Chicago or Havens Grip

[Menchhofer]

Just thought I would get opinions on the Chicago and Havens grips. I am trying to decide which is the better tool for cable installs. I have noticed the Havens does damage the cable due to the smaller footprint. Someone suggested the Chicago instead.

I do a fair amount of cable installs and would like feedback if anyone out there has experience with these tools. Thanks

 

[treeseer]

where can you get the chicago? i hate the kink the havens makes.

 

[Mitchell]

haven

I would go for the Chicago. I have a haven and a friend has a chicago. The Haven will bend the cable which can be a problem with some cables. I found my haven grip on ebay fairly cheap. A fastner supply store will sell either.

 

[Menchhofer]

Klein tools on the web has them for decent prices. I have yet to see them in an arborist catalog

 

[Randyb713]

Chicago grip is the way to go

We have been cabling trees for the longest time using an old fence puller and some people call a haven's grip but it does kink the common grade cables pretty bad and as for extra high strength cables (EHS) it was a real problem till we went to the Chicago grip which doesn't use a round jaw. the Chicago grip uses a flat but tube shaped jaw with a lot of leverage to squeeze the EHS cable hard but perfectly! last one i got was at www.wesspur.com for about $175.
hope this helps

 

[pdqdl]

I don't have a Havens grip, and have never used one. My chicago grip works well for restoring downed utility lines, but if I use it with our chain hoist to pull a cable until the fork of a tree pulls shut, then it slips.

A small vise grip in front of the jaws will fix that problem, but it really won't hold a heavy pull.

It might just be my well worn unit; the jaws are pretty smooth.

 

[MR4WD]

pdqdl- There's about 40 different styles of chicago grips; I bet you're using the wrong one.

Haven's were originally intended for use with rope blocks to a max pull of about 400-500 pounds or so; using them with a chain-jack is kinda hard on things.

I'd use a mule grip (little mule, muley etc)

 

[pdqdl]

Yes, I know. It looks exactly like the one listed at Sherrills, though. I got it some years ago, lost in a yard by a utility lineman.

It's great for re-hanging utility lines, but not quite strong enough for loading with a come-a-long. We give it a helping hand with a vise grip, and it holds just fine.