Maasdam rope puller cutting a leaning tree - #22

[@btcolber]

Thanks for this video, I 'm UK based, I bought a Maasdam on a trip to the US, brought it home as checked luggage- watched this video before using it today with a friend to pull over a leaner , about 18 inch dia but 45 feet high near a utility power pole. Worked a dream, so it will be getting plenty more use ......

[@oldguyfirewood]

Glad you like the Maasdam. It has always done the job for me. Thanks for watching!

[@mlindsay527]

We’ve pulled down dozens of smaller white pines (8-12”) with the rope puller. Works great with good arborist rope. Tried some cheaper braided rope and it slipped badly. I’ve heated with wood for 20 years, hope I have another 20-30 in me!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks so much for watching. I hope you’ve subscribed! I use a 50’ piece of quality 3 strand rope and connect that to my longer arborist bull rope The 3 strand will not slip with the Maasdam.

[@noel3065]

I just found your channel. I heard about you on another channel and finally I'm watching a 70 plus year old like me that's still cutting firewood. I love cutting firewood and finally this year my wife and son wanted me to get a log splitter because they thought 50 years of splitting by hand was long enough. My neighbors wonder how I keep doing it and I use your saying "keep moving". Keep it up for us 70 plus year old guys. Good Job Oh I hope the other channel was right that you are 70 plus

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Noel… hope you subscribed! Yes, I’ll be 74 in January. Like you, I love cutting firewood… it’s relaxing and therapeutic for me. Please keep watching and “keep moving”! - Dick

[@teennomore]

I am older too.I keep going for fear of stopping.If you know what I mean

[@Andrew_From_NB]

Wow Dick! This was such a great video and really great job done on getting that tree down! Thanks for having us along on this, definitely picked up some good methods an pointers from you on this one! This one definitely had alot of mechanical advantages in use and it was really great to see all them working together for you! This is one of my fav videos so far! Andrew from NB :)

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Andrew!

[@outdoorsinthe608]

Great video Dick! That rope puller worked awesome I might have to get me one! Love the drone footage of the tree falling! Thanks for sharing my friend 👍👍

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Jeremiah. I really appreciate you watching and commenting. You're still a much better drone pilot than me haha! I was skeptical about the maasden's capability but after watching several professional videos I thought I'd give it a try... it works! It's great for those situations where you can't get a tractor or truck in position to do the pull.

[@0ptimal]

Ive watched a ton of maasdam videos and this one shows its capability the best. When combined with knowledge and proper execution.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thank you! I have another leaner I need to cut soon… I’ll do another video.

[@teennomore]

You have given me the confidence to use my new maasdam puller

[@oldguyfirewood]

It’s a great tool!

[@marquette36]

Build that cannon and we will be there to watch! Nice video.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I think I'dd be doing the cannon build video in a few weeks... watch for it!

[@DanielAtkinsFirewood]

Cannon video please.. It's amazing how a tree can hold that for so long but over all nice take down..

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey Daniel, thanks for watching! I know you don't see hickory trees like that out where you are... it is one tough wood. I think I'll do a cannon build video in a few weeks... there seems to be a lot of interest.

[@davidedwards3734]

Great video of bringing the tree down. Beautiful wood!! Ive got to find a hickory tree. Yes on the cannon build!!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting David. The interest seems to be there for a video on the cannon build. I'll probably do one in a few weeks.

[@SouthernItalyHomestead]

Nice work! I have also used the Maasdam. Thanks for sharing notes on your work.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks so much for watching. The Maasdam it a fantastic tool and reasonably priced also.

[@willdavidsonakawd3062]

That was very impressive!!! I love your motto of "keep moving" that is such a great video and a great job on the tree!!!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Will. I certainly recognize you from many woodhound livestreams. At my age “keep moving” is critical ha! I really appreciate you watching and commenting… hope you subscribed - Dick

[@willdavidsonakawd3062]

@@oldguyfirewood Dick i certainly subscribed!! The motto is one im gonna use cuz even at 30 there are some days that "keep movin" is the best motto!!!

