working solo and rigging a very difficult tree over a fence, very impressive work! Very good setup, planning, top level climbing and rigging skills, great attitude.
Nice job, as for the homeowner fertilizing the grass, that was pretty funny. It happens to me all the time. I'm out there working in a tree and homeowner decides to come out and trim the hedges beneath me, or mow the lawn. I'm not sure why they do it but feels almost like they're saying this is my yard I'll do what I want in it or something. All I know is I am not nearly as patient with that as you were. When they do that to me I tell them they can't be underneath me when I'm in the tree, my insurance won't cover it. That usually gets them to move, but if they don't I let them know I will stop working until they leave the drop zone.
Well at least I'm not the only one who runs into that kind of stuff! Recently I had a guy standing under the tree I was in ... and he was just chilling out, smoking a cigarette. I asked him to move and he moved over like 5' ... crazy!
Brother, I'm so envious of your patience with the customer. You just laughed & made the best of it.....I would of probably been a bit meaner which isn't good. Great job rigging & really good edit. STAY SAFE
Hey man, I know your name from our arborist board. That's some well thought out solo work. Most people would have f'ed something up doing that! I've done my share solo and have a good bit of respect for being able to pull some of that off. Hopefully you can find a PT hand to help with those tops. You think you can train the dog to run a porty? LOL.
Dog on the tag line! Not a bad idea. Looking back at that dead tree I don't think I'd do it these days: too sketchy! But I was eager and ready for anything at that point. I still roll solo most days and enjoy the pace and work. Good hearing from ya
Thanks for checking it out. I've got plenty of other solo-rigging line examples on the channel in different kinds of situations ... thanks for checking it out
Kudos to you attempting solo work. It's sizwheel and that wasn't even close to being one. In fact you were closer to hitting the fence than not. Why not just gun it to the center of the yard? Lots of chance taking! Yes it was on the house and patio.Good luck in the future. Climb safe.
This was a great video, I really enjoyed watching it, and I’m glad I’m not the only one who deals with a fertilizer guy on my jobs, crazy how some don’t utilize common sense.
We watched a tree climbing arborist taking down a tree on a pipeline right of way once. The crew went to lunch and he thought he'd get it delimbed while they were gone. Turns out he pinches his saw and his rope where he couldn't get down and discovered a yellow jackets nest all at the same time. He couldn't do anything but wait on more tools.
I had an old cantankerous neighbor like that, rest his soul, who was bored out of his mind and mowed his lawn 3x a week probably just to stay away from his wife inside the house. Whenever we'd be working on a project he'd come over and b.s. for hours. I miss the old fart now when I'm out working on projects.
Haha, I think you're right! He was busying himself by working on a stuck gate, so I loaned him my power drill ... seemed to make him happy until he busted out the fertilizer spreader. :)
nice work...you are really starting to put together a nice arsenal of equipment....i will recommend getting a mini porta wrap if you are going to be solo rigging ... It will allow you to wrap off and hold a larger amount weight with little to no effort could be much safer in much more reliable stay safe stay healthy
Thanks for that suggestion because it's on my list. I've used my figure 8 as a sort of improvised porter wrap, but I've gotta get the real thing. on my list! :) thanks man
I'm watching this video again and reading comments. I saw your comment that you might not do a job like this tgese days. I, too, have had to rethink jobs. I quoted a guy last year to fell his dying maple tree. He said he could help with his tractor, but he chose to wait until this year. I looked at the tree last week and with more experience now I told him tge tree had to much back weight and I wouldn't fell it. I also don't accept a customers help on sketchy jobs. I haven't had to use my liability insurance on 150 jobs and I don't want to. I love watching your videos.
Yeah it's always better to walk away than to end up in some sketchy situation that can kill you in an instant. Today on my end it was bees in the tree: I was halfway into a climb when I encountered them and quickly switched to DRT and dropped down. I thought it would be hard to tell the homeowners but it wasn't that bad. Always better to walk away.
Yes on good ol Long island. It’s our third year. No break thru yet in this business yet. Only 50 accounts so far. Most definitely need a better truck for the most part.
I tend to use static lines as rigging lines but not always: for lighter applications I don't hesitate to use an old climbing line that is dynamic. A little stretch doesn't freak me out on lighter pieces.
When I need a steel biner for any kind of anchor I use these: amzn.to/3Hh5u5H ... For my own life support on the harness I use these: amzn.to/3HeHHU7 ... I use some cheaper biners for rigging light wood but don't cheap out on life support stuff.
It's on my dream list, but not yet. I did harvest some big disks that I'm hoping to make tables out of. I've done that before and it works out pretty well.
@@metaspencer those portable bandsaw mills are neat but pricey. Maybe get a chain saw mill to rough cut slabs. And then plane them. Your stihl looks long enough for that.
