In this video, I describe my movements and how I do things while I'm up in a tree! Follow Me On Instagram ///// / zaccheustree #arborist #treefelling #treeclimbing #tutorial
In my experience with the rigging, if it's questionable I'll usually take it in multiple pieces. Takes longer but saves those uh oh moments that keep you up at night 😅
Thats an excellent strategy. Small pieces = small problems! I probably didn't show it well, but crux of the problem was that I was rigging from low enough and far away enough that the swing distance just made the end of the rope so low by the time that it got over there. I think I would have still had similar clearance trouble with small pieces. Idk though, becaise I didn't try. I got too discouraged by swiping that shed 😂
Would love to see a video on moving around the tree when you are not cutting and have time to explain more of the techniques of moving around. But we will take what we can get. Much appreciated.
I appreciate the thought you put in videos, (both verbal and non-verbal). Any recommendations on semi-affordable climbing shoes? I've been wearing Merrells with Vibram soles and they are good, but I'm just a diy'er who prunes his own oak & fir trees. Always looking to improve though.
Thanks! I wish I had a good recommendation for you. The only climbing boots I've ever owned are my arbpro evo2 boots. They have held up and lasted really well. They are the most comfortable thing I've worn with spikes. I guess that's not helpful for you, though, if you're pruning. They do have good sole sape for getting heel and toe into tight unions. As I recall, they're also quite reasonably priced in the market of arborist boots. My local shop carries them. I believe they have a 10% sale for everything in the store coming up on May 4th. www.endorstreegear.com/collections/boots/products/evo-2-arbpro-climbing-boots
Very new to this tree game, done a few medium sized jobs. Question being what did everyone do for limbs over houses,power lines etc before the grcs. I can’t justify the expense right now. I’m kind of thinking about buying a “ truck” winch and mounting it to a plate that I can strap to tree like the grcs, and run redirects as needed. Feel like I could do this for around a $500 setup. Anyway curious what everyone used to do. Kinda like the blow gun you made. $25 instead of $300. You make good content dude I hope you tube compensates you for your time. Please keep it comin
Thanks for your comment, Nate! The first thing that is important to know is that more of the worl I do with the GRCS can be done with a porta wrap and rigging smaller pieces or dropping smaller pieces. Its primary purpose is a production booster. There are several alternatives for pretensioning a rope or lifting small to medium limbs in a tree. I hope to make a video showing all of the ones I know before long. Some alternatives are the rope jack, mounting a block to the bottom of the tree and pulling with a machine or truck, pulling with a 5:1, anything that can be used to pull on a rope with mechanical advantage can be used to lift limbs in the tree.
"Sweeping the shed roof" reminds me of a job I did on a big old spreading birch tree a couple of years ago - one side of it was way over the bungalow roof and the owner wanted to see if I could make the branches sweep the roof valley he hadn't cleaned in, oh I don't know, maybe the last 70 years. So every branch we rigged down I made the leaves sweep the valley a bit and probably took off 15 - 20 lbs of junk off the roof with every cut. He was ecstatic at the end of the job - more about the cleaning than the treework I think. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Addenda: At 14:45 in the video you talk about Rope Runner Pro and the potential for the rope tail to collapse the device if the tail of your rope is not hung down straight from the bottom of the RRP but re-directed (reference is diagram on page 11 of the RRP instruction booklet that comes it). For other folks info, here's a couple of links - one to a TCIA incident report that discusses this issue and another link to a TreeBuzz thread on the matter of limb walks and a 3:1 arrangement for coming back from limb walks with RRP. My takeaway from the thread is that it MAY be OK (if your bird spring is in good condition and your rope isn't flattened so the RRP bird can easily engage, etc.) . . . IF the rope angle into the bottom of the RRP has enough angle or deviation so it doesn't collapse the RRP completely. Links: tcimag.tcia.org/tree-care/consider-all-the-factors-in-a-climbers-fall/ and