TIMON

That's what I liked about the Aeris, it felt very unhindered. Pair of cheap grippy gloves with the fingers lopped off... Job done.

Yep! The transition to 11mm is certainly noticeable. The other guys on our team were like; "You're not going to climb on that are you??"

Zigzag and Zillon are the perfect combo. I see where you're coming from regarding the black rope, it s very firm and it's characteristics are similar to a wire core flip line. I just prefer something a bit more supple for changeovers and secondary anchors etc..

Hi Paul, I found It was perfectly fine on 11mm and really like the Aeris. Interestingly, I spoke to the Petzl guy at the Arb show and he also told me that the only rope replacement for the Zillon they recommend is their own.... Hmmm.. So the Zillon won't work properly on any other rope?? (I don't particularly like the black Petzl rope that comes with the Zillon) He told me that I shouldn't LOLER a Zillon on a different rope. ????

I've used Marlow Aeris 11mm on a ZigZag and it's never ever crept. (I'm 14 stone) I since discovered that Petzl recommend 11.5mm - 13mm I'm back on 11.7mm lime lite now, not because the 11mm didn't work but because I didn't want to set a bad example to the other guys in our team. Besides, if something did go wrong (God forbid) I wouldn't want to give our insurers any problems with our cover

11.7mm would be a good choice.

I have Yale limelite 11.7. (Very nice) And Marlow Aeris 11mm (self tends very well but it is a little on the bouncy side) Also, I think (not 100% sure) I remember reading on something, (possibly the box) that Petzl recommend 11.7mm - 13mm. Which would mean that 11mm is too thin and could present issues from a legal point of view , although I know other climbers use it and it's never "crept"when I've used it. It is well known that 13mm performs very poorly through the Zig Zag being too thick and although conforms to Petzl's recommendations is not very suitable. Perhaps others on here more knowledgeable than myself could explain this in greater depth.?? Hope this is helpful.

I suppose if you were changing from SRT to DDRT in the tree it would have its benefits but I haven't been climbing that long and I'm on DDRT so it's hard for me to comment on that. I can't think of many work situations where I have been hindered by the zigzag being "captive" on the rope. Midline capability wouldn't be the deciding factor for me personally but I suppose I have adapted my climbing and work methods to suit my preferred set up. I also have a Hitch Climber which was my previous system before the ZZ. It has very similar characteristics to the zigzag but is midline attachable.

Never tried a LJ in a tree but the ZZ is very smooth (progressive) and super responsive. I tried a LJ on a rig at the arb show and once mastered I'm sure it would be an excellent device. I'm not a fan of having a lever on a device used for work as I'm sure that at some point I would be bound to inadvertently knock the lever resulting in a sudden drop! I know that the same can happen with a ZZ but the top of the device doesn't protrude like the toggle on the LJ. Again, this is just my own personal preference and having said all this the build quality of the ART stuff really does seem to be excellent.

The lockjack relies on a single cam whereas a Zigzag has several pressure points (6) that grab the rope. Depending on use the zigzag should outlast the cam on the LJ. The downside to that is that if and when it does wear out there aren't any interchangeable parts so you would have to replace the whole unit.

Zig zag is very user friendly. I have the Mk 2 and so far it has no cracks.

Used to live down there in a former existence. Very beautiful.

Great pics. Is that the Gower?

At least you still have your customer. We lost ours over this, and with it lots of potential work on other developments.

Thanks Chris, I understand what you are saying and it makes sense when you explain it like that. We cover a large area and it seems to be a lot more black and white with other LPA's ; a quick phone call or look on the website is all it usually takes. The LPA in question is the only one we (try to) deal with where they won't tell us if a tree is TPO'd or not. (We try to find out at the quote stage rather than ask on the day we start work )

Thanks Paul. Hope you are well. Thanks for this. We were surprised to find through the surveyors report that there were no TPO's on any trees in that area given the fact that there are a large number of mature trees with amenity value. We weren't entirely surprised that we were asked to stop working there as it is probably the nicest street in the whole town and yet it seemed like no survey had been conducted. Or if it had, no TPO's had resulted from it. Is a Local Planning Authority obliged to carry out tree surveys in order to protect such trees? Do they have any legal obligation with regard to due diligence or similar? I only ask because whenever we try to work in this area we can't get a straight answer from them. Thanks mate, enjoy the weekend. Timon

This is handy to know as we work (or try to) in an area where the LPA won't tell us straight out wether there are TPO's or not on specific sites. They ask us to apply to carry out the work so the TO can go round and assess the tree. This has resulted in reactive TPO's and CA notices served "reactively" and retrospectively. It is very frustrating to say the least. Particularly when you are trying to play a straight game. It begs the question have they conducted adequate surveys? Surely if they had then they would be willing and able to give straight answers? One particular instance was in an area with large mid-Victorian houses and lots of mature specimen trees. We subsequently found out there were no TPO's on any of the trees (surveyors report). When a neighbour begged us to stop work we phoned the LPA to confirm the surveyors report and the TO told us he was immediately designating the area a conservation area.

10k for a mog in good nick is not huge money.

Dad? Is that you?

Italian... LINCAR ILARIA About 3k new. This one has a stainless chimney with it as well.

346xp here too. I handed it down to one of our up and coming guys once I got the 560. He loves it. I still keep a beady eye on him to make sure he's looking after her!!

I tried to PM you Jon but you were full up again I haven't forgotten, the boys had to take it apart when they picked it up. It looks to be in very good nick and once I'm back from Spain I'll send them. I'll have to reassemble it first. Thanks mate

I m here til Tuesday sleeping in the back of the lorry. Then on Wednesday I'm off to Spain for two weeks I'll be ready for it by then. Your customer must be part of Groundlevel. She will of heard of our lot.

Our charity has a cafe there over the weekend and about 60 of our guys from Betel camp there over the weekend. We also help with setting up the big top and steward the meetings. Really excellent chippy in Welton

Nice set up Bob. Perfect for rainy days This is home for me for the next week, working at the ONE event at Lincoln. VERY windy last night