Best spurs & Saddle

[Stumped_4_Life]

Hello, i'm wondering what are the best spurs and saddles in the industry I am doing alot of take downs where i cannot get a truck into so its time to start climbing. I need to know if i sould use Aluminum or steel spurs
what kind of saddle, brands, best price ext.

I really don't know how to use spurs and a saddle yet but i'm going to have a relative help me out with the climbing part

 

[rahtreelimbs]

BEFORE you do anything get the "Tree Climber's Companion" By Jeff Jepson.

 

[clearance]

BEFORE you do anything get the "Tree Climber's Companion" By Jeff Jepson.

I have that book, it has like one page on climbing trees with spurs and nothing about actually cutting wood or running a saw to do it. The book is almost totally about how to set your rope in a tree and climb without spurs. So, it is of very little use to help one climb with spurs to takedown trees.

Best saddle and spurs? I like Buckingham for both, I have a butt seat saddle, easy to work in and 3" spurs, steel. And get a steelcore lanyard as well.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

BEFORE you do anything get the "Tree Climber's Companion" By Jeff Jepson.

I have that book, it has like one page on climbing trees with spurs and nothing about actually cutting wood or running a saw to do it. The book is almost totally about how to set your rope in a tree and climb without spurs. So, it is of very little use to help one climb with spurs to takedown trees.

Best saddle and spurs? I like Buckingham for both, I have a butt seat saddle, easy to work in and 3" spurs, steel. And get a steelcore lanyard as well.

Still.....................for a newbie it is a very inexpensive way to gain a little insight!!!

 

[Canyonbc]

Hello, i'm wondering what are the best spurs and saddles in the industry I am doing alot of take downs where i cannot get a truck into so its time to start climbing. I need to know if i sould use Aluminum or steel spurs
what kind of saddle, brands, best price ext.

I really don't know how to use spurs and a saddle yet but i'm going to have a relative help me out with the climbing part

I agree that its a great book...for a beginner just coming into the industry...but it sounds like Stumped 4 Life is more then a beginner if he is doing
"take downs" with a truck...

I dont think there is really any books out there on how to climb with spurs...i think the best thing you can get it have some one teach you in person...which sounds like you have...secondly i would recomend the Video section of this site...

I believe Ekka...has some videos on climbing with spurs tips...

You can type it into to google...and there is a manual from the Forestry Service...is a PDF...but gives some good suggestions..

Once you learn the basics...and sounds like your relative can do that....then its just time...and experince...

good luck, and welcome

 

[Canyonbc]

Whoops...thought your thing said 1 post...not 154...well anyways still hello and welcome

 

[Canyonbc]

Whoops...thought your thing said 1 post...not 154...well anyways still hello and welcome

Mike

 

[kkottemann]

Best spurs and saddle.... hmmmm.. Well those are two things that I personally believe you have to decide upon by trial and error. In 9 years of this stuff I have tried a coupe different set ups and currently I use the buckingham glide saddle and the Klein steel spikes with the super buck pad. The thing to remember is that MANY uncomfortable days have been spent climbing to come up with this combo. There is something about the buckingham spikes I just could not get use to, I could never figure it out. Then one day on a job where I was working the ground I have to take over in the tree and use the injured climbers gear. He had the Klien's. The little offset curve on the actual spike I believe made all the difference of me where as the buckingham spike is straight. I don't know but that is how it worked out. Now, I will say that the buckingham velcro wrap pad is the best, but my klien's will not go into them. I thing bucks are making a spike that has a offset curve in them now. You might want to look into that.

Saddles are the same thing, you going to have to try them all out till you find the right one. I started climbing in a traditional floating dee weaver. That what I learned in so that is what I used. Then I wanted to try some newer stuff. Tried the master, which for me turned out to be a real "nut" cruncher. Then tried the versitial, which I have to say was really comfortable but I ended up not liking not have a floating tie in point. The glide is awsome. Plenty of adjustments to really make it fit. I like my leg loops a little lower on the back of my legs, really good for foot locking and a dream to move sideways through a tree. If there is a vermeer store anywhere near you go there and try on all the stuff. they should have a station set up for people to play a little. good luck.

 

[Rftreeman]

I use Buckingham saddle and spikes, not the most comfortable but they are priced good and they work. I use a yellow jacket 3/8" climbing rope.

 

[beowulf343]

Buckingham's here too. The 3" steel spikes and the pinnacle. They just seem more durable to me. A buck pinnacle will easily last me better than a year of daily climbing-had a new tribe that was wasted in six months. And there may be more comfortable spikes out there (geckos) but after so many years on the buck's, anything else just feels wrong.

