The California Department of Transportation is using a telescoping grappling saw to assist with the removal of dead, dying, and diseased trees throughout the state. The saw allows contractors to take trees down at a faster pace than traditional tree removal processes, completing this task safely from the ground via remote control and outside the fall zone for trees being removed.
The telescoping grappling saw provides cost savings and is faster than methods used in the past. Using it is safer for the workers, and reduces the need for workers to climb trees to take them down. The new technology will also allow the crew members to reduce the project time.
“The biggest benefit is it no longer has to put a guy in a bucket, or in a tree. We can now utilize this equipment,” said Michael Sisson, TGC Trainer, Arborworks. “It’s safer to take a tree down. That truck does it all in one. It grabs the tree, cuts the tree, safely brings it to the ground.”
A tree can be gripped and sawed in one motion and then moves to a chipper, according to the video. This reduces risk of injury to workers who would otherwise have to perform the same duties as the saw.
According to Caltrans, some of California’s trees were deemed structurally deficient following a major drought. The state is removing these trees before they become a hazard.
Source: Caltrans
