- Location
- North Idaho
Ordered mine last week. Hopin' it gets here soon. I'm fairly excited about it. I thank you as well Tom.
OLDS-Overhead Lowering...
- Thread starter Tom Dunlap
- Start date
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
I hope that all of you have the fun that I found using OLDS. It speeds up production and makes work easier. That's important to lazy folks like me! If I can save 17 calories or 11 seconds I do it!
- Location
- Pukalani, Hawaii
i just started using a large steel biner with a munter or a small porty in trees where i can do this. it's been fun for monkey pods and mesquite trees(hawaiian keawe) with large spreads. nice for dead wooding and small branch removals. make sure you have a way to lock off your system and use a different branch then the one your standing on if possible to attach the friction device. i made the mistake of not locking it off and loosing control of the wood. gonna make a video soon of this. 
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
JT- If you are using a Munter, you can use a mule knot and overhand tie-off for a securing your Munter. Its quick and easy to add to the Munter (and can be used with Figure 8s and tuber style belay/ rappel devices), plus its releasable under load.
- Location
- Pukalani, Hawaii
thats what i use. i use a munter but instead of an over hand back up i clip a second biner into the mule knot. much faster then untying the overhand.
ward
Participating member
- Location
- Unincorporated Clackamas, OR
I see the place for something like this, however, you're going to need a groundie anyway (to untie the piece), so, why not just get a GRCS and use a block above your work!
SingleJack
Participating member
- Location
- W MD
[ QUOTE ]
I see the place for something like this, however, you're going to need a groundie anyway (to untie the piece), so, why not just get a GRCS and use a block above your work!
[/ QUOTE ]
WHY!? ... COST! A GRCS cost 24x more than a Belay Spool. PLUS, the groundie has to be pretty skilled at running ropes.
2. You <u>can</u> get it done without a groundie: Rigging By Yourself ... many good tricks!
3. BUT! the big benefit is the cost efficiency when using an unskilled groundie that only needs to know how to un-clip and drag brush ... which covers A LOT of jobs!
... just sayin'
I see the place for something like this, however, you're going to need a groundie anyway (to untie the piece), so, why not just get a GRCS and use a block above your work!
[/ QUOTE ]
WHY!? ... COST! A GRCS cost 24x more than a Belay Spool. PLUS, the groundie has to be pretty skilled at running ropes.
2. You <u>can</u> get it done without a groundie: Rigging By Yourself ... many good tricks!
3. BUT! the big benefit is the cost efficiency when using an unskilled groundie that only needs to know how to un-clip and drag brush ... which covers A LOT of jobs!
... just sayin'
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
And what's more, A GRCS takes up tons more space, and is a lot heavier, and a GRCS/ block takes more time to set-up.
If you have to rig down the trunk wood, then sure, A GRCS price would be justified in the long-haul, and more profitable. For a small operation, that extra $2400 can go a long way towards other important, and money-making gear.
With the GRCS, you still have one groundie trying to lower and land the piece, whereas, the OLDS lowering responsibilities can be transferred to the climber.
I think that there is time and place for both (hopefully in my future).
If you have to rig down the trunk wood, then sure, A GRCS price would be justified in the long-haul, and more profitable. For a small operation, that extra $2400 can go a long way towards other important, and money-making gear.
With the GRCS, you still have one groundie trying to lower and land the piece, whereas, the OLDS lowering responsibilities can be transferred to the climber.
I think that there is time and place for both (hopefully in my future).
ward
Participating member
- Location
- Unincorporated Clackamas, OR
I can only assume that you are one handing the saw as you one handedly hold the rigging line, too. Didn't read that one in ANSI.
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
There are many ways for the climber to rig down pieces without one handing a saw or lowering line. I've done it for years.
The OLDS can be tied off using a mule just like any rappel or belay device. Or...more commonly...a groundie holds the rope, climber cuts then takes over lowering which allows the groundie to use both hands and not get entangled in the lowering line. This is almost like having THREE people on the jobsite since the climber is doing the lowering instead of just standing there while the load is lowered.
The OLDS can be tied off using a mule just like any rappel or belay device. Or...more commonly...a groundie holds the rope, climber cuts then takes over lowering which allows the groundie to use both hands and not get entangled in the lowering line. This is almost like having THREE people on the jobsite since the climber is doing the lowering instead of just standing there while the load is lowered.
ward
Participating member
- Location
- Unincorporated Clackamas, OR
Yeah, I can see it has a place. Might get one...
