DMM throw hook.

Burrapeg said:
I started using a Stiched Distel on my HELL lanyard some weeks ago when the Stich hitch and its various mods were being discussed. I added a second ring to take chafe off the crossed hitch cord and also a small strap (the cream coloured short one) to keep the ring and crosses from working up too high towards the Distel. Works great. I think the short Eye2Eye strap was sold by WesSpur as a tending strap for the early HH. I sometimes take the hook off and just have a heavy steel biner on the end. I can toss the steel biner quite a ways up and have its weight drop it down over a limb. I don't have much luck tossing the hook straight up. Depends on the tree and the climb.
View attachment 61300
Click to expand...

This is a brilliant piece of work. Thanks for posting the photos, words alone would have made it too hard to convey the idea. I might just give this a try. Does this arrangement tend pretty well? Thanks.

Also, thanks for the idea of using a steel biner for throwing vertical when using the Captain Hook. I was wondering if you leave the biner on the rope when attaching to the Captain Hook, or if you do something different? If you do add the biner in to the system on a regular basis, how does it affect the performance of the Hook, or the technique required to use the Hook effectively? Thanks in advance for your time, and for any answers you choose to provide.

Tim
 
TimBr said:
. . . Also, thanks for the idea of using a steel biner for throwing vertical when using the Captain Hook. I was wondering if you leave the biner on the rope when attaching to the Captain Hook, or if you do something different? If you do add the biner in to the system on a regular basis, how does it affect the performance of the Hook, or the technique required to use the Hook effectively? Thanks in advance for your time, and for any answers you choose to provide.

Tim
Click to expand...
Thanks for the kind words, Tim. I don't use the steel biner with the hook, actually. I use a small SS quicklink to attach the hook, but sometimes remove them from the lanyard and use the steel biner instead of the hook with the long lanyard as a second short SRT line.
 
Hey tree people
Im very close at buying this thing. Really close.
Just have a couple questions before I give up my hard earned $$$.
Is it really that much of a game changer? Or does it collect dust most of the time?
I somewhat understand its function from a watching other people use it. Obviously situational.
But how often do those scenarios come up? Ik there is a lot variables with that question, hopefully someone can answer with their exp.
Appreciate any questions answered
 
It is going to be hard to give you a black or white answer on whether or not the hook will get used often. So much depends on what you need.

You know what it does, it does that well. If you find yourself wishing you could temporarily anchor to limbs that are just outside of what you can reach, fairly often, it could be very useful. Definitely needs dependent.
 
That sounds like an accurate answer.

I take the cost of the thing (kit for me) and devide it by how much I expect to earn per hour in my work. Then I look at how much time it saves me each time I pull it out. I feel like it usually saves me half its cost or so each time it's the right tool for the job.

Most of the time I only use it once a week or every other week. I wouldn't be without it.

Welcome to TreeBuzz.
 
I bought mine to prune a multi-stemmed pecan that was shaped like a hot air balloon. The internodes on each leader were 10-15 feet, so swinging around and climbing up did not cut it. It was June in Florida and my first day in that tree cooked me to the point that I was barely functioning, so I bailed after pruning the top and a couple nearby leaders, bought a hook, and came back to finish a few days later. I used it last month to prune a laurel oak and I'm packed with consulting right now - I think I climbed once over the last two weeks. You'll know if you need it, lol. If your workflow puts you out at the edge of the canopy frequently in spreading trees, you'll use it.
 
Thank you guys for the quick and informative responses. Sounds like its worth its value. I do work mostly in decurrent canopies so Im leaning towards it being useful, even if its only for certain situations. Thanks buzzers!:)
 
theatertech87 said:
Most days mine sits in my truck (and by most i'd say 95%) but those days it comes out, it more than pays for itself.

If you do most of your work on spikes, you'll have far less need for it.
Click to expand...
I second this other than I tend to be on spikes most of the time doing removals from the top down in tight spaces where you couldn't drop large sections of tree.
The hook comes in handy on larger (or taller) multi-stemmed trees with a wide canopy.
Once you have one you'll find the need for one.
You'll be up in a tree one day and think to yourself...
Crap I should have brought the hook up with me because this is the perfect situation for it.
Then you'll find yourself planning out your next removal or prune job incorporating your hook as part of your strategy.

If your tight on cash you could just buy the hook and purchase your own rope and bag like I did.
And welcome to the forum.
 
SamNQ said:
Hey tree people
Im very close at buying this thing. Really close.
Just have a couple questions before I give up my hard earned $$$.
Is it really that much of a game changer? Or does it collect dust most of the time?
I somewhat understand its function from a watching other people use it. Obviously situational.
But how often do those scenarios come up? Ik there is a lot variables with that question, hopefully someone can answer with their exp.
Appreciate any questions answered
Click to expand...
For myself and to be blunt I very rarely use mine. However the few times I used it, it was worth it 10xs over
 
@SamNQ I think if you incorporate it into how you climb and work a tree you will use it. I have mine on my harness at all times - on one side of my 25' lanyard. Although I don't use it every climb, having it with me, I find uses that really can speed things up. Besides the obvious intended uses, I use it to free hangers, retrieve ropes that are out of reach, remove redirects remotely, and use it like a third arm. If you have it set as its own kit in a dedicated bagged system, you may only bring it out when you are in a large spreading tree with multiple leads, or when you need it to traverse into an adjacent tree. Also, it very much depends on your area and the trees you are climbing. If you have noticed that it would come in handy while working the trees you regularly work...I would say it definitely comes in handy.
 
Rec climber, cat stuck tree rescue. Have not used my hook that much as I could not figure out how to set it without scaring the cat with the throw. However, I have recently started using a light-weight extendable boat gaff to set the hook and it has become one my favorite pieces of gear. This technique is not usable in tree work (or needed) as the gaff is too clumsy to carry around in the tree, but useful for cat rescue.

Youtube video showing hook used in cat rescue.

Setting the hook at about 3:00 m.
 
You would be surprised at what can be useful to carry around in a tree at times.

I use the 6 to 12 foot collapsible pole by Marvin (?) for a lot of setting rigging lines further out and more quickly. I have used that a few times to set my Captain Hook as a secondary (non life support) balance point while I work.

If I were advancing life support far I would use the Marvin collapsible pole also or the purpose built line attatchin tool made by a member here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom