Safely remove dead trees with snatch blocks // E100

[@benkanobe7500]

The two sketches were extremely helpful. You simplified it for me. Thank you!

[@jasonmansfieldsr8645]

Great explanation and demonstration of pulley systems and rigging! You addressed the safety aspects of rigging. I’d only add two things: 1. your hooks should be open side up, so that if one were to fail by stretching open, it would fling the rope into the ground instead of in the air; 2. When you’re crossing a rope to get to another area, step on the rope instead of over it. Your boot will offer much more protection than your jeans if the rope were to shift and wrap your leg.

[@billroberts3864]

You two are the 'Snatch Block Masters' and understand mechanical advantage. Meg, you are a great teacher and draw easy to understand graphics.

[@shermanhofacker4428]

The saddle is the part of clamp that the nuts rest against. You have it backwards, but I have done a lot of testing and and it seems to make little difference. For safety, I put two clamps, then place a third nearer the free end with a little bow so if any slippage occurs the bow would dissappear.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

The placement of the U-bolt matters. There is a bit less load on the far side of the bight over the hook in the loop. And second, the U-bolt makes a permanent bend in cable, so that bent needs be opposite the load line length.

[@Bob_Adkins]

I must confess that snatch blocks and big rocks initially brought me here. I soon learned there was so much more, introduced it to my wife, and we binge-watched for weeks.

[@funnyfarm5555]

Just a small tip about your ladder. Look at the backwards L on the right side of your ladder and always try to place the long part of the L parallel to the tree or building. This is for the correct ratio of the angle to the tree for maximum safety. It only takes a second for the accident to happen and weeks, months or years to recover if you ever recover 100%. Been recovering from an accident where my horse fell and I went over his head chest first to the ground since Sept 2015.

[@deanbarr5740]

It amazes me how this 2to1, 3to1 and 4to1 works. Kinda like a fulcrum and lifting a heavy load. You've educated a lot of your viewers, thanks for sharing this. Obviously, this is the safest way to remove these dead trees. Some of them are very tall too.

[@chrisbartlett6022]

You have learned a lot and are teaching good usage / practice. A couple of small points, take care to wear Gloves when handling the Wire Ropes and Snatch Blocks, there can be sharp wires and edges on them. Second point, take care when you wrap a strap around a tree. I understand why you do it on the tree to pull down, it maintains the strap in position, however as the Anchor points it will stop the strap self-centring and putting more load on one leg than the other. Even if you have calculated a low load on this pull you could encounter more than you expect. I may be overly picky as this was a subject, I used to teach 🙂 You guys are doing a great job. I am SO happy I found your channel. I found it through your First Snatch Block post.

[@chrisbartlett6022]

Meg does it the right way, you rock Meg 🙂

[@chrisbartlett6022]

LOVED the last tree. 3 Birds with 1 Stone 🙂

[@MrAmartin8]

You two have such good mechanical minds ... You can understand a principal idea without a hole lot of thought process . That is called good common sense ... good for you two ...

[@WilliamAubrey]

Quick comment to say thank you for this video. I'm on my 4th or 5th viewing of this video in the past year. This one always comes back in the recommendations when searching for help on snatch blocks. Thank you!

[@chriss2295]

This video confirmed my approach. Thank you! I just pulled down 10x 8-10inch alders in my woods using this same technique with my tractor. Was quoted 5-10k including hall away. I am keeping the logs for firewood instead.

[@heyeverybody5616]

That’s how I found y’all. I’m a proud owner of several snatch blocks rope etc. now. Thanks guys! Keep up the good work and your place is looking awesome!

[@spookje111]

Wow, that big 3 for 1 combo was great. Hope you get a lot of useable wood from it. Congratulations on being REAL youtubers.

[@zig6234]

I DID make it to your channel from your snach block video. It was the BEST explanation of how to use them. Loved the drawings!

[@andywindy]

Episode 100, 12,200+ Subscribers, Yes you're real KZbinrs now! An excellent demonstration of the use of snatch blocks, and why we place them where we do.

