Monkey Beaver 2.0 - newb questions

DSMc said:
Those tool hanger Ds can also be oriented out the bottom of the harness if that makes it easier on your shoulders. It certainly does for me.

Your suspender snaps look fairly bulky, I will be interested in how they work for you.
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I'll have to flip the red D's...didn't even think of doing that. Thanks! The back one has a carabiner and sling for redirects that is rarely used, but stays on just because ya never know... It would be nice if that is under the red strap I added.

I thought about getting clips for the suspenders just like the one that came with the harness for the saw clip...but wasn't sure how much strength they need. These aren't life support, but rated for 4.5KN (+/-1100 lbs) which is certainly more than the straps girth hitched like that. These swivel makes me think they will out of the way. We'll see!
 
I may be an odd ball but I couldn’t run the leg straps loose, I never could on the Treemotion either, I fought setting up the MB2.0 for almost 2 weeks I tried everything and finally just measured the leg strap distance, the hip d to forward d/ bridge distance on my Treemotion and set the MB up the exact same and it finally felt right. Haven’t had the pleasure of being in a mulberry or a nice prickly red oak yet but I don’t hate the suspenders for pruning so far.

Honestly was at the point of if this doesn’t work it’s getting sold. But like always persistence over resistance.
 
Have your tried leg pads loose and the extra elastic support straps tight? It seems to give the feel of snug but room to move... But I'd it's good the way you have it dialed in, then it's good!

I still haven't tried without the suspenders yet. Did realize another plus last week - climbing when snow on the ground, it's easier to get the harness on and off without getting it in the snow while the suspenders are on.
 
Maaaaan, I love the MB2.0!!! I just started working with a new company, and they are by far the biggest outfit I have done actual tree work for, and they supply MBs for their climbers, and now I know. This is one damn comfy saddle, and will definitely be my next purchase for myself. I like a lot of things better on my Kinisi, which is super nice too, but I would have had zero regrets buying a MB.
 
Since you brought it back up, I've done a few more climbs.

Tried without the suspenders. Still feels good. I'm thinking I'll use suspenders most days except really hot summer days.

I think I like the extra leg straps. Maybe just for the feeling that the leg pads are there? But it seemed like the leg pads didn't ride up as much.

Couple of minor annoyances
1) suspender shoulder strap adjustment strap kept getting in the way of clipping lanyard into the D. I'll cut those shorter when I'm sure I don't need the length. Don't think that's anything that needs a change in design. Just each person needs to adjust to their fit and cut off any extra.
2) it would be nice if the side D's were a brighter color (currently black). If I'm a little twisted and look down to see where the D is, it blends into the straps that are also black. I suppose I could spray paint them.
 
I guess I’m looking to see if I’m crazy or not but does anyone else find the lower rig plates useless as a lanyard connection point? On my Treemotion’s I ran my lanyard full time on the lower D’s, and I’ve switched over to the upper hip D’s but still not quite what I was getting stability wise out of the Treemotion with my lanyard on the lower D’s. Love the comfort and have the saddle dialed in great except for this little issue.
 
pcpTR33 said:
I guess I’m looking to see if I’m crazy or not but does anyone else find the lower rig plates useless as a lanyard connection point? On my Treemotion’s I ran my lanyard full time on the lower D’s, and I’ve switched over to the upper hip D’s but still not quite what I was getting stability wise out of the Treemotion with my lanyard on the lower D’s. Love the comfort and have the saddle dialed in great except for this little issue.
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That was my only complaint as well
 
Chances are you need to play with the adjustments more. Can you be more specific on what you're feeling?

Mine are as comfortable as can be though I generally don't use them as it's not my style, love the upper D's.
 
I can see that the holes in the rigging plates aren't as big as they are on TM. But I don't care...I always use the hip D's for lanyard. On the MB-2 those might be just a touch further forward than the TM. That isn't good or bad as best I can tell - just getting used to finding it somewhere else.

Also, following up earlier posts about adjustments:
I am liking the new handsaw placement (a little lower).