www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/post-accident-discussion.46009/ - see Dann Cobb's comment near the end of this thread. I offer this only to say the RRP isn't 'buggy', just that as in the use of any device, one needs to understand the peculiarities of your climbing system. Still, hitch based systems (DdRT or SRT with a wrench) are kinda my preference for spready trees and 3:1 returns from a limb walk cuz the bottom pulley won't completely collapse the hitch if it's set up properly (there lots of DMM videos that Taylor Hammel did on RUclips). Haven't tried Akimbo cuz of all the talk of the device's problems with different ropes sizes and with SAP (the story of my life). Sorry if this is a deep dive comment, but this video, for me, brought back the discussion about the accident and like Mom said, "You just can't let it go, can you". Climb safe out there for 2024 ! @@zaccheus
@prairiemushroom Wow, thanks for sharing all this information! Breaking the "rules" in tree work is always a sensitive subject. Many rules can be broken, and death will not result. However, there is the matter of how an accident breaks down legally if something ever does happen. If I die because I violated manufacturer instructions for use, I assumed all liability in that scenario. If I'm using a device correctly and die because of some equipment failure, the laibaility is with the manufacturer, and therefore, a proper lawsuit will likely take care of my family for the rest of their lives. That's why I do my best to follow the rules. The court, unfortunately, isn't going to care what angle the tail was pulling at 😅
You're gonna hate me for this but using the winter for playing around with mechanicals is one of my things. I did want to say that in the TCIA article linked to above, another accident was cited in about paragraph 9 "Bingham related that recently there had been a serious accident involving the Rock Exotica Akimbo, when slack in the rope led to the Akimbo being hooked underneath the climber’s chain-saw keeper. That victim free fell 30 feet as well." So both mechanicals (RRP and Akimbo) may in some instances be subject to the same hazards (and I was playing around last few weeks trying to figure out what circumstances . . . ). Bottom line for me is that still, a Hitchclimber pulley or Zig Zag DdRT style (or even ISC D4 or Petzl ID) are still kinda my goto's for 3:1 or RADS kinda stuff on limbwalks.. Just want to make everybody aware of both the TCIA article and the TreeBuzz thread on this. Last note on this - promise. Everybody be safe out there. Enjoy your videos immensely guy - they make me think and ensue I don't become "Complacent Climber" :-)@@zaccheus
@prairiemushroom Nah, I won't hate you! 😂 I am familiar with that specific incident. I've even spoken with a fella who was there when it happened. It's certainly important to be familiar with the potential hazards that accompany the use of certain tools and devices. I think just about all mechanical devices are subject to involuntary triggering. Zig zag included. I'd even say hitch breakers make friction knots more susceptible to such. I've definitely never heard of a lone hitch having trouble and so therefore I would consider them to be the most reliable in that fashion.
A battle plan is only good until first contact with the enemy as you well know. I like how you said "I think" lol. I do the same You really do make some great content man I certainly enjoy watching you. It's relaxing and it would be a pleasure to have you on a job. I've had some cowboys I've hired on for help at times and 😏
Haha I was a cowboy once. Used to think getting done fast was everything. Now, I get done way faster by working slower and smoother and not overwhelming the ground crew. I'm down for a couple worl trips a year. Just can't do too many and leave the family for too long.
Gooooood morning Mr. Flopper.. I'm excited to watch this one when I get the time. Have a fabulous day, and Happy New Year. Many blessings to come our way in 2024, my friend
You can use the approach you were suggesting of letting the tail of the climbing rope serve as a extra line for slowing you when swinging back. You just need to take the tail of the rope from the Rope Runner down to the bridge through a carabiner then to the support limb and back. This keeps the geometry correct for the rope runner. Good video. Always enjoy the climbing videos.
Yeah, it can be done that way. It wasn't exactly an appropriate time to explain all of that, but I might put in another video. Thanks for sharing the thought!