[@botfoblhrp]

☺️hey i was just coming to check best way to pull tree down . got 3 snatch blocks( same as yours😊) ,some tow straps for tree protectors (also harbor freight ), and 2 100' winch lines (3/8) 29,000 lbs. , and old tractor 😈 im ready to devastate.

[@midnightrunner72]

I would just like to say Thank you for taking the time and explaining things in a manner that most people will be able to understand. I did go to HF and got some snatch blocks and cable and shackles.

[@robertbass5283]

GREAT WORK GUYS ! Awesome drone shot of the tree falling !

[@lightasp]

Great job you do, so sweet to see you working together and finding your way. In my garden I have pulled stumps up with a chainhoist after cutting the roots I could see. 90% of the roots are in the upper 40 cm of soil, not too hard to find with a good slim spade. I will be happy to follow your project, thank you

[@DocScience2]

I like your videos. . There is one correction needed. . At 6:54 if you look at all the instructions of putting clamps on wires on the internet, You are putting your clamps on improperly. . I just checked the comments and see that someone already mentioned this.

[@Harleyrk99]

You said all was purchased at Harbor Freight? I noticed your cables have cable clamps that you put on but Harbor Freight cables have pre fastened ends. Is your way safer? I'm just wondering if I purchase the 3/8" cable from Harbor Freight if I should remove their clamps and put the cable clamps you used on myself? Not saddling a dead horse that is. 🤠

[@rauladame2105]

This is so helpful for everyday life and for us preppers! This could save effort and/or lives.

[@Twozus]

I feel that I'm very blessed that I found you guys video several months ago, on using the mechanical advantage. It changed my whole train of thought on how to clear my land and get ready to do some farming. Thank you for being so honest and sincere with your videos.

[@strictlyroots7343]

The sketches made it all make sense.

[@Benny1581]

Thanks for the video Your explanation of cable clamps needs just a little help. The "saddle" is the wider part of the clamp. It goes on the working end of the cable (the long end) The dead end of the cable gets the narrow part of clamp.

[@dave56ize]

Correct

[@michaelvoland3625]

Hi guys, I am setting up some rigging of my own to pull some nasty trees. I think you might be incorrect on the Union clamp saddling. I just watched a video from a cable manufacturer where they describe it the opposite way you have. The saddle is the moveable part of the clamp and not the U-structured part. I also don't think it'll make much difference if they are tight enough but who knows?

[@WalnutsandWineberries]

Yes, you're right. I shamefully admitted that on the episode after this one. If you need a lot of pulling force, episode 64 will save you a lot of research. Good luck on your mission!!

[@michaelvoland3625]

@@WalnutsandWineberries Got it! I will watch #64 (if I haven't already). You guys are doing a nice job, very informative channel and so down to earth!

[@davidnaudi2601]

Thanks guys I’ve watched all 100 episodes. Keep on being real.

[@danieltweton8647]

I also found your channel because of snatch blocks! Thanks again for the refresher course. I use them mainly to pull the stumps from the black jack oaks I've cut down for firewood. Last one I pulled was with an 8:1 mechanical advantage, I now have enough cable/ shackles/ snatch blocks to raise it to 16:1 advantage. Congratulations on your 100th episode, I look forward to your videos every week.

[@les3d50]

Yes, you saved me a lot of time, learning how to use a snatch block with your videos, thanks again

[@anton_mishchenko]

In case of tree without lower limbs, you can put the pulley very high by using service rope. Service rope should be thrown over the high limb, and you need to make all setup with pulley on the ground, then one of the ends of service rope is connected to the strap, and by pulling the other end of the service rope you will pull the setup as high as you need. Service rope is needed only to pull the strap with the pulley up to the tree, it does not carry the force - strap should be already wrapped around the tree.

[@wovenwire_4.513]

Great to have hardware! Love mine and always lubricate! So much in barn gets rusty. Thank you for your videos.

