Tractors and wood! Show your pics

[check]

Well here is a big monster we have to cut. It can fall safely in the direction I am standing when I took this picture. However, I am worried that it might bounce to the left and hit the building. What I’m thinking is maybe I should chain the bottom to that big tree over to the right so that when it falls, it cannot go any farther over towards the building.

 

[John_Mc]

... With the Dutchman it is different. Basicly and simplified - the holding wood, not really a hinge, is left heavy on the back to hold the lean. On the lean side there is an open saw kerf where the hinge would normally be. As you make the back cut the holding wood weakens and the lean causes the the kerf to close. Once that kerf is closed tight the tree cannot tip into the lean anymore as long as the holding wood can hold it. Instead it starts to twist so the tree rotates. The butt almost slides down the open Humboldt face cut. You cut carefully watching the twist. As it twists around to where you want it you time the cut so the thees stops twisting and falls at the right spot. So now when you look at the tree on the ground instead of a J on it's side it is a tipped over J with the humped part up and the lower point into the ground. And instead of cutting a wide swath the with of the J as it fell it pretty much falls in line because it rotated around.

gg

That last paragraph describes why it is that OSHA does not like this method: "You cut carefully watching the twist. As it twists around to where you want it you time the cut so the thees stops twisting and falls at the right spot." Doing this requires remaining at the stump as the tree is falling. OSHA really wants to see the faller get the heck out of there as soon as the tree starts to move. Logging is a dangerous past time, and most injuries happen within about 15 feet of the stump (I wish I could remember where I read that). The technique is wonderful in the hands of someone who really knows what they are doing and is alert and "firing on all cylinders". I have a lot of respect for folks who can do it right. It's also why I urge people who want to learn advanced cuts such as this to do it live & in person with someone experienced at it, don't just watch a YouTube video by someone whose background you don't know and assume you've got all you need to do it right. (For things like this, I don't even trust a YouTube video form someone I know is a very good at what they are doing. There is too much you just can't see/sense in a video as compared to real life.)

 

[Gordon Gould]

That last paragraph describes why it is that OSHA does not like this method: "You cut carefully watching the twist. As it twists around to where you want it you time the cut so the thees stops twisting and falls at the right spot." Doing this requires remaining at the stump as the tree is falling. OSHA really wants to see the faller get the heck out of there as soon as the tree starts to move. Logging is a dangerous past time, and most injuries happen within about 15 feet of the stump (I wish I could remember where I read that). The technique is wonderful in the hands of someone who really knows what they are doing and is alert and "firing on all cylinders". I have a lot of respect for folks who can do it right. It's also why I urge people who want to learn advanced cuts such as this to do it live & in person with someone experienced at it, don't just watch a YouTube video by someone whose background you don't know and assume you've got all you need to do it right. (For things like this, I don't even trust a YouTube video form someone I know is a very good at what they are doing. There is too much you just can't see/sense in a video as compared to real life.)

Your entire statement is 100% good advise John. I agree.

gg

 

[Loaderman22]

When I worked for the NYS Park commission I watched a coworker do some stuff with trees that seemed to defy gravity, logic, & physics. He was a true technician, he would walk out, stand in a specific location draw a line in the dirt with his boot, & say, "the top is landing here." & Everytime he nailed it, not just direction, but distance within about a foot. No tape, no inverted pans of water, just a great eye. I didn't get to work with him often enough to get all his tricks, but I sure payed attention when we did. I saw him do what you speak of, but it looked like wizzardry, not something I'd try unless I was far in the woods, & had something very solid to run behind!

 

[whitepine2]

She ain't gonna bounce,just cut it down.

 

[Sumner Sapough]

I have been wanting to post on this thread for quite some time. I had the opportunity to work with my parents over this past summer seeing that I am a teacher I have several weeks off. Part of my responsibilities were using my dad's New Holland WorkMaster 50 to collect split with his new log splitter and stack firewood that we have been drying for years. I look forward to sitting by the new wood stove this winter knowing that I put many hard hours in that wood that is now making me warm

 

[Oldpath05]

Are those slabs all cedar? There's nothing better to make a hot fire quick on a cold morning. :thumbsup:

No mostly hemlock slabs. My son puts cedar slabs in separate bundles, some are cedar shingle length, most people like buying the pre cut length cedar slabs. The rest are log length cedar slabs, and for the past 3 years he's been heating his house on cedar buttons and shingle length slabs, one of the ways he gets rid of so much by-product.

 

[Oldpath05]

Well here is a big monster we have to cut. It can fall safely in the direction I am standing when I took this picture. However, I am worried that it might bounce to the left and hit the building. What I’m thinking is maybe I should chain the bottom to that big tree over to the right so that when it falls, it cannot go any farther over towards the building. View attachment 576835

Yep sure looks like that tree should come down, looks deader then a door nail. Probably a good idea to chain it, sometimes when tree falls and has big limbs those limbs could throw it, chain cut and run but before that set the video camera up I like seeing big trees fall.

 

[SplitHoof]

John and Gordon, thanks to you both for the responses! I read through your words and was trying to picture staying that close to the tree when it starts moving to continue your cut - And while I would to see it done, I don’t think I want to be that person!

Good info and thank you again!

 

[goeduck]

Personally that close to a structure I would have a professional come in and fall it. No limb cleanup or anything, just fall it and go. Cannot cost that much if you can get someone to do a little job like that.