Almost lost my 660

**2dogs** · 06-28-2009, 09:17 AM

Here is the readers digest version. I was cutting a head leaning tanoak and it sat down on the bar when I made my gunning cut. I unscrewed the powerhead and the tree fell on its own.

Ok now here is the long version. I went into this area to fall 2 marked trees, this tanoak and a big leaf maple. I could not find the maple and I had planned to cut it first. The tanoak is fairly large and needed my full concentration. I was distracted because I couldn't find the maple and I just did not have my head in the game. The 660 has a 36" bar on it so you can see the tanoak is about 32" in the narrow (leanng) dimension and about 40" in the long dimension. I started the gunning cut without walking around the tree and inspecting it. The gunning cut was made right through the only solid wood and the tree sat down hard on the bar and started popping loudly! I ran back to the truck and grabbed a scrench and another saw, then grabbed my camera. I snapped the first 2 pics in 15 seconds and made a dash for the saw. Fortunately I was just doing my final aiming on the gunning cut so the saw was not dogged in deep! I unscrewed the powerhead and pulled it out. The tree came down on its own with 25-30 seconds. You can see the imprint of the bar on the stump in the last image. An 8" section of the bar is pinched closed and will need repair.

The funny thing is that I have been waiting for an Oregon LW bar from Bailey's. It was on back order or I would have used it here. It was waiting for me when I got home. The maple was on the road on the way in, I drove right next to it. The tanoak fell 30' of the lay but was OK, just a little harder to clean up. I took out two 18" dbh trees when it fell and left a nice tree fall gap.

Here is a pic of a newly marked take tree. My wife has a very sore back so this is not a pic of her best smile. My daughter has chicken poxand did not want her pic taken at all.

**WidowMaker** · 06-28-2009, 09:26 AM

Boy, thems two ugly trees and two good looking women...glad everything work out ok...Nice dog too

**Greystoke** · 06-28-2009, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by WidowMaker

Boy, thems two ugly trees and two good looking women...glad everything work out ok...Nice dog too

Man, that was lucky! I wish I had a nickel for every time I had to take off my powerhead...Thank god for the sprocket being on the outside of the clutch, as I remember having to chop a few chains before. Unfortunately there were a few times when I was not fast enough to get it before the tree fell, although I never completely destroyed one. I usually held on to the starter cord to the bitter end.

**huskystihl** · 06-28-2009, 11:13 AM

Lost a couple my self that way, saved quite a few as well. That was a pretty hard lean.

**Cletuspsc** · 06-28-2009, 05:29 PM

I had a poplar a few weeks back do the same thing but I had to let the saw go for a little ride, started to go as soon as i pulled out the scrench. . . .. got lucky though and it dident get buggered up. . . . I hate that wet rottin wood.

**Greystoke** · 06-28-2009, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by 2dogs

Here is the readers digest version. I was cutting a head leaning tanoak and it sat down on the bar when I made my gunning cut. I unscrewed the powerhead and the tree fell on its own.

Ok now here is the long version. I went into this area to fall 2 marked trees, this tanoak and a big leaf maple. I could not find the maple and I had planned to cut it first. The tanoak is fairly large and needed my full concentration. I was distracted because I couldn't find the maple and I just did not have my head in the game. The 660 has a 36" bar on it so you can see the tanoak is about 32" in the narrow (leanng) dimension and about 40" in the long dimension. I started the gunning cut without walking around the tree and inspecting it. The gunning cut was made right through the only solid wood and the tree sat down hard on the bar and started popping loudly! I ran back to the truck and grabbed a scrench and another saw, then grabbed my camera. I snapped the first 2 pics in 15 seconds and made a dash for the saw. Fortunately I was just doing my final aiming on the gunning cut so the saw was not dogged in deep! I unscrewed the powerhead and pulled it out. The tree came down on its own with 25-30 seconds. You can see the imprint of the bar on the stump in the last image. An 8" section of the bar is pinched closed and will need repair.