Yeah same here, I get absurdly nervous when there's anyone in my dropzone, it is amazing how frequently you need to politely remind them to GTF back because, yknow, you're trying to bomb logs at them :P I keep 4 cones, 2 large & 2 small, in my truckbed at all times, the large ones to protect my truck from people and the smaller ones to "mark-off" my work-area on a job, makes it a lot easier "Sir I'm sorry but could you stay behind the cones please?" when clients are just meandering around their yard like that (and @Metaspencer I can't help but wonder if you'd misunderstood his intentions, could it simply be he wanted to watch, due to curiosity and/or mistrust/concern? I find I have spectators on like 1/3rd of my "larger" jobs, it quite literally becomes a show it is not uncommon for neighbors to just sit on their porch-chairs watching....though your area looks much more rural (but the people are still people, curious about the things you're doing to allow yourself to do what you do, and cautious about damage-potential on their property - hell even about injury-potential, so there's a very high level of curiosity, am guessing it was that >fertilizer that had him there but who knows ;P ) Gotta wonder where he finds his jobs like this one, doesn't seem to be a full-fledged company (am finally that myself, and only in the past ~month did I find I could fill my schedule "without trying"), if I could do a tree like that every day I would be the happiest guy on earth (and yes I know it's an Oak, Live Oaks are the most common broadleaf in my area and what I work-on like 2/3rds of my working-hours, it is the heaviest timber on any of my "slam calculators" at 76lbs per cu ft of wood!)
I've set up a few solo zip lines but I always have the same problems: It's hard to tension the line enough from up in the tree, and even if you do get it tight the limbs build up on the bottom of the line really fast. I should do a video about it next time I set one up ... but basically I find it most helpful for moving one or two critical limbs out of the way.
@@metaspencer Thx for the reply. I guess they both have their advantage and disadvantages. The straight down lowering can get caught vertically and clog up the base quickly too Id imagine. For solo zipline, is the trick to get it super tensioned? I’ve seen other videos where the groundsman adjusts the slack as the branch is cut via a pulley. I don’t really understand the reason they do that instead of a tied off static line
@@Tigerratcat Yeah tensioning from down on the ground is the way to go as you can move the limb as you want ... from up in the tree that tension is hard to achieve ... your right about the area under the tree getting clogged up! totally!
@@metaspencer in this case I would tie the zipline at the base of another tree or something, and then I would take the rest of the rope with myself up to the tree that I have to remove so I could put tension on it on the tree while I'm cutting. I have never done this, but I think it could work
I've thought about it but 1) haven't come across the right person, and 2) jobs aren't 100% steady so what I can offer would be a bit unstable. So it's in the works but a while off
I’ve been enjoying your videos lately just wondering what rigging rope you used and how long it is out of interest looks quite light duties but obviously it’s doubled up ..
I'm actually using an array of rigging ropes these days all depending on the weight of what I'm bringing down. I used to just use a random rope and hope for the best! :) So now i have a big old 3/4" rope for big stuff, then down to some lightduty ropes for small stuff over houses. Thanks for checking out my feed :)
Pole gaffs. I had a set inusednon poles for about 16 years. Climbed a couple rwdwoods with them but super sketchy. Got some gecko tree gaffs and theybr awsome. Great video. Nice solo riggin..
@@metaspencer . Was. Till i got a limb to the face yesterday. I guess it was more like a 400 to 500.pound stem with a couple heavy branches up top. I had the riggin line up high and thought i had enough butt weight so it wouldn't flip, got me good right in the face. Kept workin tho.. it hurts tho. Especially if i laugh.. rhen i was havin a hard time getting my saw through the wood. Checked at home andnthe part the dawgs jolt to broke and was rubbin on the chain. Bad day.. but i am still going.
Long-time lurker of your awesome channel... Odd thing to say, but I see sooo much of my "approaches & intuitions" in your vids & work (I climb on DIY spurs, and like you I have DIY Porta ;) ) Can I ask how long you've been at this? Your gear's new-condition contrasts with your moderately-advanced skill (that said, I was kinda cringing at two moments, once for your safety when you dumped that 2nd-highest piece right after the top and basically snubbed that tip-tied piece, but it looked like you had the trunk "as protection" suitably enough, the other was when you bombed a piece of thick limb right beside that fence, damn man I have seen wayyyy too many do weird bounces whether it hit a big rock or whatever and goes right through the fencing :P ) Would LOVE to know - even just a rough range - how much you priced that job? Or just the Oak? I'm a 3rd year climber, but only in the past year did I "go solo" and get insured / get a truck and go into business for myself (was doing contract climbs and the lighest tree-work before that) I ask because I'm still quoting so low, and when I get offered jobs like the one you're doing there, I am so eager to do them that as long as I know I'll clear $40/hr I tend to price "so I can get the job"....am leaving TONS on the table, can say w/o doubt that I'm probably 50% as cheap as the 2nd-cheapest (insured!) climber in my area, am working prices upwards each job though -- guess I'll find my ceiling soon enough! You chose the 2511t, the most amazing petrol unit conceived, congrats!! I have a $135 "scheppach" 25cc for my "lil climbsaw", and use a 355T from Echo for my big climbsaw (surprised you'd buy the Stihl, it's the same price as the 355T but is a "mid" climbsaw, and if you already have a "small" like the 2511t then a big one would be your best bet IMO, those "mid" saws are -- IMO -- for when you don't wanna get a small&large complement ;D Funnily I have the same poulan pp4218a as you, thing is a great saw!! Want more power from your 2511t? Echo's are shipped VERY lean, you may need to remove the carb's limiter caps but otherwise it's a very simple job, if you do that **in-conjunction-with** a muffler-mod (very very quick&easy even for novices, for you, well, am surprised you haven't modded it :P ) Also -- and I love Echo -- but find their OEM bar&chain combos to be crap, would certainly advise going through august hunicke for the quarter-pitch Panther conversion kit, his vids have his 2511 with it and it's like all he uses :P Thanks for sharing, gotta say your vids are anomalous as your skill level, combined with "I work solo" (and you don't even seem to be a full fledged tree company?) are very impressive, and thanks for showing this in-particular as I learned something HUGE for myself--- if I double-whip my pieces when solo-rigging I can pull-back the bullrope!!! See, I'm the same, and I simply bring-up a couple extra ropes -- and I use both ends of the ropes lol -- then I descend down and un-tie everything, and go back up....your method of getting the bullrope back by double-whipping is just amazing, am so stoked to get-in on that!! Have been eager to do more double-whip rigging anyways but had only seen it as "for controlling more weight", something that - when the situation calls for it - something I simply use all my "advanced rigging gear" for (safebloc & xl rings, 1/2 and 5/8 polydyne, lots more but all way heavier-duty than I need so far :P ) so yeah am beyond stoked to make double-whipping a normal, routine part of my rigging instead of my "use as many rope-ends as you've got, then go down and get them back" approach :P
Hey man, good to hear from ya and nice to learn various tips from your comment. This tree in the video was probably just the 2nd or 3rd I'd taken down and at this point I wouldn't even take it one: too sketchy. At that point I was just looking for experience and work. I can't recall the exact price I put on that job but I think I remember thinking I was low. When I was just starting out with a dedicated tree business (the pandemic pushed me in that direction) I pretty much just bid low. Now I've brought my prices up a bit but still do some discount jobs for various folks. Funny: I've dug into my 2511 a few times top pull the screen and mod the muffler, but I never manage to get it done: run out of time or find a bolt I can't get loose. if I was going to spend money on that saw the bar you mention is one I've had ini mind: his echo seems to really rip. Currently my 2511 is zip tied together :) Happy to chat more: message me or email. Climb safe buddy!
I work Solo 99.9 of the time some jobs I take my son with me. I love your rope rigging for a solo tree guy .. I’m going to use that tomorrow .. I have a Black Cherry that is right up against a Fence and a car port along with a row boat on the other side LOL .. ohh yeah the stack on the house for the wood stove lol .. I did most of the tree already with my son but he is now sick and I have two more Big limbs to cut and ill have enough weight to fall the tree in the front yard , the tree just had two much back weight do to the sunlight the tree had ...
I have a question for you I just dropped a tree today 1 of probably three it's kind of almost a off-white or ash white and outer half and is a soft wood and the inner half would be a dark wood I would say kind of like charcoal gray and extremely hard to look at the bark I would say it would be an oak I didn't say to get a picture of it I'll have to try to get one for my brother-in-law
I'd have to see the leaves to know for sure. Was the bark papery? If not sounds almost like a black walnut but you'd know that from the fruits/seeds. Sounds like a good job!
@@metaspencer it's never produced wallets but I guess maybe I try to get a couple pictures of it It's all bear because of the beat of the fall of the year the leaves are gone
I get that question a lot and the answer is the unsatisfying "It depends!" Ya know, a tree that's far from the road and complicated is always more expensive than one by the road that's a piece of cake. When bidding jobs I try to consider everything and then bid by days-of-work knowing how much the business needs to pull in each day to stay afloat. So no specifics but that might give you a sense of things
that's where I blew it: I underbid this job in a big way. I've been doing that a lot lately and need to get better at estimating my time. But no biggie: I'm always happier to be workin' than not.
@@metaspencer we all do the same with work, I'm just jealous of all the people that get a covid vacation, always to much to do, I wish I would have got into tree rigging, I will cut them down, but I know if they are standing dead it can get real ugly as u know. One time I cut up a real punky tree, I think it was a cottonwood, after I spent a ton of time cleaning my saw, so I won't do that again.
you might consider giving potential customers an hourly rate on jobs that are hard to price; it also gives the customer the opportunity to decide if they want to save money and do the cleanup or pay you more. My guess is that you have an established reputation and most people would go with you.
I’ve gaffed my # of telephone poles in my life doing telecommunications and even a few trees for fun but none as big around as that oak. I can’t imagine dropping those big limbs and them slamming against that tree and shaking it. The first few times had to be heart stutterers. Lol I’ve released tension on over head guy wires and have had my come along slip and release slack and I’ve swayed back and forth but nothing slamming against the pole and causing it to shake and rattle. The weirdest things were working during storms and the lines get hit by lightning and see the blue ball come flying down the strand. I miss those good old times some days. Put Tink on a hard hat and harness and send her up in the trees. Lol
That power-line work has gotta be intense once you get up there with the wires ... it would freak me out! I find the pines swing the most when you're up top, whereas that oak was just SOLID like a rock. I guess flex might be better, in the end. Good to hear you're story, man!
