john87

The makers state 9 to 13mm.. Thing was though, it just did not feel right.. I think what the issue is, the maximum diameter may very well be 13mm ROPE, as this is squashy, so the grab has no problem grabbing. Indeed, my climbing rope is 13mm and it will grab that no problem at all. Now, when i tried it on a steel core flipline of 11mm, [i think it actually measures a bit more] it worked fine, but did not feel "happy" shall we say.. It was certainly much happier on my 11mm [or thereabouts] squashy rope lanyard. I think the difference is that the flipline is hard and incompressable so the grab cannot get such a firm grip. Think of it like this; If you dangled a half inch diameter rope vertically down from a beam and grabbed it with your hands, you might well be able to hold your own weight. If you swapped the rope for a smooth half inch steel bar [or indeed a wire rope] and tried again, you would have no chance.. Do not misunderstand, it worked ok on the 11mm flipline, but if i went up to 13mm, i have an idea things might not have been too good at all. I swapped it for a Prusik.. It works really well, but it is a bugger to adjust. If i was doing it all day every day like you lot, it would be tempting to go back to the rope grab as the Prusik is hard work.. But for me, although a pain, at least i know for a fact that no matter how much a flap the flipline about, when i go to lean back i will not fall off the tree!! john..

Hi There, Yes, when you get the old one, measure it and post back, will be very interested to find out... My steel flipline is 11mm diameter, and i never had a problem at all, but it DID feel like the grab was reaching its limits diameter wise. I swapped it for a Prusik then, which is a LOT less convenient, but what price peace of mind.. john..

Are you sure your old flip line was not slightly small diameter?? Measure them with a vernier caliper and see.. I am sure you will find the old one was a bit smaller, if only a little bit.. I would not worry too much about what the shop or anyone else thinks, "experts" or otherwise.. You have satisfied yourself that something is not right so go with what YOU think.. You are the one going up the tree and if you do not feel 100% happy about it, then do not do it.. As for the genius on here that previously suggested that, and i quote: "You’ll get the feel of it when you’re in your harness as you’ll not be on full weight against it using it as a flip line" That has to be dullest thing i have ever read from someone that, judging from their previous comments [addressed to me] seems to think they know it all. Why do i say that?? Because your FULL weight [and more] will be on it the first time you gaff out.. Have a measure and post back.. john..

I am always willing to listen to others, of course i am and i have learnt LOADS from you all.. Everyone on here is hugely experienced compared to me, BUT if people start to get abusive, posting "Yer full of shit" type comments, then i will reply in kind.. Still, no harm done, we all say silly things, even me!! john..

Another genius.. Please PLEASE explain why Petzl recalled stuff they were not happy with but ISC did not, even though they did a design change as they knew there could be a problem.. john..

Bad attitude prat... You need to grow up big style and get over yourself.. john..

Well, let me put it like this... Reg Coates is not a big fan of them, thinking they are not as safe as a friction hitch, and that is good enough for me.. john..

And if the spring breaks in use?? That is what i meant as it gets shaken about a lot in use.. It might have more surface area, but it has less leverage to exert pressure as the "arm" is at a less favorable angle. In any case friction is independent of area, so it does not make any difference how much rope contacts the grab if you see what i mean.. john..

It concerns me that someone would use a device where they did not know for a 100% certainty that it would grab the rope especially when it is being shaken on and off all the time such as when you fit one to a flipline.. [No, I do not mean "noidea" the originator of this thread] I admit it, i do not like the things.. If the little wire rope springy thing breaks you might find it does not grab at all, especially with thicker rope as the locking bit has a lot less mechanical advantage then.. I know a friction hitch is a right pain, but it is safer, for me at least.. john..

I could not get the video to play... john..

Aluminium WILL crack given enough load cycles as it has not got a "fatigue limit" That is the limiting stress below which a fatigue crack will NEVER initiate no matter how many cycles.. [rest of your gear will probably have fallen to bits by then though] There are many forms of fatigue mind you and you would have to be a metallurgist to understand them all.. john..

It all looks ok to me.. I have two of the things, but changed them for friction hitches.. I would say though, that if you attach the rope to something and then hold the Karabiner, if you can pull it down at all, no matter how little, then there is something SERIOUSLY wrong.. Two points.. 1, Are you SURE that the flip line is not thicker than 13MM ???? 2, The other thing i would add, is that mine, on a 13mm rope, are at their absolute limit as far as rope diameter is concerned, and that is on a squashy climbing rope where the thing can "bite in" as it were. Perhaps a "non squashy" hard steel core flip line is just too thick for it.. Try it on a bit of 13mm rope.. I bet it works perfectly then.. ANY doubt at all, and i would not be using it... john..

Yes!! not my fault it was included in the kit though!! Seems a substantial very well made thing though, so, perhaps it will be ok after all!! Ha ha!! john..

