Tree guys, Arborists and Riggers… I have questions …

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Feel like maybe I’m overthinking the whole harness issue. I’ve been trying to debate the merits of a cheap harness ($50-100) since I’m not expecting to use it a whole lot and realized that I just dropped over $300 on other gear not counting what rope I buy. I bought the best foot ascender on the market because it was designed by professional climbers, it’s easy to kick on and off the rope, and it has ridges instead of teeth so it doesn’t tear up ropes. I bought what’s considered one of the best ascender/descender devices too. Probably should just save up for a good harness instead of cheaping out on it since all the other gear I bought is pretty top notch. Not like I need to climb a tree tomorrow

 

[docmott]

Nylon will stretch and give thats why you would use it for deck lines, Dacron doesn't stretch and use for halyards and sheets on a sailboat. for climbing I would think you would want Dacron.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So the spool of rope came yesterday and I see an unexpected discrepancy. The rope puller I have calls for 1/2” three strand and came with a 20’ length of three strand when I bought it. So when I bought this spool, naturally I ordered 1/2” Poly Dacron three strand. Well, it didn’t look right when I set the spool next to the rope that came with my puller and the ropes borrowed from a family friend, all of those appear to be 5/8”. So I’m not entirely sure what to do at this point. Not sure why the manufacturer would call for using 1/2” when they supply 5/8” with the puller. It would make for a stronger rope, but 5/8” would require me to have separate climbing ropes for the simple fact that the climbing gear I have is for 1/2”. Or do I stick with the 1/2” because I can use it for climbing too and hope it’s strong enough for pulling?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So I haven’t figured out what to do about the Poly-Dacron yet, but after talking with an arborist/climbing store, they said my gear doesn’t work so well with three strand because it was designed for braided. I was thinking that it might be safer to have rope specifically for climbing anyway because it wouldn’t be abused the way it would being run through a rope puller. Granted, I can still use Prusiks for climbing three strand if I want/need to.

Still need to pick a saddle/harness though. Was recommended four different ones.

https://www.treestuff.com/weaver-cougar-saddle/

https://www.treestuff.com/notch-sentinel-harness-black-1/

https://www.treestuff.com/treemotion-harness-2018/

https://www.treestuff.com/petzl-sequoia-srt-saddle-2019-version/

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

And nobody has opinions on saddles, lol. What kind of a place is this, everyone has opinions on everything else, lol.

It’s ok, pretty sure I’m probably going with the Petzl Sequoia SRT at this point. Thinking I’m probably going to end up ordering one soon. My ascender is still on back order though. Still need to get a couple climbing ropes and a throw weight and probably a lanyard, but that’s about all that’s left on my list. Got two trees that really need addressed come spring. I either need to climb or rent a bucket truck.

 

[Curious Hound]

And nobody has opinions on saddles, lol. What kind of a place is this, everyone has opinions on everything else, lol.

It’s ok, pretty sure I’m probably going with the Petzl Sequoia SRT at this point. Thinking I’m probably going to end up ordering one soon. My ascender is still on back order though. Still need to get a couple climbing ropes and a throw weight and probably a lanyard, but that’s about all that’s left on my list. Got two trees that really need addressed come spring. I either need to climb or rent a bucket truck.

I wear a full body harness at work in accordance with OSHA and BMW (slightly more restrictive) rules. You're in a whole different world there with climbing and tree work. I'll let you sort it out. Those saddles look OK for what you need to do. But I wouldn't want to be hanging in one if I slipped and fell. You could end up hanging upside down. I've done very minimal elevated tree work. I don't like being up there with a running chainsaw in my hands. That's just me.

Do what you think is safe for your needs and skill levels and don't skimp on safety equipment.

 

[rumblecloud]

I don't like being up there with a running chainsaw in my hands. That's just me.

Nope. Not just you.
I will not ever handle a chainsaw - running or otherwise - unless both my tootsies are on solid ground.

 

[Chapap]

Nope. Not just you.
I will not ever handle a chainsaw - running or otherwise - unless both my tootsies are on solid ground.