He turned out to be the husband of the gal who hired me ... only later, talking to her, it didn't sound like she knew he was hanging around during the job. :)
Fertilizer man, Ferilizer man Does he get decked by falling logs looks like he lives another day Fertilizer man (I couldn't resist. It's the melody I heard when you said "Fertilizer man". In case you don't hear it resonating in your head, try this; ua-cam.com/video/CSJg9auUF_w/v-deo.html "They Might Be Giants - Particle Man Live")
so the big question! why didn't you get someone to help? woulda been alot easier to pay for help. but man that's a lot of work! you did it like a champ though good job
"Its been dead so long I have no idea the species" ... it's got decay at the base... let's tie into it and put my life on the line...🙈🙉🙊. Working alone is just fine until something happens. They are called accidents beacuse they were not expected. It's quite dangerous work and with your experence level your risk level is incredibly high brother. Please get some proper training by working for a professional or taking some in person training and safety courses.
@@metaspencer Its more than valuable. Its critical. I have been climbing for only a year under a certified arborist and I have seen 2 accidents one in a tree. A well educated and safe climber nicked his hand with his chain saw. Luckily he was able to repel down quickly. If not I would have had to do an areal rescue. This line of work is no joke. It's very rewarding and enjoyable but safety has to be taken as the top priority or it's a matter of time before a catistrofic injury happens to you or property around you. I may sound a little harsh but better some words sting a little than something else. I could say so much more but I think and hope you get the point. Work with a professional on a few jobs and have them evaluate your gear, methods and ability. Be humble enough to learn from guys who have been doing it professionally and are certified. If not God forbid something else will humble you.
Nothing to making of fun of you I was just saying that you work so hard and thinking like so many jokes about your jobs that do you know I just thought I'd make one two catch you later
working solo and rigging a very difficult tree over a fence, very impressive work! Very good setup, planning, top level climbing and rigging skills, great attitude.
Big thanks man! I have fun with it for sure
Nice job, as for the homeowner fertilizing the grass, that was pretty funny.
It happens to me all the time. I'm out there working in a tree and homeowner decides to come out and trim the hedges beneath me, or mow the lawn. I'm not sure why they do it but feels almost like they're saying this is my yard I'll do what I want in it or something.
All I know is I am not nearly as patient with that as you were. When they do that to me I tell them they can't be underneath me when I'm in the tree, my insurance won't cover it.
That usually gets them to move, but if they don't I let them know I will stop working until they leave the drop zone.
Well at least I'm not the only one who runs into that kind of stuff! Recently I had a guy standing under the tree I was in ... and he was just chilling out, smoking a cigarette. I asked him to move and he moved over like 5' ... crazy!
Ha we have a neighbor like the fertilizer guy! Awesome work Spencer! Thank you for another suspense filled video!
That wild fertilizer guy! he had a death wish :)
That's very creative rigging, I never thought much about how to rig solo.
I’ve got lots of other videos on it too. Thanks for checking it out
Brother, I'm so envious of your patience with the customer. You just laughed & made the best of it.....I would of probably been a bit meaner which isn't good. Great job rigging & really good edit.
STAY SAFE
I know what you mean, man -- people can get under your skin sometimes! Still, that was just so weird I couldn't' believe it :)
Hey man, I know your name from our arborist board. That's some well thought out solo work. Most people would have f'ed something up doing that! I've done my share solo and have a good bit of respect for being able to pull some of that off. Hopefully you can find a PT hand to help with those tops. You think you can train the dog to run a porty? LOL.
Dog on the tag line! Not a bad idea. Looking back at that dead tree I don't think I'd do it these days: too sketchy! But I was eager and ready for anything at that point. I still roll solo most days and enjoy the pace and work. Good hearing from ya
I learned something new today. I cut lots of trees but never solo rigged. I like your style
Thanks for checking it out. I've got plenty of other solo-rigging line examples on the channel in different kinds of situations ... thanks for checking it out
@@metaspencer I usually work with a crew cause I don’t like dragging brush hahaha. I will check more of it out I like your content
@@zanelance-hardman482614
Kudos to you attempting solo work. It's sizwheel and that wasn't even close to being one. In fact you were closer to hitting the fence than not. Why not just gun it to the center of the yard? Lots of chance taking! Yes it was on the house and patio.Good luck in the future. Climb safe.
Great work, planning on using this stategy for tomorrows job
be careful out there man! Mind your angles, go slow, cut small, and stay out of the triangle of death :)
Nice rigging.
It’s good when limbs break themselves into manageable pieces for you. Great job
You said it man. Thanks :)
Great job
That guy was nuts playing in the yard while you’re up IN the tree.
It takes all kinds.
Stay safe
Definitely some kind of death wish :)
This was a great video, I really enjoyed watching it, and I’m glad I’m not the only one who deals with a fertilizer guy on my jobs, crazy how some don’t utilize common sense.
Thanks for checking it out! That guy was both funny and annoying ... and that kind of stuff keeps happening. :)
@@metaspencer lol, your not alone, I’ll try to film my next “guy” on the scene for some laughs.
We watched a tree climbing arborist taking down a tree on a pipeline right of way once. The crew went to lunch and he thought he'd get it delimbed while they were gone. Turns out he pinches his saw and his rope where he couldn't get down and discovered a yellow jackets nest all at the same time.
He couldn't do anything but wait on more tools.
WOAH! That sounds like some bad luck ... a rough day in the tree for sure
Fertilizer guy really wanted to help, I have a couple neighbors like that. Retirement can drive a man mad. 😂
Great video, well done.
I had an old cantankerous neighbor like that, rest his soul, who was bored out of his mind and mowed his lawn 3x a week probably just to stay away from his wife inside the house. Whenever we'd be working on a project he'd come over and b.s. for hours. I miss the old fart now when I'm out working on projects.
