Crossbow for line installation...

rawtree

rawtree

Participating member
Location
Mid Atlantic
Uli Distel, designer of the Gecko climbing spikes, brought this rig with him when he and Bettis came from Germany to visit when I was working with Sherrill's. The big shot hadn't been thought of yet (I think it was 3 years later and that's a whole other story) and I needed something for a project I had with the New York Botanical Gardens in South America.

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Solid aluminum shafts:

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Solid steel shafts:

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If you have any questions for me you can check my profile to find out how to contact me. Bring it on...
 
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Hi Bob,

If you have not seen it you might be interested in my youtube video on crossbows for tree climbing. The heavy steel bolts are probably ok for relatively small trees, but are too heavy for long shots in big trees. And the solid aluminum shafts are expensive and easily bent. I prefer solid fiberglass bolts that are really cheap and easy to make from the 4' long fiberglass fenceposts that are carried by most feed stores. They cost about 2$ each to make. The bolts attach directly to a loop in the end of the spectra fishing line on the reel, so there is no need for separate tethers on the bolts.

 
I've heard that a crossbow is a firearm in many/most USA jurisdictions, which inhibits their general adoption to the tree care industry. Great piece of kit, and looks absolutely sick.
 
They are generally overkill for most arborist work where a good throwbag will do the job. But for rigging really tall trees they are hard to beat.
 
Wish I had and could use one this coming Thursday - 130' line install to an osprey nest and flock of wasps on a tower, lol...
 
Dragonslayer said:
I think you got some bad info Colb. No states that I know of consider the crossbow a firearm and they can even be used by convicted felons as well.
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You are correct if it were considered a firearm you would need to complete a background check to purchase, and you don't. Anyone using a crossbow may also want to read the owners manual/specs very carefully before manufacturing your own bolts. Each bow has a very specific length and weight bolt it is designed to shoot. If you shoot a light bolt it's just like dry firing and can fracture the bow limbs. If you fire too heavy of a bolt you can over stress the limbs, prematurely, causing the same issue.
The important part to remember is a bow with fractured limbs can be still operable but extremely dangerous. Inspection of the limbs is imperative as with any piece of equipment we use.
 
I'd never heard that a heavy bolt or arrow could damage limbs. I shoot a very heavy bolt for gator hunting and to de-cock my crossbow. I'll have to check that out.
 
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While they are not considered firearms in specific terms, many municipalities have banned the use any "projectile device". As a work tool there are always gray lines but it can be a hassle.

Also 100% agreement with Mert. Do not get creative with Crossbows, it will kill you. Do your homework and check the recommended bolt specs that come from the bow manufacturer.
 
flyingsquirrel25 said:
You are correct if it were considered a firearm you would need to complete a background check to purchase, and you don't. Anyone using a crossbow may also want to read the owners manual/specs very carefully before manufacturing your own bolts. Each bow has a very specific length and weight bolt it is designed to shoot. If you shoot a light bolt it's just like dry firing and can fracture the bow limbs. If you fire too heavy of a bolt you can over stress the limbs, prematurely, causing the same issue.
The important part to remember is a bow with fractured limbs can be still operable but extremely dangerous. Inspection of the limbs is imperative as with any piece of equipment we use.
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All very good points, but that being said, all crossbows are designed to fire a fairly wide range of projectile weights, ranging from hollow aluminum hunting bolts to solid fiberglass bolts that are designed for shooting fish. So, there is a fairly wide range of projectile weights that are ok to use without worrying about damaging your crossbow. The main thing to avoid is dry firing. That can destroy limbs or cams. The other thing to always remember with a crossbow is that it is a dangerous weapon and once cocked should never be pointed anywhere that you don't want it to shoot. Even a blunt bolt can be lethal at close range.
 
