Grapple Yarder and Supersnorkel Handbook
Grapple yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook About WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC (the Workers’ Compensation Board) is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors. It is funded by insurance premiums paid by registered employers and by investment returns. In administering the Workers Compensation Act, WorkSafeBC remains separate and distinct from government; however, it is accountable to the public through government in its role of protecting and maintaining the overall well-being of the workers’ compensation system. WorkSafeBC was born out of a compromise between B.C.’s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers or fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is committed to a safe and healthy workplace, and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment.
WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line The WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line can answer your questions about workplace health and safety, worker and employer responsibilities, and reporting a workplace accident or incident. The Prevention Information Line accepts anonymous calls. Phone 604 276-3100 in the Lower Mainland, or call 1 888 621-7233 (621-SAFE) toll-free in British Columbia. To report after-hours and weekend accidents and emergencies, call 604 273-7711 in the Lower Mainland, or call 1 866 922-4357 (WCB-HELP) toll-free in British Columbia. Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook WorkSafeBC publications
Many publications are available on the WorkSafeBC web site. The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and associated policies and guidelines, as well as excerpts and summaries of the Workers Compensation Act, are also available on the web site: WorkSafeBC.com Some publications are also available for purchase in print: Phone: 604 232-9704 Toll-free phone: 1 866 319-9704 Fax: 604 232-9703 Toll-free fax: 1 888 232-9714 Online ordering: WorkSafeBC.com and click on Publications; follow the links for ordering © 1998, 2004, 2011 Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia. All rights reserved. The Workers’ Compensation Board of B.C. encourages the copying, reproduction, and distribution of this document to promote health and safety in the workplace, provided that the Workers’ Compensation Board of B.C. is acknowledged. However, no part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, or distributed for profit or other commercial enterprise, nor may any part be incorporated into any other publication, without written permission of the Workers’ Compensation Board of B.C.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Main entry under title: Grapple yarder & supersnorkel handbook. — 1992 —
Irregular. “WorkSafe.” ISSN 1712-6592 = Grapple yarder & supersnorkel handbook 1. Logging – British Columbia – Safety measures. 2. Logging – British Columbia – Machinery. 3. Forest machinery – British Columbia. I. Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia. II. Title: Grapple yarder and supersnorkel handbook.
SB952.5.S72 2009363.17’92 C2009-906717-X
ii Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook at a glance
Introduction ...... 1 General planning considerations ...... 6 Worker safety and environmental considerations...... 9 Planning and developing a grapple yarder site...... 14 Transporting equipment to the yarding site...... 37 Grapple yarding work procedures...... 45 Grapple yarder operator...... 71 Grapple yarder hooktender, spotter, or backspar operator...... 83 Utility worker...... 95 Grapple yarding in winter conditions...... 98 Grapple yarder and loader inspections...... 105 Loading in proximity to grapple yarders...... 111 Supersnorkel yarder/loader operator...... 119 Supersnorkel landing worker...... 139 Radios and verbal signals ...... 147 First aid and emergency procedures...... 149 Control procedures ...... 153 Definitions...... 155
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook iii Contents
Introduction ...... 1 Responsibility for planning and safety ...... 1 Working safely ...... 1 Accidents ...... 1 Planning ...... 2 Training ...... 2 Supervision ...... 2 Responsibilities for safety ...... 2 Manager/superintendent ...... 2 Forestry engineer ...... 3 Supervisor ...... 3 Worker ...... 3 Environmental concerns ...... 4 Fire prevention and control ...... 4 Crew transportation ...... 5 General planning considerations ...... 6 Type of terrain ...... 6 Size and volume of timber ...... 6 Yarding distances and available deflection ...... 6 Potential landing and haul road locations ...... 6 Type of machine and cable yarding system ...... 7 Common planning mistakes ...... 8 Worker safety and environmental considerations ...... 9 Falling non–clear-cut prescriptions ...... 9 Log landing areas ...... 10 Corridors ...... 10 Cross-slope movement of the yarding lines ...... 10 Runaway log hazard ...... 10 Overhead hazards ...... 11 Wind throw ...... 11 Wind throw amendments ...... 12 Riparian management and reserve zones ...... 12 Feathered edges ...... 12 Trespass ...... 13 Planning and developing a grapple yarder site ...... 14 Engineering and layout considerations ...... 14 Haul road layout and construction ...... 15 Planning the back end ...... 20 Suitable anchors ...... 20 iv Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Notching of stumps ...... 21 Securing of stumps ...... 22 Multiple stump anchors...... 22 Twisters ...... 22 Jill-poke supports ...... 23 Deadweight anchors ...... 24 Skyline anchors ...... 24 Backspar guylines ...... 25 Tightening sequence ...... 27 Weather ...... 27 Landing areas for grapple yarders ...... 29 Building a log landing area ...... 32 Mobile backspar equipment ...... 32 Backspar roads ...... 34 Positioning equipment on backspar roads ...... 35 Transporting equipment to the yarding site ...... 37 Planning ...... 37 Overhead obstructions ...... 37 Overhead electrical power lines ...... 37 Railway and road overpasses ...... 39 Preventing contact with overhead obstructions ...... 40 Loading equipment on the lowbed ...... 41 Moving equipment to the unloading site ...... 42 Snubbing, pulling, or pushing a lowbed or machine ...... 42 Unloading the equipment ...... 44 Grapple yarding work procedures ...... 45 Yarding the logs ...... 45 Spotting the grapple ...... 46 Grapple yarding verbal signals ...... 48 Standing in the clear ...... 49 Working the draws and ridges ...... 49 Grapple yarder backspars ...... 50 Example 1: Backspar ...... 51 Example 2: Backspar ...... 53 Example 3: Backspar ...... 54 Example 4: Lift tree ...... 55 Tree climbing ...... 55 Tree topping ...... 56 Twister tiebacks ...... 57
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook v Yarding hazards ...... 59 Swinging chokers ...... 59 Log piles ...... 60 Counterweight clearances ...... 60 Weather ...... 61 Night operations ...... 61 Tailhold blocks ...... 61 Deteriorated topping or gantry lines ...... 62 Dees, thimbles, and cable clips ...... 62 Spooling and cutting lines ...... 64 Windows ...... 67 Grapple yarder access ...... 68 Line pulling of trees ...... 69 Communications ...... 70 Personal protective equipment and clothing ...... 70 Housekeeping ...... 70 Maintenance ...... 70 Guarding ...... 70 Grapple yarder operator ...... 71 Responsibility for safety ...... 71 Transporting the grapple yarder ...... 72 Grapple yarder hazards ...... 73 Walking the grapple yarder ...... 73 Culverts and bridges ...... 73 Overhead obstructions ...... 74 Travelling uphill and downhill ...... 75 Roads covered with debris or snow ...... 76 Rock protrusions ...... 76 Rigging the grapple yarder ...... 77 Guylines ...... 77 Yarding lines ...... 80 Strawline ...... 81 Hanging blocks and straps ...... 82 Grapple yarder hooktender, spotter, or backspar operator . . . . 83 Responsibility for safety ...... 83 Yarding hazards ...... 84 Root wads ...... 84 Saplings ...... 85 Runaways and siwashes ...... 85 Steep ground with unbucked or long logs ...... 86 Danger trees on the back line or side lines ...... 86 vi Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Safe yarding procedures ...... 87 Communications ...... 87 Choking logs ...... 87 Notching stumps ...... 88 Hanging a haulback block and strap ...... 88 Undersized haulback block ...... 89 Carrying blocks ...... 89 Walking on metal ...... 90 Preventing slips and falls ...... 90 Splicing and cutting lines ...... 90 Chainsaws ...... 91 Night yarding ...... 91 Sitting on mobile backspars ...... 91 Falling trees ...... 91 Operating the backspar ...... 92 Regular maintenance of mobile backspar ...... 92 Moving the mobile backspar (hoe) ...... 92 Mobile backspar roads ...... 93 Adverse weather ...... 94 Utility worker ...... 95 Responsibility for safety ...... 95 Communications ...... 95 Inspection of grapple ...... 95 Counterweight clearance ...... 95 Securing guylines ...... 96 Grapple yarding in winter conditions ...... 98 Co-ordination of yarding and falling activities ...... 98 Landing size ...... 100 Winter hazards ...... 100 Snow on trees ...... 100 High stumps ...... 100 Tree-length timber ...... 101 Frozen timber ...... 101 Sliding logs ...... 101 Tailholds ...... 102 Runaway logs ...... 102 Visibility during snowfall ...... 103 Slippery road conditions ...... 103 Hand tools ...... 104 Lunch fires ...... 104
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook vii Grapple yarder and loader inspections ...... 105 Inspection of the worksite ...... 105 Tools for inspection ...... 105 Evaluation of machine setup ...... 105 Inspection of grapple yarder and loader ...... 106 Boom ...... 106 Drums ...... 106 Counterweight ...... 106 A-frame and mast ...... 106 Wire rope ...... 106 Pendants ...... 106 Bails ...... 107 Lattice booms ...... 107 Grapple ...... 107 Machine deck ...... 107 Operator’s cab ...... 108 Turntable (ring gear) ...... 108 Carriers ...... 108 Inspection of crawler bulldozer ...... 109 Inspection of excavator (back hoe) ...... 109 Inspection of vehicles equipped with air brakes ...... 110 Loading in proximity to grapple yarders ...... 111 Loading hazards ...... 111 Passing by log loaders ...... 113 Equipment clearance ...... 113 Machines being struck by logs ...... 114 Landing crew in the clear ...... 115 Dislodging logs from the pile ...... 115 Loader coming into contact with yarding lines ...... 116 Hobo and long logs ...... 116 Loading below the yarding quarter ...... 117 Communications...... 118 Housekeeping and maintenance ...... 118 Supersnorkel yarder/loader operator ...... 119 Responsibility for safety ...... 119 Description of snorkel booms ...... 120 Snorkel ...... 120 Long snorkel ...... 120 Supersnorkel ...... 120
viii Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Planning ...... 121 Transporting the supersnorkel ...... 121 Supersnorkel hazards ...... 123 Walking the supersnorkel ...... 123 Improperly constructed sub-grades ...... 123 Culverts and bridges ...... 124 Overhead obstructions ...... 124 Steep grades ...... 125 Road hazards ...... 125 Yarding ...... 126 Overloading and positioning of the machine ...... 126 Hobo logs ...... 128 Snorkel failure ...... 128 Loading logs ...... 129 Windows ...... 129 Cherry picking ...... 130 Handling coils of wire rope ...... 130 Threading of the haulback ...... 130 Four-way swivel ...... 131 Compressed air systems ...... 131 Counterweight clearance ...... 132 Personal protective equipment and clothing ...... 132 Inspection and maintenance ...... 133 Turnbuckle and pin inspection ...... 134 Daily supersnorkel checklist ...... 135 Guarding ...... 135 Communications ...... 136 Housekeeping ...... 136 Tools ...... 136 Spooling tools ...... 136 Splicing tools ...... 137 Hand tools ...... 138 Supersnorkel landing worker ...... 139 Responsibility for safety ...... 139 Safe supersnorkel procedures ...... 140 Communications ...... 140 Bucking and stamping logs ...... 140 Keeping in the clear ...... 141 Signalling the truck into the loading area ...... 142 Unloading the trailer and turning the bunks ...... 142
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook ix Installing binders ...... 143 Broken lines ...... 144 Greasing a grapple ...... 144 Crew transportation vehicle ...... 145 Chainsaws ...... 145 Personal protective equipment and clothing ...... 146 Radios and verbal signals ...... 147 VHF radio whistles and uhf grapple yarder radio equipment ...... 147 Interference on radio frequencies ...... 148 Recommended verbal commands ...... 148 First aid and emergency procedures ...... 149 First aid requirements ...... 149 Emergency evacuation ...... 150 Emergency transportation vehicle ...... 150 Air evacuation ...... 150 Crew transportation...... 150 Checking worker’s well-being ...... 151 Occupational first aid ...... 152 Control procedures ...... 153 Notice to Airmen (notam) ...... 153 Avalanche control ...... 153 Weather ...... 153 Logging sensitive areas during heavy rain seasons ...... 153 Logging moist areas before freeze-up ...... 153 Logging during periods of excessive snow ...... 153 Logging in excessive fog ...... 154 Logging during electrical storms ...... 154 Frost boils ...... 154 Traffic control ...... 154 Definitions ...... 155
x Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Introduction
To increase occupational health and safety awareness in the forest industry, WorkSafeBC has produced the Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook as a guide to safe and effective work procedures. Complying with the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and applying the safe work practices described in this handbook, can reduce injuries to forest workers. The assistance of labour and management in preparing this manual is gratefully acknowledged. In addition, a sincere thanks to the forestry committee, whose dedication made this manual possible. Responsibility for planning and safety A well-planned workplace is a safer workplace. The cost in time and money for preplanning cannot be measured against the cost of disabling injuries and fatalities. Historically, the serious injury rate for the forest industry is two times higher than the rate for all other high-risk industries combined. The forest industry fatality rate is about 10 times higher than the work-related fatality rate for all B.C. industries combined. No one entity is solely responsible for ensuring a written logging plan is developed. Employers, owners, and leaseholders may all share in this responsibility. Ultimately, if a worker is injured, the primary responsibility falls on the employer of that injured worker. Depending on the circumstances surrounding ownership and work to be done, it is possible that licensees, contractors, and subcontractors will all have responsibility in developing the written logging plan and ensuring all hazards are identified and controlled. Working safely Accidents The main causes of accidents in forest operations are: • Lack of planning of the work that is to be done • Lack of adequate training • Lack of adequate supervision Employers must address these causes in their occupational health and safety program. An important starting point in establishing such a program is to develop safe work procedures for every work activity. These procedures must be written so workers and supervisors can refer to them from time to time.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 1 Planning Planning is perhaps the most important step in ensuring the work at any logging operation will be carried out safely, effectively, and efficiently. Each operation must be planned in advance of any work being done. Such planning is necessary to ensure that the work procedures are safe and adequate. Training New workers must be thoroughly trained in the safe work procedures. All training should be documented and reviewed at least annually, and whenever there is a change in the work procedures. Supervision Workers must have competent supervisors for three reasons: first, to ensure that the safe work procedures are followed; second, to instruct and guide workers in circumstances of unusual hazards or dangers; third, to identify the hazards in the work areas and ensure that workers in these areas are informed about those hazards and how to eliminate or control them. Responsibilities for safety Manager/superintendent The manager/superintendent, as the most senior representative of management in an operation, must demonstrate the employer’s commitment to safety. The manager/superintendent’s responsibilities for safety include: • Providing the safest workplace possible through effective planning and taking into account any unusual features or dangers of a particular worksite • Ensuring that new workers arriving at a worksite are competent and receive adequate training, and that follow-up job-training programs are conducted and adequately maintained • Initiating, maintaining, and publicizing a comprehensive occupational health and safety program • Ensuring that first aid facilities and services are adequate for the size of the operation and its location • Ensuring that potentially serious near miss incidents are investigated • Ensuring that accidents resulting in serious injury or death are investigated and reported to WorkSafeBC • Knowing and enforcing the Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and the employer’s safety rules and policies • Setting a good example
2 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Forestry engineer The engineer’s responsibilities for safety include: • Ensuring that logging plans are designed for safe and effective operations • Knowing and enforcing the Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and the employer’s safety rules and policies • Identifying and informing workers and supervisors of specific dangers in the workplace • Setting a good example Supervisor The supervisor is responsible for yarding and loading activities in a logging operation. Safety rules and policies set by the employer must be relayed through the supervisor to the workers. The supervisor’s responsibilities for safety include: • Training new workers • Assisting in planning setting layouts • Ensuring that safe work procedures are developed, carried out, and updated as required • Investigating accidents and incidents and taking action to correct unsafe conditions or acts • Knowing and enforcing the Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and the employer’s safety rules and policies • Organizing and implementing an effective safety program for work in the logging operation • Ensuring that personal protective clothing and equipment are provided and used • Identifying and informing workers about specific dangers in the workplace • Advising workers about an employee and family assistance program where such programs are available • Setting a good example Worker The worker’s responsibilities for safety include: • Knowing and enforcing the employer’s safety rules and policies • Knowing and enforcing the Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation • Ensuring that only trained and authorized workers operate machinery — including chainsaws
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 3 • Inspecting the worksite for hazards and taking action to eliminate or control them • Reporting to the supervisor all accidents involving injury to workers and any serious near misses • Ensuring that equipment is kept in safe operating condition • Referring to the employer any worker who is physically or mentally unfit to do the job • Taking corrective action on reported unsafe conditions and acts • Using safe work procedures to deal with the hazards encountered • Ensuring that landings are organized and kept clear of unnecessary debris • Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing • Identifying and informing workers about specific dangers in the workplace • Setting a good example Environmental concerns With respect to environmental concerns, loggers must not compromise safety. The terms for logging are written in the logging plan and the silviculture plan. If it is stipulated that wildlife bird habitat trees are to be left and the firm has agreed to log the area, the Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation must be complied with. Danger trees along a fish creek must be treated the same as in an open area. If they present a hazard to workers, they must be removed. When the logging plan is a partial cut, the falling plan must include the removal of danger trees. The brushing of standing “leave trees” must be minimized to prevent overhead hazards (for example, broken limbs, broken tops). In areas where corridors of timber are left for wildlife habitat, all danger trees that could reach the active work area must be felled. Fire prevention and control A comprehensive fire prevention and firefighting program must be implemented to control fire hazards. Those delegated to firefighting duties must be adequately trained and provided with specific written work procedures. The work procedures must meet the current standards of the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Proper work procedures will include specific policies concerning fire season, starting times, equipment required, and the employer’s fire policy.
4 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Crew transportation Vehicles used to transport workers must meet the Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. These vehicles must meet the safety standards set by the Motor Vehicle Branch and be inspected on a regular basis. If an ambulance or emergency transportation vehicle (etv) is required, it must be maintained and regularly inspected. Marine craft used to transport workers must meet the requirements of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 5 General planning considerations
Several basic elements must be considered in a logging plan: • Safety of the workers • Type of terrain • Size and volume of the timber • Yarding distances and available deflection • Potential landing and haul road locations • Type of machine and cable yarding system • Environmental considerations Type of terrain Topographic features will affect the planner’s choices. Proper planning can minimize the impact on worker safety and productivity. Size and volume of timber Each forest region in the province has its own unique tree species, with a common or average tree size and volume per hectare. Planners should ensure that the logging plan includes correctly sized equipment and appropriate log- handling requirements. Failure to do so could result in safety hazards from anchor or rigging failures. Yarding distances and available deflection Yarding distance is determined by deflection, the line capacity of the equipment, and the type of cable logging system. At less than the required minimum deflection, the cable system may fail. Logging firms can develop a logging plan using topographic maps, aerial photographs, and field data. They may run deflection lines along the proposed yarding slopes to ensure that proper deflection can be maintained. If required, intermediate support trees/backspars should be identified at this time to prevent them from being felled. Potential landing and haul road locations Haul road systems and log landing areas should be located to ensure: • Safe yarding and landing of the logs • Optimum yarding distances and deflection • The use of correct types of yarding and loading equipment • The use of a correct landing size for the equipment and functions • That logging trucks have the ability to travel the grades both empty and loaded
6 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Jump-up landing for a small wood yarder.
Small wood yarder with intermediate support tree. Type of machine and cable yarding system Safe, productive logging plans should be laid out for a specific size and type of yarder using one or more types of yarding systems. Effective yarders are capable of: • High-lead yarding uphill and downhill • Shotgun yarding with a slack skyline
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 7 • Gravity yarding and slack pulling • Grapple yarding • Being rigged with mechanical and motorized dropline carriages Planners should not overlook the option of cold decking logs and swinging the pile with either a skidder or a second rig-up of the yarder. This is often effective in rocky areas with high road-building costs. Some considerations in machine selection are the: • Size of the wood to be yarded • Length of yarding road • Volume of wood on each yarding road • Cost per cubic metre for operating and covering fixed cost • Production per day per worker • Number of days per year the yarder can work These figures are available from various research organizations, logging associations, and equipment manufacturers. Common planning mistakes Some common planning mistakes include: • Inadequate guyline anchoring methods • Deflection lines not run • Too small or too large a yarder for the size of wood • Small, poorly located landings that quickly become congested and are extremely hazardous for the workers; in these landings, there are no safe work areas for the landing workers, nor is there sufficient room to land, deck, buck, and load logs • Safety hazards such as runaway logs and rolling debris • Falling timber within two tree lengths of the active yarding lines • Timber being dumped rather than laid out for yarding direction • Trees and logs not felled and bucked in an effective pattern for selective corridor logging • Danger trees left standing within reach of the yarding crews’ work areas • Too small a falling crew to keep ahead of the yarding crew; this is common in deep-snow areas • Insufficient timber felled prior to yarding • Failure of various phase personnel to consult with one another
8 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Worker safety and environmental considerations
With the implementation of the Forest Practices Code and the Forest and Range Practices Act, there is an increased requirement for standing trees to be left in areas that previously would have been clear-cut. These partial cuts range from selection cuts to clear-cuts with retained patches. The primary drivers for these non–clear-cut harvesting prescriptions are biodiversity, water quality for fish, forest structure, soil disturbance/site degradation, and visual impact. These harvesting prescriptions present significant but manageable safety challenges for cable loggers. The established standard industry safe work practices and procedures, and the requirements of the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, can be accommodated by effective planning, supervision, and training of both the forestry engineers and harvesting crews. Forestry engineers must know about task-specific harvesting work procedures. Harvesting crews must know about the specific goals and objectives of the harvesting prescription and logging plan. Employers must ensure communication and sharing of knowledge in the development of the silviculture plan, logging plan, and the harvesting of the block. There are common safety considerations that planners and cable loggers must address. The management of these concerns must be recognizable in the plan and on the ground. Failure to address these concerns may result in worker injury and closure by WorkSafeBC officers. Falling non–clear-cut prescriptions The silviculture plan and logging plan must allow for: • Trees to be felled without the unnecessary brushing of standing timber • Removal of over-the-line danger trees and trees that present a hazard to workers; the specific areas to be monitored are Riparian Management and Reserve Zones, Gully Management Zones, Wildlife Tree Patches, and areas adjacent to side and back lines • Faller substitution of one leave tree for another • Limitation of upslope falling of trees to within acceptable industry standards • Removal of trees that interfere with the rig-up or that could be pushed or pulled into the work area Fallers should have plasticized maps that clearly indicate the boundaries of all residual areas, corridors, landing locations, and backspars.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 9 By knowing the specific type of equipment and rigging, fallers can establish a falling plan that will minimize residual tree damage and site disturbances. An informed falling crew will eliminate controllable hazards for rigging crews and landing workers. Hazards controlled by fallers also reduce the number of additional hazards that rigging crews face. Log landing areas Increased pressure to minimize site degradation is being reflected in the reduction in size of log landing areas. Landings must be constructed to safely accommodate all the required equipment and functions, as well as to provide safe work areas for ground workers. Landings must be large enough to land two-thirds of the length of the average log being yarded. Landings can be classified as temporary structures and debuilt once harvesting is finished. Guylines must be secured to suitable anchors. This will require that guyline corridors be felled in some areas. Yarding corridors should be flared at the landing to prevent trees being yarded onto the equipment and workers. Trees that will interfere with the rig-up, landing of the logs, or the loading process must be removed. Corridors Corridors must be wide enough to facilitate safe yarding of logs. This will be a function of deflection, equipment size, timber size and height, and log length. Corridors should be clear-cut and flared at the landing. Where possible, corridors should be angled slightly cross-slope for uphill yarding. Cross-slope movement of the yarding lines Planners and logging crews must minimize hazards created by the yarding lines striking standing trees on the edges of corridors. Under no circumstances should the yarding lines create widow makers in the crowns of trees. The use of designated “rub trees” is acceptable provided the trees’ stability is assured. If a rub tree becomes unstable, it must be removed immediately. Runaway log hazard Straight downhill yarding on steep slopes is prohibited. Straight uphill yarding should be limited to slopes upon which there is no significant hazard to the rigging crews. On blocks where it is feasible, given
10 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook the prescription, angle the corridors cross-slope so that the rigging crew is up- slope of the turn. Where no practical alternative exists to straight uphill yarding corridors on steep ground, the crew must walk a sufficient distance, cross-slope, to be clear of the runaway log hazard. Activities in the landing that may dislodge materials must be stopped when the downslope crew is in the hazard area. Overhead hazards There can be a significant increase in overhead hazards in partial cuts or intermediate cuts. Brushing of trees increases with the density of the residual stems. It is desirable to have the block felled well ahead of yarding activity. This increases the likelihood that residual trees will have the small broken limbs blown out of them by the wind. If the residual density is high and freshly felled, work should stop if the wind comes up past 15–20 km/h (10–15 mph). Rigging crews must be aware of any forest health issues such as root rot. This will alert them to potential unstable trees missed by the fallers. There is a significant hazard of trees being yarded over or snapped off by the tong line if the positioning of the carriage and placing of chokers is poor. Logs that are being laterally yarded to the carriage should be bucked to facilitate clear yarding. Logs should not be “powered” out of the hang-up position. Rub trees that have been overused by the yarding crew or poorly selected by the planners or fallers may become hazardous very quickly. Hazardous rub trees must be removed immediately. Wind throw There is a significant increase in wind throw hazards in the following areas: • Partial cuts in which a sufficient number of stems per hectare have been removed, reducing intercrown damping • Riparian and Gully Management areas in which the edges have not been feathered or the crowns reduced • Side and back lines laid out without sufficient consideration of predominant wind in relation to elevation and topographic features Cable yarding crews must have a written wind speed shutdown criteria in order to ensure control of the wind throw hazard. The operation should also have administrative procedures to control post-wind throw hazards, such as leaning trees or unbuffered danger trees in Riparian Zones.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 11 Wind throw amendments In many of the wind-thrown edges, retaining standing trees to function as a wind break may be desirable to prevent further blowdown. The logging plan for the wind throw amendment must reflect: • The location of the yarding corridors • The lay of the wind-thrown trees in relation to the direction of yarding • The specific type of yarding equipment to be used; this is important because a grapple yarder system cannot fulfill the performance requirements of a dropline system • Faller substitution of residual trees to allow for hazardous tree removal and establishment of corridors • Widening of the corridor at the roadside • Availability of backspars and/or tailhold stumps • Appropriate deflection for the yarding system Riparian management and reserve zones The logging plan must include notations to allow for tailholds in reserve areas and skyline corridors through the reserve areas of the block where safe deflection is necessary. It may be necessary to map and field mark backspars or tailhold trees and provide a written description of how tree damage will be controlled. Danger trees within reach of a yarding line that passes through the Riparian Reserve Zone must be removed. It is important that planners include appropriate comments on the silviculture and logging plans. Feathered edges Many prescriptions require that the edges of Riparian Zones be selectively cut to reduce wind throw potential. The larger “trigger trees” and other merchantable timber are removed. To minimize hazards to the rigging crew from residual saplings and trees being yarded over, it is advisable to yard these trees in tree lengths. If the trees are bucked to log length, residual trees made hazardous by yarding activities must be removed before workers set chokers in the hazardous areas.
12 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Trespass It is important that each logging plan provide for the removal of over-the line danger trees within reach of the work areas. Each operation must have a formal internal reporting system between the fallers, supervisors, and forestry engineers. Forest engineering staff must in turn establish formal approval procedures for removal of over-the-line danger trees not covered in the original logging plan. This notification process is extremely important in controlling hazards in areas such as Riparian Zones or Biodiversity Patches. Wind throw creates these hazard areas during the harvesting phase. The logging plan must also note trees felled for guyline stumps and guyline corridors. Remember: “PLAN THE WORK AND WORK THE PLAN.”
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 13 Planning and developing a grapple yarder site
Engineering and layout considerations A good logging plan, developed by competent engineering and production staff, permits the various operations to proceed safely, effectively, and efficiently. A good falling plan must be included. This plan would include removing danger trees and saplings and altering cutlines to avoid natural obstacles on the worksite. A good falling plan complements grapple yarding and loading operations. Remember: “PLAN THE WORK AND WORK THE PLAN.” When grapple yarding sites are planned, two basic operating rules of grapple yarding must be remembered: • Maximize the operator’s vision of the felled and bucked timber. • Maintain sufficient deflection so that the grapple and lines remain suspended and the grapple opens and closes easily. Primary safety considerations must be based on these basic operating rules. Safety and production is enhanced when the following are part of the grapple yarding plan: • Never yard straight downhill onto the machine. • A suitable log landing area must be selected in which logs can be landed and/or windrowed. • Provide adequate room for loading trucks and upgrading logs.
14 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Haul road layout and construction The effectiveness of the logging plan will be determined by the location and construction of the haul roads. The location of the haul road determines the yarding distances.
Improper road location.
Here are five common errors found in haul road layout and construction: 1. The road is located too close to the natural slope. Build the road on the edge — not close to the natural slope. This eliminates the log coming off the bank at cab level as well as the operator having to swing the logs to the side, blocking the roadway.
Proper location of road.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 15 Narrow road without sub-grade bench. 2. A narrow road does not have a proper sub-grade bench. An alternative yarding method must be used when the width of the road and the bench of the sub-grade do not permit maintaining a clearance of 60 cm (2 ft.) between the counterweight of the yarder and any obstacle around it. A three-quarter bench is recommended for sub-grade. When the road is not sufficiently cut and ballasted during construction, there is a risk of the machine going over the bank because of road edge failure, or the complete grade might slough out.
16 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 3. Roads dead-end before the operator sees the yarding quarter. Since grapple yarder operators should initiate most of the line movement, extend the spur road so the operator can see the felled and bucked timber.
Road ending — operator cannot see logs.
Operator can see felled and bucked timber.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 17 4. The steel spar setting does not accommodate grapple yarding. Many settings have been developed for steel spar logging. Because of costs and time, many employers do not change their layout work to accommodate grapple yarding. Problems that result are: • Excessive yarding distances, particularly in the corners of the setting • Cutlines at the back end extend back behind the face of a rock bluff, requiring the use of chokers to reach logs behind the rock bluff • Inability to use the backspar machine because of the height of the lower haul road cut bank • Humps in the middle of a setting that reduce deflection and reduce the ability of the operator to see clearly
Logs behind face of rock bluff
Never yard straight downhill. Maintain cross-slope yarding.
Setting laid out for steel spar — cannot use mobile backspar on bottom road.
18 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 5. The grades are excessive. Grapple yarders are mobile and use the road as a continuous landing area. Because of their design, grapple yarders have limits to the angle at which they can be positioned. Refer to yarder manufacturer guidelines for recommendations on grade angle. Exceeding the maximum recommended angle stresses the machine beyond its design and also affects the ergonomics of the operator’s seat in relation to foot and hand controls. If the hill is too steep, the operator cannot keep control of the machine.
The grade is excessive.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 19 Planning the back end Planning the back end of a grapple yarding setting is as important to safety and productivity as the quality and location of the haul road. Planners must consider the various ways in which the back end can be rigged, examine the feasibility of rigging backspars, the necessity to stump-rig, and the use of a crawler tractor or hoe as a mobile backspar. Each setting will be different; the goal is to maintain deflection and reduce road change time. If standing trees are to be used as backspars or if a lift tree is required, the falling crew must be notified so that they can adjust their falling plan accordingly. Trees should be selected and marked ahead of time to ensure that they are not felled and that no timber is felled behind them if they are located on the back line. If a standing tree used as a backspar is located in the middle of a setting in which half of the logs will be yarded either way, it may be necessary to top the tree to prevent it from being blown down. The tree must be topped or appropriate work procedures provided if workers are going to be within reach of such a backspar or lift tree when the lines are moving during yarding operations. If the tree isn’t topped and guyed, then workers are prohibited from being within 1 1/2 tree lengths when the lines are under load. The crew must have the necessary job skills to safely rig the tree. If those skills are not available in the crew, the use of a standing tree as a backspar must not be considered. If a standing tree is to be used as an anchor, that tree must be secured to other trees or other anchors by a twister. Suitable anchors Many factors affect the suitability of a stump to withstand the stresses placed on it during yarding. Each species of tree has a different root system. Factors that affect the root system are: • Soil type • Moisture • Density • Slope change
20 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Predicting the holding power of a stump is difficult. Therefore, all stumps used as anchors must be inspected daily. A rule of thumb is to make a stump’s holding power proportional to the square of the diameter; for example, an 80 cm (32 in.) stump is four times stronger than a 40 cm (16 in.) stump. The holding power of a stump: • Increases with soil depth • Increases with soil density • Is greater on an uphill pull • Decreases as soil moisture increases In the event that a single stump is not adequate, multiple stumps must be tied together and used. This could be a two-stump configuration where a bridle block is used, or it could be several stumps tied together (see page 22).
Bridle block.
Notching of stumps Stumps must be notched to hold the guyline. To prevent slabbing, the notch should be placed as close to the bottom of the stump as possible without cutting off the roots, and in lead with the guyline.
The top stump is properly notched. The notch in the middle stump is placed too high. The notch in the bottom stump is too deep.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 21 Securing of stumps When there is doubt about a stump’s dependability, use one or more of the following methods to increase stability and holding power: • Multiple stump anchors • Twisters • Jill-poke supports • Deadweight anchors Multiple stump anchors When a single stump is not (a) available or is inadequate, it (b) is acceptable to use multiple stump anchors such as a “wrap and choke.” Guylines or skylines must be anchored to stumps with acceptable devices such as flat or bell shackles. Pins must be secured with Molly Hogans Acceptable multiple stump anchors: or other effective devices. (a) flat shackle, (b) bell shackle. Twisters Remember the following points when securing stumps with twisters: • Select suitable anchors in lead with the pull. • Select suitable line for the twisters. • Notch secondary anchors to prevent line slippage. • Select a good, sturdy, green limb or sapling of sufficient length for the twister stick. • Install the twister with a (a) (b) (c) minimum of two wraps (four-part line). • Secure with a timber hitch. (a) Single twister. (b) Two legs with cable clip. (c) Multi-legged twister.
22 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook • Use two poles if a long span requires more than one. • Tension lines so they will almost touch. • Place the twister pole between the lines. • Rotate the twister pole uphill until tight. • Secure the pole 90 degrees to the twister lines. • Ensure that a worker check system is used when only one worker is available to install twisters. • Unwrap a twister when removing it. Do not cut the pole to reduce tension.
Twisters on a standing tailhold.
Jill-poke supports Follow these four steps when using jill-poke supports to secure stumps: 1. Select a suitable secondary anchor in front of and in lead with the anchor stump. 2. Cut a flat surface on each stump facing the other. 3. Cut a suitable log slightly longer than the distance between the two faces. 4. Drive the log into position between the anchors. A jill-poke can replace a twister.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 23 Deadweight anchors Mobile equipment can provide additional support for securing a stump by placing the blade or track on the stump or root system.
Bulldozer blade adds support to stump.
Skyline anchors A skyline supplies lift for the rigging. With adequate deflection, the skyline need not be elevated at the back end; however, this method requires adequate anchor holding power and tiebacks. When deflection is minimal, A wrap and a choke. skyline tailholds may be located well beyond the setting boundary. To acquire lift or deflection, backspars may be used. This method requires specialized rigging, climbing gear, and training.
24 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Backspar guylines When a backspar is required, guylines Rule of thumb must be used. Proper rigging practices for guylines also apply to backspars. A come- 2.5 cm (1 in.) of slack in the guyline along may be used to tighten a backspar on the stump gives 30 cm (1 ft.) of guyline; use a minimum of three spikes to slack in the belly of the guyline. secure the last wrap. A guyline secured to a stump must be wrapped at least 21⁄2 times. The top wrap must be secured with three spikes. The number and position of spikes should be adequate to ensure that the guyline will handle the imposed stresses. Railway spikes should only be used with large lines and large stumps.
Home spar spiked guyline.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 25 The following diagrams show acceptable guyline and skyline placement patterns.
BACKSPAR GUYLINE PLACEMENT BACKSPAR GUYLINE PLACEMENT DOWNHILL YARDING DOWNHILL YARDING 4 GUYLINES 5 GUYLINES
BACKSPAR GUYLINE PLACEMENT UPHILL YARDING SKYLINE PLACEMENT 5 GUYLINES
26 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Cable clips are acceptable for securing lines. The line must have at least one full wrap on the stump. Ensure that the required Maximum 45° number of clips are properly installed and torqued.
Backspar with cable clips.
Tightening sequence When yarding downhill from a backspar, the two front guylines must be tightened first. When yarding uphill, the two back guylines must be tightened first. Guylines should be tensioned to support the backspar adequately, and positioned so that the inside angle is less than 45 degrees to the horizontal. When this cannot be done, additional guyline support is required. Weather Planners of logging operations must consider the impact of weather and the season on a logging operation. Mistakes frequently made in planning include the following: • Logging is done in sensitive areas that are prone to erosion during heavy rain season. Scarring the duff on the hillside causes erosion, exposing workers to the danger of mud and rock slides. Freeing backspar machines that have become stuck may cause excessive silt through runoff. • Moist areas are logged before freeze-up. Backspar machines may become stuck. Yarding activity and equipment movement cause excessive site degradation. Haul roads soften up, making log hauling difficult. Crew buses and emergency transportation vehicles have difficulty travelling on the roads.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 27 • Logging is done during periods of excessive snow, making it more dangerous when walking on felled and bucked timber. Logs buried beneath the snow may be missed, resulting in the need for re-logging when the snow is gone. Most gut-hooked or frozen logs will break. Visibility is impaired, Snow-buried logs can swing toward workers. making the movement of machines and equipment dangerous.
Roots can ride the haulback and they cannot always be seen in foggy conditions. • Logging is done in excessive fog. Crew cannot see the lay of the logs, thereby increasing the danger of upending and swinging logs. The haulback can dislodge logs, roots, and stumps that the crew cannot see. • Logging is done during electrical storms. If lightning strikes the lines or equipment, the crew may be electrocuted.
28 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Landing areas for grapple yarders The roadside is the most common log landing area for grapple yarders. The design of the grapple yarders and engineering layout for the logging site can minimize the need to build log landings. Whether the landing area is the road or a developed area, certain functions must be accommodated. In this typical setup the grapple yarder has yarded half of the setting and is now turned around to yard the other half. A log loader has been moved in and has begun loading out the logs (see page 30). The loader operator remains far enough away from the yarder to accommodate a safe bucking area for his ground worker. A broken mainline or log jill-poking into the pile cannot reach the safe bucking area. Both the grapple yarder operator and the loader operator carefully maintain 60 cm (2 ft.) of clearance between their machines’ counterweights and all obstructions. Neither the yarding nor the loading function interfere with each other. When the ground is too steep to land the logs and build a pile on the side of the road, it is necessary to land and deck A safe log decking area. the logs on the road. Usually it is best to have the yarder start at the back of the setting and work towards the front. Once all the wood has been yarded from the top side or the bottom side, a loader is brought in to load out the wood and clear the roadway, so that the yarder can go back in and yard the other side. If the yarder starts at the front of the setting and the machine is blocked in, it is difficult for the crew to get to the machine, especially in the dark, because they have to climb over a continuous log pile. In addition, it makes it difficult to deliver fuel to the machine or repair it should it break down.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 29 A well-organized, safe log landing and loading area.
30 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Difficult operator access — yarding and loading separated.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 31 Building a log landing area When it is necessary to build a log landing area, it must be large enough to: • Safely land the logs and build a stable pile • Accommodate a log loader if it is necessary to work a loader alongside the yarder • Enable the log loader to develop a secondary log loading pile • Provide a safe bucking and trimming area for the landing worker • Provide safe tool storage • Ensure sufficient guyline clearance The log landing area must be free of danger trees and saplings. This log landing is free of danger trees and saplings. Mobile backspar equipment Hoes and crawler tractors adapted for backspar use have distinct advantages over backspar trees and stumps: • They are secure when properly positioned.
A backspar crawler tractor positioned correctly.
32 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook • Crawler tractors and hoes reduce the risk of injury when pulling the strawline, packing tailhold blocks, or notching stumps. • They almost always ensure suitable line deflection at the back end, minimizing the need to set chokers. Backspar hoe properly positioned. • Crawler tractor backspars can be used for pulling or snubbing the grapple yarder up or down steep grades. In order to make quick road changes, backspar roads are usually laid out and developed ahead of time. Wherever possible, haul roads are used as backspar roads. A properly developed The logging area is split in half, with the backspar road in backspar road provides the the middle of the setting. production crew with the ability to quickly move the back end to improve line deflection and operator vision when yarding draws and ridges.
The yarder and mobile backspar are moved back and forth to work around a draw and ridge.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 33 Backspar roads When backspar roads are built ahead of time, it ensures that yarding activities are not held up because of manoeuvring a crawler tractor or a hoe backspar around a mud hole, large stump, creek, or rock. It also requires less operator skill to move a machine on a developed backspar road than it does through and around felled and bucked timber. The weight of the haulback and the resistance generated by short-term siwashes can decrease the manoeuvrability and stability of the backspar machine. The grade of the road, Constructing a backspar road. weather, and soil conditions also affect the planners’ choice of how the backspar roads will be developed. If the development of the backspar road creates a mud hole or a new watercourse that the backspar machine cannot cross, then the development of such a road should not be undertaken. Some areas are so sensitive that they can tolerate no more than one pass of the machine. The use of chunks and slabs as puncheon reduces ground degradation. Erosion of high-sensitivity slopes can limit the ability of the area to grow trees. The possibility of silting fish or feeder streams must be considered at the planning Poor reclamation on steep backspar road.
