Extension ladder safety

Rule3

Rule3

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I need to trim a really tall palm tree. It's diameter is a little less than say a telephone pole.

I have a tree pole saw that goes to 12 feet. Standing on a 6' step ladder I still can't reach.

So how to safely use a extension ladder where the side rails on not on the tree??:eek:

Lawn/tree guys do it, but I do not feel like breaking my neck.

Thinking some ratchet tie strap but still have to climb and attach it??
 
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I have several trees in my yard that need trimming up high but that's really dangerous and I'm 58 so I won't be going on any ladders. I know a guy with a bucket truck that trims trees so I'll just pay him to do it, he said he can trim a lot of trees in an hour so even if his rate is high it's better than breaking your neck.
 
That's gonna hurt if it slips.Saw my neighbor do something similar last year.He just lay there writhing around,but popped back up before I got over there.Of course he's in his early thirties and still bullet proof [emoji1]
 
I was trimming a maple tree for my late father a few years back (I'll take care of that for you Dad!).
Up at the top of a 26' extension ladder, the ladder was able to reach the limb, no sky hook rig like you are considering!
But,,the limb I sawed kicked back and wiped that ladder out from under me in an instant. Down I went w/ chainsaw to the ground.
Broken arm and left wrist. Have a metal plate & screws in that one to hold it all together.
The biggest fear was that after the humpdy dumpty fall I could not get up, could not move my legs at all. I thought the worst as I lay there.
It took 6 mo+ of painful recovery to get back on my feet again. The arm & wrist are usable but no where near where they should be.

Set me back big time. All that and I had just come back 1 yr earlier from a fall off the house roof clearing ice. Broke the other wrist and orbital bone on that one.
I move slower now,,work slower now and pay some 20 somethings with a tree sign on their trucks to climb trees w/ saws and ropes to trim them.
Keeps the local economy going and me in one piece.
I'd rather me working on a gun anyway.

just my .02
 
As a construction worker & volunteer fireman that spent a lot of time erecting and using ladders let me just say. If you are in doubt, DON'T!

Now just about 72 and a few years ago I made the decision to only do jobs that keep my feet on the ground or within 3' of the ground (very short stepladder.) Let someone else pay for my Ortho docs new Mercedes Benz!
 
When younger, I would have set the ladder in the back of my truck. Now, I hire someone with training and equipment. Nothing quite as exciting or eye opening as riding a ladder down with a running chainsaw in your hands. I discovered that I can get good loft and really good distance in the chain saw toss.
 
Ok, Ok I get it:):)

Believe me I have no problem paying someone to do it. This time of year you can't get anyone!

If you do, they are illegal aliens with no insurance or license or Bubba and his cousin Daryl in a pickup.;)
 
Here in Atlanta we are blessed to have Shepherd Center, a neuro rehab center.

I mention this because it is not unusual to see young men on ladders at construction sites. Multiple ladders, tied or clamped together. I have only witnessed three ladders connected at one time, but these geniuses had the contraption in the bucket of a Takeuchi bull dozer for an additional 5' of lift the next day.

It cost just over one million dollars per patient to run someone through Shepherd's rehab program.

Hire a professional to trim your tree.
 
My advice is to hire someone to do it.
If you must DIY tie a rope to the top of the ladder around the rung and top step. Extend the ladder against the tree. From the ground take the rope around the back of the tree and flip it over the top step and other rail and then tie the rope to the rail and a step that you can reach from the ground. Take a short piece of rope and really tie the top of the ladder after you climb it.
And again my advice is to hire someone to do it. Larry
 
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I had a cheap neighbor

This person is a former neighbor and forum member here so I will not use his name. In the spring of 2014 my old neighbor used a climbing tree stand to take down three poplar trees in his yard in Gwinnett county. These were between 85-100 feet tall. He climbed to the lowest limbs and began to cut them off and climb higher. He topped the trees, then backed down cutting the trunk in six foot sections on two of them. The third tree he dropped about sixty feet of trunk into his back yard.

