Amsteel Blue for speedline

southsoundtree

southsoundtree

Been here much more than a while
Location
Olympia, WA
3/8", equivalent to 9.5mm, AmSteel Blue.

What cord will hitch well to this slick rope, and be strong enough to withstand a 5:1 MA system (1000-1250 pounds of force, I'd guess) when attached on the top of a POW?

Any ideas or experiences? Will high pressure from a hitch/ MA glaze Amsteel Blue?




I recently used a controlled speedline to lower 4-5' lengths of trunk wood directly into my Southco Box (with a rigging ring welded to the top of the rear end of the box), where it could be cut into rounds. I used a pulley on the rigging point, and a POW on the hitch framework.

As I was getting into 18-20" wood, I was having trouble pulling the stretch out of my 9/16" stable braid speedline. Amsteel would have been much easier, in my estimation. In this scenario, hand tension could have sufficed with a 5:1



Also, I have to bid on two 100' doug-fir removals where we will have to speedline all the limbs over the house, probably 100' run. They want no impact to the shrubs below, as it is part of their privacy screening from the privacy screening from the neighbors, except where we will drop trunk wood, in areas to be developed into a wood-fired hot tub (necessitating maximum screening from the neighbor) and firewood shed. Limbs won't fit, and even if they did, they'd have and 100' drag through a tight path with lots of delicate landscaping. In this scenario it would be nice for the low stretch nature, and will be easy to tension with a truck, using a POW for the connection to avoid knotting the rope.
 
AMsteel is probly a bad choice for a speedline. If you do use it make SURE to ue a pulley Sean. A carabiner sliding down it might melt right through. A controlled speedline should work fine though.

I am not sure about a hitch. I can test a few today?
 
Sean,

I have used Amsteel for more classic high line operations and it works well, but the anchors did not require an adjustable hitch.

Definitely use a pulley for a traveler! With such a strong rope is there anyway you can set it up "Golden Gate Bridge" style? It is very easy to put a lot of tension into the system and not realize it!

Warp speed would be my preferred line, but I am assuming you already own the Amsteel. How about putting a cover on it? Get a similar length of something, remove the core insert the Amsteel? Whaalaaa! Warp speed.

Tony
 
[ QUOTE ]
AMsteel is probly a bad choice for a speedline. If you do use it make SURE to ue a pulley Sean. A carabiner sliding down it might melt right through. A controlled speedline should work fine though.

I am not sure about a hitch. I can test a few today?

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely no concerns with melting caused by a biner sliding down HMWPE line.

I first used it for speed-lining at least 15 years ago. Works swimmingly.

I have both the jacketed with poly cover and plain 12 strand.
 
Roger,

Between the jacketed and the plain 12 strand, which is better to work with?

In my experience with other types of lines, the polyester jacket can make a good bit of difference.

I would not worry so much about a biner sliding from heat, but what about the friction needed to hold a tensioning prussic in place? Any snagging issues on a non jacketed line?

Thanks in advance.

Tony
 
Amsteel is not necessary for this application. Use it in place of wire rope or when weight is an issue. Little or no stretch can be a bad thing in a lot of situations. Speed line being one of them. Think sling angles. And the cost!!
 
mark, HMWPE lines excel for speed lining, as long as everyone understands how to use a near zero stretch line. That said, I don't bother to break it out, unless I really need to clear obstacles. And, if I'm using it for heavy loads, we then use a lowering line, perhaps with a GRCS. I'll catch the load, and then lift it onto the slacked speed line, which then gets tightened.

As I said, I've used them for many years, with no issues....and have employed speed line techniques for about 23 years.

And, as I've stated many times here, my prices on these lines, as well as double braid rigging lines, even Tenex, are unbeatable. All anyone needs to do is contact me, and I'll put them in touch with my supplier.

Tony, yes, 12 strand pure HMWPE lines are slippery when new, but there's no problem getting a prussic to hold.. Just use a long one, that allows for extra wraps, and thus, holding power.

Jacketed, of course, is better, and is my line of choice for lifting applications with a Hobbs or GRCS. 24 strand Warpspeed lines are insanely expensive, however. But I like PS Ropes 9/16th spectra core line, called DS Composite. It's rated at 19,000 tensile, and was only about 1.15 a foot when I last bought some, several years ago.
 
I've been looking for Warpspeed to come down in price but it never has: still about $5 a foot. The Amsteel II that is sold through Wesspur is relatively cheap, jacketed, but it only comes in 7/16" sizes. I want the jacketed 1/2"...any suggestions?
 
Roger,

I think the d/s composite has about 1/2 the tensile strength of warpspeed: 1/2" warpspeed=21k; 1/2" d/s=13+k. You'd have to go 5/8" d/s for an equivalent 1/2" warpspeed.

Mostly I'm thinking of block hanging uses for the line where the loads are doubled, thus the need for a high tensile strength and low profile.

Thanks for the link, Roger. I like his supply.
 
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