34 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook stage and steps must be taken to prevent such silting. Cross-ditching of backspar roads reduces erosion. Positioning equipment on backspar roads Good backspar roads are easy for the hoe or crawler tractor to negotiate and enable the operators to set the machines in a stable position. The machine must be able to sit in lead with the yarder and be as near to level as possible. All of the felled and bucked timber should be between the backspar machine and the yarder. The blades on the crawler tractors and buckets on the hoes must be set on firm ground to ensure that the machine will not turn over because of forces imposed on it during yarding operations.
The backspar crawler tractor is sitting at an incorrect yarding angle.
The crawler tractor is sitting level at the correct yarding angle.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 35 Backspar hoe not at correct yarding angle — the operator is not in the clear.
Backspar in correct yarding position — stick at 90° or more.
36 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Transporting equipment to the yarding site
Planning Lowbed units are engineered to specific design principles based on these assumptions: • The unit will not be overloaded. For example, if its rated capacity is 91,000 kg (200,000 lb.), it will not be expected to transport 114,000 kg (250,000 lb.). • The tractor pulling the unit is within its power/weight ratio and operated by a qualified operator. • The tractor and lowbed are properly maintained, with particular emphasis on tires and brakes and absence of cracks in the frame. • The lowbed will be treated as other trailers, not thrown over the bank and yarded around by the loader to avoid backing up. • The centre of gravity of the load is lowered as much as possible to reduce racking (twisting) of the frame. The plan for the move must be based on the best route. Bridges and culverts must be able to withstand the load, with the road wide and solid enough to handle the weight and length of the load. The best route minimizes the need to travel adverse or steep downhill grades. For those lengthy sections of roadway over 10 percent grade the plan should make provision for effective pulling, pushing, and snubbing equipment. All equipment operators must be kept aware of the time frame of the move so that the snubbing equipment will be at the appropriate locations. Overhead obstructions Overhead electrical power lines Every year, high-voltage overhead power lines are contacted by loader and yarder booms while the machines are being transported. Other power line contacts have occurred as the machine was being walked under a low overhead power line after being offloaded from the lowbed. The operators had forgotten to lower the boom or did not confirm the height of the line. If any part of your machine touches a live power line, then anything in contact with the machine will be energized for some distance. This includes the ground immediately below you. When the electrical flow reaches the ground, it spreads out like ripples in a pool of water. The voltage is highest at the point where the electricity flow reaches the ground; as it spreads out, the voltage drops off.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 37 If any part of your equipment makes contact with an overhead power line, you are safer inside your machine than on the ground. Do not touch or step onto anything that will provide a path for the current to flow to ground. It is the flow of current through you that kills or burns. Only in an emergency such as a fire should you abandon your machine if electrical contact has been made. A safe escape can be made by keeping both feet together and making a short jump from your machine. The goal is to ensure that your entire The grapple yarder contacted a power line because the body clears the machine and boom was not lowered for travel. Never run from a that you land on your feet machine that makes contact with a power line. You are without stumbling. Stand still safer inside the machine than on the ground. If you must with your body clear of the make an emergency escape, shuffle away, keeping your feet close together. machine and keep your feet together until someone turns the power off. If you must move away from the machine, hop or shuffle away without moving your feet more than a few centimetres (a couple of inches) at a time. Keeping your feet together will ensure that you do not straddle two zones with different voltages that would allow the electrical flow to take advantage of a A worker contacting a power line with a lifting stick can new path. be electrocuted. Do not try to clear the line.
38 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Never position any part of the yarder or loader closer than the following limits of approach: • Over 750 V to 75 kV — 3 m (10 ft.) • Over 75 kV to 250 kV — 4.5 m (15 ft.) • Over 250 kV to 550 kV — 6 m (20 ft.) If a supervisor or operator is not sure of the line voltage, the utility company will advise by telephone or will send a line supervisor to the site to provide the necessary guidance. If the above limits of approach cannot be maintained, then a WorkSafeBC Form 30M33 must be completed and submitted to the utility company before the move. Form 30M33 is available from WorkSafeBC or utility companies. If contact with an electrical conductor is made, do not try to clear the fouled line by lifting it off or over the A worker should never touch a truck in contact with a machine by hand or any other power line — the worker can be electrocuted. means, such as with a stick. Never climb on or off the machine while the machine is in contact with an electrical conductor — a person who touches the lowbed or machine and the ground at the same time may be electrocuted. Railway and road overpasses The height of railway and road overpasses must be known. Accidents have happened where supervisors and operators have forgotten to add the height of the lowbed in the overall height of the load, resulting in the equipment hitting the overpass.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 39 The gantry is too high — the move was inadequately planned and supervised.
Overhead obstructions in the camp and log-dump areas that are unfamiliar to the crew are frequently contacted by the equipment. These include: • Low-voltage power lines and phone lines in and around the camp • Guylines for gin poles • Guylines for log dumps • Electric service lines for dry-land sort lighting • Doors on service bays in shops Preventing contact with overhead obstructions Plan ahead to prevent contact with overhead obstructions: • All overhead obstructions must have the height plainly signed on each side of the obstruction. • The height of each machine, with the boom in its lowest position, must be known. • New or altered equipment must be measured for total height. • Drivers hauling a lowbed should stop as they approach an overhead obstruction and proceed on signal from a safety watcher.
40 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Loading equipment on the lowbed Once the plan to move the equipment has been communicated to the crew, the machine can be loaded onto the lowbed. The ground where the machine is loaded should be as flat and level as possible — that means no uphill slope and definitely no side slope to the grade. A slight downhill slope is desirable for ease of loading. Once the loading ramps have been lowered and cushioned with proper blocking, the machine may be walked onto the lowbed. The walking of A proper method of loading a grapple yarder. the machine onto the lowbed must be under the direction of a qualified supervisor. A designated signaller must direct the machine operator. This signaller must be in clear view of the operator at all times. Each movement of the machine is done on a signal from the designated signaller. The machine must be properly The grapple yarder is boomed down and secured to the centred on the lowbed. lowbed. Once the yarder or loader is properly centred on the lowbed, the boom must be lowered in order to lower the centre of gravity. This reduces the sway when turning around corners, especially on roads with improperly graded crowns. The machine must be secured to the lowbed with adequate turnbuckles, cinches, or other suitable rigging, and its parking brakes must be set. The grapple and boom of the machine are secured to the lowbed with the mainline or straps. If the machine has a pin mechanism to secure the upper works of the grapple yarder, the pin must be put in the locked position.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 41 Moving equipment to the unloading site Before the loaded lowbed is moved, the operator of the lowbed and the driver of the pilot vehicle must make a final check of the planned move, using these questions as the checklist: • Are the radios working properly? • Have all the overhead obstructions been located? • Is the road of the intended route capable of supporting the load? • Has the snubbing equipment been provided at the appropriate locations? • Is the unloading site suitable? • Is there a possibility of adverse weather conditions such as snow, rain, or ice? Once under way, the pilot vehicle must drive at a speed that respects the road conditions and the safe operating speed of the lowbed tractor. Unauthorized vehicles encountered en route must be notified of the lowbed’s approach and told to clear the roadway. Simply pulling off to the side of the road is not acceptable, unless it is certain that there is enough room for the wheels of the lowbed and tractor to remain on the solid roadway and the lowbed driver is notified of the location of the vehicle. If the unauthorized vehicle does not stop, the move must be halted until the vehicle is cleared. The pilot vehicle operator must never assume that, because of road width or familiarity with the area, an oncoming vehicle can pass without incident. Snubbing, pulling, or pushing a lowbed or machine Accidents occur when the employer does not have a well-planned procedure for assisting a lowbed or a machine up or down a grade. The decision to pull, push, or snub is normally left to the supervisor of the move. The supervisor depends on previous experience and advice from the grapple/ loader operator or lowbed tractor operator. Problems arise when: • The supervisor’s experience is limited • Shortcuts are taken to Push and pull trucks assisting lowbed on steeper grades. save time
42 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook • The operators do not know the limitations of the lowbed or equipment • There are poor operating or maintenance procedures, resulting in deteriorated drive or brake components of the lowbed or tractor Pressures placed on persons involved with the equipment move may result in poor judgment being used — especially if there are no standard moving procedures. Information needed to make the best decisions should be discussed with the operation’s master mechanic and/or the equipment manufacturer’s representative. For lowbeds and tractors, the supervisor and equipment operators must have the following information: • Load capacity • Condition of the tires • Braking capacity at normal speeds • Braking capacity on downhill grades • Power and traction capability of tractor unit on uphill grades • Mechanical condition of tractor unit • Effect of any modifications to the lowbed or tractor unit For wheeled and tracked machines, the supervisor and equipment operators must have the following information: • The ability of the machine to travel a road grade • Condition of the equipment, such as tracks, tires, drive chains, and brakes Snubbing equipment must have sufficient power and traction to handle the expected load. The supervisor and equipment operators should have a clear understanding of the following: • What pull or push does a crawler tractor have on a firmly packed gravel road? • What holding power does an off-highway truck have when it is half-loaded and used to snub a machine down a hill? Does tire wear and inflation affect the holding power? • What is the pull capacity of a log truck with trailer? • What is the push capacity of a log truck with trailer? • If the road is frozen, or there is ice or snow, what percent grade is maximum for push, pull, or snub for crawler tractors or trucks? This information should be provided in written form to the supervisor of the move and the equipment operator. The employer’s safe work procedures must be strictly adhered to.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 43 Unloading the equipment Unloading the equipment is the reverse procedure of loading and must be done under the direction of a qualified supervisor. The following conditions for unloading the equipment must be observed: • Choose a suitable site with little or no side slope. There must be no uphill grade. • Set the parking and maxi brakes on the lowbed and tractor unit. • Remove the tie-down rigging and place it where it will not be run over or forgotten. • A designated signaller must direct the operator of the machine. The signaller must be in clear view of the operator at all times. Each movement of the machine is done on the signal from the designated signaller. • All unnecessary crew transportation vehicles and workers must be kept clear of the unloading area so that the signaller and operator are not distracted. The unloading area must provide sufficient room to turn the lowbed around without having to back it into or over a bank, through slash, or over saplings.
Lowbed trailers are frequently damaged by using this method to turn around.
44 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Grapple yarding work procedures
Yarding the logs The logs lying where the pile will be built must be straightened out before other logs are piled on top. This is most important in steep ground landings where several roads will be yarded before the yarder is moved. After straightening out the bottom logs the operator continues to yard all the logs that can be seen. While the operator is yarding the first few turns, the hooktender and backspar operator conduct an inspection of the rig-up. The following items are checked in this inspection: • The mobile backspar, backspar tree, or stumps are stable. • All lines are free of siwashes and wraps, and are running clear in the block. • The guylines have remained in the notches, and the tailhold stumps are secure. • The yarder has maintained the 60 cm (2 ft.) counterweight clearance. • The strawline end has been secured to the back stop. • The mainline and the haulback are spooling properly.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 45 Spotting the grapple Once the operator has yarded all these logs, the spotter or utility worker then walks the yarding road to spot or guide the grapple onto the remaining logs. Hand signals must not be used; because of distance and limited visibility, all communications must be verbal. The crew must use UHF hand-held radios coordinated to a specific Stand in a safe position when talking a grapple onto a log. frequency. The use of a headset by the operator is recommended to ensure clear communications. The amount of radio spotting of the grapple by the spotter is a direct reflection of the quality of planning and layout. Radio spotting of logs is a much slower process when compared to the operator’s ability to see all the logs. Safe Slacking mainline. grapple yarding is directly proportional to the operator seeing the logs and having sufficient line deflection.
Slacking haulback.
46 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook The movement of the grapple is no different than any other load suspended from two points. When you slack the front end (the mainline), the grapple travels toward the tailhold. When you slack the back end point of suspension (the haulback), the grapple moves toward the yarder. When both lines are slackened at the same rate, the grapple drops almost straight down. The distance that the grapple moves Both lines slackened. forward or back depends on how high it is suspended above the log. Often the grapple will rotate and miss the log as it is being slacked down. When the grapple misses the log, the spotter asks the operator to tightline. The spotter waits until the grapple is over the log and then requests slack. Grapple missed log. It is important to use appropriate verbal signals consistently. Suggested commands are described on page 48.
Grapple tightlined back on log.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 47 Grapple yarding verbal signals
TO INSTRUCT OPERATOR TO: SIGNALLER SAYS:
Grapple log and go ahead Close and go Close grapple but not go ahead Close Stop rigging Stop Open grapple Open Move empty grapple ahead Ahead Move empty grapple back Back Ahead on strawline Ahead on the strawline Slack mainline Mainline Slack haulback Haulback Lower grapple Down Slack strawline Slack strawline Swing to operator’s left Swing left Swing to operator’s right Swing right Hold haulback and go ahead on mainline Tightline
If a choker is used to get a log that cannot be grappled, the operator or hooktender must give an audible go-ahead signal before going ahead on the turn. The audible signal must be loud enough to alert all workers who may be affected by the log and rigging movement. This reduces the potential for injury caused by the operator receiving a command from an uncoordinated or overpowered transmitter. If there is interference from another radio, yarding must cease. Whether the operator visually positions the grapple on a log or the log is grappled by radio spotting, the grapple must be positioned close to the end of the log. If the log is gut-hooked, the grapple should be repositioned once the log is swung into lead. Grappling the log close to the end minimizes log breakage and reduces the hazard to the ground crew of upending swinging logs and jill-poked logs in the landing.
48 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Standing in the clear Before giving the go-ahead signal, the spotter must ensure that he is well in the clear. “In the clear” means to the side and back behind the log and grapple. Particular attention must be given to the hazard of the haulback side whip. When yarding uphill, the spotter must always walk far enough across the sidehill to be clear of any logs and chunks that may be dislodged by the turn.
In the clear as turn moves to landing. Working the draws and ridges The hooktender must move the tailholds and yarder in lead with the draws and ridges in order to get the best visibility for the operator and the greatest line deflection. This reduces the need for spotting logs by radio and minimizes damage to the logs. The hazard of upending and swinging logs is reduced, enhancing safety and productivity. In areas where the tailhold machines cannot move far enough to get the correct lead, a crawler tractor with one dutchman block can be used. The length of the dutchman line can be adjusted to maintain the desired line deflection as yarding progresses toward Crawler tractor with one dutchman block. the back end.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 49 To reduce the danger of runaway logs on settings in which the uppermost part of the setting is very steep, the back end of the setting can be yarded uphill. This will ensure the safety of the landing crew and enable loading activity to continue. When the logs are landed, the operator must maintain the proper haulback tension to control the log. When yarding on flat ground or uphill, sufficient slack should be maintained on the haulback to enable the back end of the log to be dragged as it Splitting the logging setting by logging uphill and approaches the landing. downhill. Grapple yarder backspars Backspars used for grapple yarders require a sound tree supported with guylines and good anchors. Backspars are not normally subject to heavy stresses if properly positioned tailholds are used. When a grapple yarder is operating, workers must not be within a tree length of a backspar that is not guyed or that is guyed but not topped. Important factors in rigging backspars include the following: • Use only sound, sturdy, and well-rooted trees. • Rig trees no higher than necessary to provide the required lift.
50 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Example 1: Backspar This rigging arrangement has proved to be the most practical and will exert the least stress on the backspar.
Running lines do not rub tree. Points to consider: • With high-speed grapple ➜ ➜ yarders, use at least two DownhillDownhill guylines. • When only two guylines are used to equally support the backspar from the sides, the haulback tailhold block anchor location is most important. • Both blocks on the backspar must be hung in the conventional manner with both eyes of the strap in the shackle or gooseneck. • Large straps choked with guyline sleeve shackles may be used to hang the blocks. • Choker straps must be of sufficient size to support the blocks. • The guylines have to be positioned depending on the forces exerted on the tree. Typical downhill yarding — guylines in front of tree.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 51 • To lessen the load on the backspar and to provide ➜ equal loading on both Uphill sides, ensure that both the road line and back line block tailholds are placed well back. • Straps for the backspar blocks must be choked in opposite directions to prevent twisting the tree under heavy loads. • To put equal strain on each anchor, both road line and back line anchor stumps must be the same distance from the backspar. • Straps must be checked thoroughly before each use. • The guylines have to be positioned depending on the forces exerted on the tree. Typical uphill yarding — guylines behind tree.
52 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Example 2: Backspar This is similar to Example 1 except that no guylines are used. • When guylines are not used, choose a sound, sturdy, and well-rooted tree. Ensure that workers are more than one tree length away from the backspar when yarding operations are in progress. • Tailhold blocks must be located so that equal side stresses and a straight downloading are imposed on the backspar. Blocks must be hung from both eyes. • Choked straps may be used but should be one size larger than the haulback. • The blocks should be hung in opposite directions with a small bight in the strap. • Locate the road line and back line block anchors well back and high enough to prevent a forward force on the backspar.
Two blocks in tree — the two tailblocks spread so the running lines do not burn the tree.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 53 Example 3: Backspar This system uses one block at the top and one block at the bottom of the tree. The rigging arrangement places full loading on the guylines. The advantage of this type of backspar is ease of road changes. Workers using this method must consider the following: • The top block is exposed to the greatest stress and must be hung with a suitably sized strap. Use a shackle to hang the block in the strap to prevent the block from twisting and burning the line on the shell of the block. • Two guylines must be used and located directly behind the backspar with the spread between the anchors no greater than 60°. • The guyline must be rigged from opposite sides with as little bight as possible in the shackle. • The guylines must be equal to or of greater strength than the yarding lines. • The shackle pins are inserted from the bottom and secured with an appropriately sized Molly Hogan. • The bottom block is usually hung in both eyes of the strap and set in a suitable notch. A longer, heavier strap choked with a guyline sleeve shackle may be used to allow the block to lift for clearing rocks and similar obstacles.
Two blocks and two guylines.
54 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Example 4: Lift tree Another method of obtaining lift is to hang a block in the bight of the haulback a short distance up the tree. When the tree is not topped or guylines are not used, workers must remain at least one tree length from the backspar when logs are yarded. • The block used to support the haulback must be hung from both eyes of the strap. • A choker strap may be used. It should be choked with only a small bight in the strap. • Guylines need not be used if the haulback block anchor is located back far enough or high enough to prevent excess forward pull. • If the haulback block anchor cannot be located directly behind the backspar, this arrangement must not be used. • While logs are yarded from the base of the tree or when guylines are not used, workers must be more than one tree length from the lift tree.
One lift block — standing tree tied back.
Tree climbing A worker must use a safety belt and climbing spurs to climb a tree. Maintain equipment in good order and inspect it before each use. When climbing equipment is in use, a duplicate set of climbing equipment must be available for immediate use by a qualified worker in an emergency. Use a climbing rope with a wire rope core.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 55 Tree topping When it is necessary to top trees, the following safe work procedure is recommended: • When topping with a chainsaw, a safety device must be used to prevent the top of the tree from splitting. The safety device shall be made of a material that cannot be severed by the chainsaw. • Once the direction of the fall has been determined, remove sapwood with side notches. • Undercut must be one- quarter to one-third of the diameter of the tree. • Undercut must be cleaned out. • Backcut is slightly above the undercut and horizontal.
The proper sequence of cutting to top a spar tree.
56 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Twister tiebacks Always use a solid stump as an anchor, even if it is slightly out of lead or farther away from the spar. If solid stumps are not available, tie doubtful guyline anchor stumps back with one or more twisters. Alternatively, tie back to one or more stumps by wrapping the guyline end around the stump. Points to consider: • Contact the operator when installing or removing a twister. • Use a strong green sapling or sturdy limb of sufficient strength, diameter, and length for the twister pole. Twisters positioned incorrectly. • Locate the twister line close to the top of the stump. Place the twister line close to the roots if there is a concern about the roots pulling out. • Longer twister lines require additional twister poles to take up the slack and prevent line damage. • When applying twister poles, use caution to prevent the stick from releasing and causing injury to workers. • While tightening, and when the final tensioning is complete, ensure that twister poles are locked securely. • Never release a twister by cutting the twister pole with an axe or power saw. • If installed properly, twisters only have to be wrapped three to four times.
Extra care must be taken if only one worker Twisters positioned correctly. is doing this job. It is recommended that two workers install and remove twisters.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 57 If more than one twister is required, apply as many as necessary, ensuring that they are kept in lead with the pull of the line.
Additional tiebacks for haulback tailhold.
58 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Yarding hazards Yarding downhill must be done at an angle to the grade so that runaway logs and debris cannot slide into the landing. During downhill yarding on steep slopes, logs are more difficult to control, thereby increasing the danger of runaway logs and jill-pokes into the tracks, carrier, and cab windows. Siwashed lines are common in logging and potentially dangerous. A line that clears as a log is being landed may cause the log to move further ahead than expected and strike the machine. Hobo logs may move independently and create a hazard. Hobos, saplings, loose chunks, or loose logs must be dealt with before the log reaches the landing.
Runaway logs are extremely hazardous.
