RC0

Tony Loui, the guy on the rope has a tendency to perform splendidly for ¾ of the day, with superb touch and timing….but he’ll then make a bollocks of the last quarter i.e. the main stem. I don’t know why that is but he’s done it for as long as I can remember….always too many wraps! For this reason I keep it simple. Incidentally, the Hobbs is ideal for the technique you describe as there is almost zero friction as you pull out the slack i.e. the barrel is set on a ratchet so the whole thing just rotates (for those who’s never used one). If Loui had indeed taken the initiative in such away, you’d have definitely heard that distincitive clicking noise from the ratchet pawls. Carl, I'd love to go mate but its not looking too good at the moment.

Thanks guys, I was actually in 2 minds as whether or not to post the video because it just seemed a little dull to watch….but perhaps that’s because I had to climb it and sit through all the editing yesterday. Hopefully I’ll get time to film some better stuff throughout the summer. Regarding the techniques' in the video: Obviously there are pros and cons, with every situation being slightly different. However, IMO, a knot will always be safer than a Krab, preferably a half hitch or more finished with a running bowline, you can’t go far wrong. On the other hand, a Krab is very fast and convenient to use i.e. in many cases you can realistically throw a Krab through a fork from up to 8 feet away and catch it on its pendulum, then set the choke and you’re ready to go. Over the course of a day can be a real time and labor saver where there’s lots to do, especially if you’re wearing gloves. I’ve never had a steel Krab fail, although I limit their use to static and relatively light dynamic loads. The most serious potential hazard appears to come from the risk of the gate opening, especially so with twist locks. This can happen if there is movement from the Krab as it initially takes up the load i.e. the gate can rub on the branch and work its way open in the blink of an eye. For this reason there can be no slack allowed from the half hitch down to the Krab and both should be aligned with one another. The ISC Krab in the video is proportionately too big for anything less than 12 in diameter (its length + straight profile doesn’t accommodate the bend radius of such proportionately narrow sections), however, consider the friction created by the rope-routing, and the massive tensile strength of this particular Krab, then its not really an issue. The bend radius (or lack of) of the knot where it’s attached to the Krab must also be considered which is why it’s always worth doubling up (see picture of bowline). For total uncomplicated peace of mind, stick to knots, that’s my advise. But try both! MattyF posted photo’s of some ash rigging in the photo section some time ago using knotless rigging with a sling as a choker….also probably more full-proof than a Krab for termination and definitely one to learn.

I wish I had more interests Pete. FWIW, the Biner was never side loaded, and just to elaborate on my reply to Bob….the half hitch + rope/branch friction takes an awful lot of sting out of the load before it reaches the Krab i.e. like wraps around a friction bollard. If anything, I found the job frustrating because the branch structure prevented me from letting go with any big stuff. The way it goes sometimes!

It is indeed a big binner, 7 ton as I recall, ISC, real easy to work....even with gloves. Consider the routing of the rope around the branches then there's really nothing on it. So no worries Bob

Just though I’d better contribute something to the forum or otherwise I may as well not be a member as of late. I’ve lost interest in for the video’s just recently….this footage was taken about 6 weeks ago but I just haven’t had the enthusiasm look through it. Anyway, I finished early today and sorted it. Nothing special just a mature multi-stemmed Beech not far from here. The client had specified absolutely no damage to the lawn so it was all rigging and pretty straight forward at that. Quite a drag out for the guys but at least they had a clear run. The video is taken from the helmet camera which unfortunately ran out of battery before the end….although, you don’t miss much. Enjoy the vid and I hope you are all well. [ame] [/ame]

Howdy Pete, looks like its staying dry:wave:

Sorry Tim I missed this one, I'm about 5'9....on a better day

Thanks, I looked at some real horrors just at the weekend with another contractor who does the tree work at at a place called Henbury Hall in Cheshire. They're on a budget so the particular tree's wont all come down at once, but if, as and when, I should get some good photo's from that job:icon14:

I had 2 on to start with Steve Haha, would you like to borrow him? He's a rough fella actually

The Bark was real tough to piece with the spikes so leaning further back gave me a slightly better purchase. It was windy also so I was tryng to avoid the dust...and on top of that, I was actually filming with the headcam, although it turned out that I''d not actually switched it on:bash: Mr Bish, Re: the accurate cuts, thats the Husky 390 with 28in bar and it truly rips mate:icon14:

Last one I had a real messy ivy ridden oak to reduce next....I guess I'm just coming to terms with it in this picture. By the way, notice the portowrap and not the hobbs for that piece being rigged, always handy to have if there's a risk of the your more expensive lowering device getting wacked when your rigging chunks close to the ground.

And more

Steve (the camera) is stood on a big pile of logs which is why he's level with the base

3 of us spent a yesterday rigging down the branches from this lightening struck Ash tree, these pictures are from today when we got to the base….too busy to take pictures yesterday. Despite the strike and the dying top, the trunk was real solid with absolutely beautiful grain….the cuts you see around the base were huge burs. No access though and only about 15 ft to bring the chunks down. The tree was also at the top of a bank sloping down to a patio, hence rigging and strategically places logs to stop any rolling down the hill. Nothing special, just to show that I get shitty jobs like everyone else.....in fact, I get them all the time! Sore feet, eyes and lungs full of really dry sawdust….Nice! About 17 photo’s so bear with me.

