Trying out gear?

[goodaking]

I was just thinking it would be cool if there was a way for buzzers to demo equipment like climb equipment and rigging stuff. I think it would be beneficial for arborist and the companies that sell the gear.
May be the supplier could have a bunch of gear that they let arborist demo by putting a hold on their credit card until they return the gear. Just a thought what do you all think? May be there could be an insurance disclaimer as well to protect the suppliers. Or just have fellow tree buzzers do like a one week trade on stuff just to try it out.

It would save time and money and having to wait for a rec climb or trade show to try the equipment.

 

[treehumper]

I like it! We have some vendors on here, how about it?

Trying to figure out what is a good investment is tough. There's only so much in the gear kitty.

 

[JeffL]

Could do a mailing list, say a few days to a week per piece and just keep it in circulation. It would run on good faith, obviously, and if anything was questionable, back to the manufacturer for inspection?

I thought about this a month or so ago, wishing I could get my hands on a spiderjack, but ultimately rolled the dice, and now you couldn't pry it from my fingers if you wanted to, but would have been nice to try beforehand for that kind of cash.

Logistically it might have some issues, and there's a funny grey area with liability, but maybe it could pan out and be a good thing. Id be all for it.

 

[treehumper]

Then they could put a treebuzz approved sticker on the items that get the thumbs up from us!

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

We have been doing this for a few years now. Its really just a networking thing. Who's in your area and who's willing to work with you. We currently have a sales rep from Sherrill that lives 20min or so from our shop. When we have something that we wish to try out we shoot him an email and he will do what he can to drop it off. Also once or twice a year he will drop by and bring new toys and ideas by and we have a little what's new, what's up coming safety meeting. We also have a company that we contract a bunch with that one of thier climbers is well known and we work the same set up. We have tried out saddles, ropes and small gear too.
Thanks to Tim, Tony, super k and youngbuzzer for helping us out and setting these opportunities up for us.