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
[ QUOTE ]
I can only assume that you are one handing the saw as you one handedly hold the rigging line, too. Didn't read that one in ANSI.
[/ QUOTE ]
A lot of what I'll use it for while self-lowering are relatively light weight conifer branches (less than 50 pounds each).
A lot don't need to run at all, so the rope can be wrapped on a stub, or tied to a branch nearby, or held.
I will handsaw a whorl or two, then clean stubs with the chainsaw. Sometimes its simply one or two passes with a sharp handsaw and the limbs pop off, while others hinge down until fully cut.
I can only assume that you are one handing the saw as you one handedly hold the rigging line, too. Didn't read that one in ANSI.
[/ QUOTE ]
A lot of what I'll use it for while self-lowering are relatively light weight conifer branches (less than 50 pounds each).
A lot don't need to run at all, so the rope can be wrapped on a stub, or tied to a branch nearby, or held.
I will handsaw a whorl or two, then clean stubs with the chainsaw. Sometimes its simply one or two passes with a sharp handsaw and the limbs pop off, while others hinge down until fully cut.
ward
Participating member
- Location
- Unincorporated Clackamas, OR
I like the idea of this little device more and more, although the fact that you can't take off a rap could be a problem...though it could easily be carried into the canopy. Nice.
The GRCS is a device built by professionals for professionals. Make the groundie carry that thing to the base of the tree: that is what he is paid to do. It is quick to set up and bomber, ALWAYS gives you the right options. With only a little careful instruction, a smart groundie can cotton on and figure out how to use the device. Because the GRCS is easily dismantled into small component parts, it can be carried in a tupperware tub, or into the floor of a cab.
The GRCS is a device built by professionals for professionals. Make the groundie carry that thing to the base of the tree: that is what he is paid to do. It is quick to set up and bomber, ALWAYS gives you the right options. With only a little careful instruction, a smart groundie can cotton on and figure out how to use the device. Because the GRCS is easily dismantled into small component parts, it can be carried in a tupperware tub, or into the floor of a cab.
- Location
- North Idaho
I don't think anyone's arguing the value of the GRCS. No doubt they're nice. The OLDs serves a different purpose. It eliminates wait time the climber experiences and saves one groundie from having to pull a tag line. The benefits have been clearly outlined in previous posts.
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
Carroll, not Carol of BMS Rescue Equipment makes some super fine gear.
- Location
- Pukalani, Hawaii
Tom, how would you go about attaching the spool to a branch? got any pics? im actually really curious about this thing.
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
Sling and steel biner just like a block ormany redirect
Norm_Hall
New member
- Location
- Wauconda, (Chicago),IL,USA
[ QUOTE ]
Tom, how would you go about attaching the spool to a branch? got any pics? im actually really curious about this thing.
[/ QUOTE ]
This is what you need; a 'designed for purpose' arborist rope lowering device, weighing in at 1 pound 7 ounces.
http://buckinghammfg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1956&ParentCat=255
Tom, how would you go about attaching the spool to a branch? got any pics? im actually really curious about this thing.
[/ QUOTE ]
This is what you need; a 'designed for purpose' arborist rope lowering device, weighing in at 1 pound 7 ounces.
http://buckinghammfg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1956&ParentCat=255
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
The BMS Spool will work better in an overhead configuration. Turns of rope won't slip off because of the closed cheek plates
ward
Participating member
- Location
- Unincorporated Clackamas, OR
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
2. You <u>can</u> get it done without a groundie: Rigging By Yourself ... many good tricks!
3. BUT! the big benefit is the cost efficiency when using an unskilled groundie that only needs to know how to un-clip and drag brush ... which covers A LOT of jobs!
... just sayin'
[/ QUOTE ]
A. need to get a skilled groundie and B. need to work in teams. I'm just sayin
[ QUOTE ]
2. You <u>can</u> get it done without a groundie: Rigging By Yourself ... many good tricks!
3. BUT! the big benefit is the cost efficiency when using an unskilled groundie that only needs to know how to un-clip and drag brush ... which covers A LOT of jobs!
... just sayin'
[/ QUOTE ]
A. need to get a skilled groundie and B. need to work in teams. I'm just sayin