[@leroymorris6036]

that took patience and experience thanks for sharing, liked the rope puller, thanks again.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the comments Leroy. That Maasdam rope puller is a handy tool. I used it the other day when I got my zero turn mower stuck. Hooked it to a tree and pulled it right out. Thanks for subscribing! - Dick

[@TimAndOldSaws]

Great job Dick. I’ve been cutting trees the same way for over 20 years. it works great but I use a regular come along. Keep up the good work. I’m going to be 53 years old this year. I hope I’m still cutting trees like you when I’m 73🪵🪓

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thank you my friend! I used a regular come along for years. The nice thing about the Maasdam is that you never run out of pull length. You can use a 100’ rope (or more) and it just keeps pulling the rope on through.

[@toddsoutsideagain]

Great job on that leaner. That rope puller was great. Lotta good premium hickory is going to come out of that one. Well done Dick!👍🏻👍🏻-TOA

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Todd! That wood is premium. The way the top was dying I was afraid it might be hollow inside with ants but it’s solid.

[@JamesMasterPlaster]

Very cool my friend 🏋️‍♀️🤗🤺👍☦️

[@oldguyfirewood]

@@JamesMasterPlaster thanks for watching!

[@Roadie45]

Beast tree! Nice fell! Hickory pita to work with but such a nice firewood. 🌳 🪵 🪓 🔥

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks so much for watching. That was a really big hickory for around here. It will make great firewood for next year.

[@mattschnelle9330]

Just found your video. Thanks for the information and demonstration 👍🏿

[@oldguyfirewood]

I love my Maasdam. That was a very large tree to pull against the lean and it worked great.

[@rarebeautiful4820]

I have to pull down a tree like this at work. Thanks for the great video.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching… hope you’re subscribed! The Maasdam puller did a great job.

[@teennomore]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamescole1786]

9/14/23; ..just caught yur video, 1st time viewer. I, age 78, just bought a Maasdam Rope puller & 200ft ( recommended via instruction booklet) 1/2"x 3strand rope for several project trees. Glad to see your using this tool in video today. From comments..repeat video on 'Air Cannon'...or make new video..Yes! Please do! Older guys showing 'how to..' videos demo equipment carries significance via time researching & using it on a real job..just like today's use of yur Maasdam Rope Puller taking down big tree opposite lean direction. Yup, great video! Air Cannon next time, aye?🤔💪⚙️🔧🪚🍺😊

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching James. Hope you’re subscribed! Here’s a link to my video on the air cannon build kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmqpppeLrJKGgqssi=JqHzw_MlmbrSStkg

[@TonysCoolTools]

Dick nice takedown, great minds think alike. I have a Maasdam video coming out in a couple weeks. They are truly a useful tool.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Tony. If you can’t get a truck or tractor in place to pull, the Maasdam will certainly do the job. I really appreciate you watching and commenting. Yes… great minds 😁…

[@Omarateastwind]

Yes, I would love to see the air cannon build and demonstration!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching. I did a video on the air cannon build. Go to my channel, click on “videos”, and scroll through the list to find the air cannon build.

[@IronOakSawmill]

Be sure to catch the video tonight. We give you a shout out. Hope to see you in the chat. 7:45 eastern time

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks so much Chuck and Deb... I'll be sure to check it out! At a family function so I probably won't be able to get online until later.

[@rickie178]

Excellent video. Tough tree to get down safely and where you want it. Loved the rope puller! Never seen one used before. I’ve only used a come along and it limits how much length you can take out of the rope. Great job! Go take a break!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Rick. The unlimited length of pull is what makes the Maasdam so much better than a come along.

[@KMoran-cw2fd]

Nicely done!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the comments!

[@brentcarlson6417]

Great video!! Enjoy your day Around the Yard - Brent

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Brent. I’m glad you’re viewing a number of my videos! Watch my next video to find out how to enter my 1000 subscriber giveaway.

[@trcass1]

thanks for the video. great example of using the rope puller to recover a leaning tree. would love to see an air cannon video. have a couple of trees i need to put a line on and drop.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching! I use the air cannon in the previous video to set the rope. I also did a video on how to build the air cannon. Check it out!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Nice job

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Brock. I really appreciate you watching and commenting. The Maasdam puller does a great job!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Brock. I really appreciate you watching and commenting. The Maasdam puller does a great job!