To further increase the diameter of the spool would not only reduce the ratio of the winch, but would also increase the surface friction per wrap....so additional exit hooks would need to be added for loads that didn't quite require the rope to be routed the full radius of the spool/bollard.

JB, honestly mate, I wouldn't. Freelance climbing, whether you charge 80 or 180, you have to be able make an impact on whichever companies employ you. Being an honest, nice guy and all is great, but the figures have to add up at the end of the day....and the margins are usually still pretty tight in this industry. Whether you're topping conifers or doing large removals, efficiency is everything.... obviously safety goes with out saying....and any contract climbers' who believe and tell you otherwise are probably out of work themselves and wondering why. Not ideal, but its the truth. I just think your asking too much of yourself so early on in your career. Only 7 months part time, that's like running before you can even crawl. Too dangerous! However, with your tickets, equipment and especially a truck, you could probably charge 100-140 as a general treeworker, plus whatever jobs you get of your own. Build up your overall experience, contacts and client-base, but without the expectations/pressure. Give it a couple of years and you could be in a really good position. Good luck whatever you decide though:icon14:

http://www.atreestory.com/books.php Not from Treesource, but the first 2 are an inspirational, what more could you ask!

Outstanding build quality:icon14:

IMO, a Hobbs/GRCS can speed up a job compared to using a portowrap or similar. Obviously this depends on the difficulty of the job, and whether or not you're able to recognize the exta options that they offer. Also, whether you have the man-power to deal/keep-up with the increased productivity of the climber, e.g with the portowrap a climber often has to decide "if I take that whole section can I trust them to get it just right or will they screw it up because their's so little room for error? Probably they'll do the latter, I'll have to take it smaller" I'm not going to say too much as it'll ruin what I hope to write in the review, but the Hobbs and GRCS definately allow more leway and such is the smooth action and winch facilities of both devices that misjudged operations are easily recovered etc All the operators you see on the video were (from different crews) first time users of the hobbs, although a couple of them do use a GRCS. But the video still shows it how it is, critical rigging made to look easy.....it was easy and it is easy with either of these devices. No $hit:icon14:

Thanks guys, Log-ologist - The video was a mix of 2 poplars that we did in that garden and I'm not sure what footage came from which tree now. To answer your question, I think it depends who's up there and what there strengths are.....and obviously how much room down below. Personally, I try to bring them down as large as what is manageble on the floor. However, in this instance, there probably wasn't much in it. Poplar is pretty easy cutting, especially up top. You have to think bigger on the lower, wider stuff though or that can be real labourous. pecontools - I haven't used it my self as Ive been the one in the tree but the video comprises of several operators on different jobs, and as far as I can gather it was just real predictable. JP beaver - that was a 14 mm on the branches and 19 on the timber. Crispy - I dont know how close it came.....I had my eyes shut! Tony - Re: the fall path. great point, I switch to the portowrap when it gets too close. Tom.D - No gears, just turn the drum, a 16 -1 I believe.

I can’t say enough about this device since finally making the purchase a few weeks ago:icon14:…..nor do I have time to at the moment. I will, however, write a review of the Hobbs for the review-section over the weekend. There it’ll join several other informative write-ups, if you haven't yet had a look …...might be of interest if you are considering buying new lowering device, as I was last month. In the meantime, here’s some video from the last couple of weeks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq1p4xc1GtM#GU5U2spHI_4 It would be great if this thread could run without transpiring into yet another Hobbs v the equally superb GRCS debate….. For the record, I’m satisfied I made the right decision in choosing the Hobbs to suit my personal circumstances and preferences……and despite my initial reservations, cost didn’t influence the decision at all. However, that is all they are, MY circumstances and preferences. Some nice rigging shots in the video, although the youtube quality ruins it somewhat. It might even be an idea to turn up your speaker volume so you can hear the device working for those clips where it’s difficult to see what’s happening. Thanks

Jim Personally, it would take a lot more than that to anoy me. Although, if I were putting the harness on about 15 times a day then I might get slightly iritated. Obviously its not as fast as the harnesses that do have quick-release buckles but its no big deal. And no, your not going to wear them out with your boots. I cant say enough about the harness:icon14:, suits me down to the ground and looks like its really built to last. However, a couple of other arbtalk members, Anna and Buzz, dont like there's at all, so take your time choosing.

Best of luck:icon14: Dont sell your gear just yet though!

Lee, the hobbs has instructions/guidelines plastered all over it. The winch and mouting options are permenant feature's so there's no swapping and changing involved. I will say that not only does it appear bomb proof but idiot proof also.....hey, at least, I figured it out! Perhaps there's a little more scope for a GRCS workshop, which does have changeble parts i.e. the winch, visor, and of course the winch/drill/man-lift facility displayed in Bodeans video....although I'm not sure that our UK trees are really tall enough to warrant taking a generator on the job. But who know's, it could catch on! I will, however, put some video together of the hobbs over the next couple of weeks, no problem at all:icon14:

I actually hadn't planned on working the winch myself but had just that second un-clipped from my climbing line so took the opportunity. Raising a snagged branch: [ame]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1815213920675384744[/ame] Ok so I'm not exactly setting any records in terms of efficiency or heavy loads......although bear in mind that I had in fact just touched down, still in harness and spikes, with various bits hanging off me. But still, nothing remotely challenging in performing the task.