Rings or block

JustinK

Participating member
Location
Sherrills Ford
So I picked up a decent sized removal on the side for a friend. 24" 70' sweetgum. Well within my capabilities, but beyond the scope of what I actually own. Good news is that it's a no haul. I'd like to start doing more and more side work, nothing that'd compete with my employer of course, as we do very little residential, and what we do, is quite substantial and closer to the shop than this.

That aside, I've got 120' of 1/2" Sta Set, which aint gonna cut it, and no block/or rings.

I'm conflicted between the upfront for the block, as a long term investment, or just going the cheaper route for now, knowing I won't encounter much on my own that requires a block, and just splice up some ring slings.

Will probably snag a longer rigging rope as well. 120' only gets me about 55' in a perfect scenario, if it's still being ran through a port-a-wrap.

I know its been discussed time and time again, but my search results are too broad, so what sort of rigging set-up do you guys recommend for side work where large wood likely isn't involved. I can't imagine tackling anything much larger than this for a while, unless it's a no haul or hauling brush only. lol
 
I would invest in a block for sure. You will need it in the future and I totally live by the of adage that"it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it". I did removals for years without them, but I can't imagine life without my blocks/pulleys now. I even have a few not made for tree work per-se. You can get a block rated at 20,000 lbs from harbor freight for under $30. It works fine with 1/2" line and mounted with a swivel it works good! I also have a small mckissick block that is the only one I use for large wood-it's a beast!
 
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Both are a boon to your arsenal. I hate getting pine pitch in my rigging line so on pine removals I use rings. They "burn" the pitch out of the line.
 
I love the rings. Blocks and pulleys I use for other stuff then standard rigging. They add frictions, hang close to cuts, and are waaay cheaper!
I ditched the two ring set ups because of personal opinion about bend radius. But that convo is for another thread, and for big weights and long runs.
I use long single rings and rR versions, then when it's time for wood I use a klemheist or 6 coil prussic with the two rings on the single ring sling for negative rigging.
 
Something to think about - My humble opinion is to bid jobs in the future with equipment costs in mind - let the work pay for what you want to earn then add equipment costs onto a job or two. You'll have a fair wage and good equipment in no time. That's how I gradually got all my gear. I alway do labor + overhead + a percentage of specialized equipment.

Also, for gums, I'm moving my last rigging point a lot because the wood is very heavy, crotches are tight, and there are few strong laterals in the top.

I use a couple rings and mobile block like an omni


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Another vote for rings. You can make a double ring (large) sling with 5/8" or 3/4" tenex for under $100. Tree stuff is having an awesome rope sale right now, just picked up 200' of 9/16" husky (similar to dynasorb) for $150. Can't beat that. Personally 200' is as short as I would go.
 
I'll tell a short story on why I like rings better. I bough an ISC spring block for a 5/8 line and got about a year and a half out of it with occasional use before it started making noise. I called Wales and they said to destroy it. I did but I felt like I spent $300 for very little. I still buy their blocks but you know what you're getting with a ring because it's very visible. You can monitor wear and tear and they cost less.
 
Thank you for all the advice. I've got some 5/8 Nerex that I think will work just fine for slings. If I start blocking down big wood and logs, I'll invest appropriately. This particular job I think I can snap-cut most of it right into where the guy wants it staged.

Saw the rope sale on TS. Been mulling it over.


I really won't have any overhead in this except my gas. Everything else has paid for itself prior to. I can stand to use some of the money made from this to invest into equipment for the future.
 
Another vote for rings. You can make a double ring (large) sling with 5/8" or 3/4" tenex for under $100. Tree stuff is having an awesome rope sale right now, just picked up 200' of 9/16" husky (similar to dynasorb) for $150. Can't beat that. Personally 200' is as short as I would go.

Husky is like samson stablebraid not dynasorb...which is polydyne...husky is great rigging rope 9/16 a good size too...lol
 

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