Having trouble finding a system that works for me

[YoGi_93]

I still can't find a system that works for me. I've tried a hitch climber with both VT and a distel but whatever hitch cord I use it always seems to bite off. either when I descend then stop or when I'm pulling slack in. so I tried a Prussic which works but obviously it doesn't self tend and still bites off when I descend them stop. My rope is 13mm it's a big bulky thing but I have no other choice in the matter because my boss doesn't let us use our own equipment. I'd invest in a spider jack if we could use our own gear but hey ho.

[Old Mill Tree Care]

Boss won't let you use own gear??

 

Anyway, I'm afraid all my suggestion would involve a thinner rope etc.

[WeeDee]

How much tinkering have you done with the VT?

 

I mean, how many variations of wraps and braids have you tried?

My experience is that (depending upon the wraps/braids) a VT's range can go from 'never moving' to 'trouser soup', even on a thick rope.

[slimjimvw]

So more info may help ? Friction hitch diameter , rope brand etc

 

10mm friction cord (Oean Polyester) and 13mm rope (Yale XTC) work really well for me. Thats using a Knut.

[YoGi_93]

I haven't done loads of tinkering with the vt To be honest I didn't think it would make a massive amount of difference. I think I could do with a thinner rope I agree. At the minute I'm messing around with 10mm ocean polyester and 13mm main line. I have also tried 8mm friction cord.

[Arran Turner]

Ive been using 13mm marlow gecko with 10mm marlow boa as friction cord and works well, I dont think thinner is always better.bought some 10mm OP and having hell trying to make it work with my hitch climber. Going to end up turning it into a prussik loop if it doesnt start working soon

[WeeDee]

I haven't done loads of tinkering with the vt To be honest I didn't think it would make a massive amount of difference. I think I could do with a thinner rope I agree. At the minute I'm messing around with 10mm ocean polyester and 13mm main line. I have also tried 8mm friction cord.

 

It could make ALL the the difference, and you seem motivated enough to be seeking a good set-up.

Try reducing the number of wraps and possibly increasing the braids and see what happens. Even a twist in one of the hitch rope's legs can make a difference.

Remember the 'grip' of the hitch is always a compromise between secure locking under any circumstance (but accompanying resistance) and easy self-tending (which might miss an immediate grip).

The 10mm/13mm combination should be fine if the hitch is fiddled with.

Give it a try with the gear you've got before spending money on new stuff.

[alex_m]

Have you tried a knut? I've been using it for the last few months and really like it. I get less sit back compared to a VT and it's more reliable at gripping.

I would forget about proper self tending from any rope, that's the domain of the SJ etc.

 

Knut - Knots Guide | Arbtalk.co.uk

[tuttle]

can you try this knot and see if it works for you.

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/arborist-knots/50683-new-friction-hitch.html

[breffni]

I use 3 wraps 3 braids and it doesn't always grab but I check it everytime so it's never been a problem and I like that it doesn't grip really tightly