[@rox9975]

Exactly the lesson I needed as I’m just getting ready to bring down a tree on my property. I’m now subscribed 😎 Thank you!!

[@rackman5111]

Right on guys congratulations on 💯 and great job bringing the trees down 👍 when the wood is ponky like that it's dangerous for breaking.

[@bobbendt1698]

Sorry guys but the saddle is the lower part that the ubolt goes through. The second rope you showed is correct. The 3 parts of the cable clamp are u bolt, saddle and nuts. I had to look at some of the comments to see if anybody caught that. Always u bolt over dead load.

[@WalnutsandWineberries]

Yes, you're right. A few others shared that. That was a huge misinterpretation on my part.

[@stevendunn6255]

Saddle goes on tension side of cable, always!

[@johnnysparkleface3096]

​@@WalnutsandWineberries I thought I was going nuts, glad you acknowledged. I looked up diagrams online to see what the heck you were talking about, they ALL showed your correct way as actually being the wrong way. So I ended up learning something regardless. I would've thought it didn't matter which way it went on.

[@CogentConsult]

From a legal point of view, what you want to do is cut out the audio that is wrong and voiceover corrected audio. Then splice in some B-Roll footage that shows a diagram of the CORRECT “Saddle setup” on a cable terminus. If you allow this video to remain published as-is, you could potentially be perpetuating thousands of people connecting a Saddle/Ubolt terminus and thus end up having some people hurt or maimed.

[@youtubeuser1052]

@@WalnutsandWineberriesPlease fix this. I'm not a subscriber, just seeing this video now and KZbin says it's a year old. I immediately saw you claiming the incorrect cable was correct and watched it five times to make sure I wasn't imagining things. If you need to delete the video and re-upload a corrected version, do it. Please don't leave this video on KZbin showing incorrect Crosby clamps and claiming they're correct while doing a segment on doing it wrong. This is very irresponsible of you.

[@Tubroos_Bz]

Pulleys are so cool and so useful... I learned about them as a crevasse rescue technique for mountaineering. Looks like they worked really well on those trees - nice one.

[@SilverLady61]

LOVE that aerial view of the triple take down. Great job!!

[@shrapnut7612]

On your anchors, you should have them set so they are on a "bite." That way you have them set up, they can't slip upwards and wreck everything around. The way they should be set is run one eyelet through the other, so it grabs the tree and doesn't slip off. If those straps slip up, it's gonna be bad.

[@brianfisher3991]

That’s called a choker in rigging pratices .

[@denniseye8218]

Ash has a beautiful grain and makes beautiful furniture.

[@thearrowheadwoodsman3811]

Ash makes excellent firewood. Also great flooring, but it's hard to find good ash for flooring now. Cheers !!

[@steve-ey3rx]

Great video! What would happen if you put the anchor and the change direction pully on the same tree?

[@WalnutsandWineberries]

If I were to do that, I'd have to be sure it was stronger than the object I was trying to pull out. Rig it as low as possible so the sheer force is on your side of the fight.

[@danburch9989]

I could be done and it wouldn't much difference presuming they selected a decent anchor tree and not a sapling. Just about any tree of substance would work because the chain saw would significantly weaken the dead tree further and not put up much of a fight. They didn't use a chain saw to prep the dead tree for the fall.

[@ralphsullender2474]

You explained the use of snatch blocks very well.

[@theincomechannel]

Nicely done Walnuts & Wineberries (great name btw). I'm on a project like this and I just needed to double-check I'm doing it right.

[@WalnutsandWineberries]

Episode 64 might be very helpful to you. Good luck with your project!

[@kenshaum3994]

After you have your snatch blocks on and have alittle tension on, cut partially through with the chainsaw. Then it will break where you want it to.

