New lowering rope

[Lorry thompson]

All this crack just confuses me I may come across as a cowboy or a bit thick but I've never snapped a lowering rope or worried about angles and the likes to be honest I've probably used a porta wrap about ten times. I use a crotch and wrap around the tree not that I'm disrespecting the use of certain equipment it's just when I add more fancy gear or listen to technical jargan I spook myself and when I'm like that I think the job is more dangerous I'm happy with a big rope and us ethe tree on itself. I'm looking to buy a new rope at the minute and Reading this thread I don't know what to buy incase I'm running it through the wrong kit and it will fall apart

[Mark Bolam]

I get through it by never lowering bits bigger than my truck!

 

Shock loading is the killer. I like a nice high lowering point. Which is where the tree gets thinner. So it's weaker. So the lowering point snaps out....

 

AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!

 

I've gone and confused myself now!

[Lorry thompson]

Haha I just like a big rope aim the branch the way I want it and have a good man on the ground who can lower properly so it doesn't snatch jobs a good un

[Mark Bolam]

Haha I just like a big rope aim the branch the way I want it and have a good man on the ground who can lower properly so it doesn't snatch jobs a good un

 

This is where it p's me off when people think it's a good idea to employ clueless lads on £50 a day. There's a lot of skill in running rigging well on the ground.

 

If I'm honest, it's probably my favourite part of the job! Mind you, that may be because I'm better at it than climbing these days!

[Lorry thompson]

That's why I get fired up when climbers think they are superior to groundsmen I've worked with some really useless people when you have good lads on the ground it's the best job in the world.......... I've worked for 50 quid a day haha

[Mark Bolam]

I've worked for a lot less! I'm old, mind.

 

To get this thread back on track, 'cos me and Lorry have swerved it a bit, I think nearly any modern rope would be better in every way than the hairy old things we used to use!

 

19mm double esterlon is probably a bit OTT for most work that 90% of the lads on here take on. That definately includes me!

[Alinicoll]

The advantage of the "big fat rope over a natural crotch and wrapped around the tree method" is its very simple. As long as the rope is strong you are good. Its a simple system therefore less components to go wrong Its just a bit slower, the ropes are heavier too.

 

I work regularly with the massive rope method and with my own modern lowering kit. Both work fine.

[Andy Collins]

I can highly recommend a rigging course to anyone who struggles to understand the basics of modern rigging gear. It isnt that difficult or complicated to understand and will serve you well whether climber or groundie. What it will do is help you work safely and efficiently, and have a basic understanding of SWLs etc. Treevolution and Kingswood training offer these courses. We stopped using natural crotches and taking wraps around the trunk in the mid-90s, and thank goodness, it takes a lot of the guesswork and therefore risks out of the equation. I do feel there is a lot of over-complication of the info, which may seem daunting to some, but if you learn the basics first, then take on the physics in bite-size pieces it gradually all makes sense. Not that I'm an expert.

[Steve Bullman]

I would personally steer clear of portland braid & believe it is a false economy, Double esterlon is stronger, harder wearing & performs better I haven't met any-one who's tried both & bought a second portland. You gets what you pay for!

 

ive tried both and will quite happily purchase another hank of portland braid..........but obviously YOU have an agenda behind your post

[Steve Bullman]

 

Jonsie & I are soon to launch the Loler UK set deals which shall be available exclusivly from FR Jones each of which couples the technical know how with on the ground concencus & experiance.

 

ermmm, whose experience?