Humboldt vs. Conventional Felling: It's All About Speed (really?)

[CerealKilla]

I keep seeing people go at it about Humboldt vs. conventional felling, like one's the only "right" way.

But honestly, watching those experienced West Coast fallers, just screams speed and getting the job done fast.

Think about it, with a Humboldt, it's usually two quick cuts, and that wedge practically kicks itself out, no stopping to grab an axe or muscling it by hand.

One more cut, and if the lean's good, boom, tree's down, am I right?

If not, they're already grabbing wedges and an axe while still cutting, then she goes. Same deal with long bars, all your cuts from one spot, zero wasted time or effort.

So, hit me. What's the real reason these pros do what they do if it's not all about pumping out trees faster? Convince me otherwise!

 

[SuperMan]

You're right, speed and efficiency are huge for pros but it's also about safety, precision, and controlling how the tree falls...and dast isn't always safest or smartest in tricky spots

 

[3choccake]

I keep seeing people go at it about Humboldt vs. conventional felling, like one's the only "right" way.

But honestly, watching those experienced West Coast fallers, just screams speed and getting the job done fast.

Think about it, with a Humboldt, it's usually two quick cuts, and that wedge practically kicks itself out, no stopping to grab an axe or muscling it by hand.

One more cut, and if the lean's good, boom, tree's down, am I right?

If not, they're already grabbing wedges and an axe while still cutting, then she goes. Same deal with long bars, all your cuts from one spot, zero wasted time or effort.

So, hit me. What's the real reason these pros do what they do if it's not all about pumping out trees faster? Convince me otherwise!

The truth is, a lot of the pros you're seeing use the Humboldt method on lower value timber where they're being paid by the tree or by the ton. The focus is on production.
On a high value tree, like a big ol' Douglas fir, no pro in their right mind is going to use a Humboldt cut.
They'll use a conventional face cut to make sure the log doesn't split and tear out at the butt, which can knock thousands off the value of a single tree.
It's not about being a better technique, it's about using the right technique for the right tree

 

[timbertrekker1022]

You're spot on when it comes to speed, the West Coast fallers really focus on production timber. Humboldt cuts help minimize fiber loss, which translates to more lumber value per tree, and they're especially effective on larger timber where traditional cuts might waste more wood. Plus, the longer bars mean fewer times you have to reposition when dealing with those big trees. It's not just about being fast, it's really about efficiency and the economics of doing it on a larger scale.

 

[Zackhimselfx]

East Coast feller here, I know in my part of the world, we cut completely different. Open face cut (90°) and bore cut the back cut

 

[cjmac163]

I think the main advantage of the humboldt, aside from saving a little material and not having a 45° chunk missing from the butt of a log, is saving out larger trees from being busted into pieces. A conventional cut often drives the tree right onto its side, and creates a shockwave in the tree once it hits the ground, causing multiple fractures in the tree. This leads to a severe loss of value of the tree, as logs cannot be produced where the tree is broken. A humboldt notch allows the tree to "lay" gradually along the ground, reducing shock and damage to the tree, ultimately preventing breakage

 

[What]

90% of my cuts are Humboldt cuts.