Fiddle Block?

[tree md]

I've got a question about the fiddle block kits that Sherrill and Wesspur offer. I have never used a fiddle block per say but I have made my own 5:1 with pulleys on the same line. I see and understand how they work but have just never used an independent block system. I have always just made mine inline with a solitary rope. I love the idea of just being able to quickly hook up a 5:1 without having to hook up a bunch of pulleys.

My question is how much pull am I going to be able to get with a half inch line on the block system. I realize that the energy is going to be captured with whatever size rope I am rigging with but I just wonder how good of a pull one can get with half inch on the block system.

Number two, How much weight would I realistically be able to lift with this system? How big of a limb will I be able to lift off of a house and take with this setup?

I really like the idea of this system but am a little ignorant of it because I have never seen one employed. I'm wondering if it will be worth my while or if I should just continue setting up my own MA with pulleys.

 

[Tree Pig]

Not a clue myself but sure is a good question MD, Im glad you asked it, I have debated the same thing.

 

[tree md]

Well I'm wanting to try it with me new stainless steel porty. Have been wanting to try it forever but didn't have a porty. Lol, I'm old school through and through. I have to saythat spending half the day roping multiple leaders out of a couple of River Birch trees to themselves over a house yesterday made me think about it as well. Fiddle block and porty wouldn't have helped that situation as I had no central leader to rig from but I can see where it would be excellent for similar types of rigging operations. A poor man's GRCS if you will.

 

[Nailsbeats]

Wish I could help MD, just have porty's and a GRCS, no fiddles. I would like one though for tightening up a speed line here and there. Standing up limbs goes to the GRCS. Like anything gear related, once you have one you'll find uses for it. I suggest going to Charly's International, they have the best fiddle set around.

 

[pdqdl]

500-1000 lbs would be the practical limit.

That is allowing for some friction losses; most guys can pull down with about 150lbs of force (consistently) before they run out of steam. 2-4 guys pulling would be a different story.

If you really want to boost the power factor, rig a fiddle block assembly with a maasdam rope winch at the tail. 1000lbs x 5:1 x 80% efficiency (guess)= 2 tons of reliable but slow lifting force.

That would be a real slow lift, though. Consider putting several pulleys on a capstan rope winch, power it with a chainsaw, and watch things start to move in a hurry! That's what I do when I am too far away from a bigger machine.

Yes Rope! We know about the 20k winch on your truck, but we are only considering poor man's tools in this conversation.

 

[arborjockey]

A 200 lb man should be able to pull 2000 lbs. That depends on the amount of loops you make. Easy way to figure is multiply the rope by the pulling power. pulling 100lbs on 5 leads of rope = 500lbs.(3 pulley block connected to a 2 pulley block = 5 working ends).The ticket w/ the fiddle block on sherrill is one has a rope grip at 1 end that has a trigger style release. The other type uses fricyion hitchs. If you use the self assemble style make sure that one of the pullys has a large BELL plate. The broad side plates advance your friction hitch. Their very useful. Personally I prefer to purchase the pullys and use some old rigging rope. Keep a figure 8 w/ your fiddle block as to grip your rope as u advance fiddle block for another bite.

 

[VT_Tree_Wrecker]

I bought my fiddle block from Wes spur and they are marked as 1000 pound working load limit. The best feature of the fiddle block in my mind is the built in cleat which allows holding tension on the line while taking wraps and cleating off to a port-a-wrap.

 

[The Lawn Shark]

I've lifted in the ball park of 600 to 700#s with my fiddle block.

 

[tree md]

Thanks for the replies. I plan to get a set and put them to good use. I can think of a hundred uses for it. Only thing is I am always the guy in the tree so it's hard to do all the stuff I want to do on the ground a lot of the time. 600 or 700 pounds is a pretty good sized limb. I would be happy with that.

Yeah Nails, the GRCS is high on my priority list. I kept putting off buying one when times were good because I was contracting a climber that had one and I was doing mostly crane work. I wish I would have bought one back when I was getting much better prices for my jobs. Still high on my list but every time I plan to buy one the bills start rolling in. Such is life. I'm sure everyone here knows what I'm talking about. Hopefully this will be a good year and I can get everything on my wish list. Me and a friend have a plan to buy a set of Harken winches and do our own thing with them when we can find a good deal. In the mean time I will try to make due with blocks and traditional rigging or bid for the crane.

 

[ropensaddle]

Yes Rope! We know about the 20k winch on your truck, but we are only considering poor man's tools in this conversation.

:angel:

 

[arborjockey]

If you want to teach yourself to play the violin, I would suggest that you listen to a lot of violin music and try to play it by ear. The one question that will guide you is, "How can I make my violin sound like that?" and with enough patience, you will find a way to do it. Check out YouTube videos and watch how professional violinists hold the violin, hold the bow, etc. Books might be okay, but nothing beats watching the real deal.

watch the best violinest. Then pick the best violin stradegies that works for you and beat the masteropcorn:

 

[tree md]

Yes, I will be the zen violinist master...

 

[ropensaddle]

just remember it may take all your life starting at six with total dedication lol!
Well code is off but Charlie Daniels is king of the fiddle!

 

[tree md]

Now you play pretty good fiddle son but give the devil his due; I bet a fiddle of gold against your soul cause I think I'm better than you...

 

[ropensaddle]

Now you play pretty good fiddle son but give the devil his due; I bet a fiddle of gold against your soul cause I think I'm better than you...

Well my names johnny and it might be a sin but I take your bet and your gonna regret cause I am the best there's ever beenopcorn:

 

[Climb020]

Yea just like the GRCS, the fiddle block is ment as a 1 man operation. Ideally you should be able to get 1000lbs out of it set through blocks for minimal friction. With a WLL of 1000lbs. over do it with too many guys or quickly converting it to a 10:1 and you'll quick lower its cycles per failer. IT is after all just made from plastic.
Even having a GRCS though, feel a fiddle block still has its place. No way do i feel like humping a crank through the woods to mess with some small stuff. As well nice being u can tension as many rigging lines one after another if have a bunch set up on a single limb/tree for better control.