Swinging chokers Lack of adequate line deflection sometimes requires the use of a choker to yard logs that are close to the tailblocks. Often the choker is left on when grapple yarding is taking place. The hazard of a loose choker swinging overhead endangers the operator and ground workers during yarding operations and road changes. When not in use, the choker must be removed.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 59 Log piles Landings of inadequate size make landing of logs difficult and dangerous. In tight landings, logs must still be swung and manipulated, but it may be difficult to maintain the minimum counterweight clearance. All log piles must be maintained in a stable condition. Unstable log piles make landing logs hazardous.
Counterweight clearances The operator of the yarder must know the location of workers and other equipment or machinery. As a safety measure, a minimum clearance of 60 cm (2 ft.) between the counterweight of the yarder and any other obstacle must be maintained.
Minimum counterweight clearance must be 60 cm (2 ft.).
60 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Weather Good visibility is important for both safety and production. When fog or snow restricts visibility so that the grapple, logs, or the back of the pile are not clearly visible, yarding must be stopped because runaway, upending, or swinging logs cannot be seen. When ice- or snow-covered logs prevent building a stable and secure pile, yarding must stop until the pile is broken down. Night operations Powerful lighting systems used for night operations produce strong contrasts of light and dark, making walking in the felled and bucked area very hazardous. In order for the operator to see ground crews, they must wear hi-vis clothing with reflective strips. The machine must be equipped with side lights. Hand signals must not be used during night operations; only audible or verbal radio signals must be used. All night yarding operations must have written supplementary instructions to adequately deal with additional hazards and procedures, including person-check procedures, backspar operation, and maintenance of lighting systems. Tailhold blocks Wire-rope manufacturers’ recommended ratio used to determine the correct sheave to line size is 30:1, where each centimetre (or inch) of line diameter requires 30 centimetres (or inches) of sheave diameter. The actual industry standard is 20:1. This ratio permits smaller blocks to be used but it does cause premature line wear. A single block is often used where there is a two-person crew as the hooktender is alone. Although a single block is easier for one worker, there is the disadvantage of severe line-wrap; the haulback must make a sharper bend around the sheave, which generates heat, causing drying of the Single block with line crossed and burning. lubricant and premature wear. A two-block system is more work for the hooktender but line-wrap is greatly reduced, increasing line life (see page 82). The use of a backspar crawler tractor or hoe has simplified the back end in that larger or double sheaves can be used.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 61 Deteriorated topping or gantry lines Topping or gantry lines are critical components and should be replaced annually. These lines must be inspected regularly for wear and wire core lubrication. All line changes and inspections must be recorded in a line book.
The core is dry with broken wires — this line must be replaced. Dees, thimbles, and cable clips Mainline dee connectors must be inspected twice per day. To inspect for excessive line wear at the dee connector, slide the dee to expose the line.
Mainline dee connector fails — the end will slip into the landing.
62 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Commonly overlooked rigging considerations: Correct. Incorrect. • Eye of topping line tailhold should have a steel thimble at the pin. • Incorrect installation of wedge-type socket tailholds. Remember that the pull must be in direct line with the pin. • Cable clips are easy to install incorrectly. The cable clip saddle must be installed on the live line. Remember: “NEVER PUT A SADDLE ON A DEAD HORSE.”
Correct. Incorrect.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 63 Spooling and cutting lines The operator must not operate the machine and spool lines simultaneously. Proper spooling tools are to be used. Makeshift spooling tools such as a hammer or axe must not be used. If a hammer is to be used to cut or splice a line, it must be a soft hammer identified by a small “S” stamped on one of the side faces. With use, these hammers become mushroomed and pieces may chip off. Such chips have been known to cause eye injury to workers up to 6 m (20 ft.) away. Hammers with mushroomed heads must be replaced. Cutting tools should be sharp and of proper hardness. Eye protection must be worn during any cutting procedure. Maintain the proper tip profile on Marlin spikes.
Do not spool lines by hand — jaggers can catch the gloves.
64 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Two examples of spooling hooks. • Always use a proper spooling tool when spooling running lines. The use of hands or feet for spooling is prohibited. • All access routes and work platforms used when spooling lines must be covered with non-slip material. • Avoid walking on metal surfaces in caulk boots. • Stand with both feet on the platform.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 65 Do not use mushroomed hammers. Eye protection must be worn.
66 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Windows Cab windows are intended to protect the operator from the natural elements and must be replaced if missing. Visibility is affected by dirty glazing and by glare caused by sunlight on “spider webbing” in cracked or broken glazing. Windows must be kept clean and must be replaced if cracked. Blinds may be installed to reduce the sun’s glare.
Too much glare through a cracked window, resulting in poor visibility.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 67 Grapple yarder access When greasing pins and sheaves at the top of the gantry, the worker should wear a safety belt attached to a lifeline or anchor. Or a ring, cage, or other guardrail can be installed to prevent falling. All access ladders must be securely fastened. Broken or damaged ladders must be repaired or replaced. When a machine is behind the log pile, getting into and out of the machine can be dangerous. If it is necessary for the operator to walk logs to get to the machine, caulk boots must be worn. If the log pile is unstable with crossed or hazardous logs, the log pile must not be used for access; an alternative route must be chosen. A person-check system must be in place when the worker is alone (see page 151).
No anti-slip decking or handrails creates hazards. A fall protection system must be used if a worker is working over 3 m (10 ft.).
68 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Line pulling of trees Line pulling of trees requires written supplementary instructions. Because of the hazards involved, all workers must have the procedures reviewed with them before pulling trees over. An effective method of pulling trees over is the use of a “bat wing” or equivalent. The apparatus is placed behind the tree to be pulled. A faller places appropriate falling cuts, then the tree is pulled over. No worker is required to climb the tree to apply a pulling line. Bat wing.
A bat wing may be used to pull trees over.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 69 Communications Radios used on grapple yarders must have the frequency co-ordinated, be within power limits, and be registered with WorkSafeBC. Verbal and audible signals acceptable to WorkSafeBC must be used on all grapple yarders. Personal protective equipment and clothing Operators are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing: • Leg and eye protection when using a chainsaw • Eye protection when cutting wire rope with wire axe, guillotine, hydraulic cutter, or abrasive wheel • Hearing protection when operating chainsaws and noisy machines • Substantial footwear that gives ankle support • Gloves when handling wire rope or other steel objects • Caulk boots when chasing the turns and walking logs • Hard hat and hi-vis vest when out of the operator’s cab Housekeeping Housekeeping is a visual indicator of work and safety attitudes of both supervisors and workers. A clean machine makes it easier to spot oil leaks and cracked or damaged parts. Oil spills and loose tools and parts create tripping and slipping hazards. In the event of a machine tipping, loose tools or parts in the cab act as projectiles and could cause injury. Maintenance Vapours, gases, and other contaminants enter the cab through floor openings and from air exhaust valves. Contaminants include dust from brake lining and clutch plates, engine exhaust, oil mist, and methyl hydrate vapours. The machine must be shut off during servicing. The only exception is a specific mechanical test or check that requires the machine be kept running. Before leaving the cab, ground the grapple, slack running lines, and apply maxi-brakes. Guarding Friction drives, gears, shafts, and belts accessible to workers must be guarded. All guarding must comply with the guarding standards referenced in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. To prevent slips and falls, install guardrails and anti- slip material on the deck.
70 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Grapple yarder operator
Responsibility for safety A grapple yarder operator’s responsibilities for safety include: • Knowing and enforcing the employer’s safety rules and policies • Knowing and enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation • Ensuring that the log pile is maintained in a safe and stable condition • Ensuring that other workers and the loading machine are in the clear before logs are moved • Ensuring that a minimum 60 cm (2 ft.) clearance between counterweight and obstacles is maintained • Not swinging logs or grapple over workers • Ensuring that yarding radios function properly • Ensuring that the grapple yarder is maintained in a safe operating condition in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications • Identifying and informing workers about specific dangers in the workplace • Wearing personal protective equipment and clothing • Setting a good example
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 71 Transporting the grapple yarder The grapple yarder should be facing the lowbed when walking onto it. All movements must be under direction of a signaller, usually the lowbed tractor operator or supervisor. Many of the new grapple yarders are hydraulically driven. The power required to drive the hydraulic system may cause the engine to stall at peak hydraulic demand. An engine stall may occur if the engine RPM is reduced to control travel speed as the grapple yarder is about to “break over” walking up the lowbed ramp. To prevent such a stall, full engine RPM must be maintained and travel speed controlled with the hydraulic valve. When loaded for transport, the grapple must be grounded on the deck or grappled onto a hold- down strap and the boom lowered. While travelling, the grapple yarder must be tied down onto the lowbed. The increased height while on the lowbed calls for extra caution when passing under power lines. Unloading procedures must be under the direction of a qualified signaller or supervisor.
The grapple must be grounded (tied) to the lowbed to prevent it from sliding off.
72 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Grapple yarder hazards Walking the grapple yarder On established roads there are fewer hazards, provided the road is of sufficient width. Hazards do develop on newly constructed haul roads. Often roads or spur roads are constructed barely wide enough for the tracks. The operator is then forced to “walk” off centre of the road to the uphill side, with the tracks or tires close to or in the ditch. In that position, the machine can tip sideways. Roads not adequately benched or built with loose side-cast material When the road is too narrow, the grapple yarder can be could give way under the weight off centre, resulting in sideways tipping. and vibration of the grapple yarder. Culverts and bridges Metal, plastic, and log culverts, if not adequately bedded, can shift and collapse. The yarder must not be turned when it is over a culvert. Plugged culverts can wash out under the road surface and collapse. Bridges must be inspected periodically to ensure that the structure is capable of withstanding the load.
Bridges must be inspected to ensure they can support the loads imposed upon them.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 73 Overhead obstructions A hazard while moving the yarder is power line contacts.
Watch for low power lines in camp areas — have a spotter to direct travel.
When passing under power lines, the boom must be lowered.
74 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Travelling uphill and downhill The grapple yarder should face uphill with the boom turned to the uphill side to ensure that the boom does not flop back. The strawline should be used to secure the grapple. Having the machine and grapple facing downhill changes the centre of gravity, increasing the risk of tipping forward. When on a steep grade, the grapple yarder must The machine is facing uphill; the boom swings around, breaking the swing shaft; the brakes do not hold. be pushed, pulled, or snubbed. Rigging and lines must be matched in strength to the equipment used for snubbing. If the yarder is driven hydraulically, do not pull faster than the designed travel speed.
The machine is facing downhill at a 20% grade and travelling. When the brakes are applied, the machine nosedives.
The grade is too steep; the brakes lock up and the machine runs away since no snubbing vehicle is hooked up.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 75 Roads covered with debris or snow When travelling on debris-covered roads, jill-pokes are common, resulting in air lines being broken and tracks derailed. When roads are covered with ice or snow, it is difficult to determine the stability of the road; the road edge may not be visible, or there can be poor traction. Keep the road clear, and be aware of loss of traction from ice buildup between the grousers. Rock protrusions Rock protrusions are common on poorly built and poorly maintained roads. These protrusions can cause severe vibration, bounce, and jarring. Such severe movements cause equipment damage and loss of control by the operator.
Walking over road protrusions causes severe shake and can adversely affect the operator.
76 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Rigging the grapple yarder Guylines Grapple yarders are manufactured with at least one guyline. The manufacturer requires that the guylines be used. The manufacturer’s specifications must be followed. Yarding without a guyline is contrary to the manufacturer’s specifications and increases the chance of tipping the grapple yarder. A grapple yarder with a single guyline out of lead can be pulled over.
A grapple yarder severely out of lead of the two guylines can be pulled over.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 77 The guyline stumps must be properly notched and, when required, tied back with twisters or a wrap of the guyline. The hooktender must inspect the stumps daily to ensure that they are secure.
The stump is improperly notched (too shallow) and the guyline bight is the wrong way.
Stumps are properly notched and the bight is the right way; the stump is tied back with one wrap on the front stump.
78 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook If a crawler tractor is used for a guyline tailhold it must be kept in lead with the blade down and brakes set. The operator must not sit on the machine while yarding is in progress. The grapple yarder operator must ensure that guylines are kept in proper lead to share the stresses equally. Failure to monitor the lead of the guylines can result in pulled tailholds, broken guylines and equipment, road damage, and serious injury.
The guyline tailholds must be The guylines are out of lead, causing stump pull and changed as the yarder moves machine rocking. so that they are kept in lead with the yarding lines.
These guylines are in proper lead.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 79 Yarding lines There are two yarding line arrangements on grapple yarders. One has opening and closing mainlines and a haulback. The other has a single mainline, a small opening tagline, and a haulback. The grapple on both is hung from a carriage, which rides on the bight of the haulback. The critical wear points of the yarding lines are at the terminals of the lines. Daily inspections must be made where the mainline and opening lines pass through the plates. The knob and line must be pushed through so a proper inspection can be done. The area where the knob rests against the end plate must be watched closely because the knob wears a groove in the plate. When the wear becomes excessive, it crooks the line and reduces the line capacity. In extreme cases, the edge of the hole in the plate cuts the line off when it is under load. If a mainline terminal fails, the line whips toward the yarder, endangering workers. The top and bottom sections of the haulback run close together on a grapple yarder. The wrapping-up of the haulback can be minimized by using a steel swivel hung to separate the top and bottom of the haulback. Two tailhold stumps also achieve the same purpose when stump rigging is used.
Haulback
Mainline Topping line Scab block Guylines
Tagline
Grapple Carriage
Strawline
A typical tag-equipped grapple yarder.
80 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Haulback
Excavator rigged as a backspar.
Strawline When it is necessary to use the strawline for rig-ups, the crew must be taught to pull the strawline properly. The workers’ arms and legs must do the work, not their backs.
Improper. Proper.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 81 Hanging blocks and straps It is recommended that two stumps be used for tailholds to reduce the risk of pulling a stump and to minimize wrapping of the haulback. The stumps must be properly notched and, when necessary, tied back with twisters. The block is to be hung from both eyes of the strap. Do not choke the stump with a strap. If the strap is wrapped around the stump, do not cross the wraps. Ensure that the eyes are in lead with the direction of pull. Blocks properly hung on tailholds; one stump is tied back. If a tree is used as a tailhold, the tree must be tied back, regardless of species or size.
Block hung on a standing tree is tied back.
82 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Grapple yarder hooktender, spotter, or backspar operator
Responsibility for safety The hooktender’s responsibilities for safety include: • Knowing and enforcing the employer’s safety rules and policies • Knowing and enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation • Ensuring that only trained and authorized workers operate machinery — including chainsaws • Inspecting the worksite for hazards and taking action to eliminate or control them • Reporting to the supervisor all accidents involving injury to workers and any serious near misses • Ensuring that equipment is kept in safe operating condition • Referring to the employer any worker who is physically or mentally unfit to do the job • Taking corrective action on reported unsafe conditions and acts • Using safe work procedures to deal with the hazards encountered • Ensuring that landings are organized and kept clear of unnecessary debris • Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing • Identifying and informing workers about specific dangers in the workplace • Setting a good example
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 83 Yarding hazards If workers must enter the area made hazardous by yarding, they must notify the operator of the yarder. Root wads While working around root wads, workers should stay away from rear and low sides. Workers must always string lines from the uphill side and place them on top of the root wad to avoid siwashes. Root wads are inherently unstable.
Do not walk below root wads.
84 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Saplings When yarding past saplings, workers must be alert because the lines or grapple can throw debris. The hazard of thrown saplings can be controlled by establishing proper falling policy and procedures before yarding activities begin.
Keep all lines clear of siwashes and watch for thrown debris.
Runaways and siwashes The spotter must be aware of the position of the lines at all times and be alert to the dangers that lines can create: • Runaway logs can be dislodged by the haulback. • Haulback can hook logs after the turn is landed. • Siwashes can occur during yarding after road changes because the lines are not strung straight. Strawline should be placed on top of stumps, gun barrels, and root wads.
Lines running over gunbarrel logs can cause them to move.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 85 Steep ground with unbucked or long logs Unstable logs, rocks, and trees can be dislodged when the work is on steep ground. Partially bucked or tree-length timber can cause additional hazards. When working with tree-length timber, workers should always take that extra step to get in the clear.
Do not stand too close to logs being yarded – get in the clear.
Danger trees on the back line or side lines If a danger tree is leaning into the felled and bucked area, the hooktender must arrange for it to be felled before yarding activities begin. If the danger tree leans into the timber, workers must be warned to stay clear. Do not use danger trees as tailhold stumps.
86 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Safe yarding procedures Communications Communications in grapple yarding is vital to safe production. Radios must transmit and receive clearly. When talking into the microphone, be sure that the voice volume is constant. Words must be clearly spoken. Use as few words as possible. Radio equipment must be tested and kept clean and dry. It must be recharged at the end of each shift. When using a choker, workers must use standard high-lead whistle signals. Choking logs When the choker is to be set, the lines must be slackened. Once the choker is set, move into the clear.
When the choker is used, the grapple must be grounded.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 87 Notching stumps When stumps serve as anchors, the stumps must be notched as low to the ground as possible, to a proper depth and lead to prevent slabbing. On flared stumps, do not cut off the roots. When using a chainsaw, leg, hearing, and eye protection must be worn. The stump must be brushed out to prevent kickback.
Wear leg protective devices as well as hand, eye, and hearing protection when using a chainsaw.
Hanging a haulback block and strap With your back turned to the yarder, place the right-hand or high-side eye in the gooseneck, then place the left-hand eye in the gooseneck. This will allow the block to hang upright with no haulback twisting or burning of the block shell.
The block is hanging upright. All standing trees used for tailholds must be tied back.
88 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Undersized haulback block When blocks are undersized for the size of line, the Incorrect. Correct industry standard. following will occur: • Line chaffing • Excessive line wear • Line breakage • Block wear The industry standard for calculating the proper block size is to multiply the line diameter by 20 and use the corresponding sheave size. Manufacturers recommend multiplying the line diameter by 30. Carrying blocks 14-inch block with 1-inch line 20-inch block with 1-inch line Proper lifting techniques should be used when lifting heavy objects. “Save the back; use the legs.” Carry the block on the uphill shoulder with the Molly Hogans away from the face. Walk on the ground or stable logs. Choose a clear path. If you fall, throw the block clear.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 89 Walking on metal Extreme caution must be used when walking on metal with caulked boots because of the slipping hazard. Use hand-holds. Do not jump off machines at any time but climb down properly and with care. Deck access areas must have non-slip material installed. Preventing slips and falls To prevent slipping and falling, workers must be alert to: • Loose bark when sap is running • Frozen logs • Walking on old or burnt logs Keep caulked boots in good condition. Keep caulked boots in good condition and watch for loose bark. Splicing and cutting lines Hazards encountered when splicing or cutting lines include: • Eye injuries from flying particles • Punctures from Marlin spikes • Being struck by strand ends when splicing Eye protection, sharp tools, and professional work methods can prevent serious injury.
Wear proper personal protective equipment when splicing.
90 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Chainsaws When handling a chainsaw, ensure good footing and keep a firm grip on the saw with both hands. Avoid kickback by knowing where the bar tip is at all times. Remove limbs and chunks that could contribute to a kickback. When walking, ensure that the chain is stopped. Use the saw at night only when adequate lighting is available. Wear all required protective clothing and equipment. Wear leg protective devices as well as hand, eye, and There must be no smoking hearing protection when using a chainsaw. when fuelling the saw. Night yarding When night yarding is done: • Use a personal light attached to your chest or hard hat to leave your hands free • Wear a hi-vis vest and put hi-vis tape on the hard hat • Remain in one position when yarding lights swing away to land logs Sitting on mobile backspars Workers must not be on a mobile backspar while yarding is in progress. Serious injury can occur as a result of: • Sudden, violent jarring of the mobile backspar • Lines breaking • Backspar machine being pulled over Falling trees Trees must be felled by a qualified faller. The danger of serious injury or death to untrained workers felling trees is extreme.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 91 Operating the backspar Regular maintenance of mobile backspar A regular maintenance schedule for a mobile backspar should include: • Checking coolant level • Checking engine and hydraulic system oil level • Lubricating boom pins and blocks A visual check of the backspar should be done when carrying out regular maintenance. Moving the mobile backspar (hoe) The operator must ensure that the guarding package meets the appropriate WCB guarding standard. When a hoe is equipped with a seat belt, it must be used. The hoe must have the stick at more than 90° and be in lead with the grapple yarder. If the hoe is not in lead on solid ground and the stick is less than 90°, the machine can be overturned. When the hoe is changing roads, communication with the operator of the yarder is critical. Safe work procedures include ensuring that the haulback is slack and that no siwashes develop as the machine is moved. The machine should be moved with the operator facing the grapple yarder. Do not try to move long distances without putting the stick down and tightlining the haulback over any obstacles.
Haulback being tightened.
92 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Safe work practices for the operator include never moving the hoe while yarding is taking place or without first informing the grapple yarding operator. No one may stand on or sit in the hoe while yarding takes place. The operator must always keep a sharp lookout for hoe stability. No maintenance or service work is to be done while yarding takes place. Do not sit or stand on the hoe while yarding takes place.