Had a guy taking a tree down after hurricane Michael. Looked like he kept struggling with his footing. He stopped, pulled his prosthetic leg out of his jeans, fiddled with it, and popped it back on. Not sure how it’s possible to climb a tree with one real leg.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I wear a full body harness at work in accordance with OSHA and BMW (slightly more restrictive) rules. You're in a whole different world there with climbing and tree work. I'll let you sort it out. Those saddles look OK for what you need to do. But I wouldn't want to be hanging in one if I slipped and fell. You could end up hanging upside down. I've done very minimal elevated tree work. I don't like being up there with a running chainsaw in my hands. That's just me.

Do what you think is safe for your needs and skill levels and don't skimp on safety equipment.

Couple things stood out to me about the Petzl, it has the rope bridge that’s common to modern tree harnesses, but it also has what I’ve been told is a weight bearing loop in the front that looks like rock climbing harnesses. Plus you can add a seat and a load bearing upper harness to it, so it seems pretty well designed and very flexible in its use. I like options.

I will confess I’m not entirely thrilled about the idea of using a chainsaw in a tree. At this point I’m leaning pretty strongly towards getting a Milwaukee battery powered chainsaw. I’ve wanted one for other reasons, but I’m liking the safety factor it would provide in a tree that I don’t have to yank a starter cord and the chain only runs when I pull the trigger. For all the likely tree work I’ll be doing, that battery powered saw should be more than adequate. Plus it would be easy to take a spare battery or two up and a bottle of chain oil and you could cut all day. I think I could be safe enough working with a gas saw, but I’d much rather have battery power.

 

[Roert42]

Couple things stood out to me about the Petzl, it has the rope bridge that’s common to modern tree harnesses, but it also has what I’ve been told is a weight bearing loop in the front that looks like rock climbing harnesses. Plus you can add a seat and a load bearing upper harness to it, so it seems pretty well designed and very flexible in its use. I like options.

I will confess I’m not entirely thrilled about the idea of using a chainsaw in a tree. At this point I’m leaning pretty strongly towards getting a Milwaukee battery powered chainsaw. I’ve wanted one for other reasons, but I’m liking the safety factor it would provide in a tree that I don’t have to yank a starter cord and the chain only runs when I pull the trigger. For all the likely tree work I’ll be doing, that battery powered saw should be more than adequate. Plus it would be easy to take a spare battery or two up and a bottle of chain oil and you could cut all day. I think I could be safe enough working with a gas saw, but I’d much rather have battery power.

Most of the climbers use a pretty short bar for 90% of the work anyway. Those electric saws would probably work pretty good. You just need the bigger saw if you go to make a cut to half the tree.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Most of the climbers use a pretty short bar for 90% of the work anyway. Those electric saws would probably work pretty good. You just need the bigger saw if you go to make a cut to half the tree.

Yeah, I don’t really see any real need for doing more than limbing in the trees. Right now there are two trees on the list, one is an oak with a few widow-makers over the driveway. Just need that cleaned up, tree is staying. The other is the Hickory in the front yard that dad wants down. If I can get up there and knock all the branches off where it splits (like 5 limbs around 6” diameter), I can put a rope in it and cut the trunk at the ground and it shouldn’t hit anything. Leave the top branches on and the firewood shed is in the way. Going the other way and the house is in danger without clipping branches. So I’m seeing it mostly being that sort of work in the trees. Climb up, maybe trim branches and/or set a rope for pulling and get down. I either need to be able to climb trees or have a bucket truck. Climbing is cheaper, though I’m not opposed to getting a bucket truck.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Your chain shouldnt be moving on a gas saw unless your finger is on the trigger.

 

[G8orFord]

I have a Milwaukee M18 chain saw. It's pretty amazing what it can do, but with a 12 amp hour battery, it's almost as heavy as a gas powered saw of similar size. I think it's a 16" bar.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Your chain shouldnt be moving on a gas saw unless your finger is on the trigger.

True, as long as the chain is adjusted and doesn’t work loose running it. My 16” saw has a blade break too. Just seems like a battery powered would be easier to run in a tree.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I would look for the lightest saw of either kind. Dont forget tethers. A short bar, maybe 10 or 12 inches. Youre not falling the tree....