[@Gary67242]

fine job !!...thumbs up

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching! That puller has amazing power.

[@ndnfirewood4666]

Great video OG! I see why the hickory had so many leaves still on it in your most recent video 👍👍

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks. Yes, we cut that tree down in August.

[@fatboyrowing]

Thanks for the video. I’m cutting down a rotten oak close to my garage. Thankfully it’s only about 12”. It was nice to see you using it on a much bigger tree. Looks like you put a serious amount of tension in that rope.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching. The Maasdam puller is amazing. I bit the bullet and spent some money to get good arborist rope several years ago… well worth it.

[@fatboyrowing]

@@oldguyfirewood I bought the puller and the recommended arborist rope to go with it a year or two ago. The more I use it and the more I see people like you use it, the more confident I am. Thanks for the video. It’s a bit breezy today. Normally I’d wait for calmer days. But the wife is getting antsy - she wants that tree down. I think I can safely do it in a moderate breeze thanks to the puller. Thanks again! And I’m about to subscribe. Edit: I just subscribed.

[@scenic3868]

​@@oldguyfirewoodHello! Excellent video! ​What specific rope did you use? I'm thinking of doubling up on what you did. Two pulleys, two Maasdams, with a friend working the other in tandem with me. My Dad is a master at all kinds of knots so no worries there. I'd rather use a professional, however the tree I'm dealing with is threatening my family's home and I absolutely cannot afford more than $500 for the foreseeable future. I tried appealing my case to 5 different companies and lowest they would consider is $2000, even just to pull it down into the woods as you did. No payment plans! A loan is out of the question unfortunately. So I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. It's do or die. I'd prefer to die with my boots on under a tree than having it take me and my wife out in our sleep. I'm 43, with good life insurance, so there's that. With your procedure and respectful distances, I don't think it will come to that 🙂 The tree is hanging over my bedroom and the honey mushrooms on the trunk are multiplying daily. P.S. All of them didn't seem to hear me say multiple times that I just need it pulled down. They were quoting me on cleanup and haul away even as I was showing them the door. So stuck on money. It was disheartening.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching! In a situation like yours I wouldn’t try to do it myself. It sounds like a job for a professional tree company. I’m not a professional and my video was only showing how I did it, not necessarily how anyone else should do it. Don’t take a chance where persons or property could be injured!

[@scenic3868]

@@oldguyfirewood Thanks, I realize there is trade secrets at play here, but as I'm sure you realize, I don't have a choice. No one wants to help me and no one cares that I can't afford it. I also speak other languages and between all of the videos and countries' methodologies, I've gotten quite a few aspects of all of this. I came to realize with the dangers involved here, the scientific method is a must. So I'll be practicing on progressively larger trees until I get the wrinkles ironed out. I have a patent pending to improve upon your idea. I will be posting that KZbin after the patent is approved. I hope to revolutionize the process for people who were stuck, like me. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@chrisartman6168]

Excellent job!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thank for watching Chris. I really appreciate it!

[@dunnkruger8825]

Thanks

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching! It’s a great tool.

[@KNLFirewood]

Nice, safe felling! Those pulleys and rope puller are really useful.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hi Mike. Thanks for watching! I forget if you said… are you going to Paul Bunyan?

[@KNLFirewood]

@@oldguyfirewood I am! I take it you are too?

[@oldguyfirewood]

@@KNLFirewoodI’ll be there. Look forward to meeting you and several others in person!

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

You done an awesome job on the felling of the tree Dick . That rope puller is the ticket . I’ve never seen one of those .

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Del. I’ve had that puller for a couple years, but that’s the biggest tree I’ve ever used it on. Apparently professional arborists use them. They aren’t that expensive either. A handy tool to have.

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

No sir they are not . I looked at them today after I watched your video .

[@rays9033]

Wow, really well done!!!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching. The Maasdam is a great tool.

