Speedline retrieval in a tree with wide spread

[Fred_Berkelhammer]

We're due to remove a large hybrid ("Siouxland") Cottonwood in the next week or so, and it has one good anchor point for a speedline over a house out to another tree by the street. Lots of brush and wood, so we'e like to use it. In other trees, I've been able to pull the speed line down to where I was cutting, using a pole saw head on one or two 8' sections. This tree would require four or five sections, and though I occasionally like to lighten the mood on the crew...

The best I can come up with is to let a piece of slickline or other light line run on a carabiner ahead of the running block. It would just drape over the house, and a groundie could either tie it on the climber's line each time, or position himself to where he himself could pull a bight of speedline close enough to where the climber could nab it with a pole saw.

I'm sure this has come up for plenty of guys, so how do you like to retrieve a speed line from across large spans in a tree?

 

[TC]

[ QUOTE ]

The best I can come up with is to let a piece of slickline or other light line run on a carabiner ahead of the running block.


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Fred, this idea sounds good, but there might be a risk of the carabiner jamming up the block as it runs down the speed line leaving a branch suspended in the middle of the speedline with no way to get it down. The slickline may potentially get tangled up in the system as well.

Speedline (line 1)
Lowering rope (line 2)

What about fixing a pulley just below speedline attachment point in the tree with a lowering line running through it attached to the running bloc -with groundie lowering the branch down the speedline in a controlled manner - then once the branch is on the ground, the groundie could create slack in the speedline at the bottom anchoring tree( using portawrap) and pull the block back up the tree using line 2 and if its some distance from you just us a pole saw to retrieve it like you said.

 

[TC]

Fred, found an image in this site of what i was trying to explain - left hand side photo.

www.treemettlenexus.com/article6.html

 

[Fred_Berkelhammer]

Grover,

Haul back line runs off a block that is placed up near the speedline termination; doesn't help me get a hold of the speedline, whether it has slack in it or not. That would work for a single leader tree, but this tree is very spread out, multiple leaders originating down low.

Plan is to clip pieces in to the slacked speed line,rig them, butt heavy, off the haul back line, drift them over to the leader that has the speedline, raise with GRCS on hb line, tension speedline.

Or, maybe we'll just remove a fence section, jack out the post, dig up a small shrub, let all those guys fumbling with knots and ropes with their gloves on just drag brush instead.

 

[Lazarus2]

Fred

I think I understand the situation you explained.

I either re-direct both speedline and haulback line, or clip a light sliding tagline (8mm) on a karabiner behind the pulley on the speedline. I run this over a peg or sling and krab where I'm cutting. I normally face the branch toward the speedline, having run the tip of the branch on the speedline as well with a sling and krab (so the branch runs parallel with the speedline = less lift/more clearance). This means the branch transfers a bit smoother across to the resting position of the speedline. If its a long way, I'll put a muenter hitch in the sliding tagline and let it run to slow it down nicely. To retrieve, pull the pulley on the haul back till it is opposite, then pull the sliding tagline.

Hope that helps.

 

[Fred_Berkelhammer]

Definitely does, Lazarus; putting the retrieval line behind the running pulley makes alot more sense. Also, using it to drift the piece over, instead of another line. Thanks.

 

[RogerM]

maybe this...
it comes from a treebuzz past post.

 

[schwabisch]

ah come on fred just cut and toss it. just kidding of course glad i don't have to do those souixlands anymore. good luck

 

[Mark Chisholm]

Re-directing the haul back or speedline would solve the problem (I think).

 

[Lazarus2]

I've found that whenever I re-directed the speedline, and not the haul-back, the pulley would bind on the way up and down. Even damaging the line by rubbing against the pulley cheeks. (need a shoulder shrug graemlin)

 

[Fred_Berkelhammer]

Thanks, all, I appreciate the input. We'll do it as soon as we can arrange a demo of the Ditch Witch Sk 650, to move the wood.

Hey, Paul! You do know about those Siouxlands (seems to me you may have set a record of sorts in a Plains, too, out by Spine Road

!!)

 

[frans]

Fred,
Have you seen Charly's speed line trolley?
I bought mine from Charly himself: www.charlysinternational.com , but it is a CMI product www.cmi-gear.com.

This makes numerous attachment points for haulback lines, Uplift systems, blocks etc. easy.
It also spreads out the load on the 'high lead' or speedline because the two upper pulleys are distanced from each other.

Frans

 

[schwabisch]

hey fred, which one are you refering too??

 

[Fred_Berkelhammer]

Frans,

Looks interesting. How many sheaves are on that trolley, 2 or 4? I have a rigging plate with plenty of holes; that one is making me dizzy

(Hey Paul, you must be losing your memory, like me)

 

[schwabisch]

fred there have been alot of siouxlands but i think i know the one your thinking of, just want to see you say it

 

[frans]

[ QUOTE ]
Frans,

Looks interesting. How many sheaves are on that trolley, 2 or 4? I have a rigging plate with plenty of holes; that one is making me dizzy

(Hey Paul, you must be losing your memory, like me)

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Two (2) sheaves. Then two knurled bolts that hold on the rigging plate. The distance between the bolts match up with the rigging plate's holes. CMI sells both trolley and rigging plate but personally I would try Charly first.

 

[Lazarus2]

Frans

Is the rigging plate alloy or steel? I prefer Steel for ballast. I like the look of the pulley - more robust than usual tandems designed for PPE. Whats the rating of both?

 

[frans]

Dont know. You could check the CMI web site for tech. details. Alloy plates. I would think steel would weigh a ton! Are you sure you would want to wrestle that kind of weight around? Ballast wise, it is plenty enough for me.

 

[Lazarus2]

A heavy rigging plate can't be thrown around, sure, but its not as infuriating as seeing your trolley flip over and wrap up the speedline and haul back.

And you don't have to climb to retrieve the trolley when an over zealous groundie pulls it past you.

 

[jf1962]

This is my set up for a speed line.....