Mobile backspar roads The operator of the mobile backspar (hoe) must be aware of danger trees, leaning saplings, jill-pokes, and rock protrusions that occur on backspar trails. To overcome these hazards, the operator must ensure that hazardous danger trees and leaning saplings are removed. Avoid pushing them over or backing into them. Check the trail before the start of each shift to assess potential hazards. Do not position the mobile backspar machine on rock, steep hills, or slide areas because the stability of the machine in those instances is poor. When operating a mobile backspar, 60 cm (2 ft.) clearance must be maintained between the counterweight and any obstacle.
Remove all hazardous danger trees.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 93 Adverse weather The hazards to the mobile backspar operator from adverse weather include wind, icy tracks, heavy rain, or yarding at night with limited visibility. Workers must dress for the adverse weather conditions. High winds may require workers to leave the area made hazardous by blown-down trees. When working under adverse weather conditions, take extra time to ensure personal safety.
Working near standing timber in high winds is hazardous.
94 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Utility worker
Responsibility for safety The utility worker’s responsibilities for safety include: • Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing • Knowing and enforcing the safe work procedures • Knowing and enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and the employer’s safety rules and policies • Identifying and informing workers about specific dangers in the workplace • Reporting to the supervisor all accidents involving injury and serious near misses • Setting a good example Communications It is important to establish proper communications with the hooktender and yarder operator. When a radio is used, the volume and squelch must be adjusted to give a clear message. When talking into the microphone, the utility worker should keep the voice volume constant, speak clearly, and use as few words as possible. Inspection of grapple The utility worker must keep ready items such as chokers, yo-yo lines, choker lines, hand tools, and all other equipment needed on the grapple yarder. A twice- daily check of the yarding grapple for cracks and signs of wear is a priority job for the utility worker. Counterweight clearance The utility worker must monitor that the 60 cm (2 ft.) clearance between the counterweight and other obstacles is maintained at all times. The utility worker must notify the yarder operator when entering the operator’s work area. Notification must be by radio or visual contact.
Workers must notify the operator prior to intruding in the work circle.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 95 Securing guylines Guylines must be anchored on the stump so that the grapple yarder moves away from the direction of the bight. When hanging or releasing a guyline, stand on the back or clean side of the bight and place the guyline shackle so that it can be taken off safely — that is, stand on the end or eye side of line. Make sure workers are in the clear before going ahead on the strawline or guyline. The use of a small block (“Tommy Moore”) is recommended to string guylines with the strawline.
Properly notched Improperly notched (not guyline stump. angled or not deep enough).
Improperly notched (too high).
Improperly notched (too deep).
Tommy Moore strawline block.
96 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Loading grapple.
Loading grapple.
Yarding grapple.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 97 Grapple yarding in winter conditions
Many areas of British Columbia experience heavy snow during the winter months. Felled and bucked timber is often buried overnight by a snowfall. Co-ordination of yarding and falling activities Many firms prefer to keep a limited amount of felled and bucked timber ahead of the grapple yarding. In this way, they can grapple yard one or two days behind the fallers. Supervisors must ensure that falling and bucking do not conflict with grapple yarding activities. A minimum distance of two tree lengths must be maintained between the tree being felled and any other worker. Falling and bucking activities must not be conducted above an active grapple yarding site nor should grapple yarding take place above fallers if there is a hazard of runaway logs or trees. Proper co-ordination can eliminate the problem of fallers being isolated behind the grapple yarder without transportation. If this is not possible, place one crew vehicle behind the grapple yarder and one in front.
Falling within two tree lengths of grapple yarding activity or any other worker is prohibited.
98 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Vehicle parked on the open access side of log pile for emergency use.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 99 Landing size Landings or landing areas must be built of a size and construction to accommodate yarding, manufacturing, and loading of logs. The work in landings must be co-ordinated to ensure that all machinery and workers can perform their duties without risk of injury. In areas where the wood is being skidded from the yarder to a central landing, safe work practices must be maintained. When the skidder or crawler tractor is hooking up a drag at the yarder, the yarder operator must not operate the machine until the skidder or crawler tractor is clear of the landing area.
A skidder can remove logs from the grapple yarder for processing in a less hazardous area. Winter hazards Snow on trees Grapple yarding workers often work along the edge of standing timber which may be heavily laden with snow. Workers must always be aware of the danger of branches breaking off, clumps of snow coming down, or the weight of snow on danger trees causing them to fall out of the standing timber. High stumps Unless fallers shovel out around the base of felled trees, rigging crews are faced with the hazard of high stumps. High stumps can result in upending logs and hang-ups.
100 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Rigging crews must always be prepared for a log hanging up on a high stump and upending. Snow conditions may prevent the faller from bucking all the timber. Spotters must be alert to these dangers.
High stumps in snow can cause serious hazards. Tree-length timber Some firms prefer to yard timber tree-length and manufacture it when it reaches the landing. Tree-length timber can cause many hazards to rigging crews. Tree- length timber in the grapple or choker has more chance of hanging up and upending, as well as breaking and sliding down the hill. The hooktender or spotter must be sure they are well in the clear before giving the go-ahead signal. In rough terrain where timber is buried in snow, the hooktender or spotter must be above and behind the turn to avoid upending logs. Frozen timber Crews logging frozen timber, especially unbucked logs, must be aware of several hazards. Logs frozen in the snow will have a tendency to break and may run away when freed by the grapple or choker. Also, logs can upend. Upending logs can throw broken ends and tops, endangering the hooktender or spotter. Walking on frozen timber is dangerous. Use extreme caution and make sure caulks are in good shape. To prevent snow buildup between the caulks, workers should wear rubber-soled caulk boots. Sliding logs Winter conditions make logs slippery and, even on what may appear to be a slope good for windrowing, a hazard of runaway logs can exist. A log placed by the grapple or choker may inadvertently slide from the windrow after the grapple has been opened or the choker has been undone. The grapple yarder operator should ensure that the log is firmly set in the pile before opening the grapple or allowing the chaser to go in and undo the choker. The hooktender or spotter must always be aware of logs sliding from the windrow pile back down the hill.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 101 Tailholds Crews must use extra care when selecting tailholds in winter. When using stumps, shovel out to the base of the stump to determine its stability. If tailhold stability is questionable and no alternative stumps are available, use tiebacks to prevent the stump from being pulled out. Choose sound, sturdy trees for tailholds when stumps are not available. Tie back all standing trees used as tailholds. Check for danger trees and overhead hazards, heavy clumps of snow on branches, and broken tops or branches. Danger trees must not be used for tailholds. Runaway logs The danger of runaway logs is greater on steep ground. The roadline where logs are yarded will have created a toboggan-like chute. Once a log slips from the windrow pile, or out of the grapple or choker, it will take off down the chute. Its direction may change at any time if redirected by a stump or other debris. The crew must get well in the clear to avoid being in the path of runaway logs.
The hooktender or spotter can be seriously injured when loose logs are dislodged from the pile.
102 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Visibility during snowfall Depth perception is affected during snowfall. Rigging crews find it difficult to determine the distance from the lines. Stand back, behind the turn and in the clear, before giving the go-ahead signal or when the turn is moving. Slippery road conditions Winter conditions can make logging roads dangerous for machine operations and workers travelling on the roads. Track-mounted machines must have good grousers with ice lugs on their tracks to prevent slipping. Rubber-tired grapple yarders must be chained up to ensure traction. This equipment must be snubbed or pulled by a suitable machine when moving on sloped roads. Crew transportation vehicles must be maintained in top mechanical condition. A four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with chains is the best choice. If the vehicle does not have four-wheel drive, chains must be used whenever road conditions are slippery. When driving on freshly plowed roads, vehicle drivers should be aware of soft shoulders that appear to be part of the road bed.
Extra care must be used when driving on snow-covered roads.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 103 Hand tools When temperatures are below freezing, hand tools may become more brittle. Bits and pieces of steel flying from a hammer or wire cutter are common. Loggers must check the condition of these tools on a regular basis and always wear eye protection when cutting line. Tools must be stored properly to prevent them from being buried in snow. Lunch fires When a lunch fire is being built, keep it away from chainsaws, oils, and gasoline. Keep vehicles and machines well away from the fire. The fire must be on the downwind side of the landing. Gasoline must not be used to start lunch fires.
Gasoline must never be used to start a fire.
104 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Grapple yarder and loader inspections
Inspection of the worksite Regular and documented inspections must be done on equipment used in yarding and loading. Inspections must be conducted by qualified workers and at appropriate intervals. Inspections must be initiated: • By the requirements of the manufacturer • In accordance with recognized industry standards • In accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Tools for inspection • Coveralls • Cable and sheave gauge • Gloves • Pocket knife • Flashlight • Tire pressure gauge • Wire brush – use eye protection • Tape measure Evaluation of machine setup The first step is to verify that the configuration of the machine is in compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications. The actual configuration affects the lifting capacity. The following should be checked: • Ground conditions • Operating on “rubber” or outriggers • Levelling of log loader and grapple yarder • Proximity of other equipment • Workers in the active logging hazard area • Swinging hazards of counterweights and logs • Communications system (such as radio, hand signals) • Lattice boom (damaged chords/lattice members, twisted boom) • Hydraulic boom (survey for bending, sway, and droop) • All firefighting equipment in place and operational • Grooving, gouging, or excessive shoulder wear of sheaves • Bushings, bearings, and pins, for excessive wear • All wire rope and connections, such as wedge sockets, for proper size and installation • Grapple chains and rubber stoppers
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 105 Inspection of grapple yarder and loader Boom Check for the following: • Bending • Sway • Fairlead and sheave assemblies • Cracks around the hinge pins • Tailholds for pendant and topping lines • Rust (check for signs of cracks) • Light assemblies • Flaking or cracked paint (could be signs of overload) • Bulges, creases, or waviness of the plates in the boom • Hydraulic leaks (for example, creeping of hydraulic cylinders) • Access ladders Drums Check the general condition of the drums and the spooling of the lines. Check the dead end of the wire rope at the drum. Counterweight Inspect all hardware, including brackets and pins used to attach the counterweight. Check for cracks, breaks, and other signs of damage. Ensure that the loader or yarder is equipped with the original counterweights supplied by the manufacturer and that they contain the correct number of weights. A-frame and mast Inspect the frame and mast for bent or distorted members. Check for cracks at or near welds. Wire rope Inspect wire rope and other forms of rigging in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Note: Non-rotating wire rope must not be used for boom hoist reeving or for standing ropes. Pendants Boom pendants must withstand large forces, not only from the weight of the boom and the load, but particularly from shock and vibration when the load
106 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook is picked up. Inspect pendants for broken wires, as well as rust and corrosion, particularly at the fittings. Ensure that pendants are matched pairs. Inspect sockets for signs of corrosion, rust, and broken wires. Bails Inspect the bail structure, paying particular attention to welds. Examine each sheave for groove smoothness, broken or chipped flanges, cracks in hubs, and out-of-round conditions as well as groove depth, width, and contour. Use a gauge to make sure the contour of the groove is correct. Lattice booms When inspecting lattice booms, remember that tubular booms (high-tensile steel) are very sensitive to minor damage, while mild steel booms (angle iron) will tolerate more damage. All structural members of the boom must be examined for defects. Check particularly for the following: • Cords, which must be straight and free of kinks, bends, or cracks • Lattice members, which must be in place and free from bends, kinks, cracks, and broken welds • Welds, for cracks and corrosion • Boom section and fittings, for cracks • Heel boom section, particularly anchoring pins and weld cracks in the lugs Grapple Wear points on the grapple develop where the mainline and opening lines pass through the dees. The knob and line must be pushed out for daily inspection. A groove can be worn where the knob rests and can cut off the line. Excessive wear at hinge points must be repaired. Machine deck Guards All exposed gears, drive belts, pulleys, clutches, and brakes must be guarded. Cab guarding Cab guarding must conform to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Clutches All bands and clutch plates must meet manufacturer’s specifications. Check for dirt and grease accumulation and loose tools that could be caught in the clutches.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 107 Operator’s cab The following must be checked: • All controls must have their functions clearly identified. • Log books and maintenance manual must be available for inspection history. • Windshields must be clean, free of cracks, hazing, discoloration, and frosting. • Boom stops and other safety devices must be operational. Turntable (ring gear) The ring gear must be examined carefully for cracks. Paint cracking may indicate a structural crack. Carriers Rubber-tired carrier Inspect tires for cuts, tears, breaks, and proper inflation. Brake lines must be in good condition and brakes adjusted properly. Outrigger assemblies • Check the outriggers to be sure that neither the beams nor the cylinders are distorted. • Ensure that welds are not cracked. • Beams and cylinder jacks must extend and retract smoothly. • Cylinders must hold. • Check outrigger floats for distortion and cracking.
Crawler carrier Check the following: • Track and chain adjustment • The condition of drive sprockets, idlers, support rollers, track pins, keepers, and all welds • Track shoes for cracks • Cleanliness of tracks, which must be kept clean, especially in freezing weather Note: All air and hydraulic lines must be in good condition and guarded at locations where they may be damaged.
108 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Inspection of crawler bulldozer Crawler bulldozers should be inspected regularly. Check for the following: • ROPS certification sticker is in place on the canopy. The canopy has no cracks or unidentified attachments. • Seat belts are installed and used. • All cab guards are in place. • All running gear is properly maintained; tracks, rollers, track plates, fairleads, and catlines have no signs of excessive wear. • Exhaust system has noise control and does not leak exhaust gases. • Hydraulic lines do not leak and are adequately protected. • Brakes are in good repair and the quick release on the winch line is operative. • The backspar assembly is not deteriorated. • Firefighting equipment is installed and operational. • Tracks are clean, especially in freezing weather. Inspection of excavator (back hoe) Excavators (back hoes) should be inspected regularly. Check for the following: • All cab guards are in place and the escape opening is operational. • Firefighting equipment is installed and operational. • Running gear is in good condition and the swivel points on the bucket and boom are not worn. • All hydraulic and air lines are in good condition and guarded, with no leaks. • No loose material in the cab. • Windows are not cracked. • Seat is in good condition. • Tracks are kept clean, especially in freezing weather. • The seat belt is in good condition and used.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 109 Inspection of vehicles equipped with air brakes All vehicles equipped with air brakes must have the following equipment checked before being put into service and on a daily basis: • Headlights: high and low • Booster protection valve • Rearview mirrors • Brake drums • Horn • Brake lining • Windshield • Brake rod travel • Windshield wipers • Steering • Door handles • Low-air warning device • Windows and handles • Housekeeping • Exhaust system • Wheels and tires • Air compressor • Wheel nuts and studs • Air lines and connections • First aid kit • Brake chambers • Fire extinguisher • Air tanks • Fire tools and hoses • Air gauges • Belts • Dump valve • Engine coolant • Air governors • Oil levels • Emergency brake • Alternator performance
110 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Loading in proximity to grapple yarders
Loading hazards When the loader is loading from the active grapple yarder log pile, several precautions must be taken: • Minimum 60 cm (2 ft.) clearance between loader counterweight and all obstructions such as log pile, banks, and other equipment must be maintained. • The landing worker and the chaser must stay out of the active log landing and loading area at all times. • Loader operators must avoid swinging the boom or snorkel into grapple yarder lines. Inadvertent movement of the lines when struck by a loader may result in injury to the hooktender or spotter who may be setting a choker or spotting the grapple.
A well-planned log landing.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 111 • On steep downhill yarding, the loading must not take place below the yarding road. • When loading from the high side, the log loader must be positioned so that logs will not slip out of the windrow pile and strike the log loader.
Congested log landings are extremely hazardous for workers.
• Good communications must exist between machine operators and ground crew. • To avoid swinging the loader under the lines to grab logs, the setting should be yarded from the front to the back. It is preferable to keep the logs on the haul road side as this makes the logs always available to the loader.
Landing workers must stay in the clear.
112 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Passing by log loaders If you are driving a vehicle, stay well back and in the clear, and give the loader operator time to complete the operation. Do not surprise the operator by driving right up to his loader. Equipment clearance A common mistake is failing to maintain a 60 cm (2 ft.) clearance between the counterweight of the loader and any obstacle around it, such as another machine, a log pile, or high side bank. Too often an operator moving the machine to accommodate yarding or loading inadvertently eliminates this clearance. Operators must always ensure that they maintain the minimum clearance after every machine move. Workers must notify the operator any time they enter the loading machine work circle.
Adequate clearance — 60 cm (2 ft.) — must be maintained at all times.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 113 Machines being struck by logs Operators of yarders and loaders must position their machines so that they do not endanger one another while handling logs. It is essential for the operators to have effective communication with each other. When they don’t, serious accidents may happen, such as: • Jill-poked logs or logs that slip from a yarder striking a loader • A loader swinging a log into a yarder Loading too close. • A loader dislodging a log from the pile and striking a yarder
A log slips out of the grapple yarder and hits the loader.
114 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Landing crew in the clear The duties of the landing crew (chasers, second loaders, buckers) include tasks that place them in close proximity to machines. For example, a landing worker bucking logs for the loader operator may also have to unhook chokers for the grapple yarder. All landing crew must perform their duties without putting themselves at risk. Workers who go in to undo chokers or to hook up the strawline must make their intentions known to both the loader and grapple yarder operators. They must not go into the hazardous area until the operator signals it is safe to do so. The landing workers must be visible to both machine operators at all times. Dislodging logs from the pile Loader operators must not remove logs from the bottom of a windrow pile. By removing logs from the bottom of the log pile, upper logs can be dislodged. These loose logs may strike the workers or log loader. Loader operators must pick up the top logs first.
Picking up logs from the bottom of the pile can dislodge other logs.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 115 Loader coming into contact with yarding lines When loading close to the grapple yarder, rigging crews have been injured when a loader operator has swung the snorkel or boom into the lines. The loader operator must be cautious when grabbing logs near the lines. When the turn is being brought in, the operator must wait until the log has been landed. If it has been choked, the loader operator must give the chaser plenty of time to get in and out of the hazardous area.
If the loader catches grapple lines, the grapple swings and hits the spotter. Hobo and long logs When yarding is done off steep side hills, landing workers must be aware of logs riding on top of a log or grapple and running down into the landing. The same is true of other debris such as rocks or root wads. On settings where there is steep, broken ground, it is difficult to buck logs and there is a greater chance of finding full-length timber. As well, some firms may yard all timber at full length. Hobo chunks can ride logs into the landing.
116 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Whether yarding is done uphill or downhill, long logs are more difficult to land. When logging is done uphill and the landing area is too small, the loader may be required to hold a log from running back down the hill. Landings must be large enough to handle 2/3 of the average length of logs being yarded.
Insufficient landing area.
Loading below the yarding quarter No loading is to take place where there is a danger of runaway logs, rolling rocks, debris, or hobo logs entering the landing. All workers must move to an area where they will not be at risk.
Because of falling debris, loaders move out while yarding takes place.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 117 Communications Effective communications when loading around grapple yarders will prevent many injuries. All workers must be familiar with all signals used in yarding and loading. Before backing up, the truck driver must give two horn blasts to notify workers of this movement.
Driver unaware of landing worker and backs up over him.
Housekeeping and maintenance It is the responsibility of each worker to ensure that their work area is free of hazards. Oily decks, broken guards, broken guardrails, broken ladders, and cracked glass must be repaired. The loader operator must keep the landing area clear of bucked-off chunks and limbs. Landing workers must keep all their tools out of the area in which the machines can move or where logs are placed.
118 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Supersnorkel yarder/loader operator
Responsibility for safety The supersnorkel yarder/loader operator’s responsibilities for safety include: • Knowing and enforcing the employer’s safety policy and rules • Knowing and enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation • Ensuring that the machine is maintained in a safe operating condition in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications • Ensuring that at least 60 cm (2 ft.) of clearance is maintained between the loader counterweight and any obstacle in the area • Ensuring that the grapple or logs are not elevated or swung over workers • Ensuring that all workers are in the clear before moving logs • Identifying and informing workers about specific dangers in the workplace • Wearing personal protective equipment and clothing • Setting a good example
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 119 Description of snorkel booms Snorkel A wooden or steel boom extension mounted on a loader to increase the grapple’s reach for loading logs. Long snorkel A steel boom extension, either one piece or telescoping up to 24 m (80 ft.), to increase reach for loading and yarding purposes with the snorkel supported by substantial guyline structures. Supersnorkel A steel boom extension of more than one section mounted on a loader to increase its reach up to 36 m (120 ft.) for yarding purposes. A supersnorkel looks like the mast rigging of a tall ship positioned horizontally.
Four-section supersnorkel.
