Need to cut off a dead limb about 30' above ground

[beppington]

I might use your polesaw (if it is big enough) from the lift. Give yourself a little more space in case the limb decides to fall oddly.

Also exactly my plan :thumbsup: ... & yes it is big enough for this limb (only chainsaw I've got)

Also, if you have a 3ph trailer mover, you can hook up the the lift with that and avoid disconnecting the tractor to set the outriggers on the lift (assuming that your ground is mostly flat)

It is flat as a flitter. I've got a drawbar with 2" ball on the tractor - is that what you mean? ... Oh, or do you mean I could lower the 3PH in order to raise the outriggers for re-positioning? instead of raising the outriggers themselves? (can you tell I've never used one of these before??)

 

[Cat_Driver]

here ya go...
Ace High Limb CS-48 Rope-and-Chain Saw - Reviews & Prices @ Yahoo! Shopping

 

[shane]

I've rented the trailer type lifts some several time to take out trees in difficult places. I just do as I've seen many tree guys do (not with as much skill I assure you). I start at the top and work my way down. I took out two fairly large maples next to a church building and as neighboring house in a couple of hours. It's not only safe, it's fun.

I rent my lifts from Home Depot. There are numerous rental yards in my area, but Home Depot always has the newest, nicest units for the same money.

There is one big monster maple in my preachers back yard that I will have to take out soon. When I do, the lift will have to come from one of the rental yards. Like a 65' lift. I'm looking forward to that one.

 

[aczlan]

It is flat as a flitter. I've got a drawbar with 2" ball on the tractor - is that what you mean? ... Oh, or do you mean I could lower the 3PH in order to raise the outriggers for re-positioning? instead of raising the outriggers themselves? (can you tell I've never used one of these before??)

When the outriggers raise the lift to level it, the tongue will lift as well. With a 3 point trailer mover, it can lift.
Otherwise (like if it were hitched to your truck), you will have to disconnect the ball from the tow vehicle each time you set the outriggers.

Aaron Z

 

[JB4310]

The tow behind boom lifts are great, I have used them up to 50 ft.

The great thing about them is they self level, unlike the larger and heavier 4x4 self propelled booms. So you can use them on serious slopes.

You hold one button and all four stabilizers come down until the thing is perfectly level. I've had the big machines lock out and refuse to operate on ground that appeared level, had to shim the tires to get it level.

For just one limb I would probably just use a 40 foot ladder and a hand saw,
You do have to tie yourself off to the tree, as the falling limb can hit the ladder. You should have a second person who could pull the branch away with a rope. It's a little hairy working from a ladder in a tree. I'm used to ladders and it's still a little tricky, so if you didn't want to go the ladder route I would support your decision.

If you use the boom lift, come up from behind the trunk and get as high as you can while still being able to reach the limb. That will put you in the safest position.
Ideally you would use the boom for as much work as you can find for it that day, but they are reasonably priced enough for just one task I guess.

I do what Aaron Z mentioned with the 3 pt trailer hauler, works perfect as it floats up with the machine as it levels, plus is much easier to maneuver into position. The trailer tongues on those poor things are usually beat to all heck from the weekend warriors trying to get them into tough places in their backyards with their pick up trucks.

I try to line up a couple of paying jobs, then bring it to my house to trim trees. I even bring the tractor on the jobs, if I have to move it around someones yard.

These are all pics of the 50 ft JLG. One of these pics is at max reach on a steep incline. These are very well designed and built machines, but they are pretty light duty compared to the commercial lifts we're use to. so it's a little hairy on these little guys when maxed out.
They do have a little more play in them.

Good Luck!

JB

 

[zzvyb6]

Take a seasickness pill and don't look up. Looking down is OK. But if you look up and see a moving cloud, you will freak out, guaranteed. These lifts wobble quite a bit because of the steel boom flex, not outrigger movement.

What about tossing a rope over a 40' limb and have someone haul you up with a tractor or truck? Take the shotgun up with you in case they feel like leaving you up there.:laughing:

 

[BeezFun]

Got a 33' trailer-type lift reserved for this Sat: $225. A little steep it seems, but remember my two-fer justification

Don't forget to turn on the video camera, and give your wife your password so she can post pictures if you end up with arm casts and can't type. I looked at using a lift for setting trusses, unless they're pretty small you probably can't raise the end with the lift. The lift capacity is surprisingly small, I think it was only about 400 pounds on the one I looked at. It'd be great for attaching them if you have some other way to get them up there.

 

[grsthegreat]

I guess you have good reason to not purchase really long ladder, prop/tie to tree then use your pole saw...maybe first cut as far from trunk to remove most weight as possible, next cut nearer in.
Leaves you with nice tool for next time:thumbsup:

not a good idea at all... when that 12" limd drops the video can be given to americas funniest home video... and you can watch it from the hospital room.

 

[beppington]

Don't forget to turn on the video camera, and give your wife your password so she can post pictures if you end up with arm casts and can't type. I looked at using a lift for setting trusses, unless they're pretty small you probably can't raise the end with the lift. The lift capacity is surprisingly small, I think it was only about 400 pounds on the one I looked at. It'd be great for attaching them if you have some other way to get them up there.

Rental guy says "he thinks" it has a 350 lb capacity. I can lift one 24' truss off the ground myself (4/12 slope), & I'm 155 lbs, no muscle-man; they're surprisingly light. So the plan is to let the lift .. lift a truss & secure it using ladders.

Now that I prob seem rational in this limb-cutting endeavor, I'll "fess up" as to how last weekend I cut off & notched the eight 16' tall 6x6 barn poles:

 

[aczlan]

Rental guy says "he thinks{" it has a 350 lb capacity. I can lift one 24' truss off the ground myself (4/12 slope), & I'm 155 lbs, no muscle-man; they're surprisingly light. So the plan is to let the lift .. lift a truss & secure it using ladders.

Some (like the JLG I posted) allow you to remove the basket by pulling 2 pins. That might gain you the last few pounds of lift that you need to lift the trusses up. Just take the control box off of the basket before you pull the pins.

Aaron Z