Sawsnatchers

[TREETX]

Has anybody ever had a bad experience with a sawsnatcher?? It is always in my mind when I drop something big.

A year ago I was dropping a 5 foot section of an elm spar and my saw stayed in a sawsnatcher. I keep it tied to me with a 5 foot leash. It yanked the hell out of me and broke the ring off my 020 w/out hesitation. 400lbs will do that. I know how I created it and what I did wrong. I was using a fast back cut to create a popping effect so I could get the piece to hop off and clear a roof. Risky for some but I know how cedar elm wood separates and how to use that to my advantage. The quick snapping cut prevented the cut from propperly hinging as desired but it created a perfect sawsnatcher.

I dropped an 18 foot section of a spar from a height of 15ft yesterday and could not get that thought out of my mind. All went as planned. In hind sight, several small cuts would have been safer but I wanted to skid the chunk out in one piece to save time.

I would like to know more about field experience people have with snatchers - I have already covered the academia end.

Thanks - Nate

 

[treeclimber165]

The perfect solution I learned about with jumping off large horozontal limbs is to make the top cut about a ½" BEHIND the undercut, not in front of it. This creates a good release of energy when the lead pops off, and keeps the butt up a second longer before gravity speeds it to the ground. The butt end doesn't tend to hit as early, reducing divots. It also virtually eliminates sawsnatchers.

 

[Reed]

(home for lunch and kissies, got to get back up and finish)

Sawsnatchers? I hate those.

A couple years back had one. I refused to let go though, good thing I was secure so I didn't have to lend any brainpower for fear but it was a heck of a battle. Like you, it was a brand new 020T and dam if I was gonna loose her. I won, but my arm must've grown another five inches for a few days.