Really expensive fire wood

[Hummingbird]

I saw a very interesting thing today - At first I spotted the helicopter hovering and then I noticed a cable dangling from it. I thought they were inspecting the high power lines in the area but then I rolled the window down and heard a chain saw running.

This is obviously standard procedure but new to me. I'm guessing the cable was at least 100 feet long and a series of blades at the end of it.

Sure made saw dust out of some dead trees -

[RandyR]

In Texas they just use a belt-fed .50 to clear the scrub out....

[cowpuc]

Could you imagine falling asleep in your hunting blind and waking up to that,, HOLY HAIR CUT TIME BATMAN!! :rotf:

[campfire12]

Hummingbird. I saw them just west of wintersville about 2 years ago.The company running the copters must have rented some yard space from a family down the road to lay the blades out and do maintence on them. They are awesome to say the least. Just a note to the hunters don't put your tree stand near the power lines. It could be a rude awakeing.

[REDRIDER52]

some of the guys at work was talking about them this week they were out hunting on the first day and they saw one coming down along the power line were they were hunting

[MiCarl]

Deer Hunter Leaps From Tree To Escape Helicopter Tree Trimmer

Video of trimmer in action [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yj5QtFu2RA]YouTube[/ame]

[Squidley]

That is one Dia-bo-lical piece of machinery there......I like it!

[Venturous Randy]

Looks like a giant hedge trimmer to me.

RandyA

[djh3]

Hmm so how often do you think they get the power lines? sure dont seem very precise about trimming, just dangle a saw below and let it cut wherever it hits? Would be much easier to trim them off at ground level.

[Hummingbird]

Hmm so how often do you think they get the power lines? sure dont seem very precise about trimming, just dangle a saw below and let it cut wherever it hits? Would be much easier to trim them off at ground level.

 

I 'm thinking it's easier with the copter because of the terrain. Most of the right of ways in our area are totally clear cut and some of it looks like it had been mowed, it wasn't - just looks good

[Mike G in SC]

Might make it a bit tricky when that saw gets hung in a tree.

[djh3]

Mike just had a vision when I read your post about getting hung up. So the saw get hung, what do you do? Well heck you just give it a tug right? Well supose the cable breaks. Now the saw falls and motor is screaming, saw hits the ground. Blades now act as wheels and traction, across the fields, through the cows. Man this would be as good as a Wyile Cyote cartoon.

[Hummingbird]

what has me scratching my head is whether there is a pilot AND a trimmer or does the pilot do it all ?

[Yammer Dan]

They have been around for a while for hard to reach areas. I have sat poles with a chopper. Will keep you moving. Not a job for a smoker or a old man. Full blast up and down hills and thru the brush all day long!! Wish I could do that now. Wouldn't get 1st pole in the ground.

[Karaboo]

There was a similar rig in one of the lesser James Bond movies. One with Pierce Brosnan as Bond. They were clearing pipeline areas, until Bond showed up. Then they cut his BMW in half.