The funny thing is that I have been waiting for an Oregon LW bar from Bailey's. It was on back order or I would have used it here. It was waiting for me when I got home. The maple was on the road on the way in, I drove right next to it. The tanoak fell 30' of the lay but was OK, just a little harder to clean up. I took out two 18" dbh trees when it fell and left a nice tree fall gap.

Here is a pic of a newly marked take tree. My wife has a very sore back so this is not a pic of her best smile. My daughter has chicken poxand did not want her pic taken at all.

Oooh! I would have been temted to fall that big redwood right behind

. Is that a double? Was this in a park, where you go to prison forever for falling a big double? Where were these pics taken in CA? Maybe we chewed some of the same ground?

**2dogs** · 06-28-2009, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by tarzanstree

Oooh! I would have been temted to fall that big redwood right behind

. Is that a double? Was this in a park, where you go to prison forever for falling a big double? Where were these pics taken in CA? Maybe we chewed some of the same ground?

These redwoods are off Palo Colorado Canyon Rd in southern Monterey County. This grove is near the end of the range. It is 95% old growth and yes the permit process is lengthy. It is in a Boy Scout camp that burned during June and July of 2008 during the Basin Complex. There are about 40 redwoods that present a seroius life threatening situation should they fall. I have taken down quite a few trees and many, many snags so far. I have heard and seen two large redwoods fall on their own this year. Very impressive! The tallest I have cut down so far measured out to 194' tall and the largest (goose pen) has been 9 1/2' dbh.

Unfortunately most of the trees have heart rot so the trees splinter when they hit the ground. We are still going to try to mill what we can. Old growth still has great value, esp in big cants. With all the species I rarely cut down a tree less than 3' dbh.

**Nailsbeats** · 06-28-2009, 07:23 PM

Nice, let that be a lesson for everybody falling trees. Sometimes you get in a hurry and get pinched.

**2dogs** · 06-28-2009, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Nailsbeats

Nice, let that be a lesson for everybody falling trees. Sometimes you get in a hurry and get pinched.

I was not in a hurry, I had my head where the sun don't shine. It was a stupid, preventable mistake that will end up costing me money. I need a swift kick in the behind.

**Greystoke** · 06-28-2009, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by 2dogs

These redwoods are off Palo Colorado Canyon Rd in southern Monterey County. This grove is near the end of the range. It is 95% old growth and yes the permit process is lengthy. It is in a Boy Scout camp that burned during June and July of 2008 during the Basin Complex. There are about 40 redwoods that present a seroius life threatening situation should they fall. I have taken down quite a few trees and many, many snags so far. I have heard and seen two large redwoods fall on their own this year. Very impressive! The tallest I have cut down so far measured out to 194' tall and the largest (goose pen) has been 9 1/2' dbh.

Unfortunately most of the trees have heart rot so the trees splinter when they hit the ground. We are still going to try to mill what we can. Old growth still has great value, esp in big cants. With all the species I rarely cut down a tree less than 3' dbh.

Dang Redwood are just brittle!

Hardest trees I have ever cut when it comes to saving them out. Sounds like you have a sweet job!

**Kiwilogger** · 06-29-2009, 02:28 AM

Gunning cut?

Sorry, don't get the lingo, mate.

To me it looks like you were gonna do what I'd have called a sneaky. Front cut, back cut, bang, over she goes. ??

No scarf?

That was an easy lesson dude.

**bullbuck** · 06-29-2009, 06:10 AM

your "sneaky cut"is what i would refer to as a "match cut"here,makes no difference i just like hearing all the different lingos...

**bullbuck** · 06-29-2009, 03:41 PM

wow nailsbeats is that you out on that limb?

**Nailsbeats** · 06-29-2009, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by bullbuck

wow nailsbeats is that you out on that limb?

Yeah, workin it, lol.

**Nailsbeats** · 06-29-2009, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Kiwilogger

Gunning cut?

Sorry, don't get the lingo, mate.

To me it looks like you were gonna do what I'd have called a sneaky. Front cut, back cut, bang, over she goes. ??

No scarf?

That was an easy lesson dude.

The bottom cut on the notch when done first is referred to as a gunning cut by some.