How to compensate for heavy side lean

[@jamesantosca4005]

Excellent video! I've watched a number of videos showing this "sizwheel cut" and you're the only one who took the time to explain, step-by-step, what to do and why it works. All of the other timber jocks are just showing off, it appears.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks! Glad you liked the video. I know I enjoy good explanations of things and its nice to hear that the video was practical and helpful.

[@boooshes]

Best demo of that method I've seen

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks for the very nice compliment!

[@stevet8121]

I've never seen or heard it explained as well as you did Dan. That stump might be ugly but it did what you wanted it to do. The tree actually pulled itself. Outstanding!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Wow! Thanks Steve. That's a heck of a compliment. I am very glad you liked the video👍

[@billbezzant3033]

You didn't even say the word "sizwheel", but now I understand much more about the physics of it. I like that extra pointer about the leaning tree wanting to settle on the low side if you take too much of the hinge out on that side. Thank you again!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

You are most welcome. I am glad you found the information useful.

[@daveoseas]

Fellers may tap a wedge in the side to help hold against side lean

[@theone4929]

Just watched your video and I have watched probably 20 videos on this specific cut, now I completely understand the physics of it. Excellent job explaining it and I feel confident I can do it now. You did cut deeper than the other videos I watched and I understand why now. Thank you

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Your welcome! I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@lotty468]

Thanks. That makes pure simple unambiguous mechanical engineering sense.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Your welcome...glad it was easy to understand.

[@jakemesa3211]

Excellent demonstration of a sizwheel! A little wood pull is a small price to pay to keep everything in lead.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks! Yes a little wood pull is worth the end result.

[@ryancarmony6666]

Jake, what happened to all those videos on your Channel?

[@aprilecotton2060]

Saying stupid words doesnt make you sound smart or cool. Wood pull lmao.

[@jakemesa3211]

@@aprilecotton2060 🤣👌

[@CWParks]

Masterful depiction and execution. THANK YOU! Sincere gratitude for your effort and time spent to make this information available, able to understand, and delivered in a 9 min. 8 sec. video. This is clearly an example of years of learning and years of performance toward the goals of proper felling, avoiding injury, and maintaining equpment. Students will benefit from this video and I speculate it will garner multiple views per individual. Salutations to you, sir!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thankyou! That is quite a compliment. I am glad you found good value in the video.

[@marcobrownstone]

Thanks for the excellent video and technique.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

You are most welcome!

[@SixOFord]

Thanks for making these videos Dan. I've learned quite a lot by just watching you and a few others on here work. When you take the time to explain the tricks of your trade it is greatly appreciated. For most of my firewood cutting the trees are usually already on the ground but occasionally I cut one down. And in SE Texas they rarely grow straight haha. Stay safe out there.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Your very welcome. I am happy the videos are helpful and I appreciate hearing the feedback.👍

[@JohnnyIDive37]

nice sizwheel cut Dan, they really do work!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks! Yes they do....

[@spelunkerd]

Best demo of the sizwheel I've found. For some reason I expected the stem to rotate CCW after it broke, but I guess the side lean counteracted that.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks! Yes...generally speaking...the side lean does counteract any spinning. It just holds as long as it can....before it breaks the hinge...and drops into place.

[@ianallenw]

Great explanation, appreciate how you stop and comment thru your process. Never thought to cut that deep into the stump, awesome.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed the video.

[@keithgeisen]

You explained this well! Amazing how much you redirected the fall. Well done, Sir!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks...Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@teacherhaggis6945]

I learned a heap. Thank you for sharing your expertise. I am grateful.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Your most welcome

[@murphy4trees]

great demonstration.. this video could be used for training... sweet!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks!

[@rchristie5401]

Great Swinging Dutchman

[@RangerRage69]

Good educational video Dan! Thank you!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Your most welcome

[@dan-dan-da-treeman]

Beautiful shot! Thanks for the lesson.

