Single-Jack............You Got It!!!

rahtreelimbs · Aug 26, 2009

Even though I found your climbing system very crowded at the hitch end that doesn't mean I am not interested in what you have and how you arrived at it. You have the floor now..............howabout some in depth details on what you use!!!

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Your on.

Great! I've got to get back to work now. But, when I get back, I'll take some pix and post some details about how and why I'm using what you've already seen. It's really a lot simpler than it looks in that pic. Later ...

rahtreelimbs · Aug 26, 2009

SINGLE-JACK said:
Great! I've got to get back to work now. But, when I get back, I'll take some pix and post some details about how and why I'm using what you've already seen. It's really a lot simpler than it looks in that pic. Later ...

Thanx!!!

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

EVOLUTION OF A CHEAP HITCH TENDER - Intro

I've been asked to provide details about a picture of a hitch, tender, & terminal knot that was posted on another thread. I'm hoping to learn some improvements I can make.

Each Aug-Sep. I've got to prepare for the woodlot harvest for the winter. It often involves climbing to remove hazards and deadwood "landscape" trees. So, a while back I started and researched threads for advice on systems better than the Blakes.

So far, I'm using a version of Jerry Beranek's Double Line Rope Walker. It seems to be working great. However, I've been called to question about the congestion around the hitch, tender, & terminal. What follows are pictures of how I got to what I'm using now. I'll post each picture and brief explanation separately so to make it easier to reply to specific problems. I'm open to all advice. So, pick to your hearts content.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 1

After considering all the advice (good & bad) I started with the following; anchor hitch with f8 on one krab, Distal & Fixe on another krab. Tried: vt, xt, schwab, knut, etc. - like the Distal best. Also, like the Grizzly-Splice because there's nothing hidden in the bowels of the splice - it's all inspectable, all the time.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 2

Quickly found that the tending by the Fixe on a separate krab resulted in a lot of lost motion as they would swing up and down with each foot thrust - especially frustrating if foot lockiing.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 3

Even the swing of the Fixe on the krab resulted in lost motion.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 4

So, I simply grasp (lightly) the up rope, down rope, hitch lines as shown. Then foot locked while holding everything together. The hitch advanced perfectly and there was absolutely NO lost motion.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 5

Next, I tried a screw shackle I had laying around. It too, advanced the hitch without lost motion. The shackle was rated for thousands of pounds and I doubt there were more than a couple of pounds of load on it. Plus, it was a pain in the butt to unscrew the pin to reset a new TP and replace the shackle.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 6

Enter "the red thingy" :laugh:

. It's sold everywhere as a cable clamp. I added the tether.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 7

The cable clamp also advanced the hitch perfectly and there was no lost motion. If I pulled rope through the hitch it held without any "slop". And it's easy off - easy on for TP reset.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 8

So, I took off all the stuff I thought I could and ended up with one terminal knot, one Distal hitch and one cable clamp on one krab.

rahtreelimbs · Aug 26, 2009

Kudos on your ingeunuity! Did you ever try a spliced end o get rid of the anchor hitch and F8? That sure would clean things up!!!

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 9

Next, I turned my attention to the terminal knot. Here's where I may have gone astray. I liked the idea of two turns around the krab that the anchor hitch provides. I found an enhancement in ABOK #1843. It offered a better nip and a larger radius for the turns around the krab.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 10

Since, I got everything else out of the way, I didn't like how the f8 stopper hung out the side. So, I tucked the tail back through the knot along the standing part. OK, I guess I went too far in the wrong direction. I've considered using a eye on the rope but I'm not yet comfortable with braided eye splices - maybe a Grizzly-Splice but I'm not sure I will be able to get an eye through my cambium saver.

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Evolution of a cheap hitch tender 11 - THE END

Any way, the terminal knot does slide off the krab easily and makes a fairly decent throw knot for advancing the TP a short distance.

Everything works really well. Nothing jams and the hitch advances easily. Plus the entire package keeps all the life line stuff in one place, out of the way while I work.

All done ... hope this ain't TMI.

Nailsbeats · Aug 26, 2009

Looks really good. I would use a double fish to terminate that climbing line. It's bombproof and trim.

When walking back to my TIP on an easy limb walk, I'll grab the line like your little red clamp does, and pull the slack straight back, same concept.

rahtreelimbs · Aug 26, 2009

Single-Jack...............you ever try spliced rope with that setup???

SINGLE-JACK · Aug 26, 2009

Don't have a spliced rope. But, tonight, after your advice, I tied a f8 in a loop to simulate the setup with a splice. It looks a lot neater. How's a splice gonna work with a cambium saver?

rahtreelimbs · Aug 26, 2009

SINGLE-JACK said:
Don't have a spliced rope. But, tonight, after your advice, I tied a f8 in a loop to simulate the setup with a splice. It looks a lot neater. How's a splice gonna work with a cambium saver?

They pull right thru.........as long as use one with the right rings. I have pretty much done away with knots on any climbing gear I have except for my safety lanyard and my SRT setup!!!

Single-Jack............You Got It!!!

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