old dude

Yes---micro pulleys, speed lining, outreach tool to set ropes where you need them and a lowering device to cut down on agravation.

I originally started out with my gear in a bag, renting a chain saw for the day, taking the bus to the job site then hustling at the end of the day to get the saw back before racking another days rental charge. That was 35 yrs. ago. When I retired and sold my truck and gear I began to reflect that during all that time perhaps only 40% of the time did I actually 'need' a bucket truck,chipper & box, skidder etc-- I would (occasionally) rent a crane. After all---there are times when only a crane will do. The thing is--most jobs can be executed with two to three guys, some inexpensive lightweight tools--and ingenuity. It just bugs me that every time I open a trade journal magazine I'm confronted by all these ads for this or that heavy-duty and (or) expensive machines that are worded in such a way as to indicate that without this 'latest/greatest' multi-thousand dollar machine that you are somehow just (not) on the 'cutting-edge' of the proffesion when what matters most is that at the end of the day the job is done in the most effecient, enviromentally sensitive and cost effective fashion possible. It has been my experience this can often be accomplished using easily transported climbers tools--belts, chainsaws,ropes etc-- and artfully utilizing inexpensive accessories such as hookeroons, extendable rope retreival tools, Jet sleds for equipment & log transport, porta wraps, slings and carabiners, truck ramps for loading ease in tight spots etc-- By allowing ourselves to be conditioned to lean on the bucket trucks, chippers, cranes etc-- I believe the soul of what it means to be a treeman/ climber is being lost. Too often I see guys in bucket trucks who without such aid would never get off the ground nor ever actually 'feel' just what it is they are doing. Just a thought---gotta go.

do you guys think as I do that we as an industry are begining to rely too much on heavy, expensive equipment?

Too old to climb? yea it happens. I thought I'd be doing something else by age 40 but it was 51 before I finally was forced to give it up--(bad hip, heat problems etc--). Loved every minute though. Last few years were made much easier by clever efficient tools like the hookaroon, the jet sled, the outreach device (especially). The port a wrap, and yes, I hate to admit it---ladders. Good humor and young help.

Amen to that---like having an eleven foot arm

Does anyone out there know whether or not the use of the stein extendable outreach pole would be allowed in a climber competition---or would it be ruled to be an unfair advantage and therefore disallowed? It would help to hear from someone who has actually organized a competition before.

Spikes don't always take me where I need to go.

Throwing a rope isn't a problem---getting it back is

The Sidekick tool is much stouter. The Sidekick tool is great for setting a rope via a small monkey-fist looped over the fixed strong hook at the tip of the tool into a crotch directly overhead. In pulling a heavy line back towards you or freeing/retrieving a crotch-stuck monkey fist (or) even a small hanger----the stouter Sidekick with its' fixed hook does a much better job because the hook doesn't flex open under load. Because of the independent tensioning of the Sidekicks sections---one doesn't have to extend it to maximum length to retrieve something--- theSidekick is simply better in close quarters. All the foregoing is just my opinion but I can say this: Using this tool has made my up-life much easier and more safe and efficient. Like having super arm length without the burden of always having a cumbersome pruner pole nearby. At less than a pound I can even handle it with one hand.

No-- this is'nt a retreever. I've had one of those and believe me there is no comparison. In my opinion This thing is much better.

Yea--- but not nearly as much as a pruner pole. At least for me. And much lighter too.

Crushed for time but thought I'd give you guys a heads-up about this Stein extendable rope retriever. My advice, check it out. Bloody handy in a tree.

Anyone out here nuts like me for the small tools that make tree-work stuff soooo much easier? I was thinking yesterday about some of my favorites. The pikaroon is great for picking up and turning logs without risking straining the back. The extendable rope retriever by Stein is (in my opinion) indispencable for ease and safety/efficentcy in setting ropes while up in a tree. The port-a-wrap is trully a 'must have'---gets rid of lugging all that rope around while circling a tree for the proper resistance. Also those climbing gloves with the super-grip---no more rough hands and blisters at days end. Any other suggestions for tools cheap and functionally useful?

Anyone out there know a good tree equipment supply house in Germany? Be moving soon and am constant need of stuff of all sorts. Be great to get with the right outfit. Any advise appreciated.

Jonesie-- thanks for the direction. Got one now and it is a great tool. thanks again.