Haha, I think you're right! He was busying himself by working on a stuck gate, so I loaned him my power drill ... seemed to make him happy until he busted out the fertilizer spreader. :)
Good stuff, thanks.
Absolutely man
You are a very skilled worker. Yes, that crazy gardener, was something else😩
Thanks for that!
nice work...you are really starting to put together a nice arsenal of equipment....i will recommend getting a mini porta wrap if you are going to be solo rigging ... It will allow you to wrap off and hold a larger amount weight with little to no effort could be much safer in much more reliable
stay safe stay healthy
Thanks for that suggestion because it's on my list. I've used my figure 8 as a sort of improvised porter wrap, but I've gotta get the real thing. on my list! :) thanks man
@@metaspencer awesome....the mini is nice because you can take it up with you the normal porta wrap is really meant for base tie
Love the video Spencer! God bless you!
Thanks for checking it out! That was one wild tree
This looks so fun
yeah no job quite like it
impresive working solo, I like your tecnics and your green trailer🐒🐒🐒
thanks for checking out the channel!
Freaking awesome
Nice job!
thanks buddy
good work brother stay safe i am two and half hours north west of you lockport new york
Another New York guy! good to hear from ya
I'm watching this video again and reading comments. I saw your comment that you might not do a job like this tgese days. I, too, have had to rethink jobs. I quoted a guy last year to fell his dying maple tree. He said he could help with his tractor, but he chose to wait until this year. I looked at the tree last week and with more experience now I told him tge tree had to much back weight and I wouldn't fell it. I also don't accept a customers help on sketchy jobs. I haven't had to use my liability insurance on 150 jobs and I don't want to. I love watching your videos.
Yeah it's always better to walk away than to end up in some sketchy situation that can kill you in an instant. Today on my end it was bees in the tree: I was halfway into a climb when I encountered them and quickly switched to DRT and dropped down. I thought it would be hard to tell the homeowners but it wasn't that bad. Always better to walk away.
I most definitely want to add this to my lawn care business. Solo I’m all for it. Make some videos or classes. I will most definitely participate
Lawn care on LI! You must have some great jobs out there. Good to hear from ya man
Yes on good ol Long island. It’s our third year. No break thru yet in this business yet. Only 50 accounts so far. Most definitely need a better truck for the most part.
@@kingswellkeptlawncareliny6110 Do good job and it'll grow! Those happy 50 customers can be your best advertising
I think that’s husquvarna climb rope youre on. I rig a lot with that! Great rope!
I really liked that rope but ended up changing it out a few months after that job (from wear). I should get another one!
nice vid brother! Just learned a new way of solo rigging. Im assuming the red rigging line your using is a static rope?
I tend to use static lines as rigging lines but not always: for lighter applications I don't hesitate to use an old climbing line that is dynamic. A little stretch doesn't freak me out on lighter pieces.
you'll see a bunch of other solo rigging setups on my channel ... I definitely got a bit better at it over the years
Good morning was wondering what kind of carabiners you use ?
When I need a steel biner for any kind of anchor I use these: amzn.to/3Hh5u5H ... For my own life support on the harness I use these: amzn.to/3HeHHU7 ... I use some cheaper biners for rigging light wood but don't cheap out on life support stuff.
Do you have a saw mill? An oak like that would make some beautiful boards.
It's on my dream list, but not yet. I did harvest some big disks that I'm hoping to make tables out of. I've done that before and it works out pretty well.
@@metaspencer those portable bandsaw mills are neat but pricey. Maybe get a chain saw mill to rough cut slabs. And then plane them. Your stihl looks long enough for that.
Great vid.... I would have been snapping at that fertilizer guy.... You have a lot of patience..big piece of wood for one person...
That guy would sit on top of a mountain in a lightning storm :)
Yeah same here, I get absurdly nervous when there's anyone in my dropzone, it is amazing how frequently you need to politely remind them to GTF back because, yknow, you're trying to bomb logs at them :P I keep 4 cones, 2 large & 2 small, in my truckbed at all times, the large ones to protect my truck from people and the smaller ones to "mark-off" my work-area on a job, makes it a lot easier "Sir I'm sorry but could you stay behind the cones please?" when clients are just meandering around their yard like that (and @Metaspencer I can't help but wonder if you'd misunderstood his intentions, could it simply be he wanted to watch, due to curiosity and/or mistrust/concern? I find I have spectators on like 1/3rd of my "larger" jobs, it quite literally becomes a show it is not uncommon for neighbors to just sit on their porch-chairs watching....though your area looks much more rural (but the people are still people, curious about the things you're doing to allow yourself to do what you do, and cautious about damage-potential on their property - hell even about injury-potential, so there's a very high level of curiosity, am guessing it was that >fertilizer that had him there but who knows ;P )
Gotta wonder where he finds his jobs like this one, doesn't seem to be a full-fledged company (am finally that myself, and only in the past ~month did I find I could fill my schedule "without trying"), if I could do a tree like that every day I would be the happiest guy on earth (and yes I know it's an Oak, Live Oaks are the most common broadleaf in my area and what I work-on like 2/3rds of my working-hours, it is the heaviest timber on any of my "slam calculators" at 76lbs per cu ft of wood!)
