Yes, they are stitched on. TBH, the stitches are so small and tight, it wouldn't be worth the effort to rip them out.
I've had my MB foe 4yrs now. I don't even notice the patches anymore.
A thorough inspection is still required. Tap on it like ATH mentioned, probe it with a long screwdriver or something, take notice of how much dead wood is in the tree.
If you're not comfortable with it, don't climb it. You'll get a sense of what's ok and what's not with experience. Take note...
I didn't think I'd like the patches either. They haven't grown on me but I don't mind them. They've dirtied and kinda blend in now. Not so much ''in your face'' bright white, like when new.
If your shopping, I went from the MCRS to the MB 1.0
Absolutely love it. In fact, I'm lightening up My MB for crane work only .... minimalistic. I want a 2.0 for regular removals, and I'll set up the MCRS for pruning jobs.
My gaffs seem to find every rotten tree within 50 miles of me. Been up stuff that I wouldn't do any heavy rigging from but still climbed it. To the tree, I'm just another ant. There is some stuff I wouldn't climb and found alternatives for removal. Did some with 50ton crane that I wouldn't rig...
Especially in oak. Think, ''MIGHTY OAK.''
Black locust, on the other hand, may be of concern. I've seen a 4-5'' diam horizontal limb snap right off. My buddy limb walked out to tip tie about 25' out. He ended up playing Tarzan on his rope.
I have the goods and still want a Hobbs. Always have. To quote Chris Shultz, "Why not."
Mostly because I'm a gear junkie. Also because I think it would be good to have 2 good lifting/rigging devices. Even if it's to use both on one "pick.'' Example, lifting a tree off a remote house with no...
I've always wanted some for the same uses.
I do have a hank of it from TS back in their good days. It was a ''special addition'' for breast cancer awareness. Yup. it's hot pink. I bought it for my girl. I wanted to make her a hammock from it. She gave me so much shit for buying her a rope, I...
I missed a couple of posts earlier, including yours. Only thing that alerted me was a quote of one of mine.
I did hear of some brush being ''pulled off the climber,'' but hadn't heard about this. Truly fortunate.
Anyhows, hows you? Been awhile since I've ''seen'' ya.
LMAO Guy I used to work with would slap himself on the ass and point while looking at the driver. That meant to back it in over yonder. I used to say to the other guys, "He want's you to smack his ass over there."
I thought you were near the Buffalow area. I've done a good deal of work in the capital district and surrounding areas. 'toga as well. I'm now in Schoharie county.
Update: ....through the grapevine, the home has been condemned. I heard it has shifted off it's foundation. A&J is claiming the...
Donny, I apologize for my change of stance. Things were not pointing towards a good outcome with the silence,
I reinstate my claim..... you are an honorable man. I hope the best for you and yours.
Thank you for breaking the silence and clearing things up. Take care of you and yours.
I think...