120 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook The following are the most common supersnorkel configurations in use. All measurements are for the snorkel sections only. For the total distance from the centre pin to the end of the snorkel, add approximately 18 m (59 ft.). The industry standard length of the snorkel section is 36 m (120 ft.). This can be made up by the following combinations: • Three 12 m (40 ft.) sections • Four 9 m (30 ft.) sections • Two 18 m (60 ft.) sections, either telescopic or folding Planning Planning is crucial to a safe supersnorkel operation. Detailed plans must be developed for: • Transporting the supersnorkel • Walking the supersnorkel • Road building • Width of right-of-way • The tree-falling plan • Log-loading procedures Transporting the supersnorkel Supersnorkels are modified loaders but differ in the boom structure, length of boom, and weight. There must be written supplementary instructions dealing with transporting the supersnorkel. Before the machine is transported, it must be decided what snorkel length will be retained. For a short move of 2–3 km (up to 2 miles) on a relatively straight road, the complete snorkel may be left on, provided the boom is facing to the rear. That helps the truck driver avoid potential snorkel damage during transport. Where the move is for greater distances or there are tight corners or switchbacks, the snorkel must be shortened (down-rigged). Should pushing, pulling, or snubbing equipment be used, no more than two sections of the snorkel are permitted.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 121 The machine should be facing the lowbed when walking it onto the lowbed. All movements must be under direction of a qualified signaller. Some of the newer loaders are hydraulically driven. The power to drive the hydraulic system may cause the engine to stall at peak hydraulic demand. An engine stall may occur if the engine RPM is reduced to control travel speed as the machine is about to “break over” walking up the lowbed ramp. To prevent this stall, engine RPM must be maintained and travel speed controlled with the hydraulic valve. When loaded for transport, the grapple must be grounded on the deck or grappled onto an anchor strap. During transport, the machine must be tied down to the lowbed. The increased height, while it is on the lowbed, calls for extra caution when passing under power lines. (See page 38 for what to do if contact is made.) The unloading procedure should be under the direction of a qualified signaller or supervisor. The boom should be facing the rear of the lowbed.
Boom not lowered, resulting in power line contact.
122 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Supersnorkel hazards Walking the supersnorkel Often spur roads are constructed barely wide enough for the tracks. In such cases, the operator is forced to travel off centre to the uphill side with tracks close to or in the ditch. This can result in the supersnorkel tipping sideways.
Machine is travelling uphill; the road is too narrow and the machine tips to the right. Improperly constructed sub-grades Roads not adequately benched or built with loose side-cast material can give way under the weight of the supersnorkel or its vibrations.
Road is half-benched; machine tips downhill.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 123 Culverts and bridges Metal, plastic, and log culverts, if not adequately bedded, can shift or collapse. Plugged culverts can collapse when washed out under the road surface. All bridges must be inspected periodically to ensure that the structure is capable of withstanding the load.
Bridge inadequate for supersnorkel.
Overhead obstructions Overhead obstructions in the camp and log-dump area frequently contacted by the equipment include: • Low-voltage power lines and telephone lines in and around the camp • Guylines for gin poles • Guylines for log dumps • Electric service lines for dry-land sort lighting • Doors on service bays in Contact with low power lines in camp — no spotter. shops If there is contact with an electrical conductor, do not try to clear the fouled line by lifting it off or over the machine by hand or any other means, such as with a stick. Never climb on or off the machine while it is in contact with an electrical conductor. A worker touching the energized lowbed or supersnorkel and the ground at the same time can be electrocuted (see page 38).
124 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Steep grades When walking the supersnorkel uphill, it should face uphill with the boom turned slightly to the downhill side to avoid the snorkel or lines contacting stumps, trees, and chunks. The snorkel boom should be lowered to near horizontal. Because of the extra length and weight of the snorkel, Steep grade of 23% — the towing strap is too small, the any severe bounce or sudden strap fails, and the supersnorkel runs away. movement may cause loss of control. On steep grades, the supersnorkel should be pushed, pulled, or snubbed. Rigging and lines must be matched to the equipment used for snubbing. Facing downhill changes the centre of gravity and may cause the machine to tip forward. Don’t tow hydraulically driven Travelling down a 20% grade — brakes applied and the machines faster than their machine nose-dives. designed travel speed. Road hazards When the supersnorkel is travelling on debris-covered roads, jill-pokes are common, causing broken air lines and derailed tracks. Ice and snow make it difficult to determine the stability of the road or to see the edge of the road, and ice and snow reduce traction. Road protrusions, common on roads that are poorly built Road protrusions cause severe shaking. or maintained, cause severe vibration, bounce, and jarring, which can cause damage and loss of control.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 125 Yarding Some operations have operators working by themselves with no other worker to assist them. This practice must be discouraged because of the high risk of injury to the operator. If the firm must operate in this manner, a comprehensive written worker well-being check system has to be in place. When a landing worker is on-site, a location where logs can be safely limbed and bucked must be determined before yarding or loading operations begin. Overloading and positioning of the machine Supersnorkels are modified loaders and therefore have no guylines. When yarding logs, extra precautions must be taken and often a great deal of experience must be used to get the logs safely to the landing. On steep ground, the practice of yarding straight down to the machine is very dangerous and must be avoided. Yarding should be at an angle to the grade so that any runaway logs, root wads, or rocks do not hit the machine.
By rocking the machine to move a large log the machine will tip forward.
The grapple holding line on the machine acts as a haulback but, because of mechanical and structural limitations, it is not capable of withstanding the same stresses as on a normal yarder. The limited holding ability prohibits the yarding
126 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook of large or tree-length logs straight down to the machine or holding a runaway log. Excessive tightlining of the line will cause the snorkel to fail. The length and the ability to swing 360° requires continued operator alertness in steep Trying to haul back a long log causes the snorkel to fail. ground where standing timber, snags, rock bluffs, and cut banks could interfere. As with any yarder, this machine is subject to jill-pokes into the cab, tracks, or tires. For a worker to be in the clear, a minimum safe working distance is 20 m (66 ft.) past the end of the snorkel. A grapple can be cast beyond the end of the snorkel and, if A high stump on the bank is hit and causes the a boom stick is grappled, it supersnorkel to fail. could upend or swing. When yarding is done parallel to the tracks, the drive sprocket should be away from the pull to give extra counterweight. Rocking the machine to obtain extra pulling power places all the weight on the front one-third of the track or front outrigger jacks. If the machine is close to the road edge, the edge could give way, causing the machine to tip over. Small turnout bank gives way.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 127 Hobo logs Hobo logs or chunks must be dropped or shaken off before the log being yarded reaches the landing. The hobo logs or chunks can upend or swing and are not under the control of the operator.
Small hobo log upends into landing.
Snorkel failure Erratic side casting or continued abrupt swing changes will shock-load snorkel components and result in premature failure of the snorkel. This shock-loading will wear or stretch the side stay guys and reduce the required stability. Supersnorkels are designed to operate on near-level grade. When yarding on steep grade, the uphill side stay guys are subjected to additional stress. After such a yarding situation, a complete snorkel inspection must be conducted.
128 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Loading logs Written supplementary instructions for loading operations are required when a supersnorkel is used as a loader. Loading logs with a full-length supersnorkel is not recommended. Down-rigging the snorkel is required when changing from a yarding to a loading configuration. A maximum of two sections or 24 m (80 ft.) of snorkel should be used when loading. The remaining sections and rigging should be removed. If loading is done with a full-length supersnorkel, the holding line snorkel block must not be attached past the end of the second section. It is recommended that all workers remain outside the snorkel’s reach, including the logging truck driver. Grappling in front of truck — log upends into truck. Windows Window glazing protects the operator from the natural elements. Glare from direct sunlight striking “spider webbing” of cracked or broken glazing can restrict the operator’s vision. Cracked windows must be replaced as soon as possible.
Cracked windows reduce vision.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 129 Cherry picking In a well-planned operation, yarding is done before the logging truck arrives. If cherry picking is to be done with a full-length snorkel, the holding line snorkel block must not be past the second section and the grapple not cast out beyond the front bunk of the logging truck. Logs that are likely to upend or swing into the tractor must not be grappled. Move the truck ahead to access those logs. Handling coils of wire rope New wire rope is cut with a cutoff saw, which leaves a very sharp square edge. Coils of wire rope are tied with mechanic’s wire or twine to keep the coil tight and circular. When the last tie is released, the end of the wire rope will spring out with enough force to injure workers. Control the loose end.
New coil of wire rope — loose ends hit landing worker.
Threading of the haulback The haulback running along the snorkel is supported by either fixed eyes or small blocks. This prevents the haulback from becoming tangled with yarded logs, eliminates operator distraction, contains broken lines, or stops the broken end should a line fail.
130 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Four-way swivel Gooseneck or attachment failure occurs when lubrication applied on the snorkel block gooseneck wears off. The solution is to install a four-way swivel that has grease fittings, or nipples, for lubricating. Properly maintained, the apparatus will give years of trouble-free service. Snorkel blocks not on a lubricated swivel require a safety strap. Regular snorkel block
Four-way swivel with grease fittings
The regular snorkel block shows signs of severe wear; the four-way swivel is easily lubricated.
Compressed air systems Cabs that are not sealed will permit engine exhaust gases, hot oil fumes, and dust from brakes and clutch plates to enter the cab. Compressed air systems that are not adequately drained, are not periodically flushed, or have poorly maintained compressors and filters will blow compressor oil and water into the cab from the valve exhaust port. Oil mist is very irritating and results in sneezing, irritation of the eyes, and discomfort of the nose, throat, and lungs. In winter months, methyl hydrate in air systems can cause serious health effects if the vapours are inhaled. All of those contaminants can be eliminated by sealing the cab and by adding exhaust lines from the air valves to lead the contaminants outside the cab.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 131 Counterweight clearance Swinging mobile equipment must maintain at least 60 cm (2 ft.) of clearance between the counterweight and any obstacles such as logs, cut banks, or other machinery.
Adequate clearance — 60 cm (2 ft.) — must be maintained at all times.
Personal protective equipment and clothing Workers must wear the following personal protective equipment and clothing: • Gloves when handling wire rope • Hearing protection when using chainsaws or around machines with high noise levels • Leg protective devices when using a chainsaw • Eye protection when cutting wire rope and operating chainsaws • Safety headgear The log loader operator is required to wear substantial footwear that gives ankle support. This is not required so much for operating the machine but for support when climbing up and around the machine and performing other tasks around the landing such as changing lines and servicing the machine. When walking logs, workers must wear caulked boots.
132 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Inspection and maintenance A weekly inspection of all snorkel components must be made. Critical lines such as guylines, topping lines, and gantry lines must be maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications. These lines should be replaced annually — or sooner if damage has occurred. Periodic inspection must be made of the line’s core for wear and lubrication. The line should be removed from service if the core is dry. All line changes and inspections should be recorded in a line log book. When service or maintenance work is conducted, the machine must be shut down except when a specific test or service procedure requires it to be running. The grapple should be grounded and brakes set. Ladders, stairs, guards, and guardrails that are damaged must be replaced or repaired immediately.
Snorkel block Grapple
Holding guys Guyline 2nd A-frame Safety guy 1st A-frame
1st outrigger
Back brace
Outriggers Inside guyline Outside guyline
18 m (58 ft.) 36 m (120 ft.) 20 m (66 ft.) 74 m (244 ft.)
Supersnorkel.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 133 Turnbuckle and pin inspection Turnbuckles with a bent Standard is pin threaded shaft will fracture with cotter pin internally and fail. Bent or damaged turnbuckles must be replaced and removed from service before further yarding or loading takes Other choices: place. The number of turnbuckles can be reduced if matched snorkel and guyline Nut and Pin only and lengths are used. Washer and Molly or Molly or Molly or cotter pin cotter pin The safety guyline should cotter pin not be over-tensioned because it pulls the snorkel Nut and cotter pin used for centre pin only sections out of lead. Vertical Thimble pins used to secure side guylines to A-frame outriggers must be installed from the bottom with the Example: securing device on the top 2nd A-frame outrigger side of the flange. If installed connection from the top, the pins work against gravity and wear through the Molly Hogan or • Pins installed • Standard is to use cotter pin with eventual loss from bottom cotter pin only of that guyline. Other choices are: 1. Molly only 2. Washer and cotter pin or molly 3. Nut and Molly
Outrigger connections.
134 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Daily supersnorkel checklist • Check snorkel block and related pivot points and safety strap. • Working from the block toward the machine, check for cracks, worn pins, and missing cotter pins. Check all guylines for wear. • When checking guylines, take special care to check for broken strands right at the pressed ferrules. Also check eye thimbles. • Check all uprights and outriggers for cracks, especially at pin connections. • Check for cracks or spreading of cheek plates at all pivot points. • Check and grease main hinge point. • Check all anchor points on the boom. • When guylines are replaced, check after a few turns to ensure that the ferrules were pressed tight and are not pulling apart. • Check snorkel alignment and safety guyline tension. • Recommended guyline replacement: -- Every 8 months replace top, safety, and holding guylines. -- Every 12 months replace side guylines. -- Replace safety guylines and A-frame lines when they show wear, broken thimbles, or crystallizing. • Remove and replace immediately all worn or defective items. Guarding All rotating parts such as friction and gear drives accessible to workers must be guarded. All guarding must comply with the guarding standards referenced in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 135 Communications When the operator cannot see logs because of uneven ground or roadside berms, a radio is required for the second loader/spotter to spot logs. A radio with a registered frequency must be used. Only approved verbal signals must be used. The landing worker must be outside the reach of the snorkel. Housekeeping Loose tools and parts located in the cab are a slipping and tripping hazard. Should a rollover occur, those tools and parts increase the likelihood of serious injury to the operator in the cab. Tools Spooling tools Spooling of lines requires the use of proper spooling tools. Do not use hands, feet, an axe, or a hammer.
Line spooling tools.
136 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Splicing tools Occasionally Marlin spike tips break off. If they are not filed to the proper shape, it is difficult to hold the spike in the wire rope lay when splicing. When struck with a hammer, the spike will kick out and can injure a worker’s hand or leg. A wire rope axe should be soft steel, have a coarse bevel, and be sharp. When using any cutting tools such as a wire axe, hydraulic cutter, or powered abrasive wheel, Proper tip the worker must wear eye protection. Tip shaped wrong — can slip and puncture hands
Line-cutting tools.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 137 Hand tools If a hammer is to be used to cut wire rope, it must be a soft hammer identified by a small “S” stamped on one of the side faces. With use, these hammers become mushroomed and pieces may chip off. Such chips have been known to cause eye injury to workers up to 6 m (20 ft.) away. Workers in close proximity to the cutting operation who are not wearing eye protection must turn their back to the cutting. Hammers with mushroomed heads must be replaced.
Do not stand too close when wire cutting is taking place.
138 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Supersnorkel landing worker
Responsibility for safety The landing worker’s responsibilities for safety include: • Knowing and enforcing the employer’s safety policy and rules • Knowing and enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation • Knowing and following correct work procedures • Standing in a safe location visible to equipment operators • Controlling vehicular traffic through the landing • Wearing personal protective equipment and clothing • Ensuring that the minimum clearance of 60 cm (2 ft.) is kept between the counterweights and other obstacles in the immediate area • Reporting any unsafe act or condition to a supervisor • Maintaining good housekeeping in the landing • Keeping tools in serviceable condition • Identifying and informing workers about specific dangers in the workplace • Setting a good example
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 139 Safe supersnorkel procedures Communications The landing worker is under the direction of the loader operator. Communications with the supersnorkel operator and a clear understanding of the yarding and loading process are important. The landing worker must be alert to changes in yarding and loading conditions, anticipate machine moves, and at all times be in the clear of the supersnorkel and logs. Bucking and stamping logs Before any yarding or loading activities begin, the landing worker and the supersnorkel operator must discuss and agree upon a safe location for bucking and limbing.
A safe location must be decided upon for bucking before loading starts. Trimming and stamping sometimes require the landing worker to work on log piles. Log piles must be maintained in a stable condition. If the log pile is unstable, the landing worker must not work on it.
No bucking in unstable log piles.
140 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Keeping in the clear While yarding and loading is in progress, all bucking and stamping tools and supplies must be outside the reach of the snorkel. The practice of keeping saws and stamp hammers on the supersnorkel must be discouraged. No adjustments, maintenance, or work are to be performed on the logging truck or trailer while loading is in progress.
Landing worker must stay in the clear at all times.
Keep clear while loading logs.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 141 All workers must be alert for trees, saplings, danger trees, root wads, and rocks that could be struck by the supersnorkel because of its extra length.
Hazards not cleared from yarding area.
Signalling the truck into the loading area Logging trucks must not back up to the loader until signalled to do so by the supersnorkel operator. Before backing up, the truck driver must give two horn blasts to notify workers of this movement. Unloading the trailer and turning the bunks The landing worker must be in view of the driver, on the driver’s side by the front bumper, while the truck is being backed to the loader. Only when the trailer is lifted off the truck, lowered to the ground, and picked up again, is the landing worker to proceed to the back of the truck to hook up the trailer. When guiding the reach into the trailer hitch, use the hand-holds mounted on the reach. If the trailer reach misses the hitch, the landing worker must let go of the trailer reach until the loader operator has grounded the trailer. The hand used for dropping the latch on highway trucks or for dropping the pin on off-highway trucks must be kept well away from the hitch or funnel during the hookup stage. Accident investigations have shown that crushed and broken hands were the result of being too close or in the wrong position when hookup occurred.
142 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook The landing worker must stand in the clear when the grapple is unhooked from the trailer lifting strap. Turning the bunks should be done from the ground. If that is not possible, a truck driver with appropriate footwear will be required to climb on the truck to turn the bunks. To avoid slipping, a landing worker wearing caulked boots must not climb on the steel bunk, trailer reach, or truck frame. Keep hands clear of trailer reach and hitch. Installing binders A loaded truck is allowed to travel a short distance from the loader without binders or cinches in order to be in a better position for their application. Before moving ahead, three short blasts of the truck horn must be given. The truck may be moved only if such movement does not endanger workers. The landing workers are prohibited from climbing on the load of a log transporter to stamp logs or cut log ends. Bucking, limbing, and stamping must be done on the ground.
Do not walk on steel with caulk boots.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 143 Broken lines If the haulback were to fail at the grapple after a log has been released, the broken end could travel 40 m (130 ft.) past the end of the snorkel.
Keep well clear as the line can break.
Greasing a grapple Ensure that the grapple is grounded when operations have ceased. When greasing the grapple, ensure that the grapple is lying on the ground in a stable position and the yarding line brakes are set.
Grapples must always be completely grounded before they are lubricated.
144 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Crew transportation vehicle Crew transportation is usually the responsibility of the equipment operators, but often the landing worker is required to park and move it. In logging, the standard practice is to park the crew transportation vehicle (crummy) in a safe, accessible location facing camp. In the event of an emergency, the vehicle is ready for immediate use. Chainsaws Chainsaws must be serviced and maintained by qualified workers. Broken or missing clutch or muffler guards must be replaced. Chain brakes are required for all chainsaws. Factory-installed chain brakes must not be removed. Oil and fuel mixtures must meet manufacturer’s specifications. The saw chain should be properly tensioned and maintained. • Kickbacks happen in a fraction of a second, faster than human reaction. • Two hands must be on the saw at all times. Have firm footing and use personal protective equipment. • Stand to one side and not directly behind the chain. • Watch for side bind. • Know where the bar tip is at all times. Avoid touching the top half of the tip to anything to prevent a kickback. • Use a stable stance with the feet wide apart. • Buck from the uphill side.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 145 Personal protective equipment and clothing Everyone working near mobile equipment must wear high visibility apparel. The minimum requirement is a hi-vis vest and red or orange safety headgear.
