New/Old Way Of Cabling Trees?

[chris_girard]

I was recently talking with an old time tree man who started working back in 1957 (and still operates the crane) and he told me about an interesting way that he used to cable trees.

Long before there were ANSI BMP’s he started cabling large trees using the method that the utility companies do the guying for their power and telephone poles.

He would use different size Steel Strandvise hardware that he got from his linesmen friends. They come in many different sizes and all have a holding strength of 90% of the strand used.

He said that in all the years that he installed them, not a one has failed, and we’re talking many years here guys.

How many of you guys have seen this done before and what is your opinion on their use in the tree care industry?

Here’s a link to them:

http://www.macleanpower.com/products/item.asp?ITEM_ID=1585

 

[banjo]

How would it be installed?

 

[tomthetreeman]

Probably with a J-lag screw or bolt. I've never used one, so I'm not quite sure. Whether or not they are tested/rated for trees would be the most important issue IMO... Regardless of the strength.

-Tom

 

[cashmoneytreeboy]

trees do knot need cables .. leave the trees alone. ,,,,,,,,,, remove the houses,

 

[tomthetreeman]

These are,,,,,,,,,,,, not . the droids[[[[[[[]]]]]]]]]] you are looking for. Doink.

 

[NickfromWI]

Sure it'd work, but why bother? One of those is about $20 and you still need to buy the bolt that it attaches to.

You'll get a neater termination for less money if you go with Rigguy.

Is there an advantage I'm not seeing?

love
nick

 

[Tom Dunlap]

The guy who taught me treework back in the early '70s worked for NW Bell System. Ma Bell 'supplied' him with all of the cabling gear he needed. Those terminations are really easy to install and adjust.

There are special eye nuts or bolts made to be used with the bails of the Strandvise so that it's supported in the same way that a thimble does.

I agree with Nick, for trees, Rigguy is a great solution.

 

[JeffL]

I've seen several of those broken. Usually snaps right at the bend in the loop, or fairly close by.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

[ QUOTE ]
I've seen several of those broken. Usually snaps right at the bend in the loop, or fairly close by.

[/ QUOTE ]

Were jags or typical round eye bolts/amon nuts used? Start noticing their use on utility poles, the eyes are unique.

 

[JeffL]

They were usually old installs in large trees. Along the lines of 40' up a 90' copper beech. Seem to run across them more often on college campus jobs. Can't fault the equipment really, I think generally they were partially grown in and subject to bending forces, coupled with being waaay overloaded.