Log Rollling pactice...........in the AIR

[Kevin]

Kirk, get a good length of quality three strand rope and a rope winch, a throw bag and some throwing line.
Throw the bag up and over the tree, tie the rope to that line and pull the rope up and over the tree.
Tie a running bowline in the rope and send it up to the top where it's hung up.
If you can't pull it down by hand put the winch on it.
I deal with hung up trees weekly.  ;D

[maple flats]

If I get a tree hung up I borrow my brother's 70 HP Positrak (skid steer on rubber tracks) with the Fransgard winch on it. Have't found a tree yet it couldn't get out but now always on the first try. Sometimes I need to change angle or something. Generally I first cut the hinge before I decide it is really hung up but not always and I study the situation a long time before acting. So far it has worked although one time I had to hook my 4 x 4 tractor on and then have my brother hook onto the hung tree while I anchored the Positrak, otherwise the tracks and winch blade just slid towards the hung tree. I backed my tractor up against another good size tree and chained it to the Posi, then it pulled the hung one out. Whew, I'm tired just talking about it again. I like it better when they fall as planned! 8)

[D Martin]

Seems like the throwline would be the safest way. You dont have cut the hinge much and you dont need heavy equipment. It should be easier to pull the top/lighter part of the tree a lil sideways off the branch in wich it's hung,than the bottom of a 24 in tree

[sawguy21]

Glad you are still here to tell us about it Kirk. That is scary stuff.

[Faron]

Kirk, We all have to remind ourselves from time to time- There isn't a tree out there worth getting hurt or killed for.

[Kirk_Allen]

I sounds scarier that it realy was.  I had room to jump off the tree on both sides if needed and about 10 feet on either side of the tree were larger trees that would have prevented it from rolling onto me if I did jump.  I dont care to do it again anytime soon but I will say it was an interesting experience. 

I am going to look real hard at the Log Arch while at the Paul Bunyan show to make getting them out easier. 

[Octoman]

I am not hugely experienced at felling but in that scenario of a hung up tree I sometimes measure my first log length (i.e. 6') and take out the first section.  You do risk splitting the log but it usually drops the tree enough to make it fall!  Maybe not the best tactic for high quality logs but it works!

As for getting the 50" lengths out have a look at this.  This Oak log was probably about 20"- 22" diameter and 60" long.  Whilst this tree fell out into an open field an ATV can get places other machinery can't! ;D  Very usefull for this shorter stuff! ;D  I then had a one mile uphill ride back to the mill, the ATV loved it!  I know this is not a tactically great spot to have the mill but what can you do if you live on a hill? ???

[OneWithWood]

Well Kirk, being as I am older and wiser than you I should say I have never done that, nor have I ever stood beneath a leaner and cut down the tree it was hung in.  But then I would be fibbin'.  That was in my younger and more daring days when I thought I was invincinble.  Now that I know better I first look to mechanical salvation, if that isn't available I think Kevin has the best method.  I would add that ole' Kevin is a pro and still around to give advice so he must know a thing or two  ;)

[Larry]

Who has that DanG gorilla suit?  Think I need to borrow it. : ;D : :-[ :-[

[asy]

Kirk, good to hear ya still have both legs, and all yer teeth (Well, as many as ya had before your foolish adventure).

Here's a tip for those who can use it. If ya want good rope for using in the woods/farm, go to your local Rock CLimbing centre (or look out for one next time you're in a big city). They usually have ropes they're retiring. Sometimes static, sometimes elastic, either will do (the elastic ones only stretch about 5-10% when they are new). Go in and ask them for some retired rope, tell them you are going to use it on a farm, and make sure you tell them that you are NOT going to use it for climbing. They usually just cut it up into small pieces and throw it out. (cut up so some goon doesn't rescue it out of the bin and climb with it).

You will probably find they'll be happy to give it to you, and they make FANTASTIC utility ropes.

asy :D

[Larry]

So...looks like nobody is gonna admit to having the suit.   :D  Kirk probably don't wanta share. ;D  Guess I'll do it the hard way...pick it up and throw it on the ground.

Good loggers don't need no gorilla suit.  Might need to work on my aim little more though. :-[

[Kirk_Allen]

I had the suite but I was in Ohio have spending some QUALITY time with MntJAck and several other FF members.  Dont realy need the suite to get that one down.  Looks kinda small so just send a chimp up the tree to jump a couple times!