His wife worked at:

Shepherd Center , LOL!!
 
tops said:
My advice is to hire someone to do it.
If you must DIY tie a rope to the top of the ladder around the rung and top step. Extend the ladder against the tree. From the ground take the rope around the back of the tree and flip it over the top step and other rail and then tie the rope to the rail and a step that you can reach from the ground. Take a short piece of rope and really tie the top of the ladder after you climb it.
And again my advice is to hire someone to do it. Larry
Click to expand...

In other words, tie the rope around my neck, it will be faster and less expensive.:D;)
 
INGENIOUS

ColbyBruce said:
This person is a former neighbor and forum member here so I will not use his name. In the spring of 2014 my old neighbor used a climbing tree stand to take down three poplar trees in his yard in Gwinnett county. These were between 85-100 feet tall. He climbed to the lowest limbs and began to cut them off and climb higher. He topped the trees, then backed down cutting the trunk in six foot sections on two of them. The third tree he dropped about sixty feet of trunk into his back yard.
Click to expand...

INGENIOUS solution.

Bekeart
 
Traveling & living abroad in career, observing some of the damndest commonsense safety violations. A lot to do with value of life, particularly in Asia... Sad! From last assignment in Ru, viewing that ladder scenario, too typical if a bit extreme. Expecting in such scene, fit young man, small lunch sack and beer bottle. There... Bravado, 'get it done' work culture, maximizing available resources & most; time maximizing reality of keeping a job at any cost. Resulting such gambles.

Stateside, seems little excuse. For those of us with disposable income for 'toys', littler excuse. Among such of us 'seniors', littlest sense!

Just a frank take
 
About a yr. ago a friend of mine was painting an eave while on an extension ladder...he was in the driveway and told his friend who was with him he didn't need him to keep the ladder steady.
He fell from the ladder, landing on his back. 2 days later he died from internal bleeding. Multiple fractures of his spine penetrated some of his organs.
I've never looked at a ladder the same way since.
 
Anything that can be done can be done safely. Probably the best solution is to spend a couple hundred bucks on a professional pole saw. I did a couple years ago and it's been great. Four aluminum pole sections that will extend up to 24 feet.

The next possibility is the use of the ladder. First you want to make sure you use a ladder that is rated for the total weight of the intended load. Most household ladders are rated to 250 pounds. Industrial ladders can go up to 350 in some cases, but most of them are at 300. Read the labels on the side of your ladder. Honestly, I'd suggest renting an industrial extension ladder that will get you to 24 feet.

The next step, again if using an extension ladder, is to extend it up to the closest point of the work you can. Before you climb, make sure the ladder is set at a 4 to 1 incline. There should be a guide sticker on the side of the ladder that looks like a reversed L. Make sure the long part of the L is close to perpendicular.

Next, drive a stake ( or two) into the ground between the ladder and the tree and tie off the lowest rung securely to the stake(s).

Now you can climb the ladder WITH NOTHING IN YOUR HANDS! Make sure you have at least three points of contact at all times. On foot two hands, two feet one hand, etc. This means you will need to use your saw one handed while you hold on to the ladder with the other. Take a length of rope with you to near the top and wrap it around the trunk then tie it back to the closest rung, making sure it is tight. Climb back down and get your saw. Tie a long enough rope to it that allows you to climb into position then pull the saw up to you. Again, don't climb with anything in your hands. And remember the belt buckle rule, keep your belt buckle (centerline of your body) between the ladder rails at all times. This will keep the weight centered and prevent you from losing your balance.

Wear a pair of safety glasses, gloves, and a hard hat while working. Don't cut directly overhead. Watch the wind and make sure the tree won't be moving around. If something unexpected happens stop, climb down, and rethink the operation.

Before you even get started, make sure you are well clear ( at least 10 feet) of power lines. And make sure someone knows what you are doing, or better yet have a ground person that can help out and stand by in case something happens.

This ought to see you through. Or hire a professional.

Good luck!
 
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