<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Hi ChainPoint's,<div><br></div><div>There are always a few that question some of the information in training workshops, especially until they see topics work and or try them. One important thing in working safely and productively is to make sure you are not involved in concentrating on Technique and forgetting to complete a plan. Yes, often we remember a technique but the technique doesn't work on a tree because - we didn't take accurate information and formulate a complete plan - a wrong technique selection.</div><div><br></div><div>The article for this edition outlines an example... below.</div><div><br></div><div>Well, the bus is at Eagles Nest in Nashville and Mark and Russ there have it all put back together. Plans are to pick it up on the way back home on the 17th. Really miss it and Laura too. I don't enjoy hotel/travel life anymore... The bus has my dirt in it.</div><div><br></div><div><div>I have added a cool feature to our website - SPOT locations... You can now click a link from our homepage <a href="http://www.ForestApps.com/">www.ForestApps.com</a> and see where we are in our training and travels. Check it out!</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you for all your orders from our eStore and Barnes and Noble on our eBook. It continues to give a lot of information to first time and experienced chainsaw operators. Links on our homepage.</div></div><div><br></div><div>On a personal note... for you motorcycle friends out there, keep me in your prayers. I am going to accomplish the Iron Butt SS1000 the week of April 18th. Just over 1000 miles on my GS, from Villa Rica, GA to Baton Rouge, LA and back in less than 24 hours. One of those things a man just has to do... </div><div><br></div><div>Had our first Elvex sponsored training session this past week. The site was with the City of White Plains, NY. Over 50 workers attended the workshop and said they had a great time and learned a lot. Thanks to Jay from White Plains, and the Elvex management team for making it all happen.</div><div><br></div><div>Luke at <a href="http://www.TreeStuff.com">www.TreeStuff.com</a> has put in PFERD products if you buy supplies from them. Good people... (Luke, time to put in Elvex too...) </div><div><br></div><div>Found out this week for those of you that attend the event - I will be presenting <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; ">at the IP/ICUEE Show in October. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; "><em style="font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; ">OCTOBER</em> 4-6, 2011. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, USA. KENTUCKY EXPOSITION CENTER Make plans...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: normal; font-size: medium; ">New videos regarding PPE from Elvex on my YouTube channel.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: normal; font-size: medium; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: normal; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/ARDTIM">www.youtube.com/ARDTIM</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: normal; font-size: medium; "> </span></span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="arial, sans-serif"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px; font-size: small;"><br></span></font></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; "><i>Good Sawing,</i></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-size: medium; "><div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; "><i><b>Tim Ard</b></i></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; "><a href="mailto:timard@forestapps.com">timard@forestapps.com</a></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; ">(O) 770.222.2511</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; "><a href="http://www.ForestApps.com">www.ForestApps.com</a></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; ">Twitter - @ForestApps</div></div></span>
</div><div><a href="http://YouTube.com">YouTube.com</a> - ArdTim</div><div>Tim's Blog - <a href="http://www.forestapps.blogspot.com">www.forestapps.blogspot.com</a> </div>
<br><div><br></div><div><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial">Techniques<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial">By Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial">The past week I have had several
great experiences with workshops across Pennsylvania. As always, it is a
pleasure to meet and learn from attendees and pick up understandings, new ways
of communicating, chainsaw applications and safety for the future. Some
thoughts came to me that I would like to share with you… on Technique.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">What is a Technique or where
do Techniques come from? Technique is a way of doing something that someone has
been taught or learned from one’s experience in accomplishing a task. Sound
logical?</p><p class="MsoNormal">How do we know what we are
using is the best, safest Technique for the application? Is it because we have
seen it, believe in it - or is it because we tested with our plan the Technique’s
ability to accomplish our task…. Luck or fact? Experience!</p><p class="MsoNormal">I published an article
recently on (taking/observing) tree lean information in the planning process.
It’s how I was taught to make sure the information of lean, that I observe and confidently
place into my felling plan, would afford me accurate results. The way I was instructed
seems to be different than a lot of understanding out in the field. I
understand there may be other ways to read the weighted lean of a tree but you
know the lean is only part of a great, safe and productive way of felling a
tree.</p><p class="MsoNormal">So, how do I know a good
Technique? What’s right? What’s wrong?</p><p class="MsoNormal">Simply to begin the answer,
lean is not a Technique, part of, but not a Technique. It is one of the most
important parts of forming a complete plan and final Technique selection. It remains
the hardest part of tree felling for most of us to grasp. It’s a major reason
trees go directionally wrong. Because of lean we commonly find our position to
be in the wrong place and someone or our saw pinched by the unexpected movement
of the tree.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Now, to pass along my
thoughts of the Technique selection process I have to better understand every
part. For making my point, I am choosing to seek a better platform or
illustration of the way lean effects the Technique used in felling a tree.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Technique Exercise</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial">To complete the experiment
you will need (1) a string and (2) a weight of some type on the end of the
string.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You also need (3) a piece
of paper with a line drawn on it or a line drawn on the ground. Ready?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Make a plumb line by
attaching the weight to the string. Allow the weight to swing free on the
string.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You have now built a plumb
line that will designate a measure of gravitational pull. The weight now
centers itself to the earth.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Draw a line on a piece of
paper or the ground. That line represents your holding wood or hinge on the
stump of your tree. It’s the pivot point or fulcrum on the stump that the tree
will pivot on, forward or back. This exercise is illustrating only forward or
back lean. (If the hinge does not break and holds the tree attached, the side
weight is not a factor in the fall. As with a door, the tree will pivot to the
targeted latch on the hinge).</p><p class="MsoNormal">Hold the plumb line in your
hand above and on the line (hinge). Your hand represents the center of the
crown of the tree. Now line up the plumb line with the line on the ground. At
this position your tree is perfectly straight, balanced on the hinge.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Now move your treetop (hand)
backward. You have just moved your tree crown’s center weight behind the pivot.
The weight of your tree and crown just became back lean.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Move your treetop (hand)
forward. You have just moved your tree crown into a forward position in
relationship to your pivot hinge. Your tree just became a forward leaner.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Just as you could not deny
or change the reading of gravity by your plumb line, you cannot deny the fact
that the center weight of your tree crown, in relation to the pivot line
(hinge), places the center of your crown into a forward or back lean condition.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Understanding the above, the
face notch does not make the tree lean, tilt or swing. The notch allows the
hinge to work during the pivot on the hinge but doesn’t change the trees weight
movement. With this understanding, if your back cut is not considering the
forward or back weight movement in position of the hinge, you will lose control
of the tree or the tree will set down on your chainsaw bar. The tree must be
supported (wedge or rope) or lifted forward from back lean positions.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Not to have an unplanned,
accident event… you must look for Hazards and obstacles, measure and note the two
Leans, prepare and use an Escape or retreat path, have a clear plan of Hinge
placement and dimension and finally Back cut the fiber up to the hinge,
supporting the tree or releasing the tree at a preplanned predetermined time.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Before you begin cutting – Prepare
and wear your P.P.E. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Make sure
your saw is up to condition. If you do not know these, review your
manufacturers’ operator’s manual before you pull the starter rope.</p><p class="MsoNormal">There’s not a reason to
debate other issues of tree falling until you understand how to measure the two
leans and assess the other areas of plan information to form a solid Technique.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I hope this article helps? Questions
or comments? Contact Tim by email <a href="mailto:TimArd@ForestApps.com">TimArd@ForestApps.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Visit <a href="http://www.forestapps.com">www.forestapps.com</a> for more information on
planning, techniques and training the operator in chainsaw applications.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial">© Copyright 2011 Forest Applications Training, Inc</span><span style="font-family:Arial">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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