[@dennysmith5284]

The best of the bunch for us DYIers IMHO: Logging: Nor Cal Timber Faller with Dan Leeper Automotive: ChrisFix and Eric the Car Guy Small Engine and power equipment: DonyBoy73 with Donny and help Furnaces, water heaters, and most every appliance: Jake over at Word of Advice TV What makes these folks stand out from the rest? their knowledge, their communication skills, and they don't spend a lot of time self-promoting or doing goofy stuff to keep ya' watchin'. They patiently explain everything so nothing is missed. There are lottsa' good folks out there, and these really stand out.

[@dennysmith5284]

Another one that gets right to the point with good cam and patient explanation is the Car Wizard.

[@eriknelson6529]

Great video Dan. The point is to keep the wood in lead. Awesome tutorial. It will help many people. Be good be safe. 👍

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks. I am happy you enjoyed the video.👍

[@ricardonuno8179]

Nice tip. Everyday we learn something new 👍

[@JeffColledge-r8g]

I can’t believe you did that without a single wedge. Impressive

[@woodywoodard1903]

Interesting! Nice job on walking us through it. Will definitely use this technique.

[@DavidBoschGR]

Very helpful. Taking the time to shut off the saw and explain what you are doing, and what to watch out for, will make me more confident when I next come across a side leaner needing to be dropped.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks...glad you got some good info out of the video

[@nickyalousakis3851]

this one was a good video to a vey specific problem. very good video. it went exactly where needed defying gravity. was close to being a widow maker lol.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks... glad you enjoyed the video👍

[@wollywolly2734]

Scored the winning field goal!!!!

[@aarons3203]

Great video Dan! Thanks for your detailed explanation. Have you ever heard of using a plumb bob to check the lean on a tree?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Yes, I use a plum bob from time to time. As a matter of fact I have a video about using a plum bob if you scroll back into my older videos. It is a great way to get a dead on accurate read of a trees lean👍

[@kingsaws]

Great technique! Is this what they call a sizwheel

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Yes , I have heard it called the sizweel. Although the way I have heard it pronounced is the siz wald. A rather strange name. I just call it opening up the top of the face.. or the high side of the face.

[@dougreid2351]

Thanks again, Dan. DOUGout

[@NarcissisticPlutocraticPower]

Very nice placement. Good technique and efficient 👍

[@re-começar]

Very nice! Good explanation! Good execution! Good presentation! What else can anyone ask for?! I Also have a channel here on KZbin and I try to do the same thing, help as many people as I can. But most of my content is not in English. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know you are doing a great job! Keep up the good work! You are helping more people than you think.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks a lot for the very nice compliment. It is always nice to know that the videos are helping!

[@timberandtools]

Nice video friend!! Definitely worth making the extra effort on that cut

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks!

[@sterlingwilley3532]

Good video!

[@todosan375]

A++. 90 degrees from the lean is no small trick. Most excellent.

[@HILLBILLY.556]

Very helpful thank you sir!

[@adambatchelder4121]

Great video , i tried this for the first time a couple days ago . It helped although my Technique was far from perfect.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

I am glad it was helpful.

[@sydrider6023]

God job on the tree and on the video👍

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks 👍

[@samholden7563]

Great video Dan!

[@toddratisseau-k3j]

excellent job

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks

[@michaelkearney5562]

Dan: You are getting very interesting! Is that cut known as a sizwheel or am I mixing it up with something else? Thumbs up big time.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

You are correct. The way I have heard it pronounced is siz wald. I think you spelled it right. its a strange term. I just call it opening up the top side of the face.

[@kyleboman6]

I’ve heard sizwheel and birds beak depending on the faller. Love this cut when you need to swing a tree and save out wood. Great demonstration on the video man

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks

[@Sethhaun78]

Saws crispy

[@donmoore7785]

Very helpful

[@matthewpolo227]

LOVED THIS VID DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO OF THOSE ADDITIONAL TECHNIQUES YOU MENTIONED ?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

I still need to do a video about the additional techniques...I plan on it at some point

[@matthewpolo227]

@@norcaltimberfaller1943 LOOK FORWARD TO IT ...UNLESS THE CAMERA ANGLE IS DECEIVING I SEE YOUR BACK CUT IS LEVEL WITH THE HUMBOLT AS OPPOSED TO BEING AN INCH HIGHER DOES THAT MAKE THE SIZWHEEL MORE EFFECTIVE ? WHAT HAPPENS IF THE BACK CUT IS THAT TYPICAL 1 OR 2 INCHES HIGHER FOR HOLDING WOOD WOULD IT COMPROMISE THE SIZWHEEL ?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

It could be helpful to cut higher because it can help the wood to not crush down on the hinge so much. I believe I had it pretty flush there...but yes ..an inch or two higher is beneficial in that situation.

