Advice Petzl Rack - Variable Friction Descender

[bob]

Arborist Equipment and Tree Surgeon Supplies

 

i have just borrowed similar to this

anyone using one if so what why when

or any ideas:thumbup:

[David Humphries]

We bought one about 10/12 years ago which we put in the aerial rescue kit, and it got dusted off every three monthe or so for practice, then switched it to lowering device for rigging smallish timber.

 

Could never get the friction just right so it got relegated to the dark depths of one of the rigging bags where it occasionally gets spotted about every two years or so.

 

 

Why did you borrow it?

 

.

[bob]

 

Why did you borrow it?

 

.

why not

to see if i could find a nice use for it and never had a go

[WeeDee]

I've used one for years with the mountain rescue team - lowering stretchered climbers etc. I've never used one as an arborist.

I feel they work best (or most predictably) when they are well loaded ie. heavily loaded - a stretcher, with injured person, and one attendant would be the type of load I'm talking about.

 

They are useful when you want to adjust the friction during use. A possible scenario might be abseiling with all your rope hanging below you - the weight of the rope requires less friction from the bars and so only a few bars need be employed. As the abseil progresses, and less rope hangs below the rack, more friction is required - and so redundant bars can be brought into play.

 

My input, whilst having no reference to arb, may still provide some view of the rack itself. Dee.