RC0

Yes Tim, I’ve had it on every day, great so far! Buzz, I did bang my elbow once when I was all squashed up in I dense crown but that’s it. Speaking of the fixed side-D’s, they are always in the perfect position when I am either clipping or un-clipping, especially if my climbing rope is at an acute angle i.e. lets say I’m a long way out on a horizontal, the last thing I want is a side d that I can’t find because it’s flapping about. I attach the saw to the nearest loop on my right side, and there is a lovely little slot to sneak in karabiner for which to hang the saw when I’m not cutting. While hanging the saw at the back seems to becoming quite common now days, it is absolutely not for me. I want it where most convenient to attach, un-attach and use as an when, without it snagging or choking my other important linkages. With those incentives in mind, the attachment points are ideal for me. The multi-sliding design includes the ability to easily rotate/adjust the rigid leg loops depending on what comfortably suits your current posture, another smart feature. I read an earlier description as ‘a little bulky’. Well I’d like to add, reassuringly so, built to inspire confidence when your way up in the tops, so you can get on with your job with an added feeling of security….Paramount in my book! I’m getting carried away now, I need to cool off a little. Looking forward to reading skyhucks opinions, who knows! The pictures highlight the attachment points I mentioned earlier.

Hey don’t panic vduben, your problems might be totally unrelated. Also, the harnesses that I spent many years working in were terrible compared to what is common place now day’s. First off, I’m not one to complain about a little discomfort here and there, I’ve climbed through all kinds of injuries even broken hands. But this was different in the fact that it was affecting me outside of work, like in bed. The discomfort had become so bad that I just had to get up after a few hour of lying there. So basically I’d have to get up at weekends the same time as normal because it was just too painful otherwise. Quite frustrating really but destined to get worse if I didn’t act. I am lucky enough to know a person that specializes in that area and it didn’t take them long to convince me that sitting in that style of saddle for long periods over the years was at the root of the problem; so in the mean time I’ve made a consistent effort to change my climbing habit’s before buying a new one. I tightened the seat and leg-straps right up in an attempt to simulate the feel of a leg-loop harness. I’ve also taken every opportunity to find something to stand on while in a tree as opposed to just hanging there. This has definitely helped and what with now switching to the kolibri, I think I’ve caught it in time. Some people appear to purchase and switch harnesses like fashion accessories…..perhaps this is true in some cases, perhaps others are just very passionate about climbing…full stop. Personally, my kit is my livelihood, first an foremost, which is why I’ve had to wake up and make some changes if I want my career to continue. At the end of the day though, we’re all built slightly differently, so it’s only critical to me but perhaps still relative to others! Tockmal, I'm very happy with the slidind d, and as far as I can remember without going outside to the shed, unbuckle's so you could add another if you wanted to. I'll have a look later. I didn’t have to rig the tree, thankfully, as it had multiple splits around the trunk, not just the one in the picture. We just got the top out yesterday (a dark and damp day at that) but will wait for the parks grounds-men to clean it up before bringing the rest down next weekend. The stems to the right of the first picture originate from that split section which had actually gone un-noticed up until last week. I suppose I should have put these in the picture forum really but seems as you asked…

Not so far. I have tried other leg-loop harnesses in the past that have nearly killed me, just cut right in and had a real choking effect, I weigh 11 st. On one particular occasion I turned out my worst pruning job ever because I was so uncomfortable and distracted as a result. The kolibri leg loops appear longer than the other harnesses I tried, so that, combined with the fact that they are rigid seems to spread out the pressure and choking effect that I experienced wearing the others. The only sticking point that I can envisage is if a person had great big thighs (I don’t) which would then have to squeeze into the mold. A seat harness has always suited my particular style of climbing better but since I’ve become aware that my hips are getting damaged as a result, I’ve accepted the fact that I have to switch to leg loops if I want to continue climbing. I like the adjustment, the attachment points, the bridge etc, it just has a real solid feel to it. I have looked at other harness this year, some good, others just too fragile looking i.e. I doubt they'd even last me a year with such optimistic stitching, fabric and design. Hey, each to their own….absolutely! It’s a shame you can’t try before you buy with something as personal as a harness, which is why I feel pretty lucky in choosing this one:proud:

They are rigid for sure. I wear it below the hips and didn't bash my elbows once, but we all have our own unique posture so who knows. Well, it takes a lot to impress me and I like it, especially the idea of having rigid leg-loops, which I believe enable an easy transtion for a seat-harness-user like myself.

