snunyabizness
Participating member
- Location
- portland, oregon
unicender with correct rope diameter falls through the device sometimes to ghr ldvel of annoyance
Looking for a descender or climbing device with a "neutral" mode
- Thread starter Jehinten
- Start date
moss
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Carlisle, Massachusetts, U.S.
Ha yes. Which is why when advancing an anchor on a Rope Wrench I pull up the slack I need to capture the next anchor, tie a slip knot above the wrench and lock it down on the bird. Disappearing slack (when you don't want it to happen) when the tail of the rope is heavy enough has always been a problem in need of fixing.
-AJ
moss
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Carlisle, Massachusetts, U.S.
From a high-level safety perspective yes. For the situation described tied into a tree and a crane ball at the same time it's basically an "on/off" switch. When the bird is compressed it won't grab which is what the operator wants. The bird constraint idea is specifically for the OP's scenario.
Off the top of anyone's head, any dangerous situations you can come up with for an accidentally constrained bird on a wrench or mechanical while anchored into a tree and a crane ball?
-AJ
ghostice
Been here a while
- Location
- Way west of Lake ONTARIO
Kinda going thru this thread again - would a D4 work - it has a panic feature that puts the thing back into sorta"neutral" or just hanging there. There's other ISC models that don't have this feature though. Crank the lever some more and you get descending mode back. I've used it both in tree and on residential roof work and it's really smooth and does a 3:1 setup. Dave at Wesspur has a review of autobraking descenders. Cheers.
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The concept I'm presenting is careful procedures followed vs a mental slip up. The slip up could or could not lead to a fall. PPE tends to not fall. That's neglecting functional reliability when you toggle back to PPE mode.
Correct me if I'm wrong but at some point it's the sole PPE. (?) Or could be. Even unintentionally ie mental slip up.
Correct me if I'm wrong but at some point it's the sole PPE. (?) Or could be. Even unintentionally ie mental slip up.
ghostice
Been here a while
- Location
- Way west of Lake ONTARIO
I agree - always aim for redundant if possible and simple for safety. Even at that, in an engineering sense I guess, our equipment has potential for what's called common mode failure - say redundant systems connected to a single swivel or single bridge. Many incidents take place with new workers but probably as many can be attributed to experienced journeymen working on "autopilot" or having a moments inattention. It is one of the things I've wondered about with helmet comms and a crane operator. Lots of chatting and joking which is peachy until there's a step missed somewhere and then oops. Gravity is unforgiving.
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
I'll look into that. Unfortunately the only arborist supply store around is a vermeer dealer with limited supply. They wouldn't have any of these devices in store to check out in person.
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
I appreciate the concern and I understand where your coming from on that.
In my scenario, your still tied into the crane until you reach where your cutting, lanyard in, remove crane tie in, cut. Tie back into the crane, lanyard off, place device in neutral. With the use of a lanyard your never soley on the one device.
Granted you may decide to rappel out of the tree, but you'd be using it in an engaged function then.
Evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
How much drag in neutral do you want? Since is not life support would a scarab work? Essentially a one barrel rack with ears? You could probably figure the right line diameter to run with minimum resistance and still be functional for your need.
Or a stitch plate?
There are many configurations of the totem plate, but most will twist the line
Maybe something out there in the canyonering world, they need control and sudden ‘free’ to avoid drowning
hownot2.com
Sounds like your looking for something like a figure 8, that essentially is in ‘free fall mode’ when hands off but functions with hands on?
Or a stitch plate?
There are many configurations of the totem plate, but most will twist the line
Maybe something out there in the canyonering world, they need control and sudden ‘free’ to avoid drowning
Canyon Rope Systems
hownot2.com
Sounds like your looking for something like a figure 8, that essentially is in ‘free fall mode’ when hands off but functions with hands on?
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chiselbit
Been here a while
Have any of you used a scarab for light rigging? Like in place of a porta wrap? Or what I’m thinking, it might be cool at the terminus of speed line.
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
I had considered the scarab, however I bought and use mine for rigging. It may work and is probably worth testing at ground level before buying a new one.How much drag in neutral do you want? Since is not life support would a scarab work? Essentially a one barrel rack with ears? You could probably figure the right line diameter to run with minimum resistance and still be functional for your need.
Or a stitch plate?
There are many configurations of the totem plate, but most will twist the line
Maybe something out there in the canyonering world, they need control and sudden ‘free’ to avoid drowning
Canyon Rope Systems
Sounds like your looking for something like a figure 8, that essentially is in ‘free fall mode’ when hands off but functions with hands on?
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
I have used it for light rigging, I can't recall if I used it for a speedline.
I really like how it doesn't introduce twist in the rope the way a figure 8 would and it doesn't require unclipping the device to thread the rope onto it.
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
Boomslang had a good video on YouTube of him using the scarab. I recall it, because he was also using a sling I had come up with for remote releasing limbs while solo rigging. I'll look for the link.
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
Here it is.
chiselbit
Been here a while
I need one. And that releasable sling is genius
Evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
They are great, don’t use mine very frequently but mostly in a situation where I can just let a piece “free” run.
Did so yesterday on a very poorly planned solo job. Only had one bar on my husky batt saw, and really didn’t want to make salad with a handsaw.
20’ Doug fir limb broken, still attached hanging straight down. Only had a 20% radius of a drop zone barely long enough for the limb.
Set the scarab on a chunk of scrap rope for a sling, use my tail for a rig line.
The scarab allows a hands free slow descent of the limb and kept it upright without flopping. Tips on ground and I was able to steer the butt from the fence, shed, and kiddie pool.
Broke a fair number of ‘rules’ but got it done with what I had.
Evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
This looks exactly like what you’re asking for. Sticker shock for sure. Looks bulky and clunky but a rad multi function tool.
I’ll stick with the scarab though
I’ll stick with the scarab though
MPD Multi Purpose Device - Descent Belay Pulley | CMC PRO
High-efficiency pulley with integral rope grab for raising system and main line or belay line lowering systems. Find MPD Multi-Purpose Device at CMC.
www.cmcpro.com
Jehinten
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Evansville
Thanks! I have a spliced version but I like how easy his is to build with available parts.
The scarab is great. Like @Evo I don't use mine super often. We did pull it out the other day for a climber to control a controlled speedline while I pulled the speedline to land in a tight spot.
