26.01.2016

Skid steer and Ladders

The following photograph was sent in by a reader in the USA, it features a man using a combination of two long ladders and a skid steer loader to reach the upper levels of a tree he was felling.

We have some investigative work and discovered that the photo was taken a year ago in the remote town of Mountain View Arkansas- some distance due north of Little Rock in the Ozarks. Apparently the local police were tipped off and suggested that the man climb down before he fell down.

He told them in no uncertain terms what to do and where to go, adding: “it is my property, and my tree and I can do what I like with it” He does appear to have his Bobcat parked on the public highway however!
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A man up a tree with the help of his ladders and skid steer

He we reckon he is about 12 metres up, he is not quite as foolhardy as he seems, he does appear to be wearing a harness that has been attached to the tree with a ropy looking lanyard. Another issue might be those overhead lines that look a little close to the ladder, but they be communication related – rather than power lines?

We assume that he survived his dodgy access equipment to test his luck again? Although getting all in place and then removing it would have been as dangerous as climbing it. Definitely one for our Death Wish series.
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A closer look reveals a harness and lanyard, which might help a little once while tethered - get there and back is another thing of course.