[@rays9033]

@@oldguyfirewood I’m another old guy with a limited amount of DYI tree care, and have a good inventory of tree climbing gear for my trees. I use a MonkeyBeaver climbing harness, and piece-out the trees to get them down or trimmed. I would prefer dropping trees from the ground instead of hanging 10’ to 75’ off the ground by a 12mm rope, but am too reluctant to fall trees from the ground if there is any possibly of surrounding structures. I do have a 3-ton comealong winch, but it has a 25’ cable that requires attaching and adjusting 5/8” pulling ropes. I always thought a Maasdam puller with a 1,500lb pull rating was too small for most trees. You proved me wrong! I should have known the Maasdam can be safely used since so many tree pro’s use them and sold by the tree care supply companies (e.g., TreeStuff.com, SherrillTree.com). Your video convinced me I should get a Maasdam Rope Puller, which should be less of a hassle to setup and use.

[@williamwallace9620]

I got a 28" Red Oak I've gotta cut that has a constant 8-10° back lean and branch weighted against the direction of intended fall.. does a Y 2/3rd of the way up so that's all the higher I can hook.. I'm going to be using a portable winch co gas powered capstan winch that has 2200 lb of pull.. was surprising to see how you pulled this down with only that 1500lb rope puller! I've already bought and am intending to hook up a 5:1 pulley system and was considering the rope puller as a secondary pull in case the 10,000lbs from my setup wasn't enough but now I'm thinking i won't really need to.. if there was a way to figure approx weight for 28" red Oak to 60' at the Y and then approximate the rest of the tree's weight I'd be in a better ballpark to figure what it'd truly require.. does 10,000lb sound like enough? First time with a tree this big

[@oldguyfirewood]

Sounds like one I’d have a tree company look at William. Maybe have them remove the branches on the back side and then you could do the rest. It seems like 10,000 lb pull would be plenty. You would need a bull rope with that working strength. Without seeing it I wouldn’t want to give any further advice. Again, sometimes you need to let the experts tackle one like this!

[@0ptimal]

Howd it go William?

[@williamwallace9620]

@@0ptimal oh I got it down no problem, I tend to over-think things so I also tend to over-do them.. winched to bowstring tight with 1/4 dyneema winch line pulling a 5:1 then face-cut, partial back-cut, wedges inserted and winch pulled a little more than just more cut more wedge more pull until I got it to where the cut was as far though as I felt comfortable with and then winches it the rest of the way until it fell. It definitely upped my confidence, I actually waited until this year to do it just a couple days ago

[@danbentsen]

I was looking forward to video. You did a good job of felling tree. To bad you didn't have a winch on your truck, Us seniors have to watch our energy expences when we can. Warn #8274 winch would have been a good one for that. You made it work w/what you hade. Good video.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Dan. I normally use my tractor or truck to pull when I need to use a rope. I really wanted to see if the Maasdam could handle that big of a tree… I was impressed! The Maasdam is good for those wooded situations where you can’t use a vehicle to pull. You’re right, us seniors do need to conserve our energy. This one had me panting!

[@danbentsen]

@@oldguyfirewood Good test for Masdam, havent used that model Masdam before, worked great. Thanks for video

[@jrmorrissey207]

Air cannon! Air cannon! Nice job Dick.

[@ninjaturtle1057]

You're a pro

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching ninja turtle. Certainly not a pro. Luckily I know my limitations!

[@HandyLawnandTreeCareLLC]

Nice job.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thank you!

[@823Steve]

Yeah, I'd like to see the air cannon. Never heard of it before.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hi Steve. Go to my channel, click on “videos” and scroll down to the video where I show how to build the air cannon. Simple and detailed information is available in that video.

[@imtayzach]

Hi what model of Maasdam rope puller is that? There are a couple that Amazon sells and I'd like to get the same as you were using.

[@oldguyfirewood]

The model I have is the A-50. Thanks for watching!

[@richardf9137]

2 things I noticed, never take your EYE off the tree your pulling. 2 if the hinge were to break it would have been opposite side of the wedge and fallen in your direction. Just my observation. 71 and still climbing.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hello Richard. Thanks for watching and commenting. I really appreciate and respect your knowledge…. 71 and still climbing… that’s impressive!! The location I was pulling from was over 100’ from the tree. If the tree had fallen in my direction it couldn’t have hit me. It was also perpendicular to the notch. It’s difficult to see angles and direction in the video. You are correct about keeping your eye on the tree. I did have someone running the camera for me and they were helping me watch. I turned 75 a couple months ago… wish I had the build and strength to climb!!

