Using webbing as a lowering line?

[tuttle]

I spotted someone using webbing as lowering line, setup as crotch rigging. They were lowering heavy limbs.

Is this something that people do?

 

[Simpleiowaguy]

.....we're they natural crotch in to? Lol

 

[JeffGu]

You sure you didn't just see a fat chick in a thong? Some heavy limbs, for sure.

 

[tuttle]

Lol, yep natural crotch, different conifers at 80ft, in real tight domestic spot.

 

[JeffGu]

I can think of no reason why it won't work. The biggest difference between the two, is shape. I'd think the webbing would offer more friction... probably a lot more friction... which might be a good thing, for what they were doing.

 

[Simpleiowaguy]

Webbing does have a high rating and is cheaper by the foot. In a friction saver it might not be half bad

 

[oldoakman]

Webbing and rope don't mix when they run over each other.

 

[tuttle]

My concern was the chap holding the end, the edge of webbing does cause injuries in car accidents, a running edge will probably do something.

The other thing is twists, giving a unpredictable friction run.

Cheap stuff by the roll, but re. The natural crotch rigging thread, a cheap 3strand is the best option.

 

[KevinS]

Webbing does have a high rating and is cheaper by the foot. In a friction saver it might not be half bad

The bed radius would be great

 

[tuttle]

I had a chat with the chap, his answers made sense.

He uses it on dismantles because it's cheap and strong, offers great friction, and saves him using his tidy ropes, it's also a lot lighter than rope, the webbing was 5ton and salvaged from military stock.

 

[tuttle]

I also wonder if there is future in this method, because a 50m roll of webbing at5ton is just $50, so saving every aspect of lowering, such as pulleys and capstans, it could be a winner.

 

[Boomslang]

You could easily use it in rigging rings and tubular webbing would eliminate sharp edges

 

[Leroy]

Must be hard to hold on to!

 

[Boomslang]

Must be hard to hold on to!

Just wrap it around your arm

 

[tuttle]

Nice comedy, the trick is the width and friction is a great option, offering the groundy an easy lowering job, on some of the heavy limbs the webbing was only passed through 2 crotches.

I am considering using the method at some point, found some very cheap, quality webbing.

 

[96coal449]

I wonder how well it wears compared to 3 strand? Seams like it would be bulky to work with ... ? I'll continue to use my 3 stranders as sometimes I use a port-a-wrap even with natural crotch rigging. I do this when it's a pita to wrap the tree, like when up against a fence or building. Webbing would have a tough time running though a mechanical friction device of any kind. I,m also looking to buy a GRCS. I do have a 25' web, looped on one end, which I use on large trunks, for a sling.