question about steel core lanyards

Maui Palm & Tree Care

Maui Palm & Tree Care

Location
Pukalani, Hawaii
is a steel core lanyard mandatory for blocking down a spar? i allways use a steel core lanyard for blocking but was curious if i can get away with a rope.
as long as you have 3 attachment points right? if i used a rope lanyard(1) and cinched my climbing line below it(2) and was spiked in(3) is that ok and is that osha legal? anyone do this?
 
I have never used a wire core lanyard. Been doing treework since 1969. Was around when Dutch elm disease was killing the majority of the American elms in Chicagoland. So, I've done hundreds of removals on spurs. Always be aware of where all life support components are, in relation to that chain spinning at 50MPH.
In tests, a sharp chain cut through a wire core lanyard. Just not as fast as a synthetic rope lanyard.
 
Don Blair makes a good case against steel core lanyards in "Arborist Equipment" - provides a false sense of 'greater' security! Treat them like any old rope lanyard.
 
I think you posted this in th wrong thread and I wasnt even referring to you bro(well except not backing up your ascender properly).Ive actually been climbing srt for years and I posted how to create and ma off srt a couple years ago.Back to the thread I thinks its about steel core lanyards or something,sorry ive never used one.
 
Sorry about that. It's fixed now and in the right place. Jimmy, check your in box buddy. I sent you a response to your PM. Can you send me a link to the post you made for the MA. Always looking to learn. Thanks.
 
i could see using a steel core for palms and such if you were using a machete or a hand saw but your right with a chainsaw. i have seen a chainsaw cut right through a metal chain link fence. (careless groundie). would you say i should be using one or not. i mean if there is no added security id prolly take a rope lanyard becuase, 1. it's non conductive, 2. it lighter, 3. metal can rust and fail or fracture.
 
They are useful, but just not chainsaw proof. They have a different feel to them, and I find them very useful for removal work.

A bit heavier, true. The difference in weight to me is minor compared to my overall geared up weight. What's an extra pound or two if you're on spurs, IMO.

Conductivity shouldn't really be a factor, either you are too close to a wire or you're not, by and large.

Flex fatigue seems to be problem on some wire-core lanyards. Perhaps someone can help with this. Is it from use without a swivel? Yale (IIRC) has the Flemish splice that is meant to prevent the fatigue point, or at least greatly reduce it.
 
I run a 1/2in. Maxi-Flip on most removals. I love it due to its flipability. I do not get a false sense of security from it though. Treat it just like a rope flip. I dislike Gibbs and Microcender style adjusters, so I switched to a distel on it and have never been happier.
 
I also run 1/2in. steel core flip line... with Gibbs adjuster. I have 'knicked' a few steel fliplines and was glad it was not a rope. I like the gibbs becuse it makes my flipline ALL steel. That somehow gives me sense of security against those chainsaw close calls.
Also, I understand that you CAN cut a steel core in half with enough effort. This is important to me becuse I have had a Cottonwood barberchair on me (it was friggin scary) and it sucked me right into the disaster. I was tied into a nearby tree (because I saw the problem coming) so I was o.k. but the flipline got a little 'tight'!
 
Being a utility arborist a wirecore lanyard is out of the question. We work close to primary wires and wirecore is unexceptable, since its conductive.
My solution is I climb with two lanyards. When chunking down or removing, I always have a backup. Using two lanyards I can position myself better in a tree.
I guess i've learned to be safe and know where, ropes, lanyards and all related equipment is in relation to my cuts. It all boils down to payin attention to what task you are performing.
A wirecore lanyard will lull you into false security. I will take a nick better than a rope one but you CAN CUT one. Just learn to be extra safe, and not use false securities. Its a crutch that may not hold.
 
I have a steel core lanyard - in my basement.
Never use it.
The rope lanyard is way more flexible, and I always have my climbing line as a backup. Always make sure they are a bit apart, so I wouldn't cut both of them at the same time.
 
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Don Blair makes a good case against steel core lanyards in "Arborist Equipment" - provides a false sense of 'greater' security!

[/ QUOTE ]

they do take longer to cut through than regular rope, so in that respect they provide greater security. Of course the friction hitch is the achilles heel but its there to be cut in case of a rescue.

I use a 12ft Yale wire core flipline all the time when climbing - removals and pruning. Just got into the habit one day a few years back and never changed back to a rope lanyard.
 
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