I had a maple tree like this recently where I had to rig out a large lead that was growing over the neighbors shed. I didn't have a lot of play in terms of clearance with the wood. I chunked it out in smaller pieces and it still scuffed the shed. Luckily only roughed up a single tile on the shed and there was no real damage to the structure.. Those low hangers are hard to get to do what you want. Fortunately for you, you have a GRCS so you have a lot more play then I did. Anyways I'm just ranting. Great video and always fun to watch how you decided to break down your little tree puzzle. Stay safe up there man.
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That is not something that I would do even in my younger days. But interesting to hear you talk about it. Fascinating watch you bring down trees in pieces. 😀
Just want to add that you are incorrect about not being able to do that tail trick with your rope runner. If you don't use that second carabiner and you just hold the rope and let yourself go little by little, it doesn't collapse the device. I use that trick all the time with my rope runner and works great!
I'm not incorrect. It is explicitly in the instructions to not drag trail. There are ways around it, and I do use them, but I am not in a position to recommend those practices on a public platform without thorough explaination and demonstration that I could not quite offer in this scenario.
Understood. ! I didn't know there was anything actually mentioned by the manufacturers about not doing that. I wonder why because I've used this truck many a times and it doesn't seem to try to collapse at all. Never even crossed my mind. Good to know it's technically unsafe! I try to follow all regulations or at least know them.
@devinbarcelona4437 I think thays the strategy to take. A lot of rules have exceptions, but you really really gotta know why those rules are there to know how to use the exceptions. I must admit, I've tried it, and it's only dropped me once. I was prepared and ready to catch myself, but I wouldn't recommend it without a carabiner or something below to keep it safe.
Obviously a high tie point is very beneficial for movement around crown of a tree I see to many times low tie point which severely limits movement your climbing skills are excellent and can tell you totally trust your gear Sometimes easier to take down few sections of fencing then to do tons of rigging. Believe it or not I have seen guys sacrifice a sidewalk section dropping a large log $150.00 to fix compared to half day to save sidewalk section
Thanks, man! It is, and that's an excellent thing to talk about. I should mention that in another video. You're right. Sometimes it is better to solve the problem on the ground rather than in the tree. Most of the time, it's easier for me to do a little bit of rigging than it is for me to do carpentry or concrete. That's just because of where my skill set is concentrated, though. I was hopeful about rigging that stuff back over the fence, but the geometry just wasn't available 😕 ground crew was kind enough to understand and not give me a hard time about it though.
@zaccheus Your skills like I said before excellent trust me rare occasion rarely break something on purpose not professional at all If you don't mind me asking what your subcontractor rate is around here eastern pa 4 to as high as 8 for real dangerous removals
In my experience with the rigging, if it's questionable I'll usually take it in multiple pieces. Takes longer but saves those uh oh moments that keep you up at night 😅
Thats an excellent strategy. Small pieces = small problems! I probably didn't show it well, but crux of the problem was that I was rigging from low enough and far away enough that the swing distance just made the end of the rope so low by the time that it got over there. I think I would have still had similar clearance trouble with small pieces. Idk though, becaise I didn't try. I got too discouraged by swiping that shed 😂
Would love to see a video on moving around the tree when you are not cutting and have time to explain more of the techniques of moving around. But we will take what we can get. Much appreciated.
Thanks for that feedback! I'll see what I can do when I get a dry day around here 😅
I appreciate the thought you put in videos, (both verbal and non-verbal). Any recommendations on semi-affordable climbing shoes? I've been wearing Merrells with Vibram soles and they are good, but I'm just a diy'er who prunes his own oak & fir trees. Always looking to improve though.
Thanks! I wish I had a good recommendation for you. The only climbing boots I've ever owned are my arbpro evo2 boots. They have held up and lasted really well. They are the most comfortable thing I've worn with spikes. I guess that's not helpful for you, though, if you're pruning. They do have good sole sape for getting heel and toe into tight unions. As I recall, they're also quite reasonably priced in the market of arborist boots. My local shop carries them. I believe they have a 10% sale for everything in the store coming up on May 4th. www.endorstreegear.com/collections/boots/products/evo-2-arbpro-climbing-boots
Hey thanks for sharing your knowledge & skills ! So humble & smart ! Keep on keeping on !
