ART tools

[Treebeard]

i have read some of the other posts on ART equip but had some questions. my boss just purchased for me the LockJack sport to accomany the rope guide.i feel obligated to give it a chance but after a few days of using it ,it seems very jerky. does it have a break in time? do i have to just find that sweet spot and get comfortable w/it? Tom you mentioned recieving a jaw plate to fit the Fly, was that hard to find ? Sherrill seems unresponsive. also you mention DEDA lanyard, what is it? i was never a climber of technology. i'd rather tie a hitch , or make my own friction saver because i didn't see the advantages of such costly pieces of equip. now that they are in my tool bag i want to use them to their full potential but i dont know what that potential really is?

 

[frans]

I have talked alot about the LockJack, it's pros and cons.
If you have bought the model with the replacable parts then you have the good one.
This tool allows you to quickly connect and disconnect your climbing line in ways you never could with any other knot.
The jerkyness factor will soon become an asset as you become used to it. The thing about it is it will let you really move through the tree with very little friction. As with all tools there is a learning curve so have patience. For me I really use this tool exclusivly.
Frans

 

[Tom Dunlap]

When I use the LJ I try to palm the body of the tool and pull down on the tubing that the cord/ball is attached to. This shortens the lever that counter acts the camming action of the LJ and makes for a smoother descent. Try making little changes to your methods.

Hillbilly made a nice diagram of the DEDA lanyard. Try doing an archive search on TreeBuzz. If you can't find it here, go over to Arboristsite and search. After getting the Adjuster, I substituted them for the hitches that I used to use.

Tom

 

[hillbilly]

hillbilly at your service

Here is the illustration of the DEDA with hitches.

How is the Adjusters working out Tom, have you
gotten around the spacing problem, keeping them in
place on the square Maillon ?

 

[Squirrel]

is it less friction than a french prusik with a line tender pulley and dog snap?