Hi All.. In the end, i found that someone else had asked a similar "what should i get" question on this forum. They were asking what rope to get, as in what thickness. They were advised that if they were limited to just the one rope, then the best thing to do would be to get a 16mm one. I took this advice well on board, and in the end i bought a "Stein rigging kit 3" which is the Stein RC2000 device, plus the strap they make to dangle it from the tree, plus a pair of slings, a 24mm one for the base anchor, a 20mm one for the pulley, the pulley itself [a very substantial looking 30Kn rated ISC RP 055 [150kn to break it apparently] and 50M of 16mm rope and a nice kit bag to keep it all in.. So, sorted!!! Thanks all!! john..

Damaged pressing them in i would think?? An idiot once fitted a car wheel bearing for me [before i had a press] Lasted about 1000 miles... Pressed the thing in by pushing on the centre i would think.. Bet they are not fun to fit either.. john..

Go read the original post.. john..

That is very interesting!! Thank you!! john..

I agree, the dealers, Spectrum Plant, were excellent, and sent me a quotation for the parts i needed, with all parts itemised, numbered [as in how many] complete with part numbers. I know Spectrums list was correct, as i know what is actually fitted to the machine.. The parts meanwhile [they came direct from timberwolf] were miles out.. Six of an item the machine only has two of, and four of an item the machine does not have at all, and two parts were missing altogether.. Seems the timberwolf parts people have no idea of the difference between the various BS4320 "forms" for washers either OR what is ACTUALLY fitted to their machines.. Funny how the excellent Spectrum people got it right first time though.. As for bearings, i agree with that too... Any bearing that fails after 40 hours was damaged by being fitted wrong, as you rightly say.. What amazes me, is that if someone bought a £400 chainsaw and had to be replacing bearings after 40 hours, they would simply go and get their money back.. Why should someone pay MUCH MUCH more than that for a chipper, and then be expected to put up with makers blarney when it falls to bits.. john..

Ok, so why are people ending up changing bearings every 40 hours then??? When was the last time you changed your car wheel bearings?? Was not every 1200 miles was it!! I just ordered some spare bits from one of their dealers a few days ago. The dealers ordered the correct bits, i saw the order.. Timberwolf sent a load of bits that do not even appear on the spare parts list for my machine.. Worse, the parts list in the manual is just plain wrong, listing such things as a 22mm washer to go over a 25mm shaft.. Some bits did not even come.. I speak as i find, and i could not care in the least if this offends timberwolf or anyone else.. Granted, it is a BRILLIANT machine, and i am well pleased with it, but timberwolf are abysmal... john..

Let me give you some advice... Timberwolf have not got a CLUE when it come to looking after their own machines. When it comes to belt tensioning, they just pluck a figure out of the air.. Take my own 13/75. I have two copies of the makers manual here. One gives a tension about TWICE as tight as the other one, and all for the same machine.. They have not got a clue sad to say... Needless to say, with the belts too tight, the bearings are not going to last very long.. john..

Thank you very much!! I will down load them all now!! john..

Have to say, that in my latest dealings with the local council, [the monitoring officer no less] Nothing to do with trees though.. [it was to do with vicarious liability for their agents] They are a pack of liars that will say anything to try to make you go away. Basically,, "do you have a contract with XZY ltd" Answer; Definitely not. "You sure??" Answer; Yes. "Well, that is funny because they say you do" Answer; Well they are wrong. "Well, that is funny as their accounts at companies house say you do and you paid them nearly £300,000 last year" Answer: Their accounts are not definitive.. "Are you serious!!!????" Answer, Ok, we do have a contract with them.. Etc etc etc.. Blatant liars.. [and the monitoring officer is a solicitor too] john..

Got to say, this is the nicest and best forum ever!! And... [yes i know sentences cannot begin with "and"] there are some VERY clever people on here too!! Love this forum!! john..

That is right, but how is crossing the pavement an illegal act?? john..

Ok.. First off.. The council might like to think they own the roads and trees, but do they?? Where my house is, was part of a building project thing, and all the purchasers of the houses, so far as i know, owned the road up to the middle of the road. There was an agreement that all concerned would chip in for the cost of putting in a road of a suitable standard that the LA would "adopt" it for the purposes of the RTA. That is not to say they own the land under it, or the trees that the builders planted along the sides of it.. The councils can think what they like, but have they got documentary proof of ownership?? Err, that would be a no. A bloke i know owns a farm. The council swore blind that they owned a track up the side of it and the trees etc, and were trying to order my mate about so he told them to prove they owned it. Of course, they could not.. As for driving up kerbs to gain access to your house, if you have done it for 21 years you have created and easement and then that is the end of the matter. The council will jump in and say that you could not have created an easement as what you were doing was illegal, which of course is complete nonsense. There is no law that says you cannot drive your own vehicle onto your own property, no matter what the council might lke to think.. john..