146 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Radios and verbal signals
VHF radio whistles and uhf grapple yarder radio equipment To ensure that radio equipment used to replace hand signals provides reliable, non-ambiguous, uninterrupted signals, the radio equipment must meet the current WorkSafeBC requirements. WorkSafeBC officers inspecting workplaces where grapple yarders are used will ensure the following: 1. All necessary documentation must be available at the workplace, either in an office located on the workplace or in the grapple yarder, including: • Industry Canada radio licence for the current year. Licences expire on April 1 of each year. • Confirmation letter from WorkSafeBC, which states: -- Company name, address, division, and contact person -- Geographical co-ordinates and area name -- Assigned frequency and tones -- Manufacturer and model of radios -- Company radio identifier and co-ordinating agency radio code and number -- Transmitter power output If this documentation is not available or is out of date, the officer will issue an order requiring the frequency to be licensed and co-ordinated. Transmitters must be removed from service until they are licensed and co-ordinated. If this documentation has been misplaced, confirm the co-ordination by calling the WorkSafeBC radio frequency co-ordinator at 604 276-5112. 2. Radio signalling devices, either hand-held transmitters or equipment- mounted radios used in logging operations, must be clearly marked with the name of the manufacturer, serial number, assigned operating frequency, and specified tone frequency. 3. Radio signalling devices must have the following: • Power limits of: -- Grapple yarder radios – 1⁄4 watt -- High-lead radio whistles – 1⁄2 watt • Permanently enabled tone-encoded squelch • Only one frequency per radio. Where multichannel radios are used, the selection switch shall be disabled so that only an authorized person can change the operating frequency.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 147 Interference on radio frequencies Radio signals replace audible signals for the movement of equipment in logging. Interference by other radios on the same frequency can seriously endanger workers. If radio interference is encountered on a frequency co-ordinated by WorkSafeBC, use of the affected equipment must be discontinued until the interference is controlled. Contact the WorkSafeBC frequency co-ordinator at 604 276-5112 to report interference. Recommended verbal commands
TO INSTRUCT OPERATOR TO: SIGNALLER SAYS: Grapple log and go ahead Close and go Close grapple but not go ahead Close Stop rigging Stop Open grapple Open Move empty grapple ahead Ahead Move empty grapple back Back Ahead on strawline Ahead on the strawline Slack mainline Mainline Slack haulback Haulback Lower grapple Down Slack strawline Slack strawline Swing to operator’s left Swing left Swing to operator’s right Swing right Hold haulback and go ahead on mainline Tightline
148 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook First aid and emergency procedures
First aid requirements Forestry operations require supplementary first aid supplies and services because of the rugged terrain and long distances from central first aid services. The Regulation requires that an assessment of every workplace be conducted to determine the level of first aid service that must be provided. The employer’s responsibility includes the following: • Under section 3.16(2) and (3), conduct an assessment to determine the level of first aid service that must be provided for a workplace. See the step-by-step method in OHS Guideline G3.16-2. • Provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, supplies, facilities, attendants, and services, as required by section 3.16(1). • Develop written first aid procedures as required by section 3.17. See OHS Gu idel i ne G3.17. The tables in the supplementary materials of the OHS Guideline Part 3 set out the recommended first aid requirements for high-risk industries. Note that a work location that is more than 20 minutes surface travel time from central first aid is considered a separate workplace. It must have a separate assessment conducted, and the level of first aid service indicated as a result of that assessment must be provided. In addition, some remote workplaces may have lodging for workers provided by the employer at or near the workplace. In such remote workplaces, the level of first aid service described in the guideline must be based on the total number of workers, both on and off shift. Grapple yarding crews require at least one worker trained to the appropriate level of training and equipped with the corresponding first aid kit (including blankets). The equipment must be kept clean and dry. When the crew is more than a 20-minute walk from the landing, the supplementary first aid equipment must be on the hill and readily accessible to workers. This is necessary in case an accident prevents the equipment from being sent out on the rigging, and it ensures prompt delivery of first aid.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 149 Emergency evacuation Emergency transportation vehicle An emergency transportation vehicle (ETV) must be provided if there are six or more workers. The ETV must be capable of transporting an injured worker to medical assistance and must be capable of travelling on the existing roads. The ETV must be maintained and inspected regularly. A record of vehicle maintenance must be kept, and the operator’s licence must be adequate for the vehicle used. Air evacuation In some places, air transport may be the primary or only means of transporting an injured worker to medical assistance. If you do rely on air transport, the employer must make prior arrangements with an air service company, with aircraft capable of carrying a stretcher patient. The air service company must be kept up-to-date on the location of the operations. In case air evacuation is required, the following equipment is needed: • Spine board capable of fitting into helicopter. • On-site radio communication with central first aid. • Designated landing areas must be used. If using helicopter pads, the pads must be clearly marked and identified so the pilots can see them. Occupational first aid attendants must know the location of the heli-pads. If the weather restricts the use of aircraft, an alternative written procedure for the care and transportation of injured workers must be established, where practicable. Crew transportation All vehicles and vessels used to transport workers must meet the current Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and Coast Guard requirements. The number of workers transported in specific vehicles will require a competent and fully licensed driver meeting all requirements of the Motor Vehicle Act. • Seat belts, where installed, must be used. • All tools, equipment, and rigging must be kept in a separate compartment to protect workers. • Where the material is flammable or otherwise harmful to workers, the storage compartment must have an approved firewall separating it from the crew compartment. These vehicles must meet current safety standards and be inspected on a regular basis.
150 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Checking worker’s well-being The employer must provide a means of Examples periodically checking the well-being of a worker, where the worker is employed under - Check to see that the power saw conditions that present a significant hazard is being used, and not just idling. of disabling injury, and when the worker - Check to see that the worker is might not be able to secure assistance in the just resting, and not sitting or lying event of injury or other misfortune. down because of injury. All jobs in logging are sufficiently hazardous to require checking a worker’s well-being. Checks must be made at such intervals and by such means as are appropriate to the nature, hazard, and circumstances of the employment. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide a procedure and to ensure that the procedure is followed. This procedure must be in writing and must list in detail the intervals between checks, the responsibilities of each worker, and procedures to follow if workers cannot be contacted. Visual checks are preferred, but audible checks are acceptable. In both cases, the well-being of the worker must be determined. Merely providing a worker with radio or telephone communication to call for assistance in the event of injury is not sufficient, as the nature of the injury or other circumstances may prevent the worker from calling. Radio or telephone checks are acceptable if the checker is directed to call the worker at predetermined intervals and confirm the worker’s well-being. This should be logged in writing by the checker — for example, a log book with times that can be checked off. It is not expected that a check system will provide the security afforded by working in pairs. It is possible that an injury could occur shortly after a check. Any checking interval is, therefore, a compromise. The risk to the worker and the circumstances of the situation will determine the exact intervals; however, the following can be used as guidelines: • Twice a day (such as morning and afternoon) would be the minimum number of checks allowable for any logging job and may be acceptable for relatively low- risk jobs, such as engineering, forestry, or supervisory personnel (provided they are not using power equipment), or a worker ditching with a back hoe.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 151 • Checks must be made at least every two hours for users of power equipment where a substantial risk exists, such as riggers, crawler tractors, hydraulic evacuators pioneering right-of-way, skidders working off-road, or road graders. • Checks must be made at least every half hour for workers using chainsaws and in jobs where hypothermia may be a factor. As part of the requirements, a check at the end of the work day must also be included. Occupational first aid First aid procedures keep the injured person breathing and the bleeding controlled until medical help arrives. When necessary, remove yourself and the injured person from any further threat of injury. Change the person’s position only if necessary in order to administer survival techniques. Keep the injured person warm. Move the injured person only if necessary. Follow these essentials of occupational first aid: • After making sure that there is no danger to yourself or further danger to the patient, determine level of consciousness. • Make sure that breathing is present and adequate. If breathing is absent, administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation with a pocket mask. • Check for pulse. If no pulse can be detected, begin CPR at once and continue until medical assistance is obtained or until the pulse returns. • Check to see whether bleeding is present. If so, apply pressure over the wound to stop the blood flow. Apply a pressure dressing. • Get help as soon as possible.
152 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Control procedures
This chapter describes the following control procedures: • Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) • Avalanche control • Weather • Traffic control Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Where suspended cables may create a hazard to aircraft, the employer must notify NAV Canada and a NOTAM will be issued to all aircraft operators that would use the area made hazardous by suspended cables or other activities. Avalanche control Where logging will be affected by avalanches, planners must institute effective controls and comply with the standards referenced in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Weather Planners must calculate the impact of weather and the season on the operation. Cold, snowy, and excessively wet weather have the most impact on development plans, but the impact of these factors decreases as the planning efforts increase. Logging sensitive areas during heavy rain seasons • Scarring of the duff on the hillsides causes extreme site degradation through erosion. • Workers may be exposed to the hazards of mud and rock slides. • Establish rainfall shutdown criteria. Logging moist areas before freeze-up • Yarding activity and equipment movement cause excessive site degradation. • Haul roads get punched out, making log hauling difficult. • Crew buses and emergency transportation vehicles cannot negotiate the roads. Logging during periods of excessive snow • Logs buried beneath the snow are sometimes missed, resulting in the need for re-logging when the snow is gone. • Gut-hooked logs and logs frozen in the snow often break. • Hazards of walking in the felled and bucked timber, impaired visibility, and the hazards of moving equipment increase.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 153 Logging in excessive fog • Crew cannot see the lay of the logs, increasing the hazard of upending and swinging logs. • The haulback dislodges logs, roots, and stumps that the crew cannot see. Logging during electrical storms • If lightning strikes the lines or equipment, the crew is exposed to the hazard of electrocution. Frost boils • Frost boils on the road can cause machines that are being moved to become stuck or roll over. The road condition will deteriorate in a very short time. Traffic control Where active logging takes place adjacent to or over travelled roadways, effective traffic control procedures and equipment must conform to current applicable regulations, such as: • The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and safe work procedures • Requirements of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations • The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Manual of Standard Traffic Signs & Pavement Markings • Company operational rules and procedures
154 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Definitions
A Adverse grade The uphill travel or grade on a road.
A-frame A steel or A-shaped structure used to secure and support guylines on a snorkel or to elevate yarding lines.
Air track An air-propelled, track-mounted rock drill.
Anchor Any stump, tree, deadman, or rock to which a skyline, guyline, or rigging blocks are secured.
Anchor log A log buried in the ground used to secure an anchor. Also called a “deadman.”
Anchor pin A steel rod with an eye or threaded end sometimes grouted or wedged into a rock hole, used as an anchor.
Anchor tree A tree used as a skyline or tailblock anchor.
B Babbitt An alloy composed of several soft metals, used to secure a device to a wire rope end to form a terminal.
Back bead The choker on the butt rigging farthest from the yarder.
Back corner A location where the tailblock on the haulback side turns the haulback around the corner.
Back end The farthest point away from a landing or yarder in a setting; usually refers to the tailblocks. The farthest active logging area away from camp. The end of a road system.
Back guy The guyline opposite to the pull and lead of the mainline. It takes most of the pull.
Back line That part of the haulback between the home tree and the corner block.
Backspar A tree rigged at the back end of the work area to provide lift for yarding lines, used primarily in skyline applications. Must be rigged with guylines. Also called a “tail spar.”
Back stop Operator-guarding package mounted on the boom or house works of a grapple yarder.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 155 Bald-headed Outhauled without chokers; refers to butt rigging.
Ballast Rock or gravel hauled in on a sub-grade for roadbuilding.
Bar Carries the cutting chain on a chainsaw.
Barrel swivel A swivelling device in the butt rigging.
Bead A choker.
Beehive When a strand of a line under tension breaks and is pushed back, it takes the shape of a beehive.
Bell The component that slides on the choker cable between the two knobs. When a worker chokes a log, the bell secures the knob.
Belly A sag in any line.
Bight The hazardous zone contained within lines, either slack or under tension. The area made hazardous when slack cable is tensioned. An unintentional bend or deviation in the line caused by trees, stumps, or other obstacles preventing the line from running straight.
Bind (bound) Compression created in a falling or bucking cut due to uneven terrain or contact pressure from other trees or logs.
Binder A wire rope placed around the load on a log truck or rail car and secured by a cinch to prevent spillage of logs. Also called a “wrapper.”
Birdcage Twisting of wire rope causing several strands to separate from the others, creating a cage-like effect.
Blaze To mark a tree with an axe for layout identification.
Block A metal case, enclosing one or more sheaves, provided with a hook, swivel, or gooseneck for attachment to an object and used to change the wire rope’s direction.
Block purchase Use of one or more blocks for mechanical advantage.
Blowdown A stand of trees blown down by wind. Also called “wind throw.”
Bluff An abrupt rise of rock on the terrain.
156 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Boom Steel projection on mobile equipment to which a snorkel or lead blocks are attached to gain height or distance. In loading, logs are heeled on it.
Boom hoistline The line used to hold, raise, and lower the boom of a yarding crane. Also called a “gantry line” or “topping line.”
Boom lights Lights mounted on a grapple yarder boom for night yarding.
Boom stop Horizontal projection on the gantry to limit the distance the boom is allowed to be brought back.
Branch road A haul road into a logging area.
Breaking strength The point of failure of wire rope or chain.
Bridle A method of choking a log from opposite sides by using two chokers. A method of securing a line to two anchors with a block and strap.
Brow log Log placed parallel to a road or track to protect equipment during loading and unloading at load outs and log dumps. It takes the bump of logs accidentally dropped or swung out of control.
Brush Any type of undergrowth.
Brush out To clear an area of limbs, saplings, and debris.
Buck To saw felled trees into log lengths. To cut.
Bucker Worker who saws felled trees.
Buckle To bend under strain.
Buckle guy Guyline attached at midpoint of a yarding spar to prevent bending.
Buckskin log A log that has no bark.
Bug A signalling device, carried on a belt, used to transmit signals to a yarder.
Bulkhead Heavy barrier between the cab and load to protect the driver of a log truck.
Bull block A high-lead block used on wooden spars for the mainline.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 157 Bull gang Workers who erect and rig the home spar. Also called the “rig-up crew.”
Bull hook A heavy hook on the butt rigging to which chokers are attached. Also called a “butt hook.”
Bundle strap Wire rope clamped around log loads (bundles) to contain the logs for transport by water.
Bunk Heavy steel frame or cradle assembly containing two stakes — on logging trucks, rail cars, or at dry-land sort yards — on which logs are placed for bundling and sorting. To place logs on the bunk when loading.
Bunk log Any log resting on the bunk.
Burl A half-spherical growth on a tree.
Burn A burnt-over area of timber or slash.
Burr A rough edge or mushroom effect on the striking surface of a hammer, wedge, or chisel.
Butt The large end of a log. Usually refers to large end of the first log felled.
Butt hook A heavy hook on the butt rigging to which chokers are attached. Also called a “bull hook.”
Butt rigging A system of swivels, chain-like links, shackles, and bull hooks that connect the haulback and mainline and to which chokers are fastened.
C Cable clip A U-bolt cable connector.
Cable cutter A hydraulic, mechanical (guillotine), or powered abrasive wheel tool for cutting wire rope.
Cable logging A yarding system employing winches, blocks, and cables.
Carriage A wheeled device that rides on a skyline, used for hauling logs.
Cat-face A scarred tree trunk with no bark on it, caused by internal rot or damage.
158 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Cat’s-paw A simple, non-slipping knot used on fibre or wire rope, where the line is run through an eye and looped back on itself to make a quick connection.
Caulks Short spikes driven or screwed into the soles of boots to prevent slipping while a person is walking on wood or logs.
Chainsaw A gas-operated power saw.
Change roads To move rigging and running lines in order to yard logs progressively from the next unlogged area in the felled and bucked timber.
Chase To unhook chokers at the landing.
Chaser A worker who unhooks chokers at the landing. Also called the “landing worker.”
Cherry picker A log loader that loads roadside logs left by the roadbuilders.
Choke To pass a line or choker around a log or other object and pull it tight.
Choker Any line used to choke a log or object. A noose of wire rope used to choke a log to be yarded.
Choker line The short piece of line that closes a grapple.
Choker setter A rigging crew member who sets chokers under the direction of a rigging slinger.
Chunk out To remove log chunks, branches, and debris from a landing or work area.
Cinch A cantilever-type line-tightening device used to tighten binders on a logging truck.
Clear-cut The cleared area after all trees and saplings of a logging area are felled, bucked, and removed.
Clevis The portion of any fastening device, usually a terminal, provided with holes at right angles through which a pin can be placed. A chain end or rope eye is placed in the “U” and secured by the pin.
Climbing equipment Irons with sharp spurs, strapped to the legs at the ankle and below the knee, and a heavy, leather safety belt with a wire- cored manila rope. Used by riggers to climb trees in order to
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 159 top and rig them. The buckle sections are reinforced with a nylon backing.
Clinometer A hand-held instrument for measuring angles of a slope.
Closing line Line used to close the grapple. Also known as the “mainline.” One of two mainlines on some grapple yarders.
Coil A rolled-up length of wire rope.
Cold deck A pile of yarded logs left for later transportation.
Come-along A small, manually operated winch.
Core The centre strand of a wire rope that maintains the rope’s round shape. Usually the core is wire rope, but it can be fibre rope.
Corner The corner formed by the side and back lines of a setting.
Corner block A block used to guide the haulback line at the back end of a yarding area; used to change the direction of the haulback. Also called “tailblock.”
Corridor A narrow felled area used for skidding or yarding in selective logging.
Counterweight Weight added to the back of any mobile equipment to increase lifting capacity.
Counterweight clearance The distance from the counterweight to any stationary object.
Crib (cribbing) A log lattice built to support the end of a bridge, road grade, or equipment.
Crummy A vehicle used to transport crew to and from the woods.
Cutting bar A grooved bar on a chainsaw that carries the chain.
Cut-up A tree or log left standing or suspended with the falling or bucking cuts not completed.
Cycle Chain of events or time for rigging to return to the same position.
160 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook D Dangerous tree Any tree that is hazardous to workers because of location or lean; physical damage; overhead hazards; deterioration of limbs, stem, or root system; or a combination of these. Also known as a “danger tree” and formerly as a “snag.”
Deadman A log, pipe, or other apparatus buried in the ground, used as an anchor. Also called an “anchor log.”
Deck To store logs. A pile of yarded logs.
Dee A D-shaped steel item used to connect a wire rope eye or shackle to a knob-type line terminal.
Deflection The sag in the ground profile. The amount of sag in a line measured at midspan, expressed as a percentage of the horizontal span length.
Dog A pawl used as a stop on a ratchet wheel. Also chainsaw dog, located on the chainsaw body; these dogs are pointed teeth against which pressure is applied so that the teeth dig into the tree or log to aid in cutting.
Dog it To stop movement, to secure a machine winch or other equipment, to apply brakes, or to not initiate any action. To perform an action at the slowest pace.
Dog leg An angle away from a straight line; crooked.
Donkey doctor A heavy-duty mechanic.
Donkey puncher A spar operator.
Drag Ground skidding term for a turn of logs. Application of slight pressure on drive frictions to maintain minimal line tension.
Drum Reel, spool, or winch for holding wire rope.
Dump Area where logs are off-loaded on land or into water.
Dutchman A block arrangement used to alter the lateral placement of a line or pull the bight of a line to assist in landing logs. A flat area produced when the two horizontal cuts of an undercut do not meet at a point.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 161 E Elastic limit The tension limit of wire rope whereby it will return to its original length after tension is released.
Engineer A registered professional engineer who lays out settings and road systems for a logging operation. The operator of a yarder.
Extension A line added to another line to increase its length. A 75 m (250 ft.) piece of strawline.
Eye A loop at the end of a wire or fibre rope, spliced or press- fitted.
Eye splice A loop formed by turning the rope back on itself, interweaving the strands to secure an eye.
F Fairlead A permanently mounted, swivelling roller or sheave arrangement used to permit reeling in a cable from any direction. The area between the two front quarter guylines.
Fall To cut down trees in a predetermined and controlled manner.
Fall block A long, narrow block with a thick shell, a small sheave at one end, and a gooseneck at the other. It is used in north and south bend systems to add mechanical advantage for lifting the turn to the skyline.
Faller A worker whose primary purpose is to fell trees and buck them to length for yarding.
Farmer’s eye An eye splice formed by unravelling three strands of wire rope, forming a loop, then re-wrapping the strands together to form a fast, temporary eye. Also called a “Flemish eye” or “Flemish splice.”
Favourable grade The downhill slope of a road.
Felled and bucked Timber that is felled and bucked, ready for yarding.
Feller-buncher Mobile equipment designed to hold, cut, and then pile the trees for yarding or skidding.
162 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Ferrule A metal sleeve or collar, babbitted or pressed to the ends of wire rope to make a terminal knob.
Final drive The last reduction assembly on any drive train before the tire or track.
Finger link A substantial temporary connector used to secure pass chains or line-stringing equipment that must be disconnected when under tension. Also called a “pelican hook.”
Fire break An unfelled stand of timber between two clear-cut areas, left to slow the progress of a fire. Also called a “leave strip.”
Fire guard A narrow clearing to bare soil around the perimeter of a fire to prevent it from spreading.
Fire watch A worker who remains at a logging site for approximately two hours at the end of the day to watch for possible fires caused by the logging activities. Also called a “spark chaser.”
Fleet angle The angle formed by a line drawn from the centre of a sheave to the centre of the reeving drum and the centre of the same sheave and the right or left side of the reeving drum.
Flemish eye, Flemish splice An eye splice formed by unravelling three strands of wire rope, forming a loop, then re-wrapping the strands together to form a fast, temporary eye. Also called a “farmer’s eye.”
Flying chokers On the grapple rigging, yarding with a choker.
FOPS Falling object protective structure for mobile equipment. Protects the mobile equipment operator from falling objects.
Four-way swivel A universal-type joint used for hanging blocks on a machine to eliminate wear of block components.
Friction blocks Blocks or pads used to apply friction to a drum to transmit rotating energy. Uses the same principle as brake shoes.
Frictions Any friction block and drum drive assembly.
Front end The logging area closest to the yarder.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 163 G Gantry The large framework structure mounted on a swing machine that gives lift and mechanical advantage to the main reeving system for the boom. In some cases the boom is secured directly to it.
Gantry line The line used to hold, raise, and lower the boom of a yarding crane. Also called a “topping line” or “boom hoistline.”
Gooseneck The yoke of a block.
Grade The quality of a log. A roadbed. The slope of a road.
Grapple A hinged mechanism capable of being opened and closed to grip logs during yarding and loading.
