the rest of your life to climb trees.

No Pete, I was just speaking comparitively. The pull-test was about equal or just over the gross weight of that crane, thats all I'm saying. Thanks

The main incentives were strength, heat dissipation, bigger tube radius....and obviously the double tied mounting option, of which the majority of user feedback suggests is a step in the right direction. Thanks Drew Pete, I'm sorry to see the rusty bits....some have, them while others dont from the exact same batch. Its a bit of a phenomenom....Ive seen brand new porties with the exact same blemishes....I think perhaps the reason why the powder-coating option by buckingham was later introduced, although I'm only speculating. For your piece of mind, the RC2000's were pull tested to a little more than the entire weight of the crane in the photo without any distortion, so rest assured I dont think your saftey margin will be compromised that much. Dont ask me what that exact figure is because I dont want to encourage people to go crazy loading the trees. Thanks

Dilz, yes thats what I'm saying, thanks. Majestic, its going ok so far, still getting organised which is a little frustrating, spent thousands all ready. Ripped up a few big firs along the way, but my hands are tied, sort-of, until my tax and business situation is a little further foward. Still feel like a bit of an alien, people are just different....tried my hand at humour a couple of times, didn't manage to pull it off. Its all good though, magnificent place to be, I'll post some photos soon enough. Thanks for asking. Drew, the buckingham portawraps are terrific in every way, for such a simple configuration and minimal amount of material there can be no complaints in getting value for money:thumbup1: I've had 2 in years gone by, although they only lasted a year and a half each before being too badly worn to continue with. The experience was obviously major consideration in designing the Steins. Thanks again

Rc(2000) = 2000kg WLL, etc.....but obviously your sling attachment is a different matter. Contact Nick Potts @ Fletchers for advice on matching up your rigging components, he'll be delighted to chat about it:biggrin: Glad your 3001 is working out for you majestic, and thanks for buying British.

For negative rigging its the way to go....not only do the stats speak volumes but in reality blocking down big wood even feels much less severe. A 60m length needs milking like you wouldn't believe though!

Not at all Dan. Balancing can reduce shock loads, negate the need to create lift, capture far out limbs while providing maximum clearance by reduced line angles. Plenty of room there, low risk, good work:thumbup1:

Dave, the split was on the crane side of the union. Ive seen worse but never on a tree situated over school playgrounds....partly the reason I believe the TPO was waived. Or you could look at it that you have all this good stuff to come. There's lots of learning material out there Rik, the thing is to build up to it and then build on it. I might be able to help you before I go if your really keen, pm me. The set I'm using/trying work through one earmuff with mike attached. The earmuff has a push button for when I want to say something. So far so good and improved, even when working without cranes....but with cranes I'd never go back to hand signals....so much better precision or adjustment. That unit will be available to try at the the AA show this week, or just give Fletcher Stewart a call. Thanks again

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

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.

Nice work guys:thumbup1:

No reason why not, I've heard of people pruning large trees while being lifted around with the crane

It weighs whatever length of rope you have. Crane climbing with rope-bag originated and is predominant in the US. The idea that you’re mainly being lifted around so the bag keeps the climbing line from trailing and snagging down below....and then once you’ve attached the slings you can descend through the crown without first having to weave the tail end of your climb line down your intended route. My thinking is that the bags were the wrong shape and put all the weight on the side of the climbing harness, hence the bullet shape with shoulder strap. The other incentive was just a storage means for manual takedowns i.e. to hang your excess up in the tree rather than risk it getting buried or snagged down below. I know lots of guys who tie it in a bundle and hang it but I think using a bag is better. Both concepts are actually quite normal round and about but not so much in the UK it seems. Thanks

Srewie, I do a fair variety of work, not just cranes. Its a 10t crane gibbon, weighs 12, 6ft wide, all wheel (crab) steer, booms out to about 80ft. Mario, lots of work I don’t agree with, but it’s generally been long since decided and approved before I show up, as was the case here with a protected tree, . My job is to take the tree down safely. Late June Ian. The bottom shackle is for choking the sling Josh, much quicker that way. The big top one with Csaver is used to tie-into on those occasions where it is safer than tying into the tree. The Shackle is locked of course and Csaver set like a girth hitch. The following photos are from the day after, a better day. Thanks again

Not a huge tree but quite a full one, and messy. Had the top blown out about about 5 years ago. Just about managed to squeeze the little crane in around a tight corner and then we were in business.

Josh its practically the same bag but now with dual purpose

Very well put Tim. I watch my excess cllimbing line get dragged towards the chipper on a daily basis....some groundworkers have a knack of snagging it whether lowering or simply dragging brush. Usually no harm comes of it but when the chipper is parked close to the tree I dont take the chance and store it somewhere aloft....but the Stein is the only bag I'd actually wear on my person for the reasons mentioned earlier.

Thanks, That was hardcore underneath, the grass had just grown over. Never seen or heard of Lyon bags before....looks like a backpack and not a shoulder strap which positions the bag below the waist.... and even if it did the shape really offers little for working aloft. The bag should easily accomodate 150ft of rope so not really any need to change that. Different colour? I cant see the point, its just a bag that serves one or two purposes, either for climbing as described, or converting back to the crane bag by unclipping the large strap. The Large bucket style bags are far better suited for rigging, while this one is for carrying or storing a climbing rope in the tree. The bags are rain proof to an extent but not water proof....full waterproofing might be a little over the top seems as the rope will be in and out of the rain anyhow. The cost will be similar to the original crane bag. Dont know about the lyon bag as it appears more more general purpose to the Stein. I am not one of these people who looks at what others/companies are doing before setting to work on my own idea, otherwise they would not be my own ideas. Thanks again