Interesting hearing about your biz man!
Fert guy was just upset that he had to hire someone.😆
The man, the myth, the legend: _The fertilizer guy_ 😁
That guy has 9 lives for sure
😂
Really good video. Would you ever do a solo zip line rig over this style?
I've set up a few solo zip lines but I always have the same problems: It's hard to tension the line enough from up in the tree, and even if you do get it tight the limbs build up on the bottom of the line really fast. I should do a video about it next time I set one up ... but basically I find it most helpful for moving one or two critical limbs out of the way.
@@metaspencer Thx for the reply. I guess they both have their advantage and disadvantages. The straight down lowering can get caught vertically and clog up the base quickly too Id imagine. For solo zipline, is the trick to get it super tensioned? I’ve seen other videos where the groundsman adjusts the slack as the branch is cut via a pulley. I don’t really understand the reason they do that instead of a tied off static line
@@Tigerratcat Yeah tensioning from down on the ground is the way to go as you can move the limb as you want ... from up in the tree that tension is hard to achieve ... your right about the area under the tree getting clogged up! totally!
@@metaspencer in this case I would tie the zipline at the base of another tree or something, and then I would take the rest of the rope with myself up to the tree that I have to remove so I could put tension on it on the tree while I'm cutting. I have never done this, but I think it could work
@@tiborforro97 I've done a solo zip line a few times -- it can be great but the wood soon sags down the line after a few picks
Why not have a 2nd set of hands?
I've thought about it but 1) haven't come across the right person, and 2) jobs aren't 100% steady so what I can offer would be a bit unstable. So it's in the works but a while off
Where did you get your slings?
They’re all diy homemade
I like your videos and channel i like watching others work
Big thanks! Nice of you to say
I think the fertilizer guy would make a good ground crew member for you !!
You're onto something: the guy works hard, has absolutely no fear, and doesn't seem to mind repetition! You really nailed it there
Awesome video Spencer! I appreciate the effort. It wasn’t a how to video it was more of a how I did it video. 😅
Thanks buddy
@@metaspencer You’re welcome! I find myself solo rigging a lot.
The fertilizer guy gives zero fs 😆
You said it buddy
I’ve been enjoying your videos lately just wondering what rigging rope you used and how long it is out of interest looks quite light duties but obviously it’s doubled up ..
I'm actually using an array of rigging ropes these days all depending on the weight of what I'm bringing down. I used to just use a random rope and hope for the best! :) So now i have a big old 3/4" rope for big stuff, then down to some lightduty ropes for small stuff over houses. Thanks for checking out my feed :)
That guy was crazy!! Lawn maintenance with a tree being felled?? Nice job though man
Seriously nuts. And by the time I was dead that lawn was 1/2 saturated with sawdust and the fertilizer long since gone. Anyhooooo
Haha!!! It takes a special kinda guy to work under a falling tree!
Pole gaffs. I had a set inusednon poles for about 16 years. Climbed a couple rwdwoods with them but super sketchy. Got some gecko tree gaffs and theybr awsome. Great video. Nice solo riggin..
@@megadosevitaminc8774 Good to hear from ya, man. I hope that BIG timber out there is treating ya well.
@@metaspencer . Was. Till i got a limb to the face yesterday. I guess it was more like a 400 to 500.pound stem with a couple heavy branches up top. I had the riggin line up high and thought i had enough butt weight so it wouldn't flip, got me good right in the face. Kept workin tho.. it hurts tho. Especially if i laugh.. rhen i was havin a hard time getting my saw through the wood. Checked at home andnthe part the dawgs jolt to broke and was rubbin on the chain. Bad day.. but i am still going.
I also been cutting trees for about 30 years I like your videos make more.
30! Excellent man ... got a few jobs coming up so definitely more vids on the way
Long-time lurker of your awesome channel... Odd thing to say, but I see sooo much of my "approaches & intuitions" in your vids & work (I climb on DIY spurs, and like you I have DIY Porta ;) )
Can I ask how long you've been at this? Your gear's new-condition contrasts with your moderately-advanced skill (that said, I was kinda cringing at two moments, once for your safety when you dumped that 2nd-highest piece right after the top and basically snubbed that tip-tied piece, but it looked like you had the trunk "as protection" suitably enough, the other was when you bombed a piece of thick limb right beside that fence, damn man I have seen wayyyy too many do weird bounces whether it hit a big rock or whatever and goes right through the fencing :P )
Would LOVE to know - even just a rough range - how much you priced that job? Or just the Oak? I'm a 3rd year climber, but only in the past year did I "go solo" and get insured / get a truck and go into business for myself (was doing contract climbs and the lighest tree-work before that) I ask because I'm still quoting so low, and when I get offered jobs like the one you're doing there, I am so eager to do them that as long as I know I'll clear $40/hr I tend to price "so I can get the job"....am leaving TONS on the table, can say w/o doubt that I'm probably 50% as cheap as the 2nd-cheapest (insured!) climber in my area, am working prices upwards each job though -- guess I'll find my ceiling soon enough!
