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NYC: How Riggers Raise the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree (pics)
Popular Mechanics ^ | November 14, 2008 | Andrew Moseman

Posted on 11/16/2008 12:38:22 PM PST by yankeedame

How Riggers Raise the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Thanksgiving is still two weeks away, but the Christmas season officially began today—at least here in New York City—with the installation of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Problem is, how do you install a monster tree in the middle of a crowded plaza? With about 10 guys, a crane, cables and a little eyeballing.

Bob Gerosa, a third-generation rigger, runs the family business that erects the tree each year. He told PM that this year's tree weighs approximately 13,000 pounds (about 8 tons). That's actually light for a Rockefeller tree—two years ago the tree weighed about 36,000 pounds, and the average is about 20,000. A different family each year supplies the tree; this year's 72-foot-tall Norway spruce came from the Varanyak family in western New Jersey. Once the tree was shipped to Rockefeller Center, it was time for Gerosa's team to get going.

The team used a crane with a 142-foot boom to raise this year's tree. Workers attached two cables—the main load line, designed to carry most of the weight, went on the top of the tree. A lesser cable went on the bottom. Gerosa said the crane operator uses those two cables to raise the tree horizontally. The main load line then brings up the top until the tree stands upright. Riggers like to have plenty of room for error—Gerosa said that the crane, with a 142-foot boom and a 45-foot radius from the tree's center of gravity, could hoist more than twice the spruce's weight.

When the trunk was secured in the metal stand, Gerosa's crew disconnected the bottom cable but left the top—"You always keep the crane hooked up for safety," he said. At that point, it's time to straighten the tree and secure the top. Workers up in the top limbs of the tree—including Gerosa's son—attach one end of the anchoring cables.

Gerosa himself doesn't usually go up there, but he said it's not so bad. "There's plenty of branches to stand on," he said. "It's like when you were a kid." The situation gets more precarious with wind or bad weather, he said, but today the crew was fortunate to have clear skies and little breeze.

Once one end of the anchoring cables was secured to the tree, the riggers ran them to four anchoring points—two on 30 Rock (the GE building) and two on the far side of Rockefeller Center's famous ice skating rink. Gerosa said his guys then adjusted the tension wherever needed to make the tree stand straight—"They eyeball it and try to make it look nice." Then, finally, they were able to disconnect the main crane cable.

That's it for Gerosa's team. Now that the tree's in place, another company comes in to set up scaffolding and decorate it.

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TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: christmastree; nyc; rockefellercenter
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1 posted on 11/16/2008 12:38:22 PM PST by yankeedame
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To: yankeedame

They look like mexicans to me.


2 posted on 11/16/2008 12:46:15 PM PST by Rome2000 (Peace is not an option)
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To: yankeedame

this year’s tree weighs approximately 13,000 pounds (about 8 tons).

a ton is 2000 lbs...do the math...it is 6.5 ton.


3 posted on 11/16/2008 12:46:42 PM PST by Vaquero ("an armed society is a polite society" Robert A. Heinlein)
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To: Rome2000

ROFLMAO!


4 posted on 11/16/2008 12:50:04 PM PST by FReepaholic (Diversity = .45 .357 .223 .38 ...)
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To: Vaquero

‘13,000 pounds (about 8 tons)’

The same people report on the economy.


5 posted on 11/16/2008 12:56:15 PM PST by BGHater (The GOP, the new DNC.)
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To: yankeedame
Bob Gerosa, a third-generation rigger...

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

6 posted on 11/16/2008 12:56:46 PM PST by john in springfield
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To: Rome2000

No, they are Riggers.


7 posted on 11/16/2008 12:57:22 PM PST by BGHater (The GOP, the new DNC.)
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To: BGHater

I have a theory on how “business reporters” are selected. Whenever newspapers or networks go on J-school reporting trips, they always ask the prospective recruits if they can reconcile a checkbook. Whoever raises their hand gets put on the business desk. I suspect only about 2 in 10 qualify.

Similarly, sports reporters are those who are too dumb to be general assignment reporters.


8 posted on 11/16/2008 1:00:46 PM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: yankeedame

Y’all better enjoy it for the last time.


9 posted on 11/16/2008 1:03:25 PM PST by 353FMG (The sky is not falling, yet.)
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To: Rome2000; bigheadfred

Hey bighead...when in Rome!!! hahahaha


10 posted on 11/16/2008 1:08:10 PM PST by lilycicero
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To: Rome2000

They appear to be riggers’ assistants. The actual rigger is the guy in the red helmet.


11 posted on 11/16/2008 1:11:12 PM PST by proxy_user
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To: BGHater

No, I live in Texas and those look like Mexicans.


12 posted on 11/16/2008 1:12:42 PM PST by Eaker (Dutch expression "You can give a monkey a gold ring, but it stays an ugly thing." - EscapedDutch)
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To: Rome2000
They look like mexicans to me.

WTF does it matter?

13 posted on 11/16/2008 1:17:10 PM PST by jude24
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To: lilycicero

Confucius say last picture—left...


14 posted on 11/16/2008 1:17:37 PM PST by bigheadfred (FREE EVAN VELA, freeevanvela.com)
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To: bigheadfred

When I look to the left of the last picture I see the boss has a little tail.


15 posted on 11/16/2008 1:22:09 PM PST by A knight without armor
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To: proxy_user

It sounds like a sort of dangerous position.....

Job : Rigger

Salary : Median—$17.27 per hour

Employment Outlook : Fair

Definition and Nature of the Work :

Riggers help operate machines that move heavy objects including steel plates, bundles of steel rods, drilling towers, platforms, and the heavy construction equipment used to build and take down steel structures.

Riggers have many responsibilities. They decide which pulleys, booms, braces, and cables are strong enough for each job. They also must know where to attach the hooks, chains, and cables to lift a load safely. In some cases, riggers build equipment around the object to be moved, such as a tower or boom. While the object is being lifted, riggers use hand signals and other means to direct crane operators and help guide the objects into place.

Education and Training Requirements :

A high school education is recommended. Courses in mathematics, plan reading, and shop are especially valuable. English and communication courses are also important, because riggers give directions to others.


16 posted on 11/16/2008 1:24:35 PM PST by A knight without armor
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To: A knight without armor

And everyone deserves a little tail-now and then


17 posted on 11/16/2008 1:27:37 PM PST by bigheadfred (FREE EVAN VELA, freeevanvela.com)
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To: A knight without armor; bigheadfred

I see somebody just standing around and watching (top left)

They be in the blue jumpsuits.


18 posted on 11/16/2008 1:31:55 PM PST by lilycicero
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To: lilycicero

dat be why I jes LOVE ya


19 posted on 11/16/2008 1:34:51 PM PST by bigheadfred (FREE EVAN VELA, freeevanvela.com)
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To: Rome2000

They’re ornaments.


20 posted on 11/16/2008 1:37:00 PM PST by wtc911 ("How you gonna get back down that hill?")
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