Cheap GRCS mod

[TimberMcPherson]

Now this is what I have done with my half breed home made GRCS. (real ones here are the equivelent of a weeks work with a 2 man crew, on the long term shopping list) I have a problem with its lifting strength. Mine is not self tailing. What I needed was more leverage on the handle. Lengthening a handle would make the movement of cranking it around to much of a pita.
So what I did was take a 40mm length of 20mm square bit of rod, run it down on the bench sander so it was 17mm square. (this way it fits perfectly in the winch socket as the regular handle does) then I inserted the piece in a 22mm socket (although a 7/8 will work to) and welded it in place. I then got an old ratchet and with a bit of tube extended the handle.
Now with heavier loads I can use as the ratchet allows me to control the rope easily while putting some real leverage on the handle and still using small arm movements due to the ratchet. You guys with the proper GRCS probably dont have this problem. But you might be able to use the same socket idea to make your GRCS petrol drill powered.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Now this is what I have done with my half breed home made GRCS. (real ones here are the equivelent of a weeks work with a 2 man crew, on the long term shopping list) I have a problem with its lifting strength. Mine is not self tailing. What I needed was more leverage on the handle. Lengthening a handle would make the movement of cranking it around to much of a pita.
So what I did was take a 40mm length of 20mm square bit of rod, run it down on the bench sander so it was 17mm square. (this way it fits perfectly in the winch socket as the regular handle does) then I inserted the piece in a 22mm socket (although a 7/8 will work to) and welded it in place. I then got an old ratchet and with a bit of tube extended the handle.
Now with heavier loads I can use as the ratchet allows me to control the rope easily while putting some real leverage on the handle and still using small arm movements due to the ratchet. You guys with the proper GRCS probably don't have this problem. But you might be able to use the same socket idea to make your GRCS petrol drill powered.

Greg Good has a chuck for a drill. I've found that high torque electric drills work better then gas.

Those tarriffs are a beast. Even with the weak dollar it is unaffordable!

I know few guys who came over here for tradeshows and then shipped back gear they arranged to buy used....

 

[046]

was hoping you would post a few pic's of your version of grcs.

I'm thinking of making one, if it's not too difficult...

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Here it is, not a good pic, its sitting on its red plastic handle to show it a little better. Its made on a piece of scrap U channel that has had its 2 U sides trimmed down. With two load binders it sits on the tree really well due to the U shape fitting the the curved profile of the trunk. Two parallel vertical cuts into the tree make sit incredibly snug, especially on the really big trees.



Really easy to make as the shape of the U bend works so well. Pretty heavy though.

 

[046]

thanks for the pic... what model yachting winch is used?

 

[TimberMcPherson]

The one on there is a 43 arco. I wouldnt go any smaller than that ratio. 45 to 50 would be better. If you can stretch to getting a self tailing winch I think it would be worth it.

But I am no expert. I have not used a real GRCS or even seen one for real. I looked at a hundred threads and hunted down all sorts of pics to get an idea of what I was going to make. I brought all sorts of materials but when I found the U channel it just fell into place as it was obviously strong enough and required no vital welds while mounting to the tree so well. It was just so simple to make it that way.

 

[046]

here's a few pic's of a real GRCS. (sure hope okie doesn't mind)
does it use a self tailing winch?

looks like the body is hinged using a std truck cinch strap.

"Just buy a lewmar #44 double action sail winch, fabricate the rest.

The winch is the killer!

If you can afford it and avoid the head aches ... GRCS man."

http://www.#########.info/f18/grcs-good-rigging-control-system-239-2.html

http://www.arboristsite.com/showpost.php?p=327315&postcount=7

Impossible, it is all enclosed. The goods is a two speed 44-1 Harken self tailing highly advanced winch, same as is found on sailboats....I own a Hobbs also, there is no comparison. The Hobbs is as good for only one procedure, and that is lowering wood, and even that the GRCS is capable of being better at. The Hobbs does have a larger capstan,so can handle ropes of 3/4 inch or larger better and has room for more wraps.
The GRCS is self tailing, so one man can both lift and lower with it, a feat which is next to impossible with a Hobbs. The Hobbs is built a bit beefier as well.

See this thread for my posts, and click on te next page also for more. This job required all the mechanical advantage that the GRCS offers at 44-1, the Hobbs could not cut the mustard.....
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=12381&page=25&pp=40

Also do a search for GRCS, you'll find lots of discussions and pics. ToddK, who posts at Tree Bu zz, has 3 of them!!!!

harken #44 winch is $1,300
http://mauriprosailing.com/Merchant...uct_Code=HARB442STA&Category_Code=SELFTAILING

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Yes thats self tailing, it has a grove on the top of the drum and a little chrome arm that moves around as you winch (from what I understand).

 

[046]

lewmar #44 two speed, self tailing, are available used for $500-$750 range. new is $1300 or not worth it.

might as well get a used GRCS, if you're going to spend $1,600+ fabbing one.

 

[TreeBot]

Yes thats self tailing, it has a grove on the top of the drum and a little chrome arm that moves around as you winch (from what I understand).

I think you are talking about the tailer. It stays still while the rest of the winch is rotated.