Crash Pad

[No_Bivy]

OK,...I know this thread screams foam at the start but I'll stick my neck out anyway. Usually when we need to soften the blow of a big trunk, we create a crib with smaller wqod. This works great on lawns and such, but is no good on a hard surface where the cribbing might damage the surface..ie paved drives. I purchased some track mat for a low impact job and decided to experiment a bit. I got some motorcycle tires and placed them under the mats. I used these because they are lighter and easier to handle. Bombs away! Worked like a charm. Mats are pricey though, but so far I have used them in lots of places. Unlike Alturna mats, they have molded in handles so they are easy to carry. The lighter color doesn't get as hot in the summer either. ................OK you can make fun of me know.

the traditional method
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tycD8yyXx0A&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tycD8yyXx0A&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

dare I say foam? I prefer crash pad...much more versitle the old bedding!!!
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1ZX3Z9Md3iU&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1ZX3Z9Md3iU&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

 

[No_Bivy]

Neighbors did come out thinking we dropped something on the house...it is a bit loud

 

[No_Bivy]

the mats
http://www.mudtraks.com/product/trak.php

 

[brendonv]

Do you think that top really woulda damaged the drive?

 

[No_Bivy]

yeah.....maybe not, but re-paving would be expensive so I wasn't gonna take a chance. Besides I'm working my way up dropping bigger chunks on it....R&D ya know

 

[Chisel Tooth]

Looks like it works pretty good John, sure does make a racket.

See Ya
Mike

 

[brendonv]

Ya,

Rather be safe than sorry.

 

[vharrison]

Those are neat, I have seen them and thought of investing. Did you get them locally or have them shipped?

 

[No_Bivy]

I drove to Charlotte. Thats where the company is. The have several versions and colors. 200 per sheet I know it's a lot but so far I have been beating these things into sumbission. They also help cover obstacles like stairs for the mini. They do have holes where you can hook they together or stake em' down. Shipping would be pricey, the weigh 78lbs each.

 

[No_Bivy]

Those are neat, I have seen them and thought of investing. Did you get them locally or have them shipped?

They would rock in sandy conditions I bet.

 

[sotc]

i paid 170 a sheet for my 3' alturnas. id save some room in the truck by dumping chips rather than packing tires around. specially since you have a mini to load with!

 

[MasterBlaster]

I woulda roped that tiny top and skipped all the drama.

 

[lumberjack]

...Rather be safe than sorry.

And yet, you're both.



Interesting John! Dumping chips seems like a major PITA to clean up, tires don't take up that much room.


I'dda used the manly lifter MB

 

[pantheraba]

I'd keep on with the R&D...good practice shot. It kinda sucks when you try the big stuff first time and it donna work.

Err on the side of caution.

 

[No_Bivy]

A six pack of moto tires is really easy to move around. Got two trucks in action so no biggie. It was a very dead pine, didn't want to rope it out. It was purely R & D cause I could. One of these days I will go BIG. The mats are 4x8, still a little cheaper then alturna. A bit easier to manuver as well.

IT WAS DRAMATIC THOUGH!!!

 

[Old Monkey]

I think it is cool that you are always trying different stuff out John, even more so that you share it with us. I have thought about buying tires and some plywood but the situation doesn't come up much for me.

 

[No_Bivy]

My next Xperiment is a "tire log" super Zorber...........

 

[pantheraba]

I think it is cool that you are always trying different stuff out John, even more so that you share it with us.

10-4 on that...I like seeing thinking (and doing) outside the box.

 

[sotc]

we fell this down the hill and across the paved drive way that the chippers on. a few logs on the down hill side and a half load of chips on the asphalt with plywood on top. no damage and 3 guys shoveled it all back in the truck. ive used tires with good effect but on big wood ill use the chips

 

[No_Bivy]

Chips make sense. Got any pics of the nugget across the drive?

 

[Paul B]

no pads? no problem!

 

[No_Bivy]

That cushion worked great...and then you can sell it for scrap. Good idea Paul

 

[sotc]

nope, it slid down off the drive way and rolled. you can see the bark in the grass where it landed

 

[sotc]

haha paul, thats what chevys are for

 

[Bounce]

HA! Narcoleptic James style! Vehicles as crash pads work pretty well, but they're sorta expensive.

I've used alternating layers of tires and alturna-mats before (2 of each) for really big trees. The mats were worthless afterward though. Most of the time I just use piles of brush for small to average size trunks.

After seeing that thing laying in the yard (5' DBH? ) I can see why you didn't just lower the pieces. There's no way you could have lowered a 16' log without bringing in a crane, and redwoods are way too valuable to cut into firewood.