uv rope damage

RBJtree

RBJtree

Branched out member
Location
Pittsburgh
Anyone know how to gauge uv damage? I ask because I told a customer I would secure a damaged section of tree with a rope until he could get a survey done to determine disputed ownership of said tree. I don't know how long it will take for the ownership of the tree to be cleared up. So if my rope sees a couple weeks of weather and sunlight, will it still be safe to use?
 
Safe to use for what?

I'd probably use one of my designated taglines if I was gonna do that. Maybe use it doubled if worried about strength.
 
My initial thought is that a rigging line left in a tree for a couple weeks would need to be retired afterwards. I don't want to waste rope, but some times it has to be done. I also want to give my customer a chance to figure his shit out without his shed being smashed by this tree.
 
I take it you don't have something old u want to use....
Ratchet straps are cheap and strong and would do the job....hard to say without seeing it but they will support a lot... especially of u use 2 or 3 ur good
 
Its a long span. Oak tree, 3 trunks from ground level. One already split off and is laying in the neighbors tree. The remaining two trunks y out to widely to ratchet strap. I could use a couple old half inch ropes. I like that idea. I should have enough long pieces to double or triple up and get enough strength out of.
 
A few weeks should be fine for a rigging rope, but no longer.

Take a look at what happens to lines on a boat. UV sure takes it toll.
 
Maybe look into the construction of synthetic cabling and corresponding uv degradation resistance, then compare to the construction of your rope's outer sheath? The synthetic cabling materials are designed for years - not weeks - of exposure.
 
Surely in a situation like this the customer would be willing to pay a couple hundred dollars for the peace of mind while they figure out who's going to pay the larger bill down the road. I'd just use your rigging rope, likely to trust it up there longer than a tag line, and factor in the cost of a new rigging rope for you in the bid for securing it.

The way I understand it, if you put a rope on it, it's your responsibility if it fails. Essentially you've changed the forces being applied to the tree during this time. If you do secure it, and it takes longer than a week, maybe get a signed contract from both that you can complete the work and once its determined who owns the tree that, that person pays the bill. Could even add that if it takes longer than 30 days that each party is responsible for half.
 
read through the current 'helmet age' thread. Lots of crossover UV reading

If I were worried about UV degrade I'd do some back of the envelope math.

In a normal week of rigging the rope is used...in the sun...for how many hours. Times how many days/weeks has that rope been in service. HOw many working hours of UV exposure to you allow before retiring a rope?

Now...run the timer out on this temporary cabling/bracing job. How many hours of exposure? How much UV degrade?
 
We are talking plastics. It really depends on the site and exposure. I lived in the desert for a few years and was amazed at how quickly plastic degraded and crumbled. Back in the PNW I wouldn’t even consider it a issue..
 
We here aren’t allowed to leave climb lines up overnight due to risk of bird pick, so that may be a concern for you as well.

When investigating xtc12 I’ve damage, plastics guy said to use solid colours plastic as they have more uv blockers in them, so that may also be a factor in rope choice.

When we had to restrain a tree that was falling over and had to wait for the ground to dry out first, we used old crane cable as that was hanging around. But have also used old lobster 3strand that was as stiff as steel rope but still very strong.
 
Thanks for all the input. Tom makes a good point. Over the normal life of the rope, how much daylight does it see? Probably many weeks worth. I have never had to retire a rope due to uv damage. I have a rope swing at my families camp that stays up for years at a time before I replace the rope. That rope shows a lot on uv damage, but it sees years.
 
As per Kenny's note, I've used some of my old dynamic climbing lines as braces for storm damaged spruces when we're trying to get the stem tops to stand up straight again - these ropes ended up outside for 6 months to a year. I wouldn't climb on 'em ever but have taken some of them and reused them for another cabling/ bracing project and they've worked fine (they were old Edelrid 11 mm dynamics). Cores on 'em seemed fine when I did some forensics, but the covers were faded to heck. Would I tie up a cherished 40' Sabre to 'em - now way, but for dirty work they're still hanging in there (for some reason the 'odd job ropes' all seem to get shorter over time though).
 
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