Carrying cabling gear in the canopy

emr · May 19, 2009

At the place where I used to work we would carry cabling gear up in the tree with an old rope bag. The drill would be on a lanyard and everything else would be in the bag.... except for the wire. That we would cut to a rough length and then send up on the climbing line. That method worked fine, but I am looking for a better way. I am wondering how others carry items like the eye bolts or J-lags, thimbles, dead-ends, drills, and other assorted tools used in cabling operations. I guess the same question could pertain to dynamic systems like Cobra too.

Zac · May 19, 2009

my old company used Cobra for everything... The cabling supplies lived in a big garbage can, all the small stuff was in a 5 gallon bucket that got clipped to my harness. Carry up one end of the cable and rock and roll.

Muggs · May 19, 2009

We use a backpack when we install Cobra. Works for us.

tomthetreeman · May 19, 2009

Because cabling jobs require such varying hardware, plan to improvise for each job. I use a non-locking accessory 'biner for eye bolts, and a linesman's bag for other odds and ends. Arborwear needs to adapt their pants more toward painter's style... the pockets and hammer holster come in handy when using tools aloft.

I hope this was some help! I am hoping to get some advice here as well!

-Tom

(PS - another tip is to buy a drill/sawzall matching set, so you can swap batteries to save weight when cutting of bolts is needed.)

Tom Dunlap · May 19, 2009

Plastic five gallon buckets work ok but the metal handles need to be replaced with strong cord. Tieing an overhand bite in the middle of the cord handle keeps the bucket vertical and reduces the chance of the bucket tipping to the side.

Lanyards on all of the power tools.

Use some old coiled wire phone cords for lanyards on the small tools.

Bring extra pieces of hardware along in case The Fumblies hit and a washer makes it's bid for freedom.

Thrift store daypacks work well for cabling too. Having the bits and bobs stuck away in separate pockets makes it easy to keep sorted.

A sling or two hung in the tree makes for a nice parking spot for the buckets and tools.

shovelhead · May 19, 2009

wire stops are the way to go...no more need for a tool box in a tree.

guymayor · May 19, 2009

[ QUOTE ]
wire stops are the way to go...no more need for a tool box in a tree.

[/ QUOTE ]well maybe a smaller toolbag anyway. Sherrills makes a belt pouch with elastic opening perfect for slipping hand in but closes against spillage. I like a lineman's bag for hacksaw hammer etc.

woodsboy67 · May 19, 2009

[ QUOTE ]

(PS - another tip is to buy a drill/sawzall matching set, so you can swap batteries to save weight when cutting of bolts is needed.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Instead of a sawzall try using a angle grinder with a cut-off wheel, most companies make a batt. powered model now and they work great for cutting cable and many other things too.

KyLimbwalker · May 19, 2009

[ QUOTE ]
I am wondering how others carry items like the eye bolts or J-lags, thimbles, dead-ends, drills, and other assorted tools used in cabling operations.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sherrill sells small red buckets (~1 quart) that work great for the tools. Lanyard for the drill. PVC pipe (a T fitting on one end and a screw cap on the other) works great for the bits. (The T holds the bit in, while letting moisture escape.)

Little key-biners on the buckets help hold items like lag-spinners.

KentuckySawyer · May 20, 2009

We've also been using Bucket Boss bags for various applications. Carrying rigging hardware and slings, extra PPE and chaps, and mechanical advantage rigs. I'd like to try these for cabling equip too.

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=6293

Rookieclimber · May 26, 2009

Daisy chain over the shoulder, wont pull the saddle down the hips. works for me

Wagnaw · May 26, 2009

I have a couple old LLBean backpacks that I use. They have tons of space and various compartments, which is nice for keeping things organized.

Serf Life · Feb 3, 2025

Bump, whatcha using?

flushcut · Feb 3, 2025

Klein lineman’s canvas bucket. I got all excited thinking Eric was posting again.

Muggs · Feb 3, 2025

I'm still using an old backpack for my stuff. Switched to ehs with rigguys a while back, so much easier than traditional. Don't use cobra much anymore, but sometimes. Got this DeWalt 3 inch cutoff tool for ehs, works mint on the ground and aloft.

flushcut · Feb 3, 2025

I like the M18 4.5” angle grinder but I do a fair bit of metal work so it’s multi use.

ghostice · Feb 3, 2025

I'll go up and drill one side, measure cable length, then cut ehs with angle grinder on the ground leaving foot or two extra length, install a rig guy on one end and go up and install cable on the drilled limb end pulling cable right thru, then install other end (use a come along and wire pull to move branches closer together a bit) . Once strands are separated and bent (the extra length makes this easy), we just cut each strand of ehs with a small bolt cutter. Clean up any dropped pieces so no lawnmower mishaps.
Oh and carry stop bits and pieces in small pouch and bolt cutter on a sling. Same with come along/ cable grip.

colb · Feb 3, 2025

I used speedline snaps for tools and a spare top satchel left over from the remains of a mountainsmith frostfire II. It's got a small zipper pocket inside it for storing stops. I used EHS, Endz, Milwaukee M18 hammer drill, M18 angle grinder. I never bothered measuring - just cut extra long and did a final cut at the second work position. I hung my tools on a sling girth hitched to a branch.