What kind of cut when using crane

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beastmaster

beastmaster

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Its only been in the last several years that I have been working with cranes. Boy talk about doing the imposable, cranes are cool. My experience with cranes isn't that great so I shut up and listen to what I am told by bosses and follow crew members and trust their judgment. I do know trees. The problem I am having is every one keep giving me different advice on how to cut the piece that the crane is lifting. I don't like any thing I've tried yet. We have a 40ft knuckle boom crane where I'm working now. This can be fitted with a 20ft extension.
He has me cut an angle down one side half way through. Then I come from the back side at an angle and try to hit the other cut. (it never work like he says)He says this is because the V holds the piece in place and then the crane can pick it up. This hasn't work out to good for me. So how do you guys do it? Theres got to be a better method.
 
I don't cut a V but I do start on one side, match the cut on the other side to finish. Whether I start from the back or front depends on where the tension is at. I'd post a vid but it's an old one and I wouldn't want the safety police chewing me out... ;)
 
beastmaster said:
Its only been in the last several years that I have been working with cranes. Boy talk about doing the imposable, cranes are cool. My experience with cranes isn't that great so I shut up and listen to what I am told by bosses and follow crew members and trust their judgment. I do know trees. The problem I am having is every one keep giving me different advice on how to cut the piece that the crane is lifting. I don't like any thing I've tried yet. We have a 40ft knuckle boom crane where I'm working now. This can be fitted with a 20ft extension.
He has me cut an angle down one side half way through. Then I come from the back side at an angle and try to hit the other cut. (it never work like he says)He says this is because the V holds the piece in place and then the crane can pick it up. This hasn't work out to good for me. So how do you guys do it? Theres got to be a better method.
Click to expand...

If you are set up right, most times just start your cut and follow thru- no need for the back cut.:)
Jeff
 
Yeah, Jeff's right. Every cut is different. If you and the operator can see each other it helps too. Blind picks are challenging. It helps if you have a good site manager calling correct commands over the radio. Ideally, you would never pinch your saw but in reality it happens. After you have done a few of them you can tell when to pull your saw out and cut from the other side before it starts to pinch.
 
Start your cut on the side of the tension.When your cut starts closing in on your saw have the crane operator "cable up" just enough to free the saw so that you can finish the cut.Dont pull the saw out..just keep cutting the same direction you started.When the log breaks loose be prepared for it to jump up a bit(that will depend on how much pressure you have on the cable).Make shure you and the crane operator are on the same page when it is time to lift so that he is not swinging the load in your escape route.
 
all one cut for the most part. knuckleboom too, right? so you won't have cable up or down just boom movement.

look at the wood and where you choked it. figure out where the pinch is going to happen and cut all that wood first and then bring the power head around finishing the cut under the ball/hook. theoretically the ball is lifting at that point so if you make cut all the pinchy stuff first and then chase to that point it should just stay or barely float on the stem.

know your weights too. popping the wood after the cut is doodoo practice. means both you and the CO were wrong.
 
The best cuts are when you and the operator are jibing together and the butt just sits there hovering above the stub, just rolls off with no snap or bounce. Having a good operator has a lot to do with it. It also helps when you have time and experience working together.
 
Thanks for the advice. One problem we also have a lot is, because our knuckle boom crane is only 40ft.(we lose lots of lifting power with the 20ft extension) the boom just barely reaches and though the cable choker is on the side facing the crane it'll pinch on that side because the choker isn't straight up and down. I don't want to shock load the crane so its a delicate maneuver not to pinch bar or shock load. I like it when we use a real crane. Again thanks a lot for the advice. Beastmaster.
 
tree md said:
the best cuts are when you and the operator are jibing together and the butt just sits there hovering above the stub, just rolls off with no snap or bounce. Having a good operator has a lot to do with it. It also helps when you have time and experience working together.
Click to expand...

money!!
 
beastmaster said:
He has me cut an angle down one side half way through. Then I come from the back side at an angle and try to hit the other cut. (it never work like he says)He says this is because the V holds the piece in place and then the crane can pick it up. This hasn't work out to good for me. So how do you guys do it? Theres got to be a better method.
Click to expand...

Ever asked him why it never works?

Sounds like you need to concentrate a little more on your hook position, placement of the slings and pre-tension. Go for a staight-through cut and watch the kerf carefully; by the time you get to 3/4 you'll realise what (if any) adjustment need to be made; always keep your head clear of the butt.

All due respect, the groundguys dont get a true perception of scale and orientation....as the climber you should be calling the shots. Best of luck
 
hey reg, you see the vids i put up? not a spider leg anywhere to be found. lol.

production crane work doesn't have the time for such chicanery!

i agree though that v cut is for the birds.
 
LOL, what do you got the mutant ninja turtles working with you OD? You look like a giant next to those guys. :hmm3grin2orange:
 
oldirty said:
hey reg, you see the vids i put up? not a spider leg anywhere to be found. lol.

production crane work doesn't have the time for such chicanery!

i agree though that v cut is for the birds.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I follow OD, please explain?
 
tree md said:
LOL, what do you got the mutant ninja turtles working with you OD? You look like a giant next to those guys. :hmm3grin2orange:
Click to expand...


believe it or not bro that is the ground crew extraordinaire's of the A crew at marquis. dude in the middle is a true raking fool! turn your back for but a moment and the clean up is done. you should see him hump some wood! looks like an ant carrying a twig. lol. and the other little fella is getting pretty damn good at running the machine. along with the cleanup skills.



Reg said:
I'm not sure I follow OD, please explain?
Click to expand...

check out the thread i started. "crane and i doing our thing".

i ain't knocking you bud just having some fun. whenever i start to fuss a little with the choke point selection i get over the headset "c'mon reg, we aint using spider legs. let's go!" lol.

in your defense he (the crane op) has giving you a "smooth" for a compliment. we both not sure of the 200t getting used on a crane removal but hey, to each their own.

stay safe reg.
 
oldirty said:
check out the thread i started. "crane and i doing our thing".

i ain't knocking you bud just having some fun. whenever i start to fuss a little with the choke point selection i get over the headset "c'mon reg, we aint using spider legs. let's go!" lol.
Click to expand...
You gotta be kidding me....tell him I’ll kick his behind.

Ive used spiderlegs about 5 times now, they’re good but for mature spreading tree’s where one might need a greater degree of control. I’ll watch your videos in a minute; they better be good, it is 4:30am here.

These are for beastmaster......not you smartguy....chicanery, how dare you;)

Here’s one with chains and mainly step-cuts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSc8-NSJbu8

Endless sllings on this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWGNRmloLq0

Flat slings here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8igeJ6zPqo

Round slings only about 5-6 months ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iwY-lrSmWU

Plenty more on my youtube account if you can be bothered here but they all look the same after a while.
 

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