Old man and a tree

Smokeydog

Well-known member

Equipment
M59, B26 grapples, backhoes, tillers, graders, diesel atv
Jun 2, 2020
671
623
93
knoxville, Tennessee
IMG_2666.jpeg
IMG_2681.jpeg

Had this red oak fall this week. Jacked up the corner of the steer/goat shed about 4’. Tree trunk 34” diameter, 120’+ tall.

While I have over 50 years of experience dealing with trees, cutting up has risks. Age like gravity that brought this tree down wins in the end.

New tool and technique helped keep me out of the danger zone. Using the hydraulic polesaw I built to break down the limbs to 10-12’ pieces. Cutting at idle speed. Took about 2 hours, 70-80 cuts. Sure didn’t miss being on the ground. Threw chain off twice and bent one bar. Largest cut about 14”. Now ready grapple the limbs and carry off to gully.

IMG_2683.jpeg
IMG_2689.jpeg
IMG_2688.jpeg
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: 14 users

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
View attachment 102412 View attachment 102413
Had this red oak fall this week. Jacked up the corner of the steer/goat shed about 4’. Tree trunk 34” diameter, 120’+ tall.

While I have over 50 years of experience dealing with trees, cutting up has risks. Age like gravity that brought this tree down wins in the end.

New tool and technique helped keep me out of the danger zone. Using the hydraulic polesaw I built to break down the limbs to 10-12’ pieces. Cutting at idle speed. Took about 2 hours, 70-80 cuts. Sure didn’t miss being on the ground. Threw chain off twice and bent one bar. Largest cut about 14”. Now ready grapple the limbs and carry off to gully.

View attachment 102414 View attachment 102415 View attachment 102416
Very nice,......but IMHO not quite as unique as the root ripper adapter that you made for your B26.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

johnjk

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
B3200 w/loader, Woods RC5 brush hog, 4' box blade, tooth bar, B1700 MMM,
Apr 13, 2017
1,463
1,277
113
West Mansfield, OH
Cool tool and nice job. Did the shed make it?
 

In Utopia

Active member

Equipment
L175 FEL
Apr 21, 2013
613
113
43
Utopia,Tx/Pasadena,TX
Lucky you just lost one, last year I lost 13 whole Red Oaks (AKA Spanish Oak) anywhere from 6" to 36". Most broke off anywhere from 12" up to 4' up. That's not counting all the limbs that came down on the remaining trees. My property has about 85% Red Oak 15% Live Oaks.
 

Smokeydog

Well-known member

Equipment
M59, B26 grapples, backhoes, tillers, graders, diesel atv
Jun 2, 2020
671
623
93
knoxville, Tennessee
We had cat 0 twister a few years ago that messed up a bunch of trees. Some trees that were just pushed enough to lean are now falling. Trimming the landscape, roads, around fences and pastures the reason for the polesaw. The M59 is a good platform for the saw.
Have used the polesaw on the B26 in some tight spots. Sawed good just not as stable on my hillside farm.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,445
2,820
113
Michigan
View attachment 102412 View attachment 102413
Had this red oak fall this week. Jacked up the corner of the steer/goat shed about 4’. Tree trunk 34” diameter, 120’+ tall.

While I have over 50 years of experience dealing with trees, cutting up has risks. Age like gravity that brought this tree down wins in the end.

New tool and technique helped keep me out of the danger zone. Using the hydraulic polesaw I built to break down the limbs to 10-12’ pieces. Cutting at idle speed. Took about 2 hours, 70-80 cuts. Sure didn’t miss being on the ground. Threw chain off twice and bent one bar. Largest cut about 14”. Now ready grapple the limbs and carry off to gully.

View attachment 102414 View attachment 102415 View attachment 102416
That is an awesome saw!

I have no need for one, but I want one now...hahahah
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

civlized

Member
May 8, 2023
69
65
18
Central Alabama
Sorry you lost the tree. At some point, though, I bet you were smiling while using that saw. That's normally hard work for most people to handle. Nice to be able to handle stuff by yourself.

That type of saw is still on my list to make.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Magicman

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4900 Utility Special 4WD e/w FEL & 1530 John Deere "Traveling Man"
Oct 8, 2019
5,518
7,593
113
81
Brookhaven, MS
knotholesawmill.com
Yup, there is much premium firewood in that Cherrybark Red Oak. Of course there would also be lumber if you had a need and contacted someone with a portable sawmill.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Magicman

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4900 Utility Special 4WD e/w FEL & 1530 John Deere "Traveling Man"
Oct 8, 2019
5,518
7,593
113
81
Brookhaven, MS
knotholesawmill.com
I'll be in your neighborhood in a few weeks but I will be pulling a 5th wheel and not my Wood-Mizer sawmill. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users