If you could only have 3 lowering devices…

[Muggs]

They both do the pretensioning well, but the Hobbs is better for lowering, and the GRCS is better for winching.

We have zero issues lowering off the Harken, and we are used to our Stein bollard before that, so that's saying something. I've heard people say this for ages, implying that there's something wrong with lowering on the Goods.

 

[flushcut]

Think if it this way. The GRCS is like using a 90-100cc saw when you could get away with using a 60cc. It's not going to come out to play often, but when it does it saves from having to do all the tricks needed.
Like Mugg's mentioned, its great for preloading and static weighted rigging. Sure one can do the same with a 5:1 and a porty, but no where as gracefully. I'll still use a 5:1 and porty, and a 60cc saw double cutting bigger wood. But its a great tool in the box when you need it.

@Muggs I had the same hesitancy, other than using a GRCS on a previous crew (and I hated it!). We only used it a few times, and really only for pulling back leaners with the hand crank. GRCS vs Hobbs? Both great tools, I haven't used a hobbs. It boils down to if your using it as a bollard lowering devise, it does the pretensioning well. They both do the pretensioning well, but the Hobbs is better for lowering, and the GRCS is better for winching. Of course there is the GRCS bollard, but it doesnt pre tension... Also from the sounds of it, the hobbs should have two folks on it if any real winching is done as it doesn't self tail.

As to your comment about the HOBBS self tailing and needing two people. I added a 3/4” drive socket to the bollard end of the HOBBS so one person can tail and lift at the same time. Using it that way it is so much easier than using a winch bar and less expensive and bulky than the X-wheel.

 

[Tony]

I have always explained it this way. Both Hobbs/GRCS are great devices.

If you lift a lot and lower heavy a little the GRCS is an excellent choice

If you lower heavy a lot and lift a little, then the Hobbs is an excellent choice.

When I say lift, I mean all facets of using the winch.

I don’t think you go wrong with either.

We still have #0054, purchased from Greg in 2000/2001 at the TCI Expo, in service. That GRCS paid for itself within the first month we owned it.

My .02

Tony

 

[Neill]

I think it’s worth mentioning the bollard on the branch manager grapple- or any bollard that is on a machine is very handy

 

[Vicente]

I've used my GRCS bollard exactly 0 times

I've used mine multiple times, quick switch from using the winch to lift low branches over a house to chunking good sized wood, smoother than a portawrap.