Big chunks (25”), vertical speed-line and advice sought.

[Arbomeister]

I have been taking a 130ft pine down using a near vertical speed line. This is to avoid a fence on one side of the tree. So far so good - now down to the last 70ft where the rounds are 25” diameter.

The issue I have is in the weight of the rounds and struggling to lift them off so that they engage in the vertical speed-line. I don’t want my groundy using a pull line as it would bring them too close. I am cutting each round with enough length (8”) to ensure the tether at the butt end does not slip off. I have been using a downward facing pie cut with a wedge at the back.

What options do the rest of you people use?

Currently I am thinking about using a downward facing (to the drop zone) angle cut. And just nip the front beforehand so that bark does not tear and using a wedge in the back-cut being careful not to having the falling log drag the saw.

(I don’t care about firewood having the angle cut on it.)

Thoughts, safety considerations and alternatives welcome.






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[greengreer]

Salami cut or straight thru with a slider of some sort. Twigs work well but there are better options.
You can also make a snap cut and put a small face on one side to help you push it off but that's alot more cutting IMO.

 

[Arbomeister]

Salami cut or straight thru with a slider of some sort. Twigs work well but there are better options.
You can also make a snap cut and put a small face on one side to help you push it off but that's alot more cutting IMO.

I have heard of a “dowel trick”. How does that work?


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[greengreer]

Like you're cutting off a big stump. Throw some twigs around kerf size in there and slide it off.

 

[benjo75]

If the tree is relatively straight you can make your notch about 3/4 deep. The hinge will be behind the center of gravity and the piece will fall under its own weight. It takes considerable more sawing but it will almost eliminate pushing or pulling the block off.

 

[Jed1124]

Deeper notch or throw a tag line over the top and have your groundie pull them over.

 

[beastmaster]

I use a wedge with a line tied to it so I can't lose it. It'll help slide it off. I've used a pry bar also to top them over.
Mostly I have a tipping line in them and do a deep face cut. I like to leave them long 5 ft or so.