ART Gadget.

[TreeTopKid]

I've been thinking of buying an ART Spiderjack for quite some time now, but generally don't like parting with my hard earned until I've spoken to someone who actually owns or has used such an item.

I'm not adverse to hauling my ass up a rope but I'm not getting any younger, and the majority tree down here is Pine, and there have been instances of being in four such trees in a day, and body thrusting at my age seems a waste of energy if there is any easier option. I've noted in all the advertising that it says best used in conjunction with a friction saver which is fine but I would also like to know how much or if any easier at all than it is than rolling along with a Blake hitch.

I'm really hoping for some good reviews but honesty is what I'm after before I let go of 500 green ones.

Thanks!

 

[(WLL)]

the spider jak is awsome,but id never use her in a pine tree!!!. there is no comparison to any barrel hitch. the jax's are all slack tenders and allow you to hand over hand over hand instead of thrusting one hump at a time. with a friction saver you dont need to be built like rambo to hand over hand.

 

[TreeTopKid]

the spider jak is awsome,but id never use her in a pine tree!!!.

I trust your opinion, so why have you got me so concerned?

 

[(WLL)]

the pine sap will completely take the self tending abillity away and will just gum her up.

 

[TreeTopKid]

the pine sap will completely take the self tending abillity away and will just gum her up.

Thanks!

 

[TreeTopKid]

..but OK for just the climb up?

 

[(WLL)]

..but OK for just the climb up?

it will be fine if you dont get any pine pich on her. what are you doing with them pines ? pruning? i favor my jak fer crane work cause i like to burn down and it dont burn up like a tail or eye n eye. its also good fer going up cause it tends its slack, like being on belay. its also works good when its wet and rainy. its a great tool but just not when its exposed to sap.

 

[TreeTopKid]

it will be fine if you dont get any pine pich on her. what are you doing with them pines ? pruning? i favor my jak fer crane work cause i like to burn down and it dont burn up like a tail or eye n eye. its also good fer going up cause it tends its slack, like being on belay. its also works good when its wet and rainy. its a great tool but just not when its exposed to sap.

No not pruning! It tends to be just dead wood removal for aesthetic purposes, there's also still a lot of broken branches from Ike. That's the reason I want to get one now more than ever is because I seem to be forever pulling myself 80ft to get a branch thinner than my arm. I reckon it could save me enough energy to get another job in.

 

[(WLL)]

No not pruning! It tends to be just dead wood removal for aesthetic purposes, there's also still a lot of broken branches from Ike. That's the reason I want to get one now more than ever is because I seem to be forever pulling myself 80ft to get a branch thinner than my arm. I reckon it could save me enough energy to get another job in.

imo dead wood is pruning. what kind of pines are you climbing? the whole time i was thinking white pines dang man 1 stik at 80ft, ill get it with the throw-ball.

 

[TreeTopKid]

imo dead wood is pruning. what kind of pines are you climbing? the whole time i was thinking white pines

Slash and Western Yellow are very commen, Loblolly, and I've also worked on a couple of Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata. Slash are the most commen though and they tend to average 80ft, but a lot of stuff I've worked in with broken limbs tend to be taller, and you can see looking above the canopy (heavily wooded) that you are usually in sight of a couple of 100footers. I've taken some great photos since the storm where I live looks much prettier from the trees! . My wife is reducing there size so that I can post them.

 

[D Mc]

I use the Lockjack Sport and love it. You will need to run your rope through a friction saver or even a pulley to get the maximum benefit out of it. WLL's right, if they get pitchy it is a pain; but they are much easier to clean than a gunked up friction hitch.

Although I haven't used one, I'm sure WLL will correct me if I am wrong, the Spyder jack can't be attached mid line (the Lockjack Sport can) and works best with an eye-splice in your line. If these things make a difference to your climbing style or setup, it is good to know prior to purchasing.

Dave

 

[TreeTopKid]

I use the Lockjack Sport and love it. You will need to run your rope through a friction saver or even a pulley to get the maximum benefit out of it. WLL's right, if they get pitchy it is a pain; but they are much easier to clean than a gunked up friction hitch.

Although I haven't used one, I'm sure WLL will correct me if I am wrong, the Spyder jack can't be attached mid line (the Lockjack Sport can) and works best with an eye-splice in your line. If these things make a difference to your climbing style or setup, it is good to know prior to purchasing.

Dave

Cheers Dave I was considering the Lock Jack sport also. If the Spiderjack can't be attached mid line does that mean it can't be detached mid line? That is something that would definitely have a bearing on which one I purchased because once I get into the tree I would want to remove it and resume with the Blake hitch. I'm not sure I could trust a mechanical device to keep me in the tree.

 

[(WLL)]

i have the l-jack sport 2 and the spider, none of them can be attached or detached mid-line with out taking them apart. the jax replace the barrel hitch and dont need to be taken off of your tip line unless you need to clean them. if you wait a wile the spider jack 2 is (roomer has it) going to be mid line friendly. the jax are so nice you wont ever want to go back to a rope hitch

 

[TreeTopKid]

i have the l-jack sport 2 and the spider, none of them can be attached or detached mid-line with out taking them apart. the jax replace the barrel hitch and dont need to be taken off of your tip line unless you need to clean them. if you wait a wile the spider jack 2 is (roomer has it) going to be mid line friendly. the jax are so nice you wont ever want to go back to a rope hitch

Cheers WLL! Now you've got my juices going. Maybe I will be able to contain myself long enough to wait for the Spider jack II.

 

[(WLL)]

http://www.lineboss.com/product_applications.htm

bump!!! this imo is a better product than art's spider jack. its also mid line friendly devise

 

[046]

so is it worth $425?

bump!!! this imo is a better product than art's spider jack. its also mid line friendly devise

 

[(WLL)]

so is it worth $425?

no

 

[ClimbinArbor]

this isnt coming from personal experience, but... i would think that a spiderjack used with a rope/cambium horseshoe would help keep the pine sap out of yer line and spider.

i use a schwabisch(sp), horseshoe, and micro pulley.(with 2 AMDs). its better than body thrusting but you have to stop and hold your progress with one hand and pull your slack to avoid a big fall. or have a ground help pull ya up lol.

 

[TreeTopKid]

bump!!! this imo is a better product than art's spider jack. its also mid line friendly devise

Cheers WLL I only just clocked this!

 

[TreeTopKid]

so is it worth $425?

That's still cheaper than the Spider Jack!