TreeClimber57
Addicted to ArboristSite
Agreed.. and experienced on trees.. a person can run a crane a long time and still not be really good on trees if they have not worked them.
How many guys do work with cranes
- Thread starter chadjacobs
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Agreed.. and experienced on trees.. a person can run a crane a long time and still not be really good on trees if they have not worked them.
tree md
Addicted to ArboristSite
You said a mouthful there.
TreeClimber57
Addicted to ArboristSite
tree md
Addicted to ArboristSite
Makes perfect sense to me... There is a big difference in an experienced operator and one who has done trees!
chadjacobs
ArboristSite Member
doing one this weds. will get pics and hopefully a video (for treeslayer).
I'll be waiting for pics!
chadjacobs
ArboristSite Member
What I like to see in a crane op
Smooth, is probably the first thing I look for. I can tell by the way they drive up and jockey into position. To get your neck snapped back when leaving the ground, and then left swinging back and forth 15 to 20 feet while slowly spinning in a circle trying to give hand signals is not my idea of a smooth entry into the tree.
Quiet confidence is nice to see. The new guy trying to impress is worse than the done it all know it all; neither is a team player. I like to take a minute or two, question pick weights at different distances, and agree on a basic plan to take this tree apart in 3 or 5 or 9 picks. Then we start working together.
Having "The touch" is really nice when pre-tensioning a pick, or gently lifting a trunk section so you never have to hear the sound of cable slapping boom. Pieces rigged right seem to just float away. Some new guys have it, some vets never will.
Nice to hear a "thank you" for helping get set up, dunnage, rigger pads, freeing dead section etc. BUT the crane op that says quietly "thanks for makin me look good", well, I can't wait to work with him again... ; ^ )
By the way, thanks for careing what we are looking for, and thanks for shareing what you ops are looking for. AND welcome to AS!!!!
Smooth, is probably the first thing I look for. I can tell by the way they drive up and jockey into position. To get your neck snapped back when leaving the ground, and then left swinging back and forth 15 to 20 feet while slowly spinning in a circle trying to give hand signals is not my idea of a smooth entry into the tree.
Quiet confidence is nice to see. The new guy trying to impress is worse than the done it all know it all; neither is a team player. I like to take a minute or two, question pick weights at different distances, and agree on a basic plan to take this tree apart in 3 or 5 or 9 picks. Then we start working together.
Having "The touch" is really nice when pre-tensioning a pick, or gently lifting a trunk section so you never have to hear the sound of cable slapping boom. Pieces rigged right seem to just float away. Some new guys have it, some vets never will.
Nice to hear a "thank you" for helping get set up, dunnage, rigger pads, freeing dead section etc. BUT the crane op that says quietly "thanks for makin me look good", well, I can't wait to work with him again... ; ^ )
By the way, thanks for careing what we are looking for, and thanks for shareing what you ops are looking for. AND welcome to AS!!!!
chadjacobs
ArboristSite Member
Thanks I think a open mind and realizing that you never know it all keeps yah safe and puts yah ahead of the rest.
alpineman
ArboristSite Member
I have only done a few crane jobs myself, but managed a company on the east coast and did all the bid work and then contracted the crane companies. It was always easier to just bid in a few extra bucks to bring out the 65-70 ton instead of fooling with the 35-40 ton cranes. Not that they can't get the job done, but its always nice to know you have that extra weight to throw around!! I heard from a buddy that our best crane operator flipped a 70 ton over and got fired, so I guess they won't be calling him anymore.
chadjacobs
ArboristSite Member
I bet 70% of small crane accidents are on tree jobs. I agree why push it to the edge. Also cranes have two charts tipping and stability. Just because a crane is not standing up doesn't mean that everthing is ok.