You chose the 2511t, the most amazing petrol unit conceived, congrats!! I have a $135 "scheppach" 25cc for my "lil climbsaw", and use a 355T from Echo for my big climbsaw (surprised you'd buy the Stihl, it's the same price as the 355T but is a "mid" climbsaw, and if you already have a "small" like the 2511t then a big one would be your best bet IMO, those "mid" saws are -- IMO -- for when you don't wanna get a small&large complement ;D Funnily I have the same poulan pp4218a as you, thing is a great saw!! Want more power from your 2511t? Echo's are shipped VERY lean, you may need to remove the carb's limiter caps but otherwise it's a very simple job, if you do that **in-conjunction-with** a muffler-mod (very very quick&easy even for novices, for you, well, am surprised you haven't modded it :P ) Also -- and I love Echo -- but find their OEM bar&chain combos to be crap, would certainly advise going through august hunicke for the quarter-pitch Panther conversion kit, his vids have his 2511 with it and it's like all he uses :P
Thanks for sharing, gotta say your vids are anomalous as your skill level, combined with "I work solo" (and you don't even seem to be a full fledged tree company?) are very impressive, and thanks for showing this in-particular as I learned something HUGE for myself--- if I double-whip my pieces when solo-rigging I can pull-back the bullrope!!! See, I'm the same, and I simply bring-up a couple extra ropes -- and I use both ends of the ropes lol -- then I descend down and un-tie everything, and go back up....your method of getting the bullrope back by double-whipping is just amazing, am so stoked to get-in on that!! Have been eager to do more double-whip rigging anyways but had only seen it as "for controlling more weight", something that - when the situation calls for it - something I simply use all my "advanced rigging gear" for (safebloc & xl rings, 1/2 and 5/8 polydyne, lots more but all way heavier-duty than I need so far :P ) so yeah am beyond stoked to make double-whipping a normal, routine part of my rigging instead of my "use as many rope-ends as you've got, then go down and get them back" approach :P
Hey man, good to hear from ya and nice to learn various tips from your comment. This tree in the video was probably just the 2nd or 3rd I'd taken down and at this point I wouldn't even take it one: too sketchy. At that point I was just looking for experience and work. I can't recall the exact price I put on that job but I think I remember thinking I was low. When I was just starting out with a dedicated tree business (the pandemic pushed me in that direction) I pretty much just bid low. Now I've brought my prices up a bit but still do some discount jobs for various folks. Funny: I've dug into my 2511 a few times top pull the screen and mod the muffler, but I never manage to get it done: run out of time or find a bolt I can't get loose. if I was going to spend money on that saw the bar you mention is one I've had ini mind: his echo seems to really rip. Currently my 2511 is zip tied together :) Happy to chat more: message me or email. Climb safe buddy!
I work Solo 99.9 of the time some jobs I take my son with me. I love your rope rigging for a solo tree guy .. I’m going to use that tomorrow .. I have a Black Cherry that is right up against a Fence and a car port along with a row boat on the other side LOL .. ohh yeah the stack on the house for the wood stove lol ..
I did most of the tree already with my son but he is now sick and I have two more Big limbs to cut and ill have enough weight to fall the tree in the front yard , the tree just had two much back weight do to the sunlight the tree had ...
That sounds like one of those jobs with tons of variables ... jobs like that will keep ya on your toes! good hearing from ya man
yes sir ! lol thank you ! I enjoy your all your videos 🤙🏽 @@metaspencer
😊
I have a question for you
I just dropped a tree today 1 of probably three it's kind of almost a off-white or ash white and outer half and is a soft wood and the inner half would be a dark wood I would say kind of like charcoal gray and extremely hard to look at the bark I would say it would be an oak I didn't say to get a picture of it I'll have to try to get one for my brother-in-law
I'd have to see the leaves to know for sure. Was the bark papery? If not sounds almost like a black walnut but you'd know that from the fruits/seeds. Sounds like a good job!
@@metaspencer it's never produced wallets but I guess maybe I try to get a couple pictures of it
It's all bear because of the beat of the fall of the year the leaves are gone
@@williamkeehn3637 Yeah, sounds like a tough one to identify, at least for me
You handled the old fart much better than I would have. 10 cents holding up 10 dollars....
It was a doozy -- looking back on it, I'm kind of surprised that I took on the job :)
Fertilizer guy used to stack bodies in the army. He ain’t scared of a couple falling branches
LOL ... yeah, nothing can scare him off
I would hire you
Nice of ya to say!
I would really like to know around how much you earn for some of these jobs. Great video. Subscribed.
I get that question a lot and the answer is the unsatisfying "It depends!" Ya know, a tree that's far from the road and complicated is always more expensive than one by the road that's a piece of cake. When bidding jobs I try to consider everything and then bid by days-of-work knowing how much the business needs to pull in each day to stay afloat. So no specifics but that might give you a sense of things
Thank you for the reply. Much appreciated. keep up the great work.
Hope u charged the guy a ton for a dead tree and right on the fence, good job on everything, definitely get the exercise from cutting trees.
that's where I blew it: I underbid this job in a big way. I've been doing that a lot lately and need to get better at estimating my time. But no biggie: I'm always happier to be workin' than not.
@@metaspencer we all do the same with work, I'm just jealous of all the people that get a covid vacation, always to much to do, I wish I would have got into tree rigging, I will cut them down, but I know if they are standing dead it can get real ugly as u know. One time I cut up a real punky tree, I think it was a cottonwood, after I spent a ton of time cleaning my saw, so I won't do that again.