Grapple leg Either of two main legs of a grapple.
Grapple skidder A skidder fitted with a grapple rather than chokers to hold and handle logs.
Grapple yarder A three-drum machine used to yard logs with a grapple. These machines are usually swing-type yarders.
Grapple yarding Yarding logs with a grapple.
Green timber The uncut forest.
Ground The terrain on which a logging operation is carried on. To place rigging or grapple on the ground.
Ground-lead Yarding with no lift for the rigging or logs.
Grouser The gripping attachment on any crawler track.
Guillotine A piston-type line cutter.
Gut-hook To grapple or choke a log in the middle.
Guyline A wire rope from a yarding spar fastened to an anchor, used to raise and/or secure the spar in a vertical position.
164 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook H Handyman A worker who is skilled at and performs various jobs as the need arises.
Hang a block To place a block in position when rigging up.
Hang strap A wire rope strap choked onto a spar, used to support a jack strap.
Hang the rigging To rig up an A-frame, head spar, or backspar.
Hang-up Logs stuck behind a stump or other obstacle when yarding. Rigging fouled in some manner so as to prevent logging.
Haulback The line used to outhaul the rigging or grapple.
Haulback block A block through which the haulback runs.
Haulback drum The winch drum on a yarder that holds the haulback.
Haywire Any unsafe or slipshod work procedure. Another name for “strawline.”
Head spar The spar to which logs are yarded. Also called the “home spar.”
Heel Lift a log so that the end closest to the machine rests up against the underside of the boom.
Heel boom A loading boom against which the end of the log being loaded bears and is steadied as it is lifted and swung into position.
Highball To go ahead fast. To do anything at a hurried pace.
High-lead A cable logging system using a spar to obtain lift for yarding logs.
Hobo An unchoked log that is carried to the landing by the choked turn.
Hoe chucking Moving of logs to a landing or road system by a hydraulic grapple loader.
Holding line One of the lines that is used to position or open a loading grapple and is attached to the top of the grapple.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 165 Home spar The spar to which logs are yarded. Also called the “head spar.”
Hooktender The worker in charge of a yarding side. Also called the “hooker.”
Hot loading Loading out logs as they are landed by the yarder.
I Inhaul cycle Ahead on the mainline. Mainline coming in to the landing. Bringing in a turn of logs.
Interlock yarder A device that incorporates a means of coupling the mainline and haulback drums so as to maintain a consistent tension on the two lines while yarding without the application of foot brakes by the operator.
Intermediate support tree A tree or trees used to elevate skylines in a multispan system.
J Jack A hanger device used to support a skyline.
Jack strap A strap used to support a jack.
Jackpot Unstable logs criss-crossed or difficult to break free. Trees tied together or leaning into one another that create a hazard for fallers.
Jagger A broken wire that juts out of a wire rope.
Jill-poke A log that has been driven out of a pile, creating a hazard. Also, a log driven into position between two anchor stumps, used to increase the stumps’ stability and holding power.
Juicer A hydraulic loader.
K Kink A sharp bend in a wire rope.
Knob A ferrule attached to the terminal end of a line by babbitt, wedges, or hydraulic pressure.
166 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook L Land To place or drop logs in a landing during yarding operations.
Landing The area where logs are landed by a yarder. Logs are also sorted and prepared for transport by the loader in this area.
Landing bucker A worker who bucks logs at a landing.
Landing worker A worker who bucks, limbs, and trims log ends, unhooks chokers, and assists in hooking up trailers to log trucks. Also called the “chaser.”
Lang lay A type of wire rope.
Lay The type or shape and frequency of spiral in a wire rope. The position of a log in a pile, on a load, or in the felled and bucked logs.
Layout A logging plan that includes settings and road systems.
Lead The direction in which the lines run out from the yarder. The amount of lift above ground that the running lines have at the yarder, for example, high-lead or ground-lead. The alignment of sheaves and winches.
Lead block A block used to change the direction of a line pull.
Lean (leaner) The angle at which a tree naturally stands. Can be referred to as heavy or slight.
Leave strip An unfelled stand of timber left on purpose. Sometimes called a “fire break.”
Leg Half of the jaws of a grapple. The portion that grips the log.
Lift tree A tree used for the purpose of elevating running lines. The lines must run through tailhold block(s) located so as to minimize stress on the lift tree. The lift and tailhold arrangement must be rigged and located so that if it were to be pulled over, workers would not be endangered. It is used mainly in high-lead or grapple yarding applications.
Light plant A generator unit on a loader or grapple yarder that supplies power to boom-mounted lights for night loading and yarding.
Limb To cut branches off trees or logs.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 167 Line Wire rope. A survey line. A setting boundary. A verbal stop signal when line is being pulled by hand.
Line change Changing the rigging from one yarding road to another.
Line horse Line storage winch, usually mounted on a truck carrier, used to transfer lines.
Line pulling Felling of a tree against its lean by securing a line, placing falling cuts, and pulling the tree over. This procedure is sometimes required at lake or river edges.
Load To load logs. A load of logs. The stress placed on a wire rope or piece of equipment. To place explosives for blasting.
Loader Any machine used for loading logs.
Log The cut-to-length sections of felled trees.
Log deck A pile of yarded logs.
Log dump A central unloading area for loads of logs.
Logger A worker employed in the production phase of the logging industry.
Logging All or any part of turning trees into logs and transporting them to an unloading area.
Long butt The short section cut off the butt end of a felled tree in order to remove cull or excessive sweep.
Long snorkel One-piece wood or steel boom extension mounted on a loader to increase distance that logs can be reached for yarding and loading purposes.
Long splice A splice, approximately 18 m (60 ft.) long, used to join a broken line. It easily passes through blocks because it does not increase line diameter.
M Mainline The yarding line(s) on a grapple yarder. The main hoisting line on a loader, used to lift logs.
Marlin spike A steel, spike-shaped tool that tapers to a flat point, used in splicing wire rope.
168 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Mat A log or lumber-type block placed under the foot of a hydraulic jack to increase surface area, give extra height, and compensate for ground irregularities for stability. Also called a “pad.”
Mobile backspar A crawler tractor or hydraulic excavator with a fairlead or short spar mounted on it, used to hang tailblocks.
Molly Hogan A single strand from a wire rope rolled into a circle with six wraps, used in most pin shackles in place of a cotter pin. Also used as a temporary method of connecting the eyes of two lines.
Monkey wrench To repair a machine or piece of equipment. A pipe wrench.
Mousing Wrapping the opening of a load hook to prevent dislodgment of the load.
Muck stick A hand shovel.
Multispan A skyline with one or more intermediate supports.
N Necktie A choker.
North bend A yarding method where the mainline passes through a fall block, then connects to the carriage. This configuration allows side blocking and gives extra block purchase for lift.
Notch A wedge-shaped piece cut out of a stump to prevent a guyline or block strap from lifting off.
O Off-highway A log truck used exclusively on logging roads and not legal for use on a public highway because of weight, width, and rigging restrictions.
Old growth Virgin timber.
On-the-fly Doing any activity while in motion on mobile equipment, for example, eating lunch while driving a pickup.
Opening line A line used to open a grapple.
Operation A logging operation.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 169 OPS Operator protective structure for mobile equipment. Protects the mobile equipment operator from falling objects and if the machine rolls over.
Oregon block A stump instead of a block used to change direction of a line.
Outhaul When the grapple is travelling out empty.
Outhaul cycle Moving the butt rigging, carriage, or grapple away from the spar tree.
Out of lead When sheaves are out of alignment or lines will not spool properly onto a winch.
Outriggers On mobile equipment, the hydraulic side jacks used to increase width for stability.
Overburden The top layer of earth, usually over rock.
P Pad A log or lumber-type block placed under the foot of a hydraulic jack to increase surface area, give extra height, and compensate for ground irregularities for stability. Also called a “mat.”
Parbuckle A method of locating and setting a choker to overcome a yarding difficulty. Dumping a log truck by having the load in the bight of a pair of lines, picking the lines up to force the load sideways and slide off the truck.
Pass chain A chain with an open hook at one end and a ring at the other, used to grip wire rope that is to be pulled. Also called a “rigging chain.”
Pawl The stopping device in a ratchet system. Also called a “dog.”
Peeler A large log without defects, suitable for making plywood.
Pee-wee A small-diameter, merchantable log.
Pelican hook A substantial temporary connector used to secure pass chains or line-stringing equipment that must be disconnected when under tension. Also called a “finger link.”
170 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Pendant lines Straight pull support lines for a boom. Always in pairs, these lines do not go through sheaves, but terminate at a babbitted knob and dee.
Pile A pile of logs.
Pimpline Small-diameter line less than 6 mm (¼ in.), used in steep terrain to string strawline.
Pioneering The first stage of roadbuilding with mobile equipment, in which felled logs, vegetation, and top soil layers are removed.
Pipe A steel spar.
Plennar An island of clear-cut within the forest. The cutting around the edges of these islands is extended after regeneration has been established.
Pocket rot Rot that can be located at any point in the length of a tree or log.
Powder Explosives.
Power saw A motor-powered chainsaw.
Preloaded trailer Log truck trailer left at a landing to be loaded. The trailer is then hauled at a later time.
Pressed Wire rope eyes or knobs secured to the line by crimping either directly or with a metal sleeve. These pressed-on connections replace an eye splice.
Pulaski tool An axe-like tool with an axe head on one side and a mattock blade on the other.
Pull rigging The work done by a rigging slinger.
Pump can A 20 L (5 gal.) water can with an attached, hand-operated pump, used to extinguish small fires.
Purchase The mechanical advantage gained when rope passes over a sheave. Varies with amount of sheave contacted.
Purchase block A block used in rigging to obtain greater pull on a line.
Push Any supervisor or boss.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 171 Q Quarry A rock pit.
Quarter The work area of a faller. The area that a guyline supports, for example, back quarter.
R Radio whistles A transmitter/receiver signalling system used by workers for yarding operations.
Raise a tree To stand up a spar. Also called to “raise the pipe,” when referring to a steel spar.
Raising guy One of the two guylines on a mobile spar used to raise the spar.
Ram A hydraulic cylinder.
Ratchet Usually a circular, toothed device combined with a pawl, used to secure a winch when under tension.
Reef To pull hard.
Reeve To thread a line through several blocks or a carriage.
Reeving drum Any winch or drum used for pulling in wire rope. Normally the topping line drum.
Reeving line Any line pulled in by a reeving drum.
Reload Central location where log loads are transferred from one mode of transport to another.
Relog To log a setting again because it was not logged clean enough the first time.
Rhubarb The brush and debris at roadsides. A term used for the roadside when you accidentally drive off the road.
Rigging Lines, blocks, chokers, and all gear used in cable logging systems. Performing rigging jobs.
Rigging chain A chain with an open hook at one end and a ring at the other, used to grip wire rope that is to be pulled. Also called a “pass chain.”
172 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Rigging crew Workers who set chokers.
Rigging slinger The supervisor who directs the choker setters as to which logs are to be choked.
Right-of-way A clearing made through the woods, through which a road is built. Usually 20 – 30 m (66 – 100 ft.) wide.
Rig up To fit a machine with required rigging. To string lines and hang blocks once a yarder is in position.
Rig-up crew Workers who erect and rig the home spar. Also called the “bull gang.”
Riparian zone Timber left standing on lake and river banks to give shade and protection.
Road The haul road. An area the width of a choker on both sides of the mainline from the yarder to the back end.
Road protrusion Any lump or protruding rock left in a road surface after it has been graded.
Rock bolt A steel rod placed in a drill hole in rock to be used as a line anchor.
Roll Placing a choker on a log in such a way as to cause the log to roll to free a hang-up.
Root wad The torn-up mass of dirt and rock caught in the root system of an uprooted tree.
ROPS Rollover protective structure for mobile equipment. Protects the mobile equipment operator if the machine rolls over.
Running line A moving wire rope in logging operations.
S Saddle A support that the snorkel rests on, located approximately 3 m (10 ft.) from the snorkel pocket. The liveline support section of a wire rope clip.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 173 Safe working load The maximum safe load a wire rope can withstand for an extended period of time. Usually 1/5 of its breaking strength.
Safety factor The reduction from the breaking strength of a line to the safe working load, for example, 5:1.
Safety strap A short piece of wire rope secured to a block or other rigging to prevent the block or rigging from falling into the work area due to a connection failure.
Sag See “deflection.” The vertical droop in the bight of a line.
Sapling An immature tree that is not normally harvested.
Scab block A block hung between the butt rigging and bight of the haulback to give extra lifting capacity.
Scab strap A short piece of line or chain that secures the scab block to the butt rigging.
Schoolmarm A tree whose stem branches into two. The area of this tree where the two main stems join.
Scrub Poor, unmerchantable timber.
Second growth Young timber that grows after the mature timber is removed.
Second loader A worker who assists a loader operator in loading a log truck.
Selective logging Logging an area taking out only specific types of trees, leaving the rest standing.
Set To place a choker around a log.
Setting The area logged by one yarder.
Shackle A clevis or U-shaped, heavy steel device fitted with a pull-out or screw pin, used to secure rigging or lines together.
Sheave The grooved wheel or pulley of a block that wire rope runs over.
Shell The outer framework of a block.
Shotgun Rigging outhaul by gravity.
Show A logging operation.
174 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Shutdown A work stoppage for any reason. To shut off a machine.
Side A logging unit, including the workers who are rigging and yarding.
Sidewinder A tree that is pushed over to the side. A type of boom boat.
Signals Audible, hand, or verbal signals used to direct the movement of logs or equipment.
Siwash An unintentional bight in a line caused by stumps or other objects, preventing the line from running straight. A line not running in a straight line by being bent around a tree, stump, or rock.
Skid The act of moving logs with a skidder or crawler tractor. Logs placed under equipment or structures to allow moving them.
Skidder Rubber-tired piece of mobile equipment designed and used for yarding logs.
Skidding line The main haulage line from a carriage to which chokers are attached.
Skid road The path or trail a skidder or crawler tractor uses to move logs on. Also called a “skid trail.”
Skins Tires used on mobile equipment.
Skyline The line on a yarder that supplies lift for blocks, rigging, carriage, and logs.
Slackline A skyline yarding system where the skyline can be tensioned at the operator’s discretion.
Slash Debris left on the ground after logging is complete.
Slash burn A prescribed burning of slash and debris left by logging operations.
Slip hitch A means of freeing or moving a log too tight to pass a choker under by placing the choker on part of the log butt.
Snare A choker.
Snatch block A block that can be opened on one side to receive the bight of a rope.
Snipe To bevel the leading edge of a skid log so it will not hang up.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 175 Snorkel A wooden or steel boom extension mounted on equipment to increase the distance that logs can be reached for yarding or loading.
Snorkel cap The steel cap fitted on the farthest end of the snorkel to which the snorkel block and guyline(s) are fastened.
Snorkel pocket The support and holdfast for the machine end of the snorkel.
Snub To lower anything. To assist one machine down a hill by holding it back with another that is connected by a line.
Soft hammer A hammer made of mild steel marked with an “S,” used for cutting line.
Spark arrester A screen or baffle device placed over the end of an exhaust pipe to reduce the number of sparks given off.
Spark chaser A worker who remains at a logging site for approximately two hours at the end of the day to watch for possible fires caused by the logging activities. Also called a “fire watch.”
Spike A railroad-type spike used to secure wire rope when splicing.
Spike bar A sturdy, steel pry bar used to extract spikes from a log or stump.
Spike it To stop or hold it.
Spike top A tree with a dead top, usually without branches.
Splice To join ends of rope by interweaving strands.
Spool A drum to hold cable. To wind wire rope smoothly on a winch.
Spooling iron A tool used for spooling line onto a winch so that hands are not placed directly onto the line.
Spreader A short piece of line or chain between the haulback eye and the butt rigging or grapple; used to separate the haulback eye from the carriage.
Spur road A short or new road off a branch road.
Square lead Right angles to the yarding machine.
Stagged pants Work pants with the cuffs cut off to prevent limbs from catching the cuffs and tripping the worker.
176 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Stamp The identification/code mark embedded into a log end that indicates the setting it came from.
Stamp hammer The hammer used to place a stamp.
Stand An area of timber.
Stillson wrench A pipe wrench.
Strand One of six spiral groups of wires in a wire rope. To break one or more strands.
Strap A short piece of wire rope with an eye in each end, used to hold blocks.
Strawline A small-diameter wire rope used in rigging up or moving larger lines or blocks.
String line To pull a line by hand in preparation for yarding.
Strip To remove lines, blocks, and other rigging from a spar.
Stub An extension to another line. A very short spur road.
Stump rig To hang blocks on stumps at the back end.
Sub-grade The roadbed onto which the finished road is laid after the first pioneering.
Supersnorkel A steel boom extension of two or more sections mounted on a loader to increase the distance that logs can be reached for yarding purposes (36 m [120 ft.]).
Swaged line Wire rope that has been reduced one size in diameter by a pounding action to replace the same nominal-sized rope but have a greater strength. This rope appears to be normal rope that is evenly worn.
Swamp out To clean out.
Swapline A procedure where the position of the mainline and haulback are exchanged.
Swing To haul or yard logs from one landing to another.
Swinging To haul or transfer logs from one landing to another.
Swing tree A spar to which logs are yarded for temporary storage, then swung to another landing.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 177 Swing yarder Any yarder that swings on a turntable, as opposed to a stationary spar yarder.
Switchback A sharp turn in a road constructed on very steep grade.
Swivel A line connector that allows torsional energy to be removed from lines by pivoting freely.
T Tag The joining of two or more chokers end to end for extended reach.
Tagline A line used to position or open a loading grapple.
Tailblock A block used to guide the haulback line at the back end of a yarding area; used to change the direction of the haulback. Also called a “corner block.”
Tailhold The point of anchor of the skyline. A stump or tree used to secure back line blocks.
Tail spar A tree rigged at the back end to provide lift for a skyline or yarding line. Also called a “backspar.”
Terminal The end of a rope or chain provided with an eye or attaching device.
Thimble A formed or cast steel fitting placed in the eye of a rope to retain the round shape, give support, and protect it from wear on the pin.
Thread To reeve a line through blocks or carriage.
Tie back To use a twister.
Tightline To obtain maximum lift on yarding lines by holding one line back and pulling on another. To take the sag out of a line.
Timber hitch A type of knot used for twisters.
Tommy Moore A small block with a wide throat, usually used with the strawline as a lead block.
Tongs A hinged set of hooks used for picking up or pulling logs.
Topping line The line used to hold, raise, and lower the boom of a yarding crane. Also called a “gantry line” or “boom hoistline.”
178 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Tree jack A device used to support the skyline or maintain the skyline in an elevated position at a backspar.
Tree paint Spray paint that will stick to wet bark and wood for the purpose of identification.
Tree plate A J-shaped plate spiked to a spar tree to prevent cutting of the wood by wire rope at the point where guylines and straps are hung.
Tree shoe A device used to support a skyline on a backspar.
Tuck To pass one strand under another in splicing.
Turn One or more logs that are yarded to the landing at one time.
Turnbuckle A line-tightening device with a rod at either end, one with a right-hand and one with a left-hand thread.
Turnout A wide spot on the side of a road, built to allow two vehicles to pass.
Twister A line that supports a tailhold stump or tree that does not appear to be strong enough. This is done by connecting the tailhold to another stump or tree opposite by wrapping the two with a line. This line is then tightened by placing a piece of large-diameter limb between the wrappings and twisting them together.
U Undercut The first cut made, when falling or bucking, which forms a notch.
Upend Swapping of wire rope ends on a yarder or loader to distribute wear. To cause a log to flip end for end, either intentionally or inadvertently by coming in contact with a stationary object.
Utility worker Worker on a yarding side who does numerous jobs under the direction of the hooktender and yarder operator.
W Waist line The portion of haulback between the two haulback blocks.
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 179 Whistle A radio transmitter signalling device, used to communicate line movement or requirements to a machine operator in the yarding of logs.
Widow maker A loose limb or broken top, or anything loose in a tree that may fall on a worker.
Winch A powered drum onto which line is pulled. A machine having one or more winches used for yarding or hoisting.
Windrow A pile of logs that has been landed, usually on a road. Also, to place logs in such a pile.
Windfall A tree felled by wind. See “wind throw.”
Wind throw A stand of trees blown down by wind. Also called a “blowdown.”
Wire axe A tool used to cut wire rope or wire rope strands.
Wrap One turn of a line around a winch or stump.
Wrapper Wire rope placed around the load on a logging truck or rail car and secured by a cinch to prevent spillage of logs. Also called a “binder.”
Y Yarder A machine that pulls in logs.
Yarding crane A crane-type machine engineered and rigged to yard logs. Also called a “grapple yarder.”
Yo-yo line A short piece of line that runs through the carriage to open a grapple.
180 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook Notes
Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook 181 Notes
182 Grapple Yarder & Supersnorkel Handbook WorkSafeBC offices Visit our web site at WorkSafeBC.com.
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