GRCS Broke!!!

Anthony Bauwens

Anthony Bauwens

Location
Reno
Pulled over a stem the other day using the Good Rigging Control System, with a block attached on top. As my co worker started to winch the stem over, the rope pushed in the metal tongue of the plastic rope grab and the rope snapped the plastic apart, and pushed in the metal. Any similar issues occurring like this to anyone else? I have used the GRCS at most 25 times with pleasant experiences, but This has set me on fire, I want my money back. This shouldn't have happened.
 
Anthony Bauwens said:
Pulled over a stem the other day using the Good Rigging Control System, with a block attached on top. As my co worker started to winch the stem over, the rope pushed in the metal tongue of the plastic rope grab and the rope snapped the plastic apart, and pushed in the metal. Any similar issues occurring like this to anyone else? I have used the GRCS at most 25 times with pleasant experiences, but This has set me on fire, I want my money back. This shouldn't have happened.
Click to expand...

How many wraps on the bollard?
 
Anthony,

There's a chance that you might have over-loaded the winch.

First thing you should do...well, second...you posted here first...is get hold of Greg. He's the Best! I've never heard anyone who hasn't been happy with the way that he takes care of the users of the GRCS. My 'hearing' goes back to the beginning of its history too.
 
I'll be open as always, I can' t help but think that something was done wrong. I've been using one for many years and it gets used a LOT. We pull stuff so hard that all the wraps end up slipping and slipping in the groove and nothing breaks. What diameter rope? With any tool, I guess there is a chance that something had a defect or put together wrong, but highly unlikely with that harken winch. maybe someone wacked it with a limb on a previous job and cracked it.

IF you find out later that it was user error, I plead to you that you be an honest man and be open with the information. (not that you wouldn't, I don't know you), but I've seen forum stuff over the years and people can't seem to ever change their story, even when they find out the truth.
 
theXman said:
We pull stuff so hard that all the wraps end up slipping and slipping in the groove and nothing breaks.
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This is my experience too. I've you've watched the Volvo/GRCS video you will know it can handle a lot of weight as long as the mounting plate is secure.

It does sound like:
-prior unnoticed damage
-defect in Harkin winch
-user error

That piece that broke (from your description) doesn't see a while lot if load when configured properly.

Like they said call Greg. He will figure it out with you.

And, post pictures!
 
P.s. along the lines of David's experience with the self tailer slipping. I've just put a man to hang on the tail to increase friction, and therefore load everything harder. Not advocating that method, but I've never had issues with it bending or breaking.
 
SonshineTreeCare said:
This is my experience too. I've you've watched the Volvo/GRCS video you will know it can handle a lot of weight as long as the mounting plate is secure.

It does sound like:
-prior unnoticed damage
-defect in Harkin winch
-user error

That piece that broke (from your description) doesn't see a while lot if load when configured properly.

Like they said call Greg. He will figure it out with you.

And, post pictures!
Click to expand...
Ok so here is a picture of the damage and here is a horrible picture of my setup.
 

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I am certainly trying to just get down to what caused this to happen, I am not going to hide anything.1) I want to rule out previous damage to device, but I'm not the only one who uses it, but I did look at and install the system and found nothing unusual. 2) Harkin Defect, possible.
 
What sized rope? The older grcs does not work with anything bigger than 9/16. In my experience. Anything bigger puts too much pressure on those jaws
 
I have had a similar experience once. It don't happen while cranking. We were lowering a piece and had to pull it into the landing zone. When the piece was over the landing zone we let it drop. From what I remember it was maybe 4' or so. As soon as the tension was released the rope spun wildly and snagged under the metal cover near the rope grab. It took a fair bit of prying but we got it out. I'm chalking that up user error and bad luck.
 
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