no groundman? no problem!

mattbc

mattbc

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NH
Here is a setup I came up with last fall when I was pruning a good sized pine over a house. Everyone on the job was climbing and I had to lower a couple of large branches. It works slick and the whole system is completely retrievable!
 

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Maybe the pic is not clear enough. A video might be better but the branch with the red sling would be the one that is going to be cut. The limb is then lowered and the clove is released and a overhand knot is tied to that end. The knot will catch the micro pulley and release the choked sling.
 
A couple of thin gs that I did not mention though is that a rescue 8 or a small porta wrap would be a better choice than my old figure 8 because you can lock them off. Also the system is great for pieces that are fairly small and do not require alot of fussing with obviously the system has its limitations.
 
I'm having a thick-headed moment...I don't understand???

"...the branch with the red sling would be the one that is going to be cut. The limb is then lowered and the clove is released and a overhand knot is tied to that end. The knot will catch the micro pulley and release the choked sling. "

Here is how I see it...

The branch with the red sling is cut
Slack is given using the F8 as a control
The branch hangs and the red sling is tensioned. This becomes a double whip tackle. If the limb is lowered any more you'll have the webbing running on the rope...not good.

This is where I loose you...

It seems like you'd lower it a bit more and the load would then go to the cord which would release the clove...but wouldn't you loose control and the limb would slide on its own?

Help me out???
 
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Here is how I see it...

The branch with the red sling is cut
Slack is given using the F8 as a control
The branch hangs and the red sling is tensioned. This becomes a double whip tackle. If the limb is lowered any more you'll have the webbing running on the rope...not good.

This is where I loose you...

It seems like you'd lower it a bit more and the load would then go to the cord which would release the clove...but wouldn't you loose control and the limb would slide on its own?

Help me out???

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You are right that having the webbing slide directly on the rope is not the most advantageous, premature failure is possible. As I mentioned from above the system has its limitations.It will, and has gotten me out of trouble in a pinch. I lower slowly and am careful not to lower too large a piece. I have been thinking of making slings expressly for this purpose that would have some sort of friction reducing mechanism that does not hinder retrievablity. Suggestions are always good.
 
I was aware of the problem but I could not think of a simple solution.I just tried it with a normal configuration with my biner and the rope pulled through no prob. I did not think it would work. Sweet! here is a better pic
 

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A biner or screwlink like in the second pic is the ONLY way to rig this.

I would take short chunks of old climbing rope, tie a four inch bowline in one end and a double fisherman's in the other. Clip a biner in the small eye and you can whip the biner to choke it, tuck the biner in the bowline and pull tight. Use them as short slings instead of spending money on webbing slings. Still plenty of strength in climbing lines.

Unless I was going to raise the load I never bother using a pulley. Biners will slide just fine and that's one less bit of kit to fumble.

Now...how do you get the cord to release the choked sling and why?
 
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A biner or screwlink like in the second pic is the ONLY way to rig this..............

Unless I was going to raise the load I never bother using a pulley. Biners will slide just fine and that's one less bit of kit to fumble.

Now...how do you get the cord to release the choked sling and why?

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The cord and the pulley are there just to be able to retrieve your sling. Untie the clove tie an overhand knot and when you pull the rope back it will pull through the sling biner and catch on the pulley a little pull and you will get your sling back for the next branch.
No need to bring endless amounts of slings in the tree.
It is a bit complicated when you start but if you get into a system and do it the same way every time it is as easy as retrieving your cambium saver.
 
Ohhhhh...so after the branch is lowered to the ground the clove hitch on the left side of the picture is untied, a stopper knot is tied then the cord with the biner inverts the choked sling for retrieval...do I have it now?

It's a bit like a Rope Guide I see.
 
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Ohhhhh...so after the branch is lowered to the ground the clove hitch on the left side of the picture is untied, a stopper knot is tied then the cord with the biner inverts the choked sling for retrieval...do I have it now?

It's a bit like a Rope Guide I see.

[/ QUOTE ]Exactly! It would have been easier if I made a video but they take forever to upload from my computer.
 
No reason it wouldn't work with a speedline as well. The ground worker is going to have to bring an extra pack of cigarettes. I'd need a cordless drill with self tailing spool to retrieve all that rope, or a high speed wraptor.
 
That is true. Only limitation is how much rope you have. The only thing I have to say to that is, If my groundman has time to smoke two packs of cigarettes I am not going to waste my time rigging all that stuff up. He can tie on a couple slings and hold a line a bit.
 
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