Lowering device.

[Steve Bullman]

nice work kimtree.

[frans]

Very impressive, I wish somebody would make a cheaper version of the gcrs for this country !

 

KimTree's winch looks nice, however in my opinion you dont save alot of money by building the unit yourself.

If you count your time as not significant, and the materials and tools are readily available then I suppose it works out.

But it is kind of like re-inventing the wheel.

 

The GRCS is very well designed, all the welds are done well, and x-rayed for spotting flaws, and it is powder coated so it doesn't corrode easily.

 

However to answer Buzz's response, I have always wanted a smaller lifting lowering device to replace the Port-a-crap (sorry port-a-WRAP).

 

So using a Harken # 40, I welded up a smaller winch I call the Jr. GRCS.

 

It is very very easy to set up with one person, and works just great.

I have also included my handle storage modification.

I used a clip from a tapemeasure and screwed it into the side of the handle. The handle clips and unclips very easily onto the yellow ratcheting strap which holds the winch to the trunk.

enjoy

[stihllearning]

kim and frans

 

both very impresive bits of kit,i have often thought of doing something similar myself but have allways wondered how to atatch the winch to the bollard as the sheering forces are massive and the 3or 4 little screws the winches come supplied with look pretty weedy. did you see this as a problem and how did you get over it???? many thanks billy

[frans]

Actually the shear strength of a 3/8" bolt is massive.

I dont have the charts handy but it is easy to look up on-line.

[stihllearning]

thank you frans , i'm all over ebay looking for self tailing winches

[kimtree]

nice kimtree ! dont spose you wanna post more pics of your winch

heres 2 from the same job, I made it 2 years ago,and 2 jobs paid for it,proberly the best 2 grand ever spent,i wanted to put a harken 48 or 50 on it instead but the cost is huge plus its heavy enough now,on takedowns a slot is cut but on prunes that unbolts and a bit of rubber and timber sits between it and the tree

[High Scale]

Some very nice welding there!

[frans]

An important detail which I think is important is Greg Good's Pig Tail.

This allows quick on and off, and doesn't jump off the hook.

Very difficult to bend the rod into the proper spiral, so I called Greg and had him send me one.

Have you had the rope pop off yours kimtree?

 

Also with the GRCS, the 'visor' attachment which allows the base plate to be inserted into the tree to keep it from sliding up the trunk, is attached with a simple rod which you can pull in and out.

Makes putting it on and off the base plate a matter of seconds. No bolts.

Kimtree is their any reason why you bolted the winch to your base plate instead of making a plate which you can slide in and out of the base plate?

 

How heavy is your device in comparison to the GRCS?

 

In my Jr. Grcs, I used one 10,000 lb. ratcheting load strap. Makes it easier to set up and plenty strong

[kimtree]

An important detail which I think is important is Greg Good's Pig Tail.

This allows quick on and off, and doesn't jump off the hook.

Very difficult to bend the rod into the proper spiral, so I called Greg and had him send me one.

Have you had the rope pop off yours kimtree?

 

Also with the GRCS, the 'visor' attachment which allows the base plate to be inserted into the tree to keep it from sliding up the trunk, is attached with a simple rod which you can pull in and out.

Makes putting it on and off the base plate a matter of seconds. No bolts.

Kimtree is their any reason why you bolted the winch to your base plate instead of making a plate which you can slide in and out of the base plate?

 

How heavy is your device in comparison to the GRCS?

 

In my Jr. Grcs, I used one 10,000 lb. ratcheting load strap. Makes it easier to set up and plenty strong

hi frans getting the rope guides right took a couple of goes the rhs one is good now but the left can popoff if the winch is not mounted at the right height up the tree .the winch is on a plate that slides in on the backing plate,i tend to over engineer stuff so its also bolted with two 1/2 bolts,i haven't got round to making a bollard to slide in yet.currantly just use ''portawraps''.2 ratchet straps guarrantee that the device wont go flying up the tree,as to weight haven't weighed it but its heavy alright if its a takedown 1 person can place it but 2 is needed for a prune

[arbogrunt]

Very nice, but how do we get these homemade lowering devices LOLERed if theres no CE mark?, any ideas?