Used mine for the first time today, big tree so it got a propoer work-out...Excellent harness! A Comfortable, high quality, intelligent design. It appears this harness has kept somewhat of a low profile so far. Well, skylotec/Kolibri have done themselves proud IMO:icon14::icon14:

That’s a tall order, I mean, that man has done some fantastic and diverse work throughout his career, long may it continue BTW. I just received my copy of ’The Fundamentals of General Tree work’, (a present from my wife). I’m just flicking through it right now and I have to say it look s superb….so many topics in detail. Quote from the back cover 'This definitive book on tree work has been 25 years in the making’, well, I can believe it. She ordered the book direct from his site http://www.atreestory.com/ where you can also purchase the High climbers and Timber Fallers book, which I have now read but often pick up just to look over the pictures again, they are truly awesome… Also available is the video collection which includes old and second growth falling, several recreation climbs and my personal favorite, the ‘100 trees’ video. There’s just something humorous about it, in which Gerry comes across as a real down to earth guy doing what he’s good at. The books are available at Treeworker also. So, if your serious about Tree Work, perhaps you have some spare cash and are contemplating spending it on some new fancy gadgets/products a hitchclimber, a blockdriver, revolver karabiner’s, treemotion/flex saddle etc, forget it…..not until you have those books, they are of far greater value IMO. Sorry to go off on a tangent, I forget myself. Yeah nice vids… smooth, professional and easy to watch:icon14:

2 or 200 Quickthorn, it makes no odds to me. I'm simply sharing truthful information that I think might be relevant to the thread. And FWIW, I have no intention of joining the ISA, AA or any other association for that matter. Thanks

I was in the AA a couple of years ago, although mainly because I had an agenda. When it was over I didn't renew the membership, only because it wasn't relevant to my future plans. From what I can remember, all their correspondance was professional, well presented, informative and friendly on the few occasions that I did call on the telephone. There website is usually up-to-date and is pretty informative for what it is. The trade show's are good, primarily aimed at contractors IMO and I also heard very good reports about the conferences. I think Graeme McMahon (or a similar euc slaying Aussie) may have even done a presentation at one such event:icon14:

there's a real saw

I could do some damage with that. It'd never fit on our little drive though

ah, I had a RAM before I got the dakota

Mine.

Pete I just had two blokes on a rope. No, although I did used to get the work in the gardens some years earlier but I gave it up in the end as the the N.T used to take forever to pay. I'm not into that! The tree on the video belonged to a musician who lived across the road, huge property.

The 020 was my favorite, although they stopped making them some years ago. Heavy, poorly balanced, tempremental but heaps of torque. It could eat though most wood on low revs the same as a 200t would on high. A similar comparrison would be an 090 verses an 88. Had a couple of the husky's which both had carb problems, wouldn't risk another. The echo is a nice little pruning saw, well balanced and built, reliable, 35cc, but doesn't have near the same power as the 200t.

Say what? Tel, the last two helcam vids had blockingWrigging. no mas!

Re: you request My friend, skip the first 3/4s of this vid and you’ll come to the closest thing I have to blocking on video, it’s the best I can do right now. No rigging on this job, a tall but simple tree. I think the vid forum is about ready for some new blood from here onwards, so that’s it from me this year. Get those cameras working and let’s have some new material to freshen up the place:cheers:

I block down stuff all the time It would be quite a dull video though, but I'll have a look through the tapes later. I'm also pretty sure there is plenty of stuff like that on the web already.

There was room to drop very small pieces but that would have meant me working harder. I was still getting over flu when I did that tree so was only about 60% fit. However, our chosen methodology enabled me to get through the job with very little effort. Glad your big mac rigging went well, more than one way to peel an orange for sure:icon14:

Thanks cerneARB, although a pretty standard job for a lot of the folks on here. A portawrap works like a belay/figure 8 does in rock-climbing, except it’s primarily used for lowering branches out of trees as opposed to people. It’s usually anchored/tied to the bottom of the tree or something else suited to take the weight of the branches to be lowered. The portawrap is just one design of such a device as there are many. Some are far more sophisticated which is reflected in both performance and cost. However, the portawrap, for what it does, represents good value for money IMO. Some relevant information in this article: http://www.treemettlenexus.com/article3.html Cheers:icon14:

Incredible story oakwilt, thanks for sharing. With respect, I just hope that what happiness there is in you’re life, or that which lies ahead, can outweigh the obvious and understandable bitterness you must feel. Sincerely…all the very best for the future:icon14:

Roller that tree was around 70ft at a guess. Tock, access was bad for a crane through the entrance so not really an option. Also, we simply couldn't afford to lose a job like that in January so it was priced accordingly, unfortunately! I suspect someone had lit a fire at the base some years ago which is why the butt was bolloxed. As for its structural integrity...well...sometimes its just intuitive, you get a feel for the job as it progresses. You may or may not have noticed that I was actually tied in to the adjacent tree for the main stem so I could have bailed out if need be. However, at no point throughout the job did I feel unsafe. Everything was cool and I just cut to a size that was manageable for the guys. A good job for a friday:icon14:

That was a portowrap Bob. Believe it or not it doesn't put any more slack in the system by tying it high up, its a common misconception...trust me it doesn't fall any further. What it does do though is put more rope in the system which only adds to the shock obsorbing qualities. However, tying the block way below the the notch will put more slack in the system. I didn't notice an eglu Pete

This was today’s job, although only a morning really. A skinny beech tree in a back garden, pretty straight forward. This was Andrew Bennets job who you’ll see do a beautiful job with the portowrap, especially with the 19mm rope towards the end. Last vid for a while, apparently I’ll be divorced if I continue to spend so much time on the forums…… so there you have it. Enjoy the footage, about 7 minutes.

Thanks Steve...Congratulations to the other winners:icon14: I gotta be honest though, there's no way my vid beats bodeans...sorry judges, but it just wouldn't be right to accept the prize. Steve, please pass on the first prize to Deva. My boots are still good for a while longer anyhow:proud:

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: