Tree pruning in the PNW

[w7dms]

Started my yearly job of pruning

 

[Furu]

WTF

 

[dougtrr2]

I know the safety police will be all over this one. I personally wouldn't cut off a ladder (no place to run), but, if you were going to do it that set up would make it a lot easier to move from tree to tree.

If you had occasion to have to move a ladder from place to place a lot, that would be something to think about.

Doug in SW IA

 

[big bubba]

why pruning so high up, visual? i recently cut overhanging branches on a long driveway with an extendable power pole pruner while i was in fel bucket with a dependable tractor operator. not recommended by safety police, but i feel safer than negotiating a chain saw while on ladder, asking for trouble imho.

 

[big bubba]

agree, i can handle about 12'-14' from ground with mine. on my driveway, i went higher in fel bucket to accommodate dump truck loads.
the power pole pruner is far less expensive to use than ER costs or worse given current escalating health care costs.

 

[Furu]

Safety is always number one. When you forget that you are temping fate.
I have a Silky pole saw unit that is 20 plus feet fully extended.
Can't find that product online but here is a similar one.
https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/p/81801/76353/notch-sentei-pole-saws

Cheaper than even a copay at the ER.

 

[TractorTYMe]

 

[danielk]

I like your way of thinking!!!

I have a similar tractor/fel/setup. I do crawl up my extended FEL to replace the batteries on my trail cams. I have found that the problem is that since the tractor is off, the FEL shifts downward (loses it's pressure) over time. So there is an about 1" shift of the FEL every 15 minutes or thereabouts. It's unsettling. I have assumed that this is a release to not keep the pressure on the gaskets, etc for an extended period when not in use. If I leave the FEL up off the ground and come back the next day, it is resting on the ground.

 

[danielk]

Safety is always number one. When you forget that you are temping fate.
I have a Silky pole saw unit that is 20 plus feet fully extended.
Can't find that product online but here is a similar one.
https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/p/81801/76353/notch-sentei-pole-saws

Cheaper than even a copay at the ER.

I have that exact pole saw. It cuts fast! and is easy to use. I think this is the best recommendation.

 

[tomplum]

Our pruning is mostly done. Though I have some wild cherry trees in the lower yard. One is 60' tall below the drain field. I'm going to rig up or buy a rope saw for a few select branches. We'll see how that goes. . .

 

[LPowell1]

I have a similar tractor/fel/setup. I do crawl up my extended FEL to replace the batteries on my trail cams. I have found that the problem is that since the tractor is off, the FEL shifts downward (loses it's pressure) over time. So there is an about 1" shift of the FEL every 15 minutes or thereabouts. It's unsettling. I have assumed that this is a release to not keep the pressure on the gaskets, etc for an extended period when not in use. If I leave the FEL up off the ground and come back the next day, it is resting on the ground.

What if a cylinder or hose fails while you're up there?

 

[JBForestry]

Nice work getting those cedars trimmed up looks good. I like the parked out look.

 

[Big wheels are better]

Best ladder holding assistant I’ve seen!

 

[Topzide]

I have a similar tractor/fel/setup. I do crawl up my extended FEL to replace the batteries on my trail cams. I have found that the problem is that since the tractor is off, the FEL shifts downward (loses it's pressure) over time. So there is an about 1" shift of the FEL every 15 minutes or thereabouts. It's unsettling. I have assumed that this is a release to not keep the pressure on the gaskets, etc for an extended period when not in use. If I leave the FEL up off the ground and come back the next day, it is resting on the ground.

Cut a couple pieces of pvc pipe to go on the extended cylinders. Lock out supports for working with fel up and having to be under. They'll only drift down that first inch till contact!

 

[Topzide]

Can say that those rope saws you see on Ebay work! Keep them sharp and an assistant is recommended to avoid it pinching and being hung up.

I changed out the pull ropes with parachute cord. Lighter and way stronger! I was trimming branches 40' up. A lot better than a pole saw. Trying to figure out a way to use with a spring to pull back for solo operation. Anything up to about 20' goes pretty easy, above that is a bit tricky.

 

[Topzide]

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