[@johnpierce1251]

That cannon worked great tree fell right we’re you wanted

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching and commenting John. It sure beats trying to throw it by hand.

[@anthonylamura8600]

Nice JOB !!!!!!!!!!!!!! A lot of weight in those tall sticks lol

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey Anthony, thanks for watching. Hickory is extremely heavy wood. I’ve bucked most of that tree up and there’s no way I could lift the rounds from the base of the trunk. The Wolfe Ridge splitter log lift makes it easy!

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Hello Dick, Great exercise! Sorry I prefer my Bobcat😂 Good video, safe Felling! my friend🪵👍🏼🇺🇸

[@oldguyfirewood]

Ha! Larry - You must have heard me panting… out of breath! I prefer the tractor too but I thought I’d show an alternative for when you can’t get in position with equipment. Appreciate you watching!

[@chaswarren7239]

First video and subscribed. You sir, clearly know your stuff. To use such a small amount of force, you must have had that rope up high. My question was how did you get it there? Looking forward to that air cannon video!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching. I did have the rope up high. Go to my KZbin channel page, hit “videos” and look for the videos of me shooting the throw bag with the air cannon. Thanks for subscribing!

[@chaswarren7239]

Found it now, thanks !@@oldguyfirewood

[@Sethhaun78]

Was more interested in the connection s you used to conect the maasdam to the tree???couldnt see it..i use maasdam all time at work but never seen the way u mounted it????.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey Seth. Bull rope in tree to pulley at base of another tree in direction of fall, back to madam that was attached to the base of another tree wrapped with a chain. If you watch the whole video I think I go through the entire setup. Thanks for watching!

[@megamike4357]

Great work. That was not an easy job at all, and it looks like you have plenty of equipment to tackle most all jobs.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Mike. It gave me a workout (old and out of shape ha) but that maasden puller is great when you can't get a tow vehicle into the right position.

[@benscoles5085]

@@oldguyfirewood I saw one of these pullers for sale at the show, I did not buy it, but after watching what you did with it here, this is a ''got to have''.

[@oldguyfirewood]

@@benscoles5085 thanks for watching! That puller is the real deal and they aren’t that expensive!

[@RichardCrutchfield]

Air cannon, yes!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Richard. I did a complete video on the air cannon build. Check it out!

[@firewoodathome]

Well done sir.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching Bill… I really appreciate it!

[@knottwworking]

Hi Dick, great way to get that fellow down at a safe distance. I also enjoyed the drone footage.Talk later.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for the continued support Terry. I just feel so blessed being able to still do so many of the outdoor physical activities that I enjoy. I’m having fun with the drone although I’m not too proficient yet ha!

[@0ptimal]

Interesting. I have a large similar sized and shaped oak and was worried that device wouldn't be strong enough to handle it. But looks like it is.

[@oldguyfirewood]

You need to know the amount of pull you need to pull it over, and make sure it's within the limits of the Maasdam. If in doubt don't take a chance!

[@johngraziano659]

Nice

[@oldguyfirewood]

@@johngraziano659 thanks for watching John.

[@jonzimmerman427]

Maasdam is rated for 1500 pounds. You think 1500 pounds pulled that over?

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks for watching and commenting Jon. Yes I do. The off center weight caused by the lean determines the amount of pull needed. If the tree is plumb it takes very little pull. If it’s a 45° lean the amount of force required would be astronomical. With the tree in this video I was comfortable with using the Maasdam. Several KZbin videos by tree professionals show the Maasdam being used to pull trees with much more lean.

[@GoLongboardBroseph]

If you made a deeper face cut you wouldn’t have worked so hard

[@oldguyfirewood]

Probably so. Thanks for watching.

[@GoLongboardBroseph]

thank you for sharing...cool to see the rope puller in action@@oldguyfirewood

[@Living-The-Dream]

Nice work Dick ! That one should yield a lot of prime Hickory firewood 🔥 👍👏🪵🪓🔥 Rick

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks so much for watching Rick... it's greatly appreciated. I'm going to stack all the rounds up when I buck that tree up and estimate how much firewood it will yield. It will be quite a bit. I'll mention it in a future video.