Thanks @DSMc for recommending flipping the red D tool holders upside down...they are better low than coming up out of the top IMHO.

Suspender clips work great...don't even know they are there. Have only taken suspenders off and on once - but I'll probably do that more in the heat of summer.

Don't love that the clips with the gray string and gray strap on the chest of the suspenders aren't adjustable. The clips are too high to be useful unless I want something putting constant pressure on my throat.

Overall a successful purchase...I'd buy it again if I needed a new harness tomorrow.
 
I just get a little more interference with the angles from the forward attachments to the bridge. I will try to get pictures sometime when things are slow. It's not terrible, but if I'm gonna nitpick...
 
with my lanyard on my lower D’s, it’s overall less “stable”, more dependent on how my hips are facing, if not totally squared up I’ll spin around on the spar either direction, with the lanyard on the hips it’s significantly more “stable” and complements the rope bridge like they’re actually working together it’s a rock solid position I can lean heavily either way without issue/the spin effect. I guess more or less it seems like the lower D’s don’t seem to work in unison with the rope bridge as far as positioning goes.
 
pcpTR33 said:
with my lanyard on my lower D’s, it’s overall less “stable”, more dependent on how my hips are facing, if not totally squared up I’ll spin around on the spar either direction, with the lanyard on the hips it’s significantly more “stable” and complements the rope bridge like they’re actually working together it’s a rock solid position I can lean heavily either way without issue/the spin effect. I guess more or less it seems like the lower D’s don’t seem to work in unison with the rope bridge as far as positioning goes.
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This ^^^
The only time I use the rigging plates is when I'm using a long lanyard/secondary short climbing line for positioning. Otherwise, the side Ds feel....well, natural for me.

No leg pads. Never tried them and read enough negative comments on them so, I didn't bother. Leg pad straps left loose and I do use the keepers. Those I have a bit loose to snug. It all works great for me this way.

Suspenders I'm using are MCRS and they have the clips. Already had them so I put them on. They don't bother me in the heat of summer either. I keep them on. Saddle is the OG MB and I'll be getting the 2.0 MB suspenders so I can return the MCRS to their rightful saddle.

I do mostly removals. Much of which is crane work. I want a MB 2.0 for regular rigging. I like to fly as light as possible so, that will be the OG's task riding the ball. I had the sm Shembiner on it at first. Love it in normal rigging. Hated it for crane work. Replaced with regular sized transporter. Now I can lock it and keep branches and what not from getting captured. My biggest dislike was, when descending into the crown riding the ball, sometimes my saw would catch a branch lifting the lanyard ring out of the Shem. I use a homemade long lanyard and if I didn't notice it the saw could drop with a jolt to the saddle. Not something you want happening when making time with the crane. I had a DMM vault behind the left side D. More for regular rigging and I wanted a bigger tool carrier in this spot. I got the large Transporter as it is lockable. I moved the vault above my right butt cheek.

When I get a 2.0, I'll switch the big transporter over in the same spot. I'll get a second vault for the 2.0 for the same location as on the OG. The vault on the OG will return to behind the left side D. I like a hook there for temporarily stashing my saw there when it needs a quick temporary home on my left. Also good for keeping a tag line when needed. Quick note on the locking mechanisms. With gloves, I find the vault easier to lock/unlock over the transporter. I'm always wearing gloves riding the ball. The ZZ requires it for bombing down.

Long post longer, I love the MB saddle. I want the 2.0 for the Cadillac of climbing removals and keep my OG as my lightweight crane ride. So the Corvette? ...LOL
 
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To add on about an earlier post, I too use an adjustable bridge. I prefer to put my gaffs on 1st. Then I open my bridge out fully, grab it and suspenders while putting saddle on over my head. Hang from suspenders, buckle everything and then adjust the bridge. With a bad hip, I dislike putting gaffs on after saddle. PITA to step into saddle with gaffs on. To remove I unbuckle all, extend bridge, and drop saddle to the ground while stepping out. Then remove gaffs.

I too cinch up the bridge for spar work.
Adjuster is a CT Roll and Lock.
 
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