ETpilot
ArboristSite Operative
Yesterday I decided to work on a red oak that has been on the ground a while. The day was good with a gentle breeze. So, I went to my Honda 300 and started the engine. Well, the engine started and died but the starter stuck in the on position. I ran to the shop to get a screwdriver to disconnect the battery before the motor burned up. That done, will troubleshoot later, I went to Plan B.
I would take my tools and supplies in the tractor with FEL n brush hog. Besides, I figured, I would brush hog some access to the tree. At the tree, I decided that I would leave the tools n supplies in the FEL while I brush cut the area a bit. Bad Decision. As I was backing and cutting I did not notice that my Stihl pole pruner had struck something and had been knocked off the FEL. I then started brush cutting forward and heard a loud bang. Looking down I saw the power head going under the wheel and into the brush hog. Loud noise resulted. I move forward raised the deck and looked back. Now a fire had started. The gentle breeze was slowly spreading the fire. I had to put the brush hog over the fire to contain it. I would do this then move forward to check the fire and it would restart. So I would back into the fire again. I could not let this fire get out of control. As I was doing this, I could hear the pruner getting cut up.
Finally after a while I got the fire out. The pruner was a sad sight. Pieces all over the place. I have attached a picture that shows what a brush hogged pruner looks like. I went to the Stihl dealer for a replacement; $650.00. They were to get a shipment in yesterday but it did not arrive. I called today and was told due to the hurricane they believe supplies may be going to the Hurricane Isaac affected areas. They would call me if a pruner arrived today.
After Plan B, I went to Plan C, trying out a limb holder I made for cutting up those irregular limbs. I spent the rest of the day cutting limbs.
I still have to check my Honda to see what the problem is there.
I would take my tools and supplies in the tractor with FEL n brush hog. Besides, I figured, I would brush hog some access to the tree. At the tree, I decided that I would leave the tools n supplies in the FEL while I brush cut the area a bit. Bad Decision. As I was backing and cutting I did not notice that my Stihl pole pruner had struck something and had been knocked off the FEL. I then started brush cutting forward and heard a loud bang. Looking down I saw the power head going under the wheel and into the brush hog. Loud noise resulted. I move forward raised the deck and looked back. Now a fire had started. The gentle breeze was slowly spreading the fire. I had to put the brush hog over the fire to contain it. I would do this then move forward to check the fire and it would restart. So I would back into the fire again. I could not let this fire get out of control. As I was doing this, I could hear the pruner getting cut up.
Finally after a while I got the fire out. The pruner was a sad sight. Pieces all over the place. I have attached a picture that shows what a brush hogged pruner looks like. I went to the Stihl dealer for a replacement; $650.00. They were to get a shipment in yesterday but it did not arrive. I called today and was told due to the hurricane they believe supplies may be going to the Hurricane Isaac affected areas. They would call me if a pruner arrived today.
After Plan B, I went to Plan C, trying out a limb holder I made for cutting up those irregular limbs. I spent the rest of the day cutting limbs.
I still have to check my Honda to see what the problem is there.
