GRCS tips

[bonner1040]

I gave my friend a big wheeled pelican case I had laying around.. It fits everything except the breaker bar.

This is it: Pelican 1650
http://www.ahoycaptain.com/pelican_32351.html

 

[theXman]

Not a GRCS in this photo, but picture is to show the idea for those that don't know what an XRR (X-rigging ring) is.

 

[theXman]

normally you would just put it on while standing on the ground. Put it on above the lowering device.

but in this picture, we wanted more height to help support the rigging tree and improve the angle.

 

[theXman]

it was one of the new adjustables


Use them all the time for redirects into a lowering device.

just never thought about taking a picture of it, these are the only pictures I found.

 

[Tony]

I have been using my old GRCS #54 for quite a while now!

The XXR is the single best fairlead redirect for the GRCS hands down!

If you own only one it should be for this purpose whether you are using the winch or bollard.

Believe me, I have tried everything. A beer can once, but we won't talk about that!

Tony

 

[tennarbor]

Really good stuff!

The first tree with the grcs came down pretty smooth. We used two rigging points; one on the tree (30" dbh Red Oak leaner over a house) and one on a another tree that stood about 50ft away over the landing zone. Pieces of wood glided over to the landing zone perfectly without us having to carry them uphill.

We did have the lines cross on two pieces of wood...DID NOT LIKE THAT. My ground leader got them untangled without incident but I was puckered up the whole time. I guess it is the shape of the drum on the winch that makes that happen?? I'm glad to hear it isn't a problem with the aluminum bollard. Kevin, that is a good tip, but the pieces we had the trouble with were winched pieces. It seemed like letting them down slow made the problem worse.

Thanks for the new tips everybody. Good tool.

 

[treebing]

I have found that the person operating the GRCS needs to watch the GRCS and not the piece.

I have only had crossed lines while lowering winched pieces too. That is because I dont use the Harken for anything but winching.

Have another groundsman give audibles to the person doing the lowering. If you are watching the grcs constantly you can pretty well avoid crossed lines. Its counter intuitive to watch the lowering device and not the piece being lowered. It makes it a two person job really.

I like the idea of the rings for redirects, they are not midline attachable though, does that ever cause annoyances in setting up? Dealing with 200 feet of rope can be annoying when things can be popped on and off mid line..

 

[ward]

One other thing to remember about the GRCS: it is a single user device. I can't tell you how many unexperienced climbers and groundies jump in and try to get a second man on the device. I've watched them try to use 2 guys to pull the slack out of the line and I've watchem try to use 2 guys in the lowering procedure. Bloody keystone cops!

The device is to be operated by one person at a time. There is no need to have a second guy anywhere in there at all! Get him out of there!

If the jaws are slipping on the rope when cranking a piece up (even after having tightly backed the drum with coils of rope), a second guy could be used to tail the line, but the need for this would indicate that the self-tailer (the "jaws" are made of plastic) is getting worn down and could need replacement.

Make sure to use the pigtails on the side to fairlead into the drum on the winch to prevent crossing of lines--which should not be occurring.

 

[Tony]

Kevin,

I reeve it through in initial set up and save for switching the ends of the line, it stays there the whole time.

I prefer it to be 3 to 4 feet above the GRCS.

Tony

 

[chris_girard]

[ QUOTE ]
I have been using my old GRCS #54 for quite a while now!

The XXR is the single best fairlead redirect for the GRCS hands down!

If you own only one it should be for this purpose whether you are using the winch or bollard.

Believe me, I have tried everything. A beer can once, but we won't talk about that!

Tony

[/ QUOTE ]

I totally agree with Tony (only not with the beer can). Used the XRR slings along with the GRCS yesterday and you can't beat it.