Treetom15

That’s why I’m keen to try it again, before I often found the RW added too much friction, and made limb walks etc more of a faff. Might get some 10mm cord at the same time and have a play, I used to use 8mm cord when I had a vt on my main line which worked amazingly well in the dry but bound very tight when it got wet

Good call. I’ll get myself a few samples ordered, Beeline was recommended by a friend too so will definitely give that a try. Climbing on a hitch, I haven’t used any other setups than a VT, do any of the other knots work better in a single rope setup?

After using the zigzag with chicane for a few years, I fancy going back to a hitch cord to see if the chicane is any better than the rope wrench for a VT. I’ve always preferred rope-on-rope but the efficiency of a zigzag is a massive plus. Question is, having not used a VT for at least 3 years, what diameter cord would be best with my Courant Squire v2 11.2mm rope, and what length eye2eye is next for a hitch with a wrench? Cheers!

If you know any climbers near you or any decent company’s, maybe ask them if they’d be happy to spend a day or a few hours on a weekend pointing out the basics. It’s all well and good learning from YouTube but it’s a good idea to get a good handle on the basic principles before jumping too far in. Also will give you a chance to try their kit before buying your own👍

I’ve just had a look, nice looking conversions! I’m not sure if the upgrade is valid for the older trucks? Will give them a call👍

As the title suggests, is this something that can be done? I’m looking at getting a mk6 hilux as a tipper conversion, and noticed the max overall weight of the truck is fairly low. I know you can uprate newer trucks to 3.5t, but I wasn’t sure about the older ones (for ref the mk6 is approx 2010 age) Anyone out there in the know?

Almost looks like a belay device with the release handle on the back. Made by Stein I would assume?

How dare anyone suggest that brexit may have been a bad idea 🙃

I would argue the care system does more harm than good. Surely the best way to break the cycle is to educate and offer opportunities to those effected, not punish their children who only know the lifestyle they’ve been raised in? Look at our prison system-punishment often does nothing to deter people from poor actions, education & rehabilitation however does

I really don’t understand why people are against the free school meals…… I appreciate that some of the parents and their benefit claims are “questionable” but that does not mean their child should suffer? At the end of the day it means a hungry child gets fed. Take any politics, “parents should know better” out of the equation, it is literally that simple. And punishing a child because their parents don’t/can’t provide for them is very cruel.

In reference to that, I have been told that both ends of you climbing lines must be able to reach the floor, so your lanyard wouldn’t be appropriate?

@AA Teccie (Paul) Thanks for being so open and replying to everyone👍 Do you think that the AA will ever be open to a re working of the 2 rope working method, and in doing so this would help towards making it non compulsory (at least in the eyes of the HSE)? It just seems to be so widely disregarded, surely it would be good to have a middle ground that the majority of staff would actually stick to?

I have just finished working for a fairly large firm, AA approved etc. Not a single member of staff used 2 ropes, and this isn’t to knock any of them but it simply wasn’t practical. Especially when the majority of the work is crown lifts, small/medium section fells…. Personally, I have used 2 ropes whilst climbing but probably less than 10 times in my whole time climbing-as someone above said only when you’re traversing from an anchor point into an adjacent tree, or on a very long limb walk. I don’t understand why it isn’t just a recommendation, rather than insisted on, as surely the AA know 90% of contractors don’t use it or enforce it? Also regarding the AA, I’ve always been confused as to how a company can be arb approved when they only audit 1 team on 1 day? I know there must be more to it, but some of the worst working practice I’ve seen is from approved contractors……

I never said don’t/shouldn’t do. I just find it odd that he feels the need to make videos that are purely pro-1 handing, we all do it from time to time but no need to make such a big deal from it?

Depends. The guy is clearly brave/experienced etc and some stuff is very skilled-however some is pretty questionable (a lot of 1 handing etc). The only person worth watching for learning IMO is Reg.

Honestly, 99% of American arb videos are worth avoiding. The fact he’s used a “bucket truck” for a tree like that says a lot in itself

I know a few people who used to used to use a system like this (with a ZZ before the chicane came out) personally it looks like you’ll have to tend the wrench every time you stop ascending away from your hitch/zz etc. For not a lot of money this looks like a good option- Simarghu Double Leg Tether - Honey Brothers HONEYBROS.COM Simarghu Double Leg Tether from Honey Brothers. The largest equipment specialist in the tree care industry. I don’t think it’ll put you in massive amounts of danger, but for the sake of a few quid it would be a much smoother setup with something like the above

Would the Yale Blaze work well with a ZZ/chicane? I know it’s smaller than the recommended size for them but just wondering if anyone had any experience using them on it

I’m in this position now with exactly the same 2 ropes mate-what conclusion did you come to?

Quick update- spoke to the local councils tree dept this morning, turns out the customers house is NOT in a conservation area, so happy days. All hassle saved by a 5 minute call

Oddly enough, he was absolutely fine…which makes me wonder why he was so adamant about ignoring it in the first place. I think perhaps as I’ve offered to do the legwork he’s happy with that, either way he’ll he getting the bill for it!

Contacted him and have said either we do it correctly or I won’t carry out the work-I’m thinking there may be more issues underlying and as a lot of you have said, it won’t take much to ruin a reputation. And as said above, no not new to the industry but I usually sub to company’s or work direct, so this aspect of it isn’t something I usually deal with.

I’ll speak to the council Monday, I’m hoping as they’re mostly self set trees they shouldn’t have any preservation orders on them. It could be a quick way to ruin a reputation and I don’t want that sh1t on my doorstep!

Definitely not crazy money-however the chap is minted and insisted that any fines he would pay. Best thing I can think is to speak to the local TO Monday and see what they say?

Hi all As the title suggests, I’ve been asked to remove a couple of trees in (what I think) is a conservation area. Now I know usually there should be an application with the local council etc etc….however, the homeowner is certain he doesn’t want to go down that rout, he says all the neighbours are in agreement that the tree (s) should be removed (medium cherry tree, causing damage to parking space etc, no more than 30ft) and he is completely happy to pay any fines etc should they be incurred. Basically my question is, if I carry out the work am I liable if I have advised the homeowner to do the relevant applications and checks and they haven’t done them? I don’t want to do the work if I will get fined, I’m not sure if I would be if he has said he will sort any fines (should it come to that) I want to keep it tidy and above board, but the customer was very sure he did NOT want to speak to council TO’s🤷‍♂️