AND u are right on the barber chair, that's where experience and knowing your trees plays. TOO much hinge will barber chair almost anything. Too little and the hinge may tear and you loose the control. Of course when I'm logging I shoot for the least amount of hinge I can get away with to minimize pulls and barber chairs. And last point on barber chairs. With the winch, it is like with the "trigger" concept logging, be away from the tree when it goes. Someone who hangs around that tree cutting while some one pushes the button or hangs around AND pushes the button prolly shouldn't be allowed to run heavy equipment.