How To Remove Trees Using A Wire Rope Hoist?

Why Is It The Best Solution?

Moving trees weighing hundreds or even thousands of pounds is too big a job for simple muscle power, and hiring cranes and other heavy equipment can easily be expensive.

The proper use of a wire rope hoist can make this challenging task much easier, minimizing risks and achieving the end result you need: a safely removed tree and a cleared area.

Manually operated wire rope hoists are a portable, economical alternative to heavy equipment solutions for tree removal. Unlike electric or gas-powered winches, a portable lifting hoist requires no outside power source, and unlike cranes and other utility vehicles, it can be positioned in wooded areas and tight spaces where bigger equipment can’t. In combination with a chainsaw and appropriate types of hoisting equipment and accessories such as pulleys and slings, a wire rope hoist is the ideal tool for many tree removal jobs.

This article will detail several considerations, precautions, and best practices for using a wire rope hoist for tree removal. 

Before Work Begins

First, ensure that everyone on the job has proper personal protective equipment or PPE. Typically, this will include sturdy boots and gloves, hard hats or helmets, protective eyewear, and hearing protection. If you don't already have this gear, wire rope hoist suppliers often offer safety equipment when selling or renting a wire rope hoist.

Prior to any sawing or hoisting, you need to inspect the area. This will help identify and resolve potential hazards and make for a smoother job with fewer surprises. Check first for any possible power lines and proceed with caution if there are intact power lines nearby. Halt work immediately and notify the local electrical utility if there are any downed or potentially damaged power lines present, especially if any are in contact with the trees or branches you plan to remove. 

Assessment and Planning

Carefully plan the direction and distance that you will pull any trees or branches before beginning. Inspect any objects you plan to move, and determine what direction and how far that movement needs to be. If a fallen tree is resting on a building or vehicle, it may need to be lifted directly up from a point of significant height, and you should consider the use of a crane or other large types of hoisting equipment instead of a portable lifting hoist.

Identify each tree or branch you plan to move and determine the direction in which you will need to pull or lift it. Make sure you have a secure anchoring point for your hoist, and for any pullies or other accessories. Large, healthy trees make ideal anchors, as can heavy construction and utility vehicles. Have a planned destination spot, where the trees and branches can be sawed into manageable logs for carting away or on-site splitting. Clear the entire job site of any other debris or obstructions that can be removed by hand. 

Determine what order you will pull any separated pieces in. If any pieces overlap, begin with the top or uppermost object. Otherwise, start with the objects that are already closest to your final target position. 

Be careful not to overload your equipment. Consult a green log weight chart to estimate how heavy each tree or branch you intend to hoist may be, and make sure that the estimated weight of the heaviest tree or branch in your planned job does not exceed the Default Nominal Capacity of your portable lifting hoist or the limits of other types of hoisting equipment you intend to use. ANSI requires that a green log chart be available to crews doing tree work, and you can also easily find the chart online.

Getting Trees onto the Ground

In situations where a tree is partially felled, using a hoist allows you to bring it down at a controlled angle by applying gradual, powerful pull. If a tree is leaning on or towards another tree, building, or other structure you want to preserve, position your hoist to apply force directly away from the vulnerable structure. Proper use of chainsaw techniques can also enhance the precision of a tree’s controlled fall. Recommended cutting patterns vary by chainsaw model, tree size, and other factors. Consult your saw manufacturer’s resources for safe and detailed guidance. 

Once on the ground, trees and branches can be prepared for pulling to the destination area you have selected. Limb the tree with your saw, cutting as close to the trunk as possible. Trees will shift based on losing the weight and the support provided by limbs as they are removed, so exercise caution. Remove branches from the area as they are cut loose. 

Removal Process and Hoist Operation

Use an appropriate length of wire rope to reach from your destination point to the tree to be hauled, with at least a few feet of slack to spare. Wire rope hoist suppliers and manufacturers provide ropes of the proper gauge for each hoist model, as well as slings of the appropriate strength and snatch block pulleys, choker hooks, and carabiners. If you will be using nylon slings, ensure that they are rated for significantly higher weights than you will be hauling, as these slings can often get twisted or wound during tree work, partially compromising their strength. 

Once your hoist and any pulleys are anchored, uncoil the wire rope for your tree branch hoist carefully and extend it fully, evening out any loops or coils, as these can lead to damaging, permanent kinks in the rope. Rather than simply looping the hoist rope around the trunk and fastening it to itself, use a sling to go around the object to be pulled. Secure the ends of the sling with a choker hook and attach this to the swivel hook of the wire rope using a carabiner. 

Finally, bring the non-hook end of the wire rope to the hoist. Open the clutch and pull through the rope until slack is gone. Then set the clutch and begin operation of the hoist using its telescoping handle to maximize leverage. Pull the tree into its destination position. Then remove the wire rope and slings, and cut into sections for carting away , splitting for firewood, or other processing. 

The Right Equipment, The Right Partner

In addition to proper planning and safety, the success of your tree removal work depends on the equipment you choose, particularly your hoist. The brand most frequently offered by leading wire rope hoist suppliers is Griphoist® (also known as Tirfor®). A favorite tool of tree workers for decades, the Griphoist / Tirfor is available in a range of models and Default Nominal Capacities up to 8,000 pounds. Models that utilize hydraulic power are also available and can provide extra power for particularly challenging jobs. 

Griphoist / Tirfor wire rope hoists are just one example of the many top-quality tools and products Tractel® engineers use to support highly effective, safe, successful work across a range of industries.

For the assistance and information you need to select the right hoist and other equipment for any job, contact a Tractel specialist today.