pantheraba
More biners!!!
The one time I had metal go thru a chipper it sounded like tanks battling and destructing. The chipper was bouncing. I basically hit the dirt til I figured out what was happening...then shut it down.
Chipper carnage
- Thread starter frans
- Start date
- Replies 107
- Views 11K
forestkeepers
Forest Keeper
Chipper ate our winch line karabiner today... can't blame the new guy, another crewmember set it on top of the chipper and it vibrated down and fell into the feed wheels. I turned around to see the rope whipping and immediately reversed the wheels -- saved the rope but it was too late, sent the karabiner through. Too bad, we had literally just flipped the knives 2 days ago. Time to order a new set from TreeStuff. We're getting back to basic rules: always return the karabiner to the winch line hook after every pull!
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Why does it always have to happen to sharp blades??? I don't get it...
flushcut
TreeHouser
They have their own gravity and attract things. Or they just get lonely and need a friend.
forestkeepers
Forest Keeper
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
Same force that makes a new chain the best metal detector in the universe.
forestkeepers
Forest Keeper
Or the new stump grinder teeth that within a week found the hidden, buried remains of a huge utility pole metal guy wire anchor.
About to put new pockets and teeth on now... Sigh!
About to put new pockets and teeth on now... Sigh!
Stumpshot
General Purpose
Brand new knives on the chipper! Let the metal detection begin! 
Stumpshot
General Purpose
2 Weeks Later... The Carnage Continues
Same operator made the chipper eat the winch rope again. $275 mistake, plus time to change the knives and tie on a new carabiner. Should we give it 3 strikes you're out? Maybe I'll gently shove him aside and run the controls full time from here on out. Tell him to go climb a tree...
Same operator made the chipper eat the winch rope again. $275 mistake, plus time to change the knives and tie on a new carabiner. Should we give it 3 strikes you're out? Maybe I'll gently shove him aside and run the controls full time from here on out. Tell him to go climb a tree...
Nutball
TreeHouser
So what all happens? Does the tension of the winch anchored rope cause it to snap, or does the winch get ripped out? $275 sounds like just a rope, carabiner, and knives, so I guess the winch is fine.
SkwerI
Treehouser
After two times in two weeks, I'd leave the winch rope off for a while and let him drag the shit by hand until he decides he can run the winch without feeding the rope into the chipper. Then warn him ahead of time that the next one comes out of his pay. And then stick to your promise! Idle threats just make them not believe you, sort of like misbehaving kids. Third time you take it out of his pay and then replace him.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
I think the 2nd time I woulda gave him his walking papers.
I would expect that.
I would expect that.
Stumpshot
General Purpose
Nutball, log & large carabiner go into the knives, knives get chewed up on the metal but still cut the rope, rope goes slack. We lose the knives and carabiner, and now the winch rope's about done for since it's now far shorter than 150', making it far less useful.
Boss, not really in a position to do that -- too valuable as the 2nd climber, longstanding crewmember, etc. I'm sure the $550 price tag hits home, and he's the one having to change out the knives on maintenance day... I'll give him a bye on this one anyway -- we were on a dam, winching up a log from a lakeshore, pulling up a muddy sunken log, so I think the rope blended into the mud & log. Pics coming to the Working thread, momentarily.
Boss, not really in a position to do that -- too valuable as the 2nd climber, longstanding crewmember, etc. I'm sure the $550 price tag hits home, and he's the one having to change out the knives on maintenance day... I'll give him a bye on this one anyway -- we were on a dam, winching up a log from a lakeshore, pulling up a muddy sunken log, so I think the rope blended into the mud & log. Pics coming to the Working thread, momentarily.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Then, the 3rd time he pays for it.
Stumpshot
General Purpose
Oh no, each time 
Why wait till the 3rd time!
Why wait till the 3rd time!
SeanKroll
Treehouser
Can't charge an employee for unintended damage.
A chook might help.
Sounds like that might have, possibly, coulda instead paid the cost of Coolvests for the crew. Wore ours today. Feel good. We're in a heat spell.
Further, its an opportunity to sit down with the guy, say, "hey, here's the repair bills, plus production loss costs, plus whatever other costs, with a grand total of X. But, you know what, $2-3K is NOTHING compared to an injury! We're happy nobody got hurt, most importantly.
A safety oversight like this can't happen again. You're valuable to us, and the next time a safety issue occurs, you'll be terminated.
Is there something we need to fix? Is there something we can help you fix (needs time off for ailing parent, new baby, sister in trouble, substance abuse, sleeping issues like a lack of AC at home and its a million degrees ...)?
Is there a medical issue that needs attention? Rx glasses?
Is it Coolvests and generic pedialyte on ice that the crew needs because it just way, way hot, day after day after day?"
A chook might help.
Sounds like that might have, possibly, coulda instead paid the cost of Coolvests for the crew. Wore ours today. Feel good. We're in a heat spell.
Further, its an opportunity to sit down with the guy, say, "hey, here's the repair bills, plus production loss costs, plus whatever other costs, with a grand total of X. But, you know what, $2-3K is NOTHING compared to an injury! We're happy nobody got hurt, most importantly.
A safety oversight like this can't happen again. You're valuable to us, and the next time a safety issue occurs, you'll be terminated.
Is there something we need to fix? Is there something we can help you fix (needs time off for ailing parent, new baby, sister in trouble, substance abuse, sleeping issues like a lack of AC at home and its a million degrees ...)?
Is there a medical issue that needs attention? Rx glasses?
Is it Coolvests and generic pedialyte on ice that the crew needs because it just way, way hot, day after day after day?"
Altissimus
TreeHouser
My old Ski Patrol Director used to say "It's the Stupid things we do that make us appear Stupid"
treebilly
Student of the Jedi. OH-7106A
When I had the 1800 on my crew we just tied a bowline in the end and used marls to lock off what was winched. The bowline was just in there to reattach the line to the chipper safety switch. A marl or two with a long tail will drag almost anything to the chipper. I honestly don’t know how someone can’t see the winch line. It should never be anywhere near the feed rollers.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Seems like that outta be a rule orrrrrr something!!!
SeanKroll
Treehouser
Genius, Rich!
Stumpshot
General Purpose
Again. Sigh.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Do go on!
Stumpshot
General Purpose
Same story, different fella at least. Right after we flipped the knives one week ago! One slight consolation was it wasn't the $60 carabiner; been using a sub $10 forged hook recently:
