This impressive machine is the largest saw of its kind in New Zealand, and an exciting new addition to Treetech’s fleet.
“We’ve invested in our new grapple saw because it’s faster, safer, and better for our environmental footprint,” says Treetech Managing Director, Chris Walsh. “It's so much quicker than having a manual climbing team reducing a tree or removing a tree.”
The saw is used to remove large branches on both commercial and residential properties, and is particularly handy when branches are hanging over properties or power lines. The ground-controlled saw grabs hold of a branch, cuts it, and then places the entire branch on the ground. It’s efficient, tidy, and means arborists don’t need to climb above the power lines, which reduces safety risks. Depending on the site, some tree maintenance can even be completed with ‘live lines’ - meaning no power outages for nearby homes and businesses.
The grapple saw also reduces the time required for the job, and can often complete a tree removal or reshape in half the time it would take a climbing team.
Environmental sustainability and heavy machinery don’t always go together, but the grapple saw actually reduces Treetech’s impact on the environment. Because of the size of the saw and its ability to transport large branches, there’s much less sawing required.
“We’re not cutting a whole lot more, we’re doing a few cuts and then chipping it,” Chris says. “When you’re manually dismantling, you're doing lots and lots and lots of cuts. We’re also using bio-lube in the chamber, so it's environmentally friendly.”
The environment isn’t the only one that benefits; Treetech’s clients can expect an impressively quick and tidy job from this new piece of machinery.
“We’re not going to drop branches and brush onto the ground and around their gardens,” Chris says. “We can pick up the branches, we bring them over to a designated spot, then we can chip them there - like a driveway, instead of on the lawn. It’s easier, tidier, and quicker.”
The saw hasn’t been in action for long, but the Treetech team are already making the most of it. “We’re still learning and trialling different methods and smarter ways of using the equipment, but it’s miles quicker,” Chris says. “After only a few days of use, the team love it!”