[@davidbnz5462]

I'm so envious of you guys. What a great site to build. Surrounded by bush. we call it Bush down here in New Zealand

[@Ianhurley54]

Great lesson on the use of snatch blocks

[@franklinforrest8464]

I was going to suggest the wedge cut and maybe a shallow cut on the back side for an easy snap. Good job working smarter not harder👍😆

[@Hawksnest1976]

Great job John and Meg great idea to do this before you start building your home

[@johnlenoir1023]

Wow that was very interesting love it I have a big tree I have to take care of also thank you for making all your videos

[@zetuskid]

Hi y’all, been following you folks almost from beginning of your channel and theres a haunting question that keeps popping up. I know you sold your home and purchased your property but, here it is, how do y’all survive? Y’all have purchased tractors and other equipment but I’ve never heard if either of you have income making jobs. Not that I’m trying to get into your business but so far as perception goes, it could be misleading to others who wish to do the same thing. Perhaps you have covered this issue and I just missed it. But it sure would help to know, at least a little of how you folks survive. Thanks and I really do enjoy watching John & Meg on your journey and wish nothing but the best.

[@pappys-tinkering]

Great job. Nicest piece of tree fellery I ever saw.

[@leonkaczor2405]

The big 100 !!! Congratulations!

[@georget7995]

Interesting way to deal with them. I know your problem well with the Ash trees. I had one 140 feet tall and 40 inch around it the stump once I cut it down.

[@roberto.peterson9917]

Suggestion consider a Lewis Winch uses chainsaw to drive operate winch Older episodes Sawing with Sandy use to skid logs that are to far off trail a d winch out for harvesting and make lumber He also uses a special pulley that allows for change in direction wincing around obstacles pulls in one direction when get to the special pull that releases from cable automatically and the change in direction happens this is accomplished all in just 1 set up to skid logs around obstacles that keep from straight pulling also have cone that c goes over log to be pulled and keeps it from digging in and catching on stumps or rocks whatever

[@bobbybaldeagle702]

Thank you for 100 wonderful, awesome, well done videos... I enjoy watching your videos, they are fun, heart felt, educational, and in joyable all at the same time. I know speaking for ME alone, I learn something new in just about every video I personally watch. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks... LOL... I LOVE you kids and pray that God will continue to bless you kids in Jesus name... BBE..

[@nwhite5955]

A+ video! well done! I love the drone footage of the big Ash!

[@stacysmeader6228]

Good video. You mentioned having the “A and “C” trees as close as possible to each other, I probably would have put the change of direction pulley on the anchor tree, nothing would be closer.

[@mrdude2702]

look into investing on "soft shackles" they come in various sizes and capacities. They replace the D shackles, are much safer and easier to carry in the woods. They look like a short rope with a large knot on one end, and a loop on the other end the knot goes through.

[@andycole4827]

Ash is a brilliant fire woods as you said it is also good for structural beams and wood furniture almost as beautiful as oak not as strong as oak but used here in many old properties in the uk my old barn conversion c 1834 had many large Ash beamed A frame trusses in it. The main downfall it won't last as long as oak if it gets at all wet so internal works only.

[@thomask4836]

Thank You for taking the time to make this! ! ! ! ! ! ! I learned a lot!

[@WalnutsandWineberries]

Glad it was helpful!

[@arniecash2457]

Congratulations on 100, thanks for the video, I might have to get some snatch blocks now.

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

6: 59. I'm a retired structural union journeyman ironworker. The cable clamp/clip on the two looped cables are correctly installed. The U-bolt of the cable clamp makes a permanent bend in the cable when the clamp is tightened enough to hold, so that U-bolt goes over the short, non-load carrying length of the cable. The saddle goes on the live, the load carrying length of the cable. Tighten the shackle pin down by hand, then turn it back loose 1/4 turn. Then it will be able to be removed by hand. You're wrong again; a nylon strap recoils lots faster than a chain. The chain is safer in that regard.

[@timbollinger3209]

WOW, as always feel at the end of the video, that I’ve actually learned something useful. Thank you so much !

[@450rhino1]

Couldn't not, subscribe, after seeing that "snatch-block". I have several. Work smart, not hard. SUBSCRIBED. Love your trail building video,s. Never saddle a dead horse, means, never kink the live end, long end. Always kink the short end, you have one correct, two wrong. The bolt, is not the saddle.:)

[@zr2dad5]

hah. that looks like my box for my truck except my stuff is synthetic ropes and snatch rings. also a few hf sb's like yours. can you burn the wood in the winter?