 

[Treetom]

Kleins and Weaver

25 years on Klein Spurs and a Weaver, (still under $100.00) 4-dee saddle with butt strap and 1" leather leg straps: Very easy to strap on and relativley light. The Kleins have a slight bend in the tree gaffs that seem to naturally spike into the tree. I recenlty added Cadillac pads to the Kleins, quite comfortable. I started using a climbing line more often so I tried a Weaver Northwest floating dee saddle with butt strap and wide leg straps, very confining. Switched to the Weaver double floating dee with wide leg straps without the butt strap. I am adapting. This set up reminds me of the old-school leather saddles I've seen at flea markets. Maybe I could climb better if I spent $350.00 more on a Treemotion saddle instead...or pay for the better half of an ms200t.

 

[BostonBull]

I am on a ButterflyII saddle and WAS on Bashlin hooks. But I just recently switched to these. SOOOOOOO comfortable and super light!

http://www.antec.fr/en/produits/produit.asp?ID=411

 

[Stumped_4_Life]

I've been trimming trees for a little over a Year now. i own a paving company but the business is to the point where i really don't have to do too much anymore so im slowly growing into running the tree service into full time
i've upgraded my equipment from a 42ft lift to a 55ft lift, and a 6" chipper to a 9" Now i can expand my market where i can take on projects that i could of never done before. Learning to climb is something i really need to excel in my area

Within the next 3 years my goals are to become a certified Arborist, Hire an estimator and most important BUILD A GREAT REPUTATION!

Thanks alot guys for the support and answers to many stupid questions This is a great site

 

[Canyonbc]

Nice..
Good luck..and to everyone...and all be safe

 

[reachtreeservi]

I use a Weaver 3-dee saddle with butt strap and 1" leather leg straps and Bashlin alum gaffs with a super climber pad (two straps) .
I'm thinking about putting caddy pads on the gaffs and buying a Master Classic saddle this next year.

 

[hammer0419]

I have that book, it has like one page on climbing trees with spurs and nothing about actually cutting wood or running a saw to do it. The book is almost totally about how to set your rope in a tree and climb without spurs. So, it is of very little use to help one climb with spurs to takedown trees.

Best saddle and spurs? I like Buckingham for both, I have a butt seat saddle, easy to work in and 3" spurs, steel. And get a steelcore lanyard as well.

That book is a wealth of knowledge for working in a tree. NO BOOK is going to teach you how to climb. I have been climbing for years and nothing but practice has tought me. That and Lineman's school.

 

[(WLL)]

scarpa footwear, ultralight geckos, b2 harness\treeflex

my third pair of hooks were buck t2 titanium with super wrap pad they were nice but 400=$ when i got them and the pad's were another 100$ after 2-3yrs i got the foot plates to take pressure off my arch. they were 70$ and just put all the pressure on my shins. it was UN bearable and the plates were removed asap. after all that pain and money[$570+] i just could not believe the best stuff on the market would still hurt. I started buying mountaineering boots [$400+] and the souls would peel off in 1 month because of the arch bending the wrong way,but my feet felt great. One day surfing the web for footwear i found a cool looking pair of gor-tex scarpa light hike/approach boot on clearance for $40. thay have a nylon shank for arch support and are loaded with Kevlar on all wear spots and pretty flexible too. This shoe feels great in hooks last a good season and look cool. I will get them as long as i still can and will even get 3+ pair at a time for fear of being discontinued. regular price is $149 and I'm very happy with that looking at my options. This summer my boss got me the new geckos and i will never wear my old hooks again. its like night to day:yoyo:
I've been through a few saddles also i like the versatile to sit around in and do cables or just dick off in, but the b2 will make you climb the tree and not the rope. the b2 is for the get r done expert and is a great positioning tool for the fast, smooth and confident. it will pinch your nadds if there as big as mine but the b2 has made me a better climber by making me climb the tree and get into a stable balanced position to work. i think the seat style saddle is for a more lazy climber that is on his azz all day.my first 2 saddles would pull my leg's together and squeeze my kidneys and then the seat saddle came out with the moving d's and would pinch and pull hair off my belly and putt a hole in all my shirts.. after a few yrs of that they came out with the leg strap harness. i got one the same week they were open to the public. I'm now on my 2nd b2 and will try the new funky looking tree-flex soon in hopes to give my big balls a much needed break hope this helps and saves u some $$$$ no offence to the seat saddle people but i will suggest u get off your azz and climb them trees

 

[jmack]

buckingham for both

 

[pigwot]

The best all-around book for every aspect of tree climbing, pruning and removal, felling, splices, knots, rigging, gear and its use, and how to work in a tree is Gerald F.Beranek's "The Fundamentals of General Tree Work" ISBN # is 0-9654167-1-2. Although it lacks specific step-by-step information on some of these topics there is a general survey of information that will enhance the knowledge base of any climber.
After nearly 30 years climbing trees, having learned from the climbers who learned at the feet of the old timers at Winterthur Estates and Longwood Gardens on hemp ropes with handsaws, I bought this book more out of curiosity than any need for knowledge. It was still informative and a great compendium of knowledge on practically every aspect of tree work.
Some of the newest 'techniques' and tools of the trade are not covered, but read it through once and you will be a safer, more productive, more able climber.
Be careful up there,
--Pat