Lowering device.

[nailer]

Hi bob, do you mean when blocking pieces down from above the anchor point?

 

If so, any slack you remove with the winch is lost as soon as the chunk is tipping off the edge. The rope is certainly full of slack as it passes the anchor point, however tight it initially was.

 

The bollard is more suited to this task, with its larger diameter drum and greater choice of wrap combinations, because of the 4-hook configuration at the end of the bollard. The deceleration achieved with the bollard is far smoother.

 

These hooks also allow the rope to exit the grcs in any direction, without the possibility of the rope sliding off. The winch offers less versatility in this respect. (imo)

[munkymadman]

i thought a few posts back i was told snatching onto the winch isn't recommended.

nailer your definetly right about a fixed bollard is far easier than a floating one. so how much cheaper is it without the winch. could you achieve similiar satisfaction with a pulley system set above it(i realise its not going to have the same power), but how often do you require the amount of power it provides

[kimtree]

i thought a few posts back i was told snatching onto the winch isn't recommended.

nailer your definetly right about a fixed bollard is far easier than a floating one. so how much cheaper is it without the winch. could you achieve similiar satisfaction with a pulley system set above it(i realise its not going to have the same power), but how often do you require the amount of power it provides

You could use a pulley system and i started off with a 5-1 setup but it takes time to set up and connect then disconnect before lowering.for me it took too long.the pulley setup is used now to pull over trees in tight spots

[frans]

You guys are going off into intellectual land.....

 

If you have a chunk, and you are roping it off of itself, you tighten the load line as much as you can. This facilitates tipping the chunk off of the stem and removes any slack from the load line.

 

Then, when the chunk is falling, slack develops in the load line.

 

Taking this slack out, as the chunk is falling, is called:

Rapid slack removal.

 

The trick is to take the slack up, as the chunk is falling, and then letting the load 'run' (guided decent) as it falls, to minimize the shock loading on the load line, and the anchor point.

 

The ratcheting bollard on the grcs, as well as the fixed bollard, both work very well for this purpose.

 

 

I would say however, that any of the fixed friction points, the porta-wrap, figure 8, Hobbs, Grcs, ALL REQUIRE some education and skill to operate.

 

If you take a wrap around the tree trunk to lower loads, it is far easier In My Opinion.

When you have a small diameter tube or capstan which is taking the loads, you must learn to deal with the smaller friction point.

 

The lowering devices are much more precise, so have a steeper learning curve than taking a wrap around the trunk.

[nailer]

munkymadman, I don`t know if the grcs is available without the winch. If it is, it should be loads cheaper.

 

Another way of looking at it, is that such a brill bit of kit will never deteriorate, break or require much maintenance if cared for adequately. If you`re in the business of tree work as a career, its a snip.

 

frans, that `rapid slack removal` technique sounds interesting. That must take some swift co-ordination to pull in the line and then let it run in time with a falling log! I could imagine that doesn`t work out every single time. Am I wrong?

[frans]

good roping is an art form

[Lee Winger]

good roping is an art form

 

 

I agree 100%

[nailer]

I`m sure it is.

 

Just seems so easy and consistent with the bollard.

 

I will give your way a go. cheers.

[RC0]

Dont forget guys you can also further reduce your slack by setting the block/pulley as High as possible, (below the notch) and by minimizing the actual depth (not the angle) of the notch. Please dont ask me to me to explain it right now, just say you get it:icon14: If not then draw it on a piece paper and it'll become obvious right away I'm sure. Happy New Year:wave:

[bob]

I`m sure it is.

 

Just seems so easy and consistent with the bollard.

 

I will give your way a go. cheers.

 

 

and i will give the bollard ago and yes taking the slack and then letting it run is an art but relatively easy as long as tou dont put too many wraps on