crossbow for line placement

[rmihalek]

I was wondering if anyone has experience using a crossbow for rope placement? If so, any suggestions on the weight of the "projectile" and line size?

 

[NeTree]

I haven't used one for line placement, but we used to use them at Field Day for setting up wire antennas.

Spider-wire, with a heavy field-tip.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

You might try to re-search AS Site Search and TB for Oxman posts or crossbow.

Also might try: Google Search for: Michael Oxman Tree .

Some have tried it, this name jumps out as recognizable and taking it pretty far.

 

[Stumper]

Eric, I'd recommend losing the field tip and replacing it with a steel blunt sheathed by a rubber blunt.--Much ,much safer(and it won't stick if you center a limb with the arrow). I've never used a crossbow to set lines but I've played with using a longbow to do so.

 

[Lumberjack]

Originally posted by Stumper
Eric, I'd recommend losing the field tip and replacing it with a steel blunt sheathed by a rubber blunt.

So eric did you get that? Drop the field point and get a blunt.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

I dont think that was the "blunt" Justin was referring to. Nice try though Carl.

:MonkeyKenn:

 

[Menchhofer]

Some thought should be given to using the crossbow in city/county limits.

In most localities the crossbow is considered a weapon and is not allowed legally. Check with your local law enforcement/city agencies first.

 

[rmihalek]

Originally posted by Menchhofer
Some thought should be given to using the crossbow in city/county limits.

In most localities the crossbow is considered a weapon and is not allowed legally. Check with your local law enforcement/city agencies first.

That's a great thought! I'm sure here in MA, even thinking about a crossbow requires an expensive permit that the local sheriff needs to sign but then loses on his desk for 6 months, just in time to require a new fee.

I'll check with law enforcement on this one.

 

[wiley_p]

I like the idea, except anything that was raised to the shoulder aroiund here would bring a large response from an overeager triggerhappy sherriffs dept. there would be a carnival atmosphere.

 

[Trees Company]

Just use a been bag and a Tree sling shot.

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

i havent thought about using a crossbow for rope positioning ..but sure could use one on some of my customers

 

[Trees Company]

Right on rolacosta thats exactly what i'd like to do.

 

[xtremetrees]

Good point stumper...

Ive thought of using a compact fishing rod while in the trees.
Call it squirrle fishing back when i was a kid and overthrew the lunkers

 

[OutOnaLimb]

Dont most cross bows have a draw weight of at least 100lbs? With that being said, I would think that even if you attached 180ft of black widow to the bolt it would still launch the bolt well past the lenght of that line unless you tied the end of the line to something to keep it flying into someones yard 4 blocks down the street. Even if you managed to get the line set in the crotch you wanted, How would you work it back down to the ground with out some weight on the end of the aluminum bolt?:Monkey:

Kenn

 

[murphy4trees]

OK I just got a little brainstormy thought about setting lines in a tree... Make a little retractable fishing pole (car antenae style) ... but come to thionk of it a wrist rocket with some zing it would probably be more accurate and user friendly... There was some talk on the buzz about that awhile back. Is there anything available commercially??

 

[OutOnaLimb]

I just had a thought. Take the insert out of the tip of the arrow, fill the arrow up with black powder, put the insert back in the tip of the arrow, place a shotgun shell primer into the insert and then hot melt glue a roofing nail in the tip against the primer. Works great for knocking squirell and magpie nests out of trees. Not that I would know from experience or anything.

Kenn

 

[Burnham]

You boys are re-inventing the wheel here...this stuff has been going on for years out here in the PNW.

Crossbow bolts and long bow arrows made specifically for line placement are available from New Tribe. They are fiberglass, with a blunt rubber tip, heavy enough to pull 20 or 30 lb. test fishing line down. Mounts for reels are both available commecially, or are home-built. Sling shots are commonly used out here in my part of the word, and New Tribe sells special tiny throw bags to use with sling shots, too.

To me, the use of crossbows and long bows only make sense when TIPs are somewhere over 100 feet. The slingshot works anywhere a Bigshot does, but doesn't have as much range. The one I built is good for about 100 feet. It's compactness means it is superlative when one needs to advance a line in the tree or place a line from one tree to another.

It is amazing how much having a line attached to a projectile cuts down on the range achievable. If you really put Black Widow line on a crossbow bolt, it wouldn't go much of anywhere...there isn't enough mass to the projectile to carry the weight. Even Zingit imparts enough drag to cause problems. Monofilament or braided fishing line on a reel is the only really successful arrangement.

I think for arborists, throwbags and the Bigshot are the tools best suited to their environment. Only big tree climbers in unpopulated areas will find bows a logical choice. Slingshots might fall in between. Of course, the Bigshot can play in both arenas.

 

[MasterBlaster]

All this BS could be replaced with a BS!