[@dougjones4538]

Just a note about your rope clips... your comment at 6:55 saying "this one is done incorrectly" is wrong. The saddle of a wire rope clip goes on the live end, not the dead end. The example shown at 6:55 is done right.

[@ColinRichardson]

Just to be clear, Tree "C" is also has a 2:1 (with a lot of loses) on it also..

[@jlhaslip]

Love your videos. I have been subscribed since before the original snatch block video and even went back and watched all the others. Good luck in your adventures.

[@deerhunter6133]

Very informative. Thanks! One minor correction... @ 16:50 your diagram indicates 2:1 but it's actually a 3:1 since there are 3 wires and 2 pullies.

[@jacklabloom635]

Good job. After watching several of your videos today, I think you guys are amazing. It appears you put a lot of work into creating interesting videos. Someone has some good video production skills. Meg has to be an awesome researcher. She must be a speed reader. John you appear to be good at listening to your wife. I’m joking around a little bit with John. You guys make a great team. Keep up the good work.

[@elliejackson6907]

Congrats on the 100! Great video on mechanical advantage - well explained (and drawn Meg). Only suggestion - I'd like to understand how you determine if the anchors are capable of withstanding the load you intend putting on them? Is it just trial and hopefully not error? Cheers, EJ

[@christopherwillson4269]

Could you have used the anchor tree as the change-direction tree as well? Or would that pull on the anchor tree?

[@WalnutsandWineberries]

You certainly can. The reason I did not was because it wasn't a very solid anchor and I wanted to split the load on 2 separate trees.

[@bulmooseo1]

While watching the tree felling video, I wondered if you had made plans for clearing a path for the electric entrance cable? Clearing trees from the path might yield some bonus lumber.

[@jonathandorr2234]

In north central Massa-choose-its, it’s open season, for competent tear down. We pulled, 4 or 5 trees, 2 were ashe. The tops suffer the borers, water torchers the base, as it is a medium hardwood. Also what you notice is de lamination, in the annular rings. The borers make more damage than simply ‘little holes’, and you can document. Buy a bigger long bar, to reduce hours of bucking up , all that. You’ll never use it all, and it will melt. Best ‘o luck.🤔

[@farmerbob728]

Congratulations on the 100 videos...

[@rox9975]

Beginner Q for you. If you wanted to bring down the tree and also pull out the stump wouldn’t you hook more to the bottom of it rather then up high like you did?

[@WalnutsandWineberries]

Hooking up high gives you leverage. If the tree was alive, you would want to get the pull cord as high as you can and the stump will come with it. These cracked because they were standing dead. Find episode 57 on our channel and watch it. It'll teach you about getting the stumps out with pulleys. Also episode 64 takes it to the next level regarding rigging compound pulleys. Good luck!

[@jimjohnson6081]

An alternate method I've used where the four wheeler won't go: Anchor a come-a-long to a tree in the direction you want the target tree to fall. Wrap a cable/line 4-5 feet above the ground around the target, attach to the extended come-along cable. Take moderate tension using the handle. Notch the target tree with the notch facing the anchor. Make a normal back cut opposite the notch. The tree will fall in the direction of the anchor tree.

[@madal55]

Congrats on your 100th episode! I was seduced by your original snatch block video as well!! We're celebrating a new monarch here in the UK, KIng Charles 3rd, a famous tree planter and environmentalist too.

[@fifthamendment1]

What do you do about the bark beetles to keep your other trees from getting infested??

[@adavis8423]

6:40 ‼️ I believe you have this backwards, they saddle is not the U-bolt. The U-bolt should be touching the dead end.

[@notachance374]

You are correct The saying I was taught some 40yrs ago is…”Never saddle a dead horse” Dead is the end not used to pull And if you look at the “clamp” the heavy part looks like a saddle Nice to see people getting after it, keep going folks!!