[@bushleague3472]

Thanks for that excellent demo/ explanation. You got any more side leaner content? Up till now I've relied on either cutting a very deep wedge, or occasionally using a keyhole cut. This seems better. Too thanks a bunch for explaining about getting pinched on the compression side, I've had that happen a couple times but somehow never quite understood what was going on.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Your welcome...I do have some more stuff to show on side lean but I just have not got that video done yet...

[@eachday9538]

Here's a thought. Before putting in sizwheel head round to under side and bore in some backcut behind a really thin hinge and get a wedge in there. Then cut sizwheel. Then continue that back cut around around to the topside. Get a wedge in the back to finally help it go over rather than cutting topside hinge to point of tipping. Might be a way of getting less hinge on bottom side and more hinge on topside when it goes which I imagine would maximise the tension strap holding the tree true to the face cut as it goes over. Not that these extra steps were needed in your example as you demonstrated it went just right. Just thinking aloud about how to level it up for when necessary.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Yes...I agree that pounding a wedge into the low side can help to keep it from settling down. That is certainly something to consider in the equation...Thanks for the comment..

[@claytonclark8389]

@@norcaltimberfaller1943 However, it will also force the tree to bolt earlier and perhaps not go slow enough to pull as much fiber as needed to hold it on the stump as long as it can.

[@BrigT262]

Dan, Very cool technique! I've never seen this before. When confronted with a challenging lean or possible hang up situation, i usually notch in a jack and use hydraulics to get what i need! New sub here. Love the content. Would love to see some material showcasing your saw and equipment. Tools of the trade. Thanks again!!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Glad you are enjoying the videos. Thanks for subscribing! I will put your video suggestion on the list

[@rfiskillingussoftly6568]

Wow Great job!!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks!

[@markbunyan9092]

Great video explanation, is this also know as a sizwheel then? Thanks from Scotland.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Yes it is known as the sizwheel.

[@jimvankam1700]

That's called the sizwell cut and it's a great notch to know if you can cut it right

[@daking1544]

Question would this be better than a swinging Dutchman?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

In the case of heavy side lean... yes...the problem with a Dutchmen in a side lean situation...is that it allows the tree to drop even farther into its side lean and greatly increases the chances of it breaking off early. It's best to preserve the hinge all the way across in a side lean situation....

[@lernwithgern]

Nice. Keep em comin.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks!

[@normwelsh812]

Thx Dan. Used technique on 12" alder and worked. Any value to putting a wedge, lightly set, on low side to assist against the natural lean or is this counterproductive?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

It certainly can't hurt. It could help it from settling. That's the main thing with side lean . A guy does not want to loose any ground to the lean by the hinge smashing down. Even if it doesn't pinch your bar it will most likely break off early due to the additional weight cause by the hinge smashing down.

[@HunterCranfield-qn2rt]

I cut mostly red oak, hard maple and other hardwood, is it safe to assume that a hardwood would most likely split and could could bore out the heart or would that defeat the large hinge and the pull?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

I would not recommend boring out the heart in a side lean situation. Generally speaking side leaners need that hinge all the way across to give it the best chance of holding on to the stump. That being said its good to keep in mind that all side leaners have the potential to break off and go in to their side lean. It's always good to practice with the species you cut the most of and see how they respond. Some trees will hold better to the stump and ( " come around " ) better then others.

[@mikekruse3154]

Hey Dan Great vid, got a ?, Was your cut on a uphill angle towards the natural lean

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Yes...I had the most hinge on the uphill side. It leaned down the hill pretty hard and I needed it to go sidehill.

[@gabbygonzaga552]

How come you leave hinge on the compression side? Isnt that wood not doing anything and only hindering the tree from swinging? Also do you ever use a dutchman to have the tree rest as it goes into the face or do you find its not needed and just a sizwheel is sufficient? Thank you!

