What knot do use with rope slings?

[Sep]

Just wondering what knots everyone uses with rope slings, used in crane use. I have done alot of crane work, but haven't used this system much. I used a timber hitch or a clove hitch when I did use them. They seem like they are very good on wide, weird shaped picks.

 

[Chris Schultz]

Cow hitch (backed up) works well, as do your aforementioned hitches.

 

[Treeline]

We use a cow hitch, often with a half hitch further out on the balance point. We will only use a timber hitch if we don't have enough tail to tie a cow. We used to use running bowlines, they worked but always required adjustment after pre-tension and they could sometimes be a pain to untie. the cow hitch is fast to tie and untie and doesn't slip with pretension.

 

[Z'sTrees]

cow, round & 2 halfs, running bowline are my most common. everyonce and a while I'll timber hitch. Clove is not reliable IMO

 

[Cereal_Killer]

Chains. Fuck tying nots.
We only run a rope sling as a third leg when needed for safety (balancing shit when necessary, cause we far prefer to stand everything up).

But to answer your question: cow hitch with a half hitch backup is my go to. Sometimes I’ll also call to cable out to slack the chains (which I always attach first) then tie a running bowline then take the slack back out and make sure everything is evenly tight.

 

[Treeline]

Chains. Fuck tying nots.
We only run a rope sling as a third leg when needed for safety (balancing shit when necessary, cause we far prefer to stand everything up).

But to answer your question: cow hitch with a half hitch backup is my go to. Sometimes I’ll also call to cable out to slack the chains (which I always attach first) then tie a running bowline then take the slack back out and make sure everything is evenly tight.

Isn’t that an adjustability pain? I got some rope slings with hooks earlier in the year and I absolutely hate them because I’m always trying to take up slack with wraps and half hitches. I much prefer the infinite adjustability of hookless rope slings

 

[Cereal_Killer]

Isn’t that an adjustability pain?

No. Not to us anyway, it’s our M.O.

Half hitch where you want your primary suspension point to be then just decent straight down and hook the chain wherever it falls.

Again maybe I’m like this cause it’s just the way I do things but I’m serious, fuck all that knot tying, we here to show off knot tying skills or get the tree on the ground?

 

[Z'sTrees]

No. Not to us anyway, it’s our M.O.

Half hitch where you want your primary suspension point to be then just decent straight down and hook the chain wherever it falls.

Again maybe I’m like this cause it’s just the way I do things but I’m serious, fuck all that knot tying, we here to show off knot tying skills or get the tree on the ground?

That's how I do with steel cable chokers. Never used chains.
Rope slings are still the best for balancing the awkward pieces, imo.

 

[climbingmonkey24]

I’ve never used rope slings myself when doing crane work, the last time I rode the ball I used 2-3 heavy duty looping slings attached to a chain bridle (which is great in my opinion for being able to adjust the length of each individual rigging point if needed).

But from what I’ve seen others do and what’s been mentioned, seems like the cow hitch or bowline are the most popular.

 

[Steve Connally]

If you get the rite chain system its absolutely adjustable. Gunnebo GrabIQ system is my go to. With rope slings you also have to look at what the termination is for the rating of the slings. For Example, the Quantum X slings are rated based on a Cow Hitch termination. They would loose rating of you used a running bowline and they would also get shorter but having to chop the bowline off every time you untie. IMHO a knot doesn't have a place in sling terminations. Cow or Timber hitch is the preferred method. Bowline leads to loss of strength and issues with the untie. I'd even go out on a limb and say the knot is incorrect and not the preferred industry standard for rope slings.

 

[Steve Connally]

Also agree the clove is not recommended for this application nor should it be used in rigging. Eventually, you'll have a clove roll out. It's just a matter of time. I was a denier until it happened.

 

[Reach]

If you get the rite chain system its absolutely adjustable. Gunnebo GrabIQ system is my go to. With rope slings you also have to look at what the termination is for the rating of the slings. For Example, the Quantum X slings are rated based on a Cow Hitch termination. They would loose rating of you used a running bowline and they would also get shorter but having to chop the bowline off every time you untie. IMHO a knot doesn't have a place in sling terminations. Cow or Timber hitch is the preferred method. Bowline leads to loss of strength and issues with the untie. I'd even go out on a limb and say the knot is incorrect and not the preferred industry standard for rope slings.

I have been considering looking into a set of those chain slings for lifting big wood, can you perhaps send me a PM with some info about the set you use, and where to buy them? And maybe give me an idea of cost?

 

[southsoundtree]

I wonder if a tensionless hitch with half-hitches is ever used. 100%, or close to it, efficiency.

 

[Fivepoints]

We use cow hitches and running bowlines when using dead eye crane slings. Very rarely do we just tie the end. So often we half hitch up high and tie the end to bigger wood. Gives a great balance point but still has ahold of the pick if something was to break out. About the only time we just tie the end is if we are using a 3rd leg tied to the trunk wood while taking a leaning top. We use round slings for big wood.

 

[allmark]

. I'd even go out on a limb and say the knot is incorrect and not the preferred industry standard for rope slings.

You are referring to the Bowline knot correct? As opposed to a knot in general.

 

[Steve Connally]

You are referring to the Bowline knot correct? As opposed to a knot in general.

Specifically the bowline but all knots in general. Hitch being the better option.

 

[treebilly]

Cow hitch backed up with two halves primarily. Just the way I was taught. I’ve used a running bowline, timber hitch, and even the clove. They all work and have their place.
Also, hitches should be backed up. I don’t use the timber often because not being able to back it up. Shouldn’t need to but I don’t like it.

 

[Steve Connally]

You have to know your kit. For instance the Quantum X slings are tested and labeled using the cow as the termination. Any other use has to be calculated for additional strength loss and consideration for damage and glazing due to the way the "knot loads". I've seen dead eye slings glaze using a bowline because the pick was heavy enough. I've also seen it on round slings girth hitched.