Great video and clearly a successful job:
1. No damage to the fence
2. Fertilizer guy is still alive
3. Free fire wood
Yep well done
That man lived to fertilize another day! :)
Life on the edge... Fertilizing 😂😂😂
haha! the true risk takers of this world
@@metaspencer Jep 😄
you might consider giving potential customers an hourly rate on jobs that are hard to price; it also gives the customer the opportunity to decide if they want to save money and do the cleanup or pay you more. My guess is that you have an established reputation and most people would go with you.
Cool idea ... I can see that working out in some good situations. Thanks man
I’ve gaffed my # of telephone poles in my life doing telecommunications and even a few trees for fun but none as big around as that oak. I can’t imagine dropping those big limbs and them slamming against that tree and shaking it. The first few times had to be heart stutterers. Lol
I’ve released tension on over head guy wires and have had my come along slip and release slack and I’ve swayed back and forth but nothing slamming against the pole and causing it to shake and rattle. The weirdest things were working during storms and the lines get hit by lightning and see the blue ball come flying down the strand. I miss those good old times some days. Put Tink on a hard hat and harness and send her up in the trees. Lol
That power-line work has gotta be intense once you get up there with the wires ... it would freak me out! I find the pines swing the most when you're up top, whereas that oak was just SOLID like a rock. I guess flex might be better, in the end. Good to hear you're story, man!
Bro you hit the god damn house 😂
Looks like it may have survived :)
In the face of absolute anialation! Haha your killing me!
that man will live forever, I'm sure of it :)
The fertilizer guy just had to do it..
haha yea that guy was on a MISSION!
Was the fertilizer guy the owner or a neighbour ? Anyway, he likes to live dangerously :D
He turned out to be the husband of the gal who hired me ... only later, talking to her, it didn't sound like she knew he was hanging around during the job. :)
Not sure i like the no unclipin on the ground puttin fullas like me outa buiseness. 😢 but smart cheers
Haha old fullas love to get under the tree.
they love the danger maybe
A wolfgarten pole with hook can push the rope get em landin good. But i shouldnt be helpin ya.
the pole trick! yer helpin' me man! haha
Ground guy looks like trouble
You said it! Seriously
@@metaspencer I wrote that when I saw the sleepy guard dog! Put then I saw the real ground guy ( maybe he put twigs in the spreader!).
@@hansgruber7680 Yeah, the dog isn't the best at hauling brush :)
Fertilizer man, Ferilizer man
Does he get decked by falling logs
looks like he lives another day
Fertilizer man
(I couldn't resist. It's the melody I heard when you said "Fertilizer man". In case you don't hear it resonating in your head, try this; ua-cam.com/video/CSJg9auUF_w/v-deo.html "They Might Be Giants - Particle Man Live")
haha ... great song man! Just played this one for my wife and we had a good laugh. Triangle man fights him! crazy.
so the big question! why didn't you get someone to help? woulda been alot easier to pay for help. but man that's a lot of work! you did it like a champ though good job
I do almost all my jobs alone -- I know it takes longer, but it's just the way I prefer to work. Thanks man!
That guy with the fertilizer… yeesh. Some people just don’t have common sense.
Total death wish
I was intrigued with your video until you said "Poulan Pro" lol
hahaha ... the saws with the worst reputation by far
😯👍👍👍👌♥️
thanks buddy!
+$50 for waiting on the fertilizer guy.
Exactly!
"Its been dead so long I have no idea the species" ... it's got decay at the base... let's tie into it and put my life on the line...🙈🙉🙊. Working alone is just fine until something happens. They are called accidents beacuse they were not expected. It's quite dangerous work and with your experence level your risk level is incredibly high brother. Please get some proper training by working for a professional or taking some in person training and safety courses.
Good ideas, man. That kind of training would definitely be valuable.
@@metaspencer Its more than valuable. Its critical. I have been climbing for only a year under a certified arborist and I have seen 2 accidents one in a tree. A well educated and safe climber nicked his hand with his chain saw. Luckily he was able to repel down quickly. If not I would have had to do an areal rescue. This line of work is no joke. It's very rewarding and enjoyable but safety has to be taken as the top priority or it's a matter of time before a catistrofic injury happens to you or property around you. I may sound a little harsh but better some words sting a little than something else. I could say so much more but I think and hope you get the point. Work with a professional on a few jobs and have them evaluate your gear, methods and ability. Be humble enough to learn from guys who have been doing it professionally and are certified. If not God forbid something else will humble you.
@@dudeman92 Great ideas. Professional oversight, humble respect, and attention to safety.
@@metaspencer I wish you a long and safe tree work career. I look forward to seeing what you learn!
No way would i sit up there waiting on him to do that nonsense smh get your ass out my drop zone and come back later sorry
Looking back on this video now, I also can't believe how patient I was! That guy was taking ... his ... time
@@metaspencer yea hard to tell if it was on purpose or not lol
He might be in the face of danger you need to look at your face in the mirror
hahahaha ... okay, point taken :)
Nothing to making of fun of you I was just saying that you work so hard and thinking like so many jokes about your jobs that do you know I just thought I'd make one two catch you later
@@rudyfisher7660 I completely know what you're saying! Much appreciated :) Woohoo!