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

The wood on the compression side should not be cut on a side leaner because it allows it to drop even harder into its side lean and very possibly break off into its side lean the moment a guy cuts that compression side to much.

[@JS-oy6nn]

Good ole sizwheel

[@briankirwan9588]

Great video. Do you prefer the Husqvarna saws over the stihls? Any major reasons?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Thanks... as to your question... I do prefer Husqvarna over Sthil . I have run both a lot and the biggest reason I prefer Huskies is that in my opinion they have less vibration and just a smoother quieter saw over all. That really matters when a guy is working with saws all the time. I feel like Husqavarna saws are easier on the operator.

[@lancecardillo733]

@@norcaltimberfaller1943 Stihl is the best ! You pay a little more but you will be wY happier with the Stihl! . MAN UP

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

@@lancecardillo733 I suppose it's a matter of preference...Like I said... I used to run the Stihls. Thats all I ran for a long time. I just find that the huskies to be smoother and less vibration.

[@Alexhulk]

Wow man first time a saw a strange technique. But very good

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Glad you enjoyed the video

[@alfredsalazar582]

Nice skills and cut, so did you plunge all the way across the tree or almost to the other side?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Almost to the other side. The main concern is focusing on the top part of the hinge.

[@alfredsalazar582]

Thanks i tryed it last weekend and it worked great

[@simd510]

If you aimed your humboldt cut further to the left of where you wanted the tree to fall (opposite of the lean) wouldnt that have helped take the tree to the spot you wanted it?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

That can help...but its also a fine line. Aim it to high and it will just encourage it to break of the stump early because its trying to come around to far. With sidelean its all about getting it to hold on that stump as long as possible.

[@Slippindisc]

If you have a fir that kind of bows, and the middle of the stick is say 2 ft out of line with the trunk, but the top is right over the stump, do you consider that to be leaning as hard as you would if it wasn’t bowed? Hopefully that makes sense. Basically if the tree looks like this ( vs this \ I ask cause I know there’s more weight in the middle of the stick but the top is gonna have more leverage

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Good question... the tops have a lot of weight... so if it's bowed back and lined up with the stump... it should have less pressure on the side lean and act more like a normal tree...

[@jontoolman]

👍

[@eddevarona8448]

What if it was leaning forward like that but you needed to swing it that far but toward the low side?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Do you mean swing it further around then that? Or do you mean putting it more towards it's lean?

[@vagabondslotmachine]

Far out felling 👍🏻

[@dennysmith5284]

Hi Dan. I have a question: I've got about a 15" paper birch, maybe 60 ft, with a forward lean. I note that the bones would want to fell that a little to the right of the lean. I need to fell it about 10 degrees to the left of the lean. So, my plan is to aim the notch (Humboldt), in that direction, then use the back cut to steer a little to the left by using a tapered hinge, and maybe a wedge or two. My questions are: 1) given that, should it work, and 2), not being totally familiar with the hinge holding wood, I'm guessing that the widest part of the hinge must be on the side I want that tree to go, right? (I'll be chaining it to prevent any barber chair). Whaddya' think? Thanks in advance for all of your advice and thinking. Best....D

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Yes ...you want the widest side of the hinge pulling towards the way you want it to go.

[@dennysmith5284]

@@norcaltimberfaller1943 Thx Dan. Gr8 weekend.

[@CatDaddySteve]

😁👍

[@Joseph-kk8bq]

I don't think the wider gap made hardly any difference. It's the thicker hinge that mattered.

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Yes and no.....it really depends on the type of wood and the tensile strength it has on the stump. If the stump wood is weak ....then it will not even bring it around far enough for the wider gap to help. ( it will pop off the stump early)

[@varkenssnuit123]

At the crucial moment you turn the camera away! now I do not understand what you wanted to show.

[@matschmoon]

Fish eye optics are not the best choice if you wanna talk about angles

[@ronburke]

Hahaha that was cool!

[@joshlower1]

Buckin can teach ya a few more tricks.

[@gregtaylor8327]

Every day stuff.

[@rollonbarrosse5981]

Sizweil ?

[@norcaltimberfaller1943]

Yes