Thanks, Abe! I'll do my best!
Very new to this tree game, done a few medium sized jobs. Question being what did everyone do for limbs over houses,power lines etc before the grcs. I can’t justify the expense right now. I’m kind of thinking about buying a “ truck” winch and mounting it to a plate that I can strap to tree like the grcs, and run redirects as needed. Feel like I could do this for around a $500 setup. Anyway curious what everyone used to do. Kinda like the blow gun you made. $25 instead of $300. You make good content dude I hope you tube compensates you for your time. Please keep it comin
Thanks for your comment, Nate! The first thing that is important to know is that more of the worl I do with the GRCS can be done with a porta wrap and rigging smaller pieces or dropping smaller pieces. Its primary purpose is a production booster. There are several alternatives for pretensioning a rope or lifting small to medium limbs in a tree. I hope to make a video showing all of the ones I know before long. Some alternatives are the rope jack, mounting a block to the bottom of the tree and pulling with a machine or truck, pulling with a 5:1, anything that can be used to pull on a rope with mechanical advantage can be used to lift limbs in the tree.
Looking forward to that video. Your the man thanks for getting back to me
Thank you for explaining your moves. That was very informative. Good job, groundies included! :)
"Sweeping the shed roof" reminds me of a job I did on a big old spreading birch tree a couple of years ago - one side of it was way over the bungalow roof and the owner wanted to see if I could make the branches sweep the roof valley he hadn't cleaned in, oh I don't know, maybe the last 70 years. So every branch we rigged down I made the leaves sweep the valley a bit and probably took off 15 - 20 lbs of junk off the roof with every cut. He was ecstatic at the end of the job - more about the cleaning than the treework I think. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Hahaha! That's a fantastic story 😂 Happy New Years!
Addenda: At 14:45 in the video you talk about Rope Runner Pro and the potential for the rope tail to collapse the device if the tail of your rope is not hung down straight from the bottom of the RRP but re-directed (reference is diagram on page 11 of the RRP instruction booklet that comes it). For other folks info, here's a couple of links - one to a TCIA incident report that discusses this issue and another link to a TreeBuzz thread on the matter of limb walks and a 3:1 arrangement for coming back from limb walks with RRP. My takeaway from the thread is that it MAY be OK (if your bird spring is in good condition and your rope isn't flattened so the RRP bird can easily engage, etc.) . . . IF the rope angle into the bottom of the RRP has enough angle or deviation so it doesn't collapse the RRP completely. Links: tcimag.tcia.org/tree-care/consider-all-the-factors-in-a-climbers-fall/ and www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/post-accident-discussion.46009/ - see Dann Cobb's comment near the end of this thread. I offer this only to say the RRP isn't 'buggy', just that as in the use of any device, one needs to understand the peculiarities of your climbing system. Still, hitch based systems (DdRT or SRT with a wrench) are kinda my preference for spready trees and 3:1 returns from a limb walk cuz the bottom pulley won't completely collapse the hitch if it's set up properly (there lots of DMM videos that Taylor Hammel did on RUclips). Haven't tried Akimbo cuz of all the talk of the device's problems with different ropes sizes and with SAP (the story of my life). Sorry if this is a deep dive comment, but this video, for me, brought back the discussion about the accident and like Mom said, "You just can't let it go, can you". Climb safe out there for 2024 ! @@zaccheus
@prairiemushroom Wow, thanks for sharing all this information! Breaking the "rules" in tree work is always a sensitive subject. Many rules can be broken, and death will not result. However, there is the matter of how an accident breaks down legally if something ever does happen. If I die because I violated manufacturer instructions for use, I assumed all liability in that scenario. If I'm using a device correctly and die because of some equipment failure, the laibaility is with the manufacturer, and therefore, a proper lawsuit will likely take care of my family for the rest of their lives. That's why I do my best to follow the rules. The court, unfortunately, isn't going to care what angle the tail was pulling at 😅