[@mitchelltaylor9487]

You better double check your cable ends , the saying we use in canada, is you never brake the back of your load bearing cable !

[@Krickyjink]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmW3maaHbcycoLc

[@DavidWorsham-v5o]

You can use the same tree for the anchor and the direction change!

[@frankchristensen5778]

Hey guys, congrats on 100 episodes! Keep up the good work, you haven't managed to lose me yet! Still enjoying every ep! Greetings from Perth, West Australia. Cheers, Frank.

[@tzavitz]

If you cut your wedge and do a minor backcut....not too far in, it helps the tree break free as you released some of the tension on the backside

[@carolewarner101]

I'm kind of confused. This may be a dumb question, but do you need two different anchors to get the tree down or is the second anchor to get the tree to fall in a different direction? Also, can you provide links to the equipment you have or at least list the tested strengths and sizes of the various components of your system? That would be really helpful. Thanks!

[@tlan77]

FYI: You could have put the snatch block (redirection) pulley on the anchor (A) tree just above the cable’s anchor point. You don’t need a third (C) tree for your redirection pulley, the anchor point tree can also function as your redirection pulley’s anchor point. That also ensures your maximum 2:1 pulling advantage since you are pulling directly back down the cable without introducing any angle expansion.

[@nadenitza]

Why not use tree C for anchor point as well? If you anchor it 2-3 times you basically make a block and tackle. Also angle becomes basically 0.

[@victorblack3613]

what if you put the second pulley back to the Anchor tree itself as the change direction pulley, would that work?

[@WalnutsandWineberries]

Yes. That's the most efficient way to do it. I just wanted to dispense the load on 2 points to ensure my anchor is stronger than my force.

[@MrMetz79]

A linesman ladder would revolutionize the ladder work. Is has a stabilizing fork for round polls.

[@DavidSmith-qg4dd]

Nice video EXCELLENT WORK

[@ErnieLinNH]

That hairy vine you hugged along with the tree is probably poison ivy

[@paulobernardi-ng2eu]

Um Bom Estoque de Madeira para Lenha!

[@Gardening-Doctor]

I think those long root like structures which you found in the dead ash trees are mycelia of the fungi growing on these dead trees.

[@hajujajajuha2863]

Nice use of snatch blocks. But if you dare to use the ladder to put the pulley high up to the dead tree I think you should use your chainsaw also. After rigging your pulleys and cables you could saw an angle cut and small back cut to the dead tree. That would make it more sure where that tree falls. Not as big as normal, but smaller cuts. You probably would not go as high with your ladder if you had the cuts.

[@bluegrallis]

@ 28:13, "That" is ash bore excrement! Female emerald ash borers lay their eggs on the bark of the tree. When the larvae hatch, they begin to feed beneath the bark of the tree, winding back and forth and creating S-shaped galleries. The galleries are filled with sawdust and frass (larvae excrement).

[@TylerMcMahan]

Is there a reason you don’t just put the second redirection snatch block back onto the anchor tree?

[@TylerMcMahan]

Nvm saw your answer showing direction of the fall.

[@kenlipworth6707]

You guys make great videos. One small point - your examples about "Don't Saddle a Dead Horse" are not correct. The saddle is not the U-shaped bit, but the part that the ends of the U pass through. So the clamps that you said were wrong, were actually correct and vice-versa. The example you showed at 6:54, that you said was incorrectly done, was actually correctly done.

[@frikkievs]

Can you use the anchor tree as change direction as well?

[@WalnutsandWineberries]

Certainly, if it is strong enough.

[@djaspurh]

Nicely done!

[@samuelbonacorsi2048]

I have hundreds of dead ash, not a one has survived the ash borer that came to America from Asia. Your trees seem a bit more rotten than mine, but I have been just cutting then down (always looking up). There is more holding wood than you might think. Be careful on the ladder, might be more dangerous than just cutting.

[@joe1071]

Willie carrying the lumber lol