Hobbs or GRCS or other

[Lee Winger]

which one have you used and which one do you like best?

[MasterBlaster]

I'm a Porty man, myself.

[Lee Winger]

I reckon once you've owned a grcs or hobbs, theirs no going back..

[Steve Bullman]

thinking about buying one lee?

ive never used either but having read lots about them if i was going to invest i'd pay the extra out for the grcs

[Lee Winger]

yep I reckon i'll be getting one, i'd love to hang off until the APF

[Mr Ed]

The GRCS is an expensive piece of kit. It would be hard to justify in my opinion...

 

How does everybody think a fully self contained powered version would go down?

[TreeCo]

Bought a Hobbs in 1989. Great tool.

 

Bought a GRCS in 2002. It's a better tool.

 

Very little energy is required on the users part. I think a powered unit would provide little benefit, weight more, cost more and be less dependable.

[Bodean]

The hobbs can take wood better, though the GRCS is a better cranker.

 

And a porty is better than trunck wraps.

 

[frans]

The hobbs can take wood better, though the GRCS is a better cranker.

 

And a porty is better than trunck wraps.

 

 

I tottally disagree. Sorry Bodean. I dont think you have thought this through. I dont for one minute think you have properly explored the full uses of the fixed bollard or the ratcheting capstan. You are mainly a climber, and your ground crew is often not as qualified as you. So you are not the one primarly using these devices.

 

When I dropped a volvo station wagon from a tree and shock loaded the new Hobbs and also the GRCS, the GRCS had minor damage to the tune of $160.00 dollars using the winch capstan not the fixed bollard which is the 'weaker' component of the GRCS. The Hobbs bent the main arbor which distroyed the entire unit. The only way to fix the hobbs would be to cut it apart with a plasma torch and re-manufactur it.

 

The 'Volvo Drop Test' video is available for all to buy from:

http://www.atreestory.com/videos5.php

 

There is alot of misinformation regarding not only which unit is 'better' but also how to properly use these devices.

 

Both devices require training to use properly.

Yes, you can figure out how to use them, but maximum loads, proper wrap configuration, etc. etc. are essential for proper use.

 

I am not a grcs salesman, nor do I get any compensation for talking up one unit over the other.

I learned on the Hobbs back in the 1980s and when the GRCS came out, I bought my first one. My thinking was, I wanted to truly test both units to distruction and decide for myself which unit is 'stronger'.

 

I dont in anyway represent either maker of these units, and my opinions are my own.

 

Hobbs= boat anchor

GRCS= evolutionary leap in technology

 

[TreeCo]

Hobbs= boat anchor

GRCS= evolutionary leap in technology

 

IMO, this is a false statement. The two devices are very similar in function and form much like the Stihl 440 is like the Stihl 460.