Best knot or device for attaching block and tackle to lowering line

[wiley_p]

on 1/2" linee the Gibbs is just fine, moves easier for more purchase, also how many yahoos do you think it takes to lift much more than 1/2 ton anyway witha fiddleblock? Have not had a gibbs fail in the feild yet. Not to mention our arborist ropes don't really crush/pinch like rock climbing ropes.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Most of our 12 strand 1/2" is hollow.

 

[wiley_p]

Never liked the durability or feel of twelve strand line. 16-strand for lifeline only or doublebraid for rigging.

 

[John Stewart]

Hey
RB
Don't you have to criss cross the tails on a VT
I could be wrong but I will look for a Pic
John

 

[John Stewart]

Hey RB,
The knot I'm talking about is not a VT.
As you would know you criss-cross the two eyes behind your tag line to create the VT.
Giving you the benefit of the doubt I double checked on the VT and found the knot I was describing was called the Machard.
John

 

[Ax-man]

Really appreciate the input guys,

I'll stick with the knots for now, as that was the main reason I started this thread looking for the the best rope to rope attachment. But on the other hand I'll more than likely get a Gibbs if I question the other persons knot tying abilities. I have a hard enough time teaching some of the basic knots, let alone something like a vt.

I raised the question on the Gibbs only because I've never used one in a rigging scenario, only on a lanyard. I got some good common sense answers to using the Gibbs, for this type of application.

John,

The VT and the Machard are the same knots, variations of the French Prusik.

The only difference is the cords, VT is a single cord which has two seperate eyes, the Machard is one continious loop, usually spliced, confusing isn't it

Larry

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Frans,

I'm not going to be able to quote chapter and verse to support my point but I firmly believe that a Gibbs is the wrong tool to use in a rigging situation. In every bit of reading that I've done it always sets limits for the loads. When using a jigger or compression tackle we can get a pretty high load, quickly.

MM seems to have done some colloquial testing with good results...for him. MM is concentious and careful, except when clipping corners off houses but as a piece of general advice I don't agree.

The characteristics of the VT make it far superior. I like the slip-grab possibilities for reducing loads.

I take the stance that anyone who is working the lowering line needs to know how to operate every piece the use. There have been times when the groundie just runs the compression tackle after I rig it. They don't need to know the knots but they do need to know how to compress and reset the rig.

Besides, a Gibbs costs over $60 right? A hitch is much less. That means more money in my pocket to buy cool tools.

Tom