ARLO said:
All very good points, but that being said, all crossbows are designed to fire a fairly wide range of projectile weights, ranging from hollow aluminum hunting bolts to solid fiberglass bolts that are designed for shooting fish. So, there is a fairly wide range of projectile weights that are ok to use without worrying about damaging your crossbow. The main thing to avoid is dry firing. That can destroy limbs or cams. The other thing to always remember with a crossbow is that it is a dangerous weapon and once cocked should never be pointed anywhere that you don't want it to shoot. Even a blunt bolt can be lethal at close range.
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The only reason I said anything was my first Barnet xbow had splintered limbs after 4 years or so of shooting/hunting. I took it to our local archery shop and the cause given was because I was shooting 125 gr points/broadheads vs the 100 gr recommended by the manufacturer (I never read the manual). Now were they just trying to sell another bow, different bolts/points I don't know. That was their answer. All I'm saying is read your manual and follow its specs these are dangerous weapons. Be careful out there.
 
flyingsquirrel25 said:
.... I took it to our local archery shop and the cause given was because I was shooting 125 gr points/broadheads vs the 100 gr recommended by the manufacturer......That was their answer....
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Wow! Time to find a new shop. It is not possible to damage a bow limb by shooting a heavy arrow.
Too light an arrow yes, but not too heavy.

Bows and crossbows can do the job of line setting but an APTA is way better.
 
Has the APTA been signed off by an engineer?
Hard to trust something like the APTA to not to explode when it is not certified, tested t destruction/cycles to failure etc. Scarey stuff.
 
monkeylove said:
While they are not considered firearms in specific terms, many municipalities have banned the use any "projectile device". As a work tool there are always gray lines but it can be a hassle.

Also 100% agreement with Mert. Do not get creative with Crossbows, it will kill you. Do your homework and check the recommended bolt specs that come from the bow manufacturer.
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I always wondered about the "50 states legal" claim for the APTA. I wonder if it is possible for items to be "50 states legal", but also to not be legal in huge numbers of smaller communities because of more tightly restrictive local laws? It would seem funny to me that a local community could take away a right granted by the state it is within, but I'm not very savvy, as far as politics is concerned.

It's kind of like those places where kids grow up and can't get a drink legally, but if they cross a county line, they can.

Tim
 
DSMc said:
Wow! Time to find a new shop. It is not possible to damage a bow limb by shooting a heavy arrow.
Too light an arrow yes, but not too heavy.

Bows and crossbows can do the job of line setting but an APTA is way better.
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I'm not an archery expert, never claimed to be. I'm not a doctor either, or an accountant. I'm an arborist. I get upset when I see landscapers start "pruning" because they can, not because they know how. The same goes for my archery shop, they are the experts I bring my stuff there because they are. I would question their advice on hazard trees and pruning, not my bow.
I throw my lines anyway, why do I care. :birra:.
 
No offence meant toward you but that shop gave you bad information. I have been using bows for longer than I have been climbing = a long time. So I understand both quite well.

Your shop may not be as expert as you believe.
 
TimBr said:
I always wondered about the "50 states legal" claim for the APTA. I wonder if it is possible for items to be "50 states legal", but also to not be legal in huge numbers of smaller communities because of more tightly restrictive local laws? It would seem funny to me that a local community could take away a right granted by the state it is within, but I'm not very savvy, as far as politics is concerned.

It's kind of like those places where kids grow up and can't get a drink legally, but if they cross a county line, they can.
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Local communities CAN impose restrictions on devices which launch various types of projectiles. There are several here in VA which prohibit air rifles, arrows and such. And to which "right" do you refer? Virginia has a state law which prevents communities from imposing firearm laws which are more strict than the state's laws, but that only applies to firearms. There may be other similar laws applying to other items, but I'm not aware of them. And while it is legal to hunt in VA, it's not legal in every community. BTW, there are still "dry" counties ... ran into one in NC a while back.
 
DSMc said:
Wow! Time to find a new shop. It is not possible to damage a bow limb by shooting a heavy arrow.
Too light an arrow yes, but not too heavy.

Bows and crossbows can do the job of line setting but an APTA is way better.
Click to expand...

The air powered stuff is something that I have not tried, but I would like to hear how well it works for firing projectiles through small holes that are 150-200' up in the dense canopy. Are they really more accurate than a crossbow? Sounds like this could be an interesting competitive event!
 
A crossbow, especially one with a scope, will be more accurate and with its lighter projectile, need less trajectory compensation. The ability to get a good cheek weld on the stock and the refined trigger add immensely to accuracy.

What I prefer with the APTA is its adjustability in power and the fact it can launch a full sized throw bag to any tree height, pulling full strength throw line. It does take practice but even with its butterfly valve lever in lieu of a proper trigger, good accuracy is possible. I use a green lazer on mine and rarely need a second shot.
 
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