Are Spiderjacks Only Worthwhile On Big Trees?

[Thom]

I'm putting a lot of thought in to getting a spiderjack and seeing as there seems to be very little opportunity to 'try before I buy' I'm researching it thoroughly before I throw that sort of money at it. I've been told that they're only worthwhile when you're working on large trees quite regularly. Is this true?

[Alinicoll]

Until recently I used one for all trees.

[Thom]

Until recently?

[Alinicoll]

I`ve started playing with a hitch hiker. I will probably still use the spiderjack, I haven`t found a way to use both together yet.

 

Basically the spiderjack was on my rope and I wouldn`t go to the bother of taking it off for small trees. It works fine. It`s not all about big zippy descents and no slack tending.

[edwood]

I use it for every tree and see no problem with it! Just buy one man their ace!

 

 

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[Alinicoll]

The main issue i found with SJ is when you climb above or parallel to your anchor on big trees it can lock up a bit. Not for taking slack in but letting it out. You have to make sure you have enough slack to branch roll for example.

[Stephen Blair]

I very rarely do anything intricate on big trees. I tried the spider jack, it wasn't for me, I tied VT, didn't like that either. Mainly down to strength, I just couldn't hold my weight that well while self tending, and then I thought it was quite an unsafe way of working, leaving myself open to falling.

I am back to what I know, a Prussik. But on big open trees, where there is a lot of climbing over limbs and limb walking, it's a hindrance .

If for some reason I had a lot of big reduction or deadwood to do, I would srt and rope wrench, that looks the business. I've never tried it, but it makes sense to me.

[Alinicoll]

maybe following on from what Steven said. If i was only doing small trees I probably woundn`t both with a SJ

[nathan marshall]

I have a spider jack nearly new that you can have for a fee I just couldn't get one with it

[coleman]

You can use it for anything i just prefer a vt for tight messy situations (holly etc) or when im in a flat crown (willow/cedar) every thing else is SJ.