i sometimes work for a guy who is using this setup instead of dragging branches to the street, even though the chipper can be a bit finnicky it definitely beat‘s dragging (and cleaning the path)
no need for a steel biner, tie a running bowline with the spliced rope and clip your now srt line into the regular old aluminum biner (maybe even with a munter). no sideloading and no extra gear required.
there is a company who supposedly once build the older all metal avant loader‘s and is now still building them like that. they are about half the price of a new avant but resale value is probably lower than original idk.
for me long gaff’s are more knee-friendly and not wobbly at all. i don‘t have to twist my knee outwards for the gaff‘s to engage, i can almost keep my leg’s neutral. also „branch-walking“ is not really possible with short gaff‘s.
i have a new set of bashlin‘s and managed to make opsal pad‘s fit. since 3-4 years no cracks in the pad‘s from removing to much material :) best setup for sure, thanks rico for the recommendation!
choke it where length of sling is not too critical (often times with a shackle) or to be able to use it on large wood with max WLL (because of splice) instead of a running bowline.