I have been given the dubious honour of craning out piecemeal 3 big old poplars-long horizontal branches very limited space -step cuts,top felling cut or sloping back cut? anybody got any helpful hints?

Reply to post by al, on October 11, 2001 at 02:34:16:

Al,

If you can, try cradling the branch by tying it in two places, trying to split the balance point. AA tag line would help to control movement.

Normal method would be a tip tie to the crane, then use a 70-90 degree open face notch on top. allow the crane operator to pick the piece slowly up to vertical, then finish the backcut.

I have little experience craning horizontal material, more with vertical 26-40 foot log lengths of doug fir. Usually one cut straight through is best for that application, but could get delicate with laterals.

see page 27 of the 2001 Sherril catalog for the spider leg sling.