Murph, Im not trying to blow my own horn, but I cant think of a climber I've met that is better than I.
I am mean with the throw line. I took Rip and Ken's Arbormaster course with Rip Thompkins himself, and learned all his little line setting tricks. As a matter of fact, that was probably one of the biggest best things I learned in the two day course. They make you take Arbormaster I, eventhough you've been climbing for 12 years, in order to take Arbormaster II.
Has anyone taken 'Arbormaster II'?
Anyway, now I CAN set a line almost anywhere in the tree, with multi-line techniques... do you know how to use two-three lines to set in a very difficult crotch?
and the more I use it, the less attempts til I get it in the right spot. I usually get it good within three tosses, unless I haven't used it for a few weeks, and no, after the class I realized that I DO NOT need to buy a Big-shot to get it to 60', albeit its probably a little easier and more accurate in less attempts if I'm not warmed up
I will admit that I cannot really foot lock straight up very well, and do not. I kinda blame it on the lack of any tread on my boots, all of which is worn off, and my saddle which is of the older 'bench seat' a little heavier and restrictive variety when trying to pull and move straight up makes it kinda hard when trying the foot looking action thats used to win the competitions.
I am not slow getting up there though. I am tall and lanky and get up quick. I don't stop. But once I get to the top of the tree, I am fast and can run around the tree, move and get to cuts quickly, smoothly, safely, and efficiently.
My biggest problem is I ALWAYS do too much in the tree. I do 'Class I' prunes on just about every tree I get in, eventhough its priced for a 'Class II' or III. Its a majot fault of mine. I'm a perfectionist.
As far as the truck goes. I can fit just as many chips in my F350 than my bro can in his 11' Arbortech Topkick. His only advantage is the man-cab for storage.
I have a niche in Cambridge, MA, and Boston, inner-city, however, where all streets are small, narrow, and crowded, and most jobs would otherwise need a police detail. But because I have a smaller truck, my truck and chipper is not only MUCH shorter, and we always find a way of parking in the city where bigger trucks wouldn't have a prayer, we can often back into driveways, and don't get harassed by cops when we are on the sidewalk, BECAUSE they WOULD REQUIRE a police detail if we had a forestry truck!
We also hop on the highway all the time and travel 30mins at 75mph to do jobs outside of town, zip around town, do estimates, etc. etc. where as in a bigger rig, that is just not practical, or cost effective. I also save on parking!
So although I am torn about if and when I will buy a large forestry truck w/ a bucket most definitely if I do decide to go that route, its just not in the cards right now, and I've decided to wait and see.
I live 10 mins from Harvard Sq. and park in my driveway :rockn:
Believe me, I wish I had a yard!
opcorn:
Peace men
ps. I would like to learn more though. The fastest climber going up in the course was a 5'6" little Guatemalan dude who climbs for Savatree in Conn. Kid went to regional finals! He was ill. Looked like he was skating up the rope! I would like to learn something from you too
I've already started raising my prices
...to 2,500 per day
Thanx tho!
