Tree Austria 3.1

The leg loops may look minimalistic, but thats kind of the thing I like with the harness. The leg loops are stiff enough so they dont deform, and that gives good padding and comfort. Same goes for the belt. Its stiff (especially when breaking it in), but that offers great back support and its also nice when hanging heavy saws from it. The batten seat option is still available, and it's compatible from the austria duo v 1 & 2 (used both of them). Other than the austria duo harnesses I've only tried the Petzl sequia. I didn't like it that well, as the padding was to soft for me (I'm heavy built (fat ;-) ))

We do mostly takedowns, and most of the trees are pretty small/simple (conifers, pines, single stemed birches)and require typpical half an hour with climbing. Its a great harness where you have to take it on and off several times a day, and it gives good support when spiking up or down a stem. Its not to comfertable if you're gonna do a lot of hanging in free air, unless you add the batten seat.


I havnt bothered getting the TM as it looks like a hassle getting it ajusted, and taking it on and of (we have to climb with chainsaw pants, so its ekstra bulkey getting the harness on). But if you typpically work with pruning larger broadleafed trees, where you're aloft a long time, I thing the TM is a good choice. The Austria Duo is in my oppinion more of a takedown harness.

Guess you'll be pleased with any of the two, though.

Good luck

PS: and get the batten seat if you plan to spend the whole day in the tree rigging, with lots of time waiting on the ground crew.
 
A little derail, but just to support my love for the TM I must say that adjusting it is a one time deal and takes little more than an afternoon climbing in a tree. As for getting on and off I just lay it on the ground and put my boots through the leg loops and pull it straight up easy peasy. I climb only broadleaf trees in the tropics and spend hours in one tree without coming down, occasionally up to seven hours when doing a removal and I like it's comfort level. I went from a weaver leather leg loop to a sequoia and then the TM, would not go back. Just my $.02 sorry again for the derail but i don't think the TM was given a fair shake.
 
I have been using the 3.1 since November.. Very comfy and light. The replaceable bridge via shackles is nice. The stock bridge seems to last forever. Leg pads are minimal, but fit well. The padding is in all the right places on the saddle overall.

The side d's are a bit forward to my liking and throw the ergonomics off a bit, but not terrible.


I still prefer my ergo for big heavy saws and removals etc. The 3.1 is hard to beat for pruning and lighter duty work.

Tony
 
A link from Wesspur: http://www.wesspur.com/saddles/tree-austria-3-1.html

and a pic:

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I still don't understand why shackles like that are allowed on saddles. Screw link biners are a no no but shackles are OK?? I really don't get it. I've called the folks at locktite and they specifically said that their product should not be used for life support applications.
 
Banjo,

I mostly agree with you on the shackles. However, these have a recessed head with locking tabs integral to the design. They are torqued very precisely (I know I did it). A thread lock is applied as tertiary.

Still all in all the shackles undergo my VERY close inspection before every climb. The heads are naked with white fingernail polish. If they move a fraction of inch I will be able to tell.

Not perfect, not my ideal, but I can live with the limitations.

Your concerns are valid.

In the hands of the careless, ignorant or just plain dumb the bridge shackles could be very dangerous. Be that as it may, the above statement can be applied to any number of things in life.

Tony
 
Tony said:
Banjo,

I mostly agree with you on the shackles. However, these have a recessed head with locking tabs integral to the design. They are torqued very precisely (I know I did it). A thread lock is applied as tertiary.

Still all in all the shackles undergo my VERY close inspection before every climb. The heads are naked with white fingernail polish. If they move a fraction of inch I will be able to tell.

Not perfect, not my ideal, but I can live with the limitations.

Your concerns are valid.

In the hands of the careless, ignorant or just plain dumb the bridge shackles could be very dangerous. Be that as it may, the above statement can be applied to any number of things in life.

Tony
Click to expand...

What did you torque them to, Tony?
 
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