EastwoodGang4
ArboristSite Operative
I am interested in the proper use of felling wedges. More specifically when and when NOT to use them, and also different techniques. Are wooden wedges OK or are the plastic ones better?
EastwoodGang4 said:when NOT to use them...
EastwoodGang4 said:I am interested in the proper use of felling wedges. More specifically when and when NOT to use them, and also different techniques. Are wooden wedges OK or are the plastic ones better?
ironpig70 said:shoerfast i like the idea of wooden wedges. in the event you cut into it, your saw remains intact(versus say steel)
squisher said:Also if you're just starting to fall trees (which I'm assuming from your question) then I would strongly recommend researching some of the safety issues that you're going to be up against. Wedges aside it can be very dangerous. And aside from getting books or reading I would try to find somebody with experience that can give you hands on advice.
Perfect post, and steright to the point, again.......:rockn:fishhuntcutwood said:There's never a time to not use them. Even the straightest tree can sit back on you. Wind, biomass balance, bad wood, anything can make a tree do strange things. Wedges help keep the advantage on your side.
Welcome to AS.
Jeff
This is good, when they sit back it sucks, all because you forgot to place a wedge. You can take an axe and cut down above your backcut and get a wedge started, but its no fun. I misjudged the lean of a cottonwood (talk about weak holding wood) and it sat back, powerlines and road side. If you have to use the axe trick, its cause you didn't work safe, only heavy leaners that you want to lay down the way they lean don't need wedges. And you always need at least three, two are useless if you have to stack. I have used steel wedges, but they are banned for a reason.squisher said:welcome to AS. Like FishHuntCutwood says you can't go wrong setting a wedge even if you think it's a no brainer espescially when you're just starting out. Nothing is worse then having that bastard sit back on ya, even if you manage to get your saw out you're usually screwed. I would highly recommend getting the plastic wedges, I logged for a number of years and never had one pop and I often had to wedge some hard leaners that were unused spars to fall them towards were we could reach them with the yarder. I've had three sets of stacked wedges sunk into trees before to get them over, it's amazing what you can do with them.
Also if you're just starting to fall trees (which I'm assuming from your question) then I would strongly recommend researching some of the safety issues that you're going to be up against. Wedges aside it can be very dangerous. And aside from getting books or reading I would try to find somebody with experience that can give you hands on advice.
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