You're gonna hate me for this but using the winter for playing around with mechanicals is one of my things. I did want to say that in the TCIA article linked to above, another accident was cited in about paragraph 9 "Bingham related that recently there had been a serious accident involving the Rock Exotica Akimbo, when slack in the rope led to the Akimbo being hooked underneath the climber’s chain-saw keeper. That victim free fell 30 feet as well." So both mechanicals (RRP and Akimbo) may in some instances be subject to the same hazards (and I was playing around last few weeks trying to figure out what circumstances . . . ). Bottom line for me is that still, a Hitchclimber pulley or Zig Zag DdRT style (or even ISC D4 or Petzl ID) are still kinda my goto's for 3:1 or RADS kinda stuff on limbwalks.. Just want to make everybody aware of both the TCIA article and the TreeBuzz thread on this. Last note on this - promise. Everybody be safe out there. Enjoy your videos immensely guy - they make me think and ensue I don't become "Complacent Climber" :-)@@zaccheus
@prairiemushroom Nah, I won't hate you! 😂 I am familiar with that specific incident. I've even spoken with a fella who was there when it happened. It's certainly important to be familiar with the potential hazards that accompany the use of certain tools and devices. I think just about all mechanical devices are subject to involuntary triggering. Zig zag included. I'd even say hitch breakers make friction knots more susceptible to such. I've definitely never heard of a lone hitch having trouble and so therefore I would consider them to be the most reliable in that fashion.
Great content. You can moneytize, Your set up will save your hips. The hips and the knees, wrist, and forearm need care. Flawless!
Love your videos - explanations of what you're doing and why, plus your remarkable humility. May God bless you and keep you safe in the New Year!
Thanks, Brandon. I'm glad they can be helpful to you. May God bless you and keep you safe in the New Year as well!
Hope you had a good Christmas. Happy New Year 😊
I did, thank you. Happy New Year to you as well!
You are such a great arborist and I love your videos man! Keep it up! I learn a lot from you!
Thanks, George, that's mighty kind of you to say 😊
A battle plan is only good until first contact with the enemy as you well know. I like how you said "I think" lol. I do the same
You really do make some great content man I certainly enjoy watching you. It's relaxing and it would be a pleasure to have you on a job.
I've had some cowboys I've hired on for help at times and 😏
Haha I was a cowboy once. Used to think getting done fast was everything. Now, I get done way faster by working slower and smoother and not overwhelming the ground crew. I'm down for a couple worl trips a year. Just can't do too many and leave the family for too long.
Gooooood morning Mr. Flopper.. I'm excited to watch this one when I get the time.
Have a fabulous day, and Happy New Year. Many blessings to come our way in 2024, my friend
Gooood morning GP! I'll look forward to your feedback, and I hope you have a fabulous day as well!
Nice work man. I always enjoy your videos Happy New Year🎉
Thanks, Dan! Happy New Year!
Love your videos, your ability to explain what you’re doing and how to do it is impeccable. Great job Zach
Thanks Bobby!
Happy New Year! Looks like that boxelder was a lot more sound than the one we did last year.
Haha yes it was! That tree was sketchy 😂 Happy New Year!
You can use the approach you were suggesting of letting the tail of the climbing rope serve as a extra line for slowing you when swinging back. You just need to take the tail of the rope from the Rope Runner down to the bridge through a carabiner then to the support limb and back. This keeps the geometry correct for the rope runner. Good video. Always enjoy the climbing videos.
Yeah, it can be done that way. It wasn't exactly an appropriate time to explain all of that, but I might put in another video. Thanks for sharing the thought!
I had a maple tree like this recently where I had to rig out a large lead that was growing over the neighbors shed. I didn't have a lot of play in terms of clearance with the wood. I chunked it out in smaller pieces and it still scuffed the shed. Luckily only roughed up a single tile on the shed and there was no real damage to the structure.. Those low hangers are hard to get to do what you want. Fortunately for you, you have a GRCS so you have a lot more play then I did. Anyways I'm just ranting. Great video and always fun to watch how you decided to break down your little tree puzzle. Stay safe up there man.
