Bing!

Our maintenance chap wont give me my 200 back! He is keeping it for spares for the remaining 200s. The 201 I have is low on power by a long stretch, not pleased at all. Just makes the day harder than it should be. There is a tuning chap on this forum, Hertfordshire way, does anyone have a number? Bing!

I use the same diameter rollers but as sheaves, they run very nicely but not noticeably better, I like it though. I did toy with a smaller diameter on the top arm only, about 1mm diameter smaller, but found that when I was tooled up with a big saw on my belt it started to creep. You can lock off the Bulldog but it was simpler to go back to the standard size. Other climbers on the firm use 12.7-13mm ropes and have found the smaller rollers work well, thicker rope/smaller diameter to compensate. If you are using smaller diameter rope perhaps slightly bigger rollers would cure the creep? Try one on the top roller first then on both? I use the Bulldog in place of a friction hitch/hitch climber Dbrt on day to day trees (lots of 30-40 ft street trees at the moment) but on the bigger trees I switch to an O rig, makes the "ups and downs" alot less effort. Instant progress capture and no slack tending. Bing! As mentioned in a previous post, I'm about 14 stone (88kg) and climbing on Tachyon/Teufelberger Tachyon 11.5mm, both about 1 year old and well used. 2 arms on the bulldog and Dbrt.

I'm very tempted but will wait till someone with more splicing/material knowledge gives it the once over. Then the cash comes out.

Was looking at getting a short whoopie to have with me while dismantleing from the crown. I found this: 1.5m Dyneema Whoopie Sling ArboristsTree Surgery Climbing Rigging 50kn | eBay What are peoples thoughts? Does it look/sound like a good punt for £19? Anyone know the maker? Bing!

SirNick, Were you climbing Srt or Dbrt with your 3 armed Bulldog? And on a personel note, how much do you weigh? I'm 14st (88 kg) and on Tachyon the bulldog runs lovely with 2 arms, what rope do you use? Bing!

This is a very good offer, not many manufacturers would be willing to let you try before you buy from the other side of the pond. Plus, if you're toying with the idea of srt it's a cheap way of trying out the technique. No rope wrench or stiff tether needed.

Thanks for the replies, The harkie review was good to read and good to see that notice has been taken. Sounds like the customer service is good too, I assume that the new/upgraded buckles would be in place for a new harness now? Buckles can be a sticking point, my dragonfly has a tendancey to loosen off over a climb so after an hour or so I have to stop and re tighten everything. I'm thinking I will give the Harkie a go. Thanks again. Bing!

Thinking of replacing my Dragonfly with a Harkie ascend, does anyone have one of these? I know harnesses are a personnel thing but are there any major issues with it? I like the lightweight minimilism of the Petzls but they are to invasive around the sensitive parts for my liking, the Harkie feels similar but without as much crushing/separating.....! Your thoughts please. Bing!

I'll add my rant.... MS201t, gutless piece of tut, pull trigger wait a second then it revs........ I miss my ms200, nothing wrong with it either, the company wanted the last good one to keep as a spare saw. Probably for when the 201 dies or is thrown from a tree. On the flipside, I have a ms341(or is it a 340?) from 1996 which is the cats pyjamas. Absolutley powers through, never misses a beat and I'll stake my house on it starting on the 3rd pull from cold. MS201t

Looks like I will be sticking with a prussik then. Or maybe a modified cam cleat, Hmmm, more tinkering on the horizon. Surveyor, how far do you get from your house before you have to head back to try out another idea???? I have visions of you either in the workshop or hanging from a gadget in a tree, does your family get to see you? Bing!

I'm currently using a random piece of friction cord, 6mm diameter. Yes it works fine but I was looking for a quicker option than re tieing a wee prussik everytime, Yes I know, how lazy? It only takes seconds, I know. But the tibloc would be quicker. With the "O" rig I thought it wouldn't be taking that much weight, just enough to slide the Bulldog up. What are folks thoughts on that???? The other option I was playing with was a Kong duck, but £40!!! Bing!

Just found it... Petzl tibloc.

Can anyone name the little shiny gizmo that is joining the pulley to his line? Would love to get one for the kit bag, ideal for my "O" rig set up. Bing!

Would be nice to give them the preverbial bloody nose, however I suspect it wont take long for them to realise what has happened, then they find out who owns the farm/tanks and you have a world of grief. Better security or diesel elswhere for the coursing season. They dont play fair and tend to hold grudges.

Looking nice Gordon. I'm still getting on great with my Bulldog, spent last week dismantling 5 very large poplars, lots of rope work and lots of to'ing and fro'ing. The bulldog set up in an 'O' rig really did make the ascents a breeze and limb walking while feeding out rope is now second nature. Just noticed, is the bottom non articulated spine bulldog set up with double handles? Bing!

No grub screws or cams to replace on a Bulldog OAR.....

Try and get to work with your companies top climber, watch everything he does and try to understand why, then ask him/her. If there is lowering involved make sure you're the guy on the other end of the rope, again watch what they do, try to understand then ask. If you do get to climb and you have an experienced climber with you, ask to ascend the tree with as litle as possible hints/tips etc, unless safety is at risk. See how knackered you are at the top then ask what, if anything you could have done differently. As for trust in your kit..... I try to get newbies to hold the ropes as little as possible as soon as possible, weight in the harness when you can, a few controlled swings for fun, then upside down as far out from the trunk as poss. Easy limb walks (IE good anchor point over limb) then move on to some challenges, anchor point off at varying angles. Lots of climbs is the best way to get over the anxiety and even if you are not cutting anything at least carry the chainsaw so you get used to it coming through unions with you, or not.... Good luck, experience/experiences are hard to come by when time and money is at a push. Bing!

I think it is safe to assume that the "ladder" thread will always be contentious. There will always be climbers who believe that walking the first 20' is harder than ascending purely by rope and visa versa. How about a sticky being put up by a moderator warning folks off starting a "ladder" thread, that way some poor newbie wont inadvertantly set the ball rolling again. On the airgun forums you could face a lynch mob for asking which is the best calibre, .177 or .22. You just don't ask as everyone has a different opinion..................... And until you accept that my opinion is right the thread should be banned. Throwline your rope in, then ascend the first "X" number of feet from a ladder and everyone is happy. :001_tt2:

A poor job. If he hasn't got the climbers ladder up asap. He'd be getting a barrage of sarcasm at our place.

But could she use a ladder safely? Or would she have used throwline and pantin? I guess she was lacking in tree experience aswell but I am just generalising now, I don't know her previous work experiences so I shouldn't really judge her.

Good to see a thread appreciating the use of a ladder for access. The throwline only chaps will be along any minute. ; )

Every climbers Kryptonite..... Shiney things. I'm weak.... Don't look at me, Don't look at me........ I too cannot resist gittery things, I have a cracking tinfoil collection you know.

Onelab, you should look into a Bulldog. There is about 1/4 inch of sitback on a Bulldog and as I go along it is becoming more and more 'natural'. As for whats wrong with a bit of rope,well... Nothing. Ask the LJ,SJ, unicender, Bulldog and petzl boys, they must have a reason.

Looks like a slightley more complicated Bulldog, basic principle is the same but I suspect the Bulldog is sturdier. Why could this not be used SRT?

Yes Paul, it is a pretty standard twisted clevis/shackle, 6mm, found easily online or your local (?) chandlers. I found the twisted version allowed everything to sit a bit more natural.