Rigging Errors

[Jamie]

my only problem with roping out big bits is that it's all very well getting it out of the tree quicksmart but then the poor guys on the ground then have to shift and sort out a huge bit of wood.

 

Jamie

[John Hancock]

You get a feel for how big it is by how long it takes to get the '200 through .....I'm amazed by how cool you were (only saying the 'F' word once, and then calling him by his Christian name) Excellent.

[RC0]

Matty, he has used it alot but perhaps not in the last month.

 

Tim, I was just trying to warm him up with that first shot as we had much bigger to deal with later on....guess it didn't work!

 

Never even crossed my mind to use a tag line on what should have been a real straight forward procedure. I'd expected it to swing out and then be landed on the way back. The sort of thing Andrew could normally do with eyes shut.....but for what ever reason his mind was elsewhere, as too was mine for being so assuming.

 

Jamie, in this instance a log-truck was booked so keeping the logs big was an attempt to save labour rather than create it. But in general I'm a believer that its far safer and faster to cut and disect wood with two feet on the floor using powerful groundsaws than having to manoeuvre and attempt the same from up in the tree....its not always that black and white though, I know!

[Rupe]

I remember when we just used to hide behind the stem with fingers and toes tucked in and hope for the best! Hobbs and Grcs make it so much easier the these days, or so we hope!!

[Peter]

Reg, I'm shocked and dismayed to find such language used on a worksite. I think it is highly unprofessional and may well put off youngsters from entering our profession. After all, what innocent 16 year old school leaver has such words in their vocabulary?

[Tom D]

Nice Footage as ever Reg, we were surprised how grippy the Hobbs spool is when we first used it with the same bouncy effects. I'm glad to see you're human.

[stetson]

Been in that situation a few times myself, I eventually found a top notch groundie who anticipated my every move in the tree and we became a great team. These groundies are worth their weight.

Can you tell me more more about the camera and its set up as I think its a great way to pass on useful clips of how to/how not to go through some technical steps, especially for new climbers starting out and maybe for any old school who have picked up some bad habits along the way. Keep the vids coming.

[Andy Collins]

Tho its good to see things going smoothly, I think its more educational to see what went wrong and know why it went wrong. Just goes to show that a simple thing like slip or trip can (possibly) lead to far worse events, something many should be aware of on the worksite. good post tho, Reg

 

another good point I've just spotted, Reg telling the groundie not to come in so close, Ive visitd a couple of sites in the last week or so, one the crew were using the GRCS, taking out huge lumps, and the groundie was working close to the butt, I went up to them and pointed this out, politely, for which they appreciated what I was saying.

the other site was using a ptw, and again the groundie was far too close to the tree, for his safety.

ALWAYS imagine what may go wrong, dont think that your 100% safe.

Edited November 23, 2008 by Andy Collins

[RC0]

Can you tell me more more about the camera and its set up as I think its a great way to pass on useful clips of how to/how not to go through some technical steps, especially for new climbers starting out and maybe for any old school who have picked up some bad habits along the way. Keep the vids coming.

 

Here's a link to the camera stetson, plenty of others on the site also:http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/buy-viosport-pov1.htm

 

Andy, I dont no why people are somehow drawn so close to a lowering device at the base of the same tree that is being worked:confused1: I can hardly think of a more dangerous place to stand!

Edited November 23, 2008 by RC0

[Will Hinchliffe]

Great videos Reg.

Its always a bit of a shock when the ground team accidentally lock of the lowering line. I love using the hobs block and think its a fantastic tool. It would be nice to show some videos of balancing long limbs and cutting them with sideways or on top gobs also top roping sections and lifting them with the ratchet. This is where the hobs block really comes into its own.

 

 

Our hobbs block got its strap cut by the man on the ground a couple of weeks ago! but its back in action with a new strap now.

 

What ropes do you use on your Hobs? I think our ropes are Sampson. We use a 16mm and a 14mm. We also have a 12mm that milks like crazy, really naff rope dont know what make it is. I think with a rope that had a really low surface tension the Hobs would perform better.