Releasable Throw Weight

[JimK]

A throw bag can be made releasable by connecting a small loop of line to the steel ring via girth hitch. Add another steel ring to the other end of that loop with a girth hitch too. Attach the throw line with a Munter Hitch to the top part of the second ring and thread through the girth hitch. Depending upon how the throwline is threaded through the girth hitch, a balance is achieved with ease of release versus gripping power during the throwing process. If the equipment manufacturer provided a ring attached via a girth hitch, then this second ring wouldn't be needed.

I'm always left uncertain if the arborist has a need for this. From my recreational side of use, it makes sense.

When one makes an object releasable, the risk of getting it stuck shifts to the risk of an unwanted release. I always prefer picking something up off the ground than staring at it in a far away tree crotch.

There's more detail here http://www.tci-forums.com/viewthread.php?tid=697

 

[Mark Chisholm]

Jim,

I like the idea a lot. I am working with other ideas, but it is a great concept.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Pretty ingenious!

i use a slipped anchor from the bitters side for easy release on the ground. But JP(where i got the idea) has reported using a slipped anchor from the standing part (instead of bitters), to affect similar remote release in air i think.

 

[TreeCo]

I would be neat too if the throw line was weaker and designed to break right at the throw bag. I got one stuck yesterday using slick line and pulled until the line broke. I got lucky and it broke right at the bag and the bag fell to the ground.

 

[JimK]

Optimized version to retro-fit a throw bag [image]http://www.tci-forums.com/viewthread.php?tid=697&page=1#pid4250[/image]

 

[Mark Chisholm]

I like the idea Jim, but why not do away with the extra ring? It might cause more hang ups, no?

 

[pantheraba]

2nd ring on the Releasable Throw Weight

[ QUOTE ]
I like the idea Jim, but why not do away with the extra ring? It might cause more hang ups, no?

[/ QUOTE ]

I made one like Jim showed today. For me, the second ring was necessary because the tail end of the throw line makes a munter htch and then goes thru the bull hitch. The bull seems to provide the friction necessary to give a good grip but does let the throw rope slip as enough pull is applied.

Without the bull hitch I don't think you will have the friction you need to make it hold properly.

I had melted down (fused) the end of the throw line as I normally do. When I tested the release the end of the line where it was fused would get stuck at the bull hitch (even though I had tapered down the fusing). I cut the fused end off and left it unfused...then it would release like I wanted it to.

I had to use a stout key ring for the top ring today...I will buy a proper ring and give it another go soon.

 

[Dan_Kraus]

Re: 2nd ring on the Releasable Throw Weight

I like that idea, what if you used one ring and ran the tail through a fat rubber band on the Throwball? I’m going to have to try that tomorrow. It still won’t save us from stuck due to a wrap though, your going to have to work on that one.

 

[pantheraba]

Re: 2nd ring on the Releasable Throw Weight

[ QUOTE ]
I like that idea, what if you used one ring and ran the tail through a fat rubber band on the Throwball? I’m going to have to try that tomorrow.

[/ QUOTE ]

A TIGHT fat rubber band might be just the ticket...that is well worth trying. Maybe it will eliminate that 2nd ring.

I'll work with that idea, too.

 

[pantheraba]

Re: 2nd ring on the Releasable Throw Weight

[ QUOTE ]
I like that idea, what if you used one ring and ran the tail through a fat rubber band on the Throwball?

[/ QUOTE ]

Dan, I tried the rubber band thing with only one ring...I keep the big long rubber bands that come on underwater disposable cameras so I used one.

I think you are onto something...worked very well for me. It was important to spread out the "legs" of the wraps of the rubber band to get enough friction to hold the tail of the throw line. At first, I had the bands all on top of each other but that didn't hold well enough. When I spread them out (as in picture) the friction was increased and it did fine. I made several 40-50 foot shots with my homemade hillbilly big shot and the bag stayed attached fine. When it did get stuck once, I pulled and pulled and it finally overcame the rubber band and munter hitch friction and let go...bag fell at my feet.

You can probably get too many wraps and get the friction too high...experiment and see. And I was able to use a fused end of the throw line with this setup.

Thanks to JimK for getting all this started.

 

[glens]

Re: 2nd ring on the Releasable Throw Weight

Another rubber band friction factor may involve lack of freedom for the bag to slide. When approaching the limit of ability for the bag to pull throw-line up it could be a minor problem.

 

[JimK]

Re: 2nd ring on the Releasable Throw Weight

Obviously I've had time to work through variations on this. The ideal configuration is one ring. The two rings is the quick retrofit configuration. To obtain one ring with an existing weight, the original ring has to be cut off, which is easily done. My suggestion is to start with the two rings. If you like the releasable mechanism, then cut the first ring away. So far, the two rings hasn't been a problem. As we all can guess, there's a situation(s) where two rings will hang, but it has been working with zero problems for me.

Limb wraps can be eliminated on the throw, if line dispenses from the thrown device. It's physcially impossible to wrap a limb with slack in the line. I've been working with a throw sock concept that achieves that. In simple terms its a bag with a weight and line that dispenses on descent. The maximum height is acheived with the conventional throw weight. The throw sock works at 60' and below. On a pull back, a limb wrap remains a risk for all devices (the line is taunt setting the course for a wrap).

The attached photo is a description of the minor enhancements. Not shown are the Munter Hitch on top of the ring and dressed line in the Bull Hitch.

 

[pantheraba]

Re: 2nd ring on the Releasable Throw Weight

I used the one ring, munter hitch and rubber band today on about 10 throws here at home....got it stuck twice and the bag came loose like I wanted it to with firm steady pressure.

It held well for me and never did release prematurely.

A possible qualifier...I am using a homemade big shot, only throws about 70 feet. The more powerful version might take more rubber friction than I need.

How's about some of you guys with the real Big Shot try it.

I used JimK's method first and it worked fine, too.