Bad Idea!

I gave some property to my oldest son to build a house on across the road from us. He's got the pad about ready for concrete and there was one large oak tree a little too close for comfort to put a house. So I head over there yesterday to "chop" it down. I looked at it real close and the top was knocked out from the tornado three years ago so it didn't look too tall....to miss the three phase main power lines. Bad idea! I cut a large wedge out where I wanted it to fall and then did the back cut and it started out right....but went so wrong when it twisted an cracked and smacked right into the lines. Boy I tell you, I could have set a new worlds record for sprinting when I saw that thing start twisting over. Just dang. Sparks flew and I about had to empty my drawers right then and there. After the smoke settled and the tree had finally fallen clear, I went over to my house to see if i still electricity. Yep, but got to thinking that it might have knocked out a line fuse or two further down the road. Nobody for a couple of miles until the road ends on the lake. I called the power co. and they came right on out and checked and yes, it did pop a couple of line fuses further down. They reset and everything was great...except for...messed up the internet somehow. I have called twice and they said they are working on it. I don't see how it let the smoke out of the cable as it is sealed up? Anyway, then the dang tractor would not start. No starter turning over. Solenoid ok. Tried a direct start and nothing. had to pull the old 8N to the barn in shame behind my pick'em up truck. Pulled the starter and forgot (only been 20 years or so since I last did this on it) to put the little nuts on the bolts before pulling it completely off and of course the whole damn thing comes apart. Really getting frustrated now. didn't quite throw the thing in the woods....but still thinking about it. :twisted: Did all starters built before 1952 come apart like this on cars/trucks etc? I mean really, couldn't someone at the "Fords Better Idea" factory make a starter that would keep it's guts where they belong? Not a good day..and my back is aching from hauling off the large limbs that the tractor should have been doing.

Dad and I cut down many trees over the years that were leaning the wrong way, never had a bad experience. He had a long cable we hooked up higher up on the tree with a tractor hooked to the other end. When cutting the tree and it was getting ready to fall we'd step back and let the tractor take it down. (if it wasn't cut enough it would split the trunk)

That's what I do. Works great.

You need to make sure the guy on the tractor gets going fast enough that the tree don't twist into the power lines if it gets ahead of the tractor.

Don't ask how I know.

Low gear is too slow on some tractors.

Gary

Wouldn't the power company want lighten your pockets for damages or just having to reset the fuses ?

Or use a chain that is shorter than the tree is tall. Like you said, don't ask how I know.

A winch also works well; I've cut down a number of trees using the PTO-powered one on my IH Scout. With the 100+ ft cable the truck can be well away from the danger zone and significant tension can be applied and maintained (provided the back bumper is chained to something solid!) even before the tree is anywhere close to coming down. By the time the felling cut is made the tree can be heading well towards the planned direction, even if it is in the opposite direction from the natural lean.

No, just a stupid accident with no real harm done. I imagine if it had torn down a line or two, they would be after me. I fessed up so I come out looking like a good guy. It's those that lie about the stuff they really get mad at.

I think i would wait till the wind is from the right direction