Thanks man, it's all a game of verticle space sometimes. I'm often relieved when I show up to a tall tree that needs rigging.
Hey what are you using to tie your handsaw to your spikes like that ? So far your the only one I’ve seen do this and I really like it !
I just use the silky straps that come with the saw. They're elastic and velcro which works nice. They seems to wear out kind fast though.
As an aborist that has recently started their own company, how can i gain more business?
Advertising has had a good ROI for me. Yard signs are cheap and easy at uzmarketing.com. Google business profile setup is free and fairly easy. Once you set it up, asking for reviews from your customers goes a long way. I have friends who have really good success with Facebook advertising.
That is not something that I would do even in my younger days. But interesting to hear you talk about it. Fascinating watch you bring down trees in pieces. 😀
Kayunya ada yang rapuh😮
Yes, the lower tree was a boxelder and they are not very strong 😬
If you need some drone footage sometime, just let me know. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Kevin! I will keep that in mind!
Awesome job brother
Thanks Todd!
Happy new year's. 🎉🎉🎉
Cut my second tree yesterday. Not big but too big for in town. Fell to the only spot that hurt nothing. I'm learning from you 🎉
That's excellent! Good work! Small tree have small problem amd small problems often only risk small mistakes. Nothing wrong with small at all.
Always good !
Thanks Chuck!
Well done buddy. Have you had much excavator work going on?
Not a whole lot here in December. I have a couple jobs coming up in January though.
Just want to add that you are incorrect about not being able to do that tail trick with your rope runner. If you don't use that second carabiner and you just hold the rope and let yourself go little by little, it doesn't collapse the device. I use that trick all the time with my rope runner and works great!
I'm not incorrect. It is explicitly in the instructions to not drag trail. There are ways around it, and I do use them, but I am not in a position to recommend those practices on a public platform without thorough explaination and demonstration that I could not quite offer in this scenario.
Understood. ! I didn't know there was anything actually mentioned by the manufacturers about not doing that. I wonder why because I've used this truck many a times and it doesn't seem to try to collapse at all. Never even crossed my mind. Good to know it's technically unsafe! I try to follow all regulations or at least know them.
@devinbarcelona4437 I think thays the strategy to take. A lot of rules have exceptions, but you really really gotta know why those rules are there to know how to use the exceptions. I must admit, I've tried it, and it's only dropped me once. I was prepared and ready to catch myself, but I wouldn't recommend it without a carabiner or something below to keep it safe.
@@zaccheus dually noted! Awesome video and thanks for the info. Peace and happy holidays from Cleveland Ohio 🤙
@devinbarcelona4437 Thanks! Climb safe up north there!
How long did it take to cut the tree down and haul it away
I was just a contract climber on this job. We got everything down in 8ish hours I think.
Great 👍🏾
Obviously a high tie point is very beneficial for movement around crown of a tree I see to many times low tie point which severely limits movement your climbing skills are excellent and can tell you totally trust your gear Sometimes easier to take down few sections of fencing then to do tons of rigging. Believe it or not I have seen guys sacrifice a sidewalk section dropping a large log $150.00 to fix compared to half day to save sidewalk section
Thanks, man! It is, and that's an excellent thing to talk about. I should mention that in another video. You're right. Sometimes it is better to solve the problem on the ground rather than in the tree. Most of the time, it's easier for me to do a little bit of rigging than it is for me to do carpentry or concrete. That's just because of where my skill set is concentrated, though. I was hopeful about rigging that stuff back over the fence, but the geometry just wasn't available 😕 ground crew was kind enough to understand and not give me a hard time about it though.
@zaccheus Your skills like I said before excellent trust me rare occasion rarely break something on purpose not professional at all If you don't mind me asking what your subcontractor rate is around here eastern pa 4 to as high as 8 for real dangerous removals
@robertvannicolo4435 Send me an email. I have an email address listed on my channel page. I'd be happy to share my rates and rate history.
Top notch narration and coaching, more of this please, 👍💪🪓🌲🇺🇲🇮🇪