Black Widow Throw Line

[mikecross23]

Originally posted by Kneejerk Bombas
Yep, LJ is on to something.
He's got the line set and is ready to pull, while the rest of you know-it-alls are screwing around getting, untangling, repacking, and putting away your throw line.
LJ is raking up the last of the mess and you're still trying to get the throw bag unstuck.

Isn't that what your groundies are for?

-Mike-

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Mike, you missed my point, which is that, sometimes simple is better.
If I'm trying to hit a 70 ft high target, then sure get out the throw line. Most times you don't need to set a line that high to pull over a tree.
By using a new fangled rope, LJ has taken out the step of messing with the throw line. Black Widow is plenty strong and light enough that with just a little added weight, it becomes a throw line.
The idea of using a carabiner instead of a bag is not something I would do every day, but if it saved me a trip to the truck to quickly set a line, I'd do it, carefully.
If you think the rope is too expensive, well, I'd hate to see what other tools you don't have to "save" money.


The kid had a good idea, give him credit.

And Mike, groundmen are not for spending all their time chasing after me cleaning up unnecassary steps I've taken, they are part of the team to complete a job.

 

[rbtree]

KB,

Makes sense.

However, this "new fangled" line is simply Samson Amsteel. Been around for years. I have a 1/2 inch Plasma line by Puget Sound Rope, equal (or better) to Amsteel Blue, and rated at 31000 tensile, near zero stretch. A great pull or speed line.

I can get the stuff (and most any other non arbo line) at near wholesale prices.

I'm considering it or a polyester sheathed product (still around 8000 tensile at 3/8th) for a new chipper winch line.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I replaced my wire winch line with rope last year and I really like it. Honestly, I'm not sure how it will hold up, probably a bit less than the wire, but I feel it is worth it not ot deal with wire.

Can you pass those wholesale savings on to us?

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Hmmmmm How fast is winch? Is line thicker than cable/approximate leverage loss? Any heat glazing etc. of line on reel on heavy pulling?

 

[Gord]

Amsteel blue was being experimented with as an alternative to steel chokers in logging operations so i think it would stand up to the wear of chipper winches just fine. tho it woulldn't take much to abrade it if it was caught between wood and asphalt.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

The end of the rope has a heavy steel eye so I always use a choker.
The diameter is the same as the steel cable but it lays flat as it rolls onto the drum, so more rope fits on the same drum. The breaking strength is higher than the steel cable.
The cable speed and pulling power is affected by the number of wraps on the drum. None of the speeds would glaze the rope. The winch I use is a 6000 lb superwinch. The rope I replaced the cable with came from HERE.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I've seen the anchor here:

http://www.pullpal.com/

and wondered about using something like that for a portable rigging anchor. Sometimes there aren't any trees where they're needed.

Tom