Got to use a speedline today

[Dan Flinn]

I've been on jobs where we used a speedline just to direct the limbs toward the chipper.

I've used a line with the ground man holding tight as the anchor, clip in and cut the limb (obviously a smaller limb), let it ride the rope until it's over the DZ and the ground man lets go of the rope and drops the limb Simple but effective.

Dan

 

[treeclimber165]

Originally posted by Dan Flinn
I've used a line with the ground man holding tight as the anchor, clip in and cut the limb (obviously a smaller limb), let it ride the rope until it's over the DZ and the ground man lets go of the rope and drops the limb Simple but effective.

Dan

Obviously that is the better way to do it. I climb for one crew that I'd love to try this with. The right job will come along soon.

This particular job was only the second time I've climbed for this guy, and the crew was different guys than last time. Big difference between a trustworthy rope man and a brush dragger.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i errrantly call a Porty a RopeBrake to groundies, to give the description of what it does.

Same as, i whimsically call a speedline a gravity bender........; try that after they think they are wise to the sky hook!

i like another line above me tightened, bracing with leverage against the anticipated pull of the line if possible in stuff like that. Sometimes just taking the tail of the speedline as it comes to my near anchor support, and half hitching around it then lead the tail in the opposite diretion of the anticipated pull around another support and back to the original one, preferably higher,tighten and hitch. In this way,as the speedline loads,and pulls on the initial half hitch/anchor, it pulls ot the load, that tightens the line going around the secondary support, to redirect and feed back and exert that same pull against the pulling force of the line; only at a higher leverage point than the pull that creates it! This can make it safer, and also, open up more oppurtunities of precise and available primary supports and delivery path/angle.

Nice Pix!

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Here is an old drawing of this self bracing anchor. Notice how the pull will be weakened by the friction around the secondary anchor, but that reduced pull can be delivered to a highe leverage point! Pre-tightening this upper anchor before tightening 'speedline' from ground extremely (or clove to primary anchor support and set around secondary without any tension on speedline/gravity bender). You can come back around high on the primary, and sweat and pull the 2 bracing lines tight, to maintain most restriction/checking direectly opposing as much as possible the anticipated pull of loading.

 

[Matt Follett]

Sorry to jump a thread, but the comment about speedlining to the chipper made me laugh... On this job we swung the Hiab around over-top the chipper used it a s the anchor... and speed lined stuff straight to it, over all the garden and landscape etc. What was really nice was we actually lifted stuff up with the speed line after to go up the hill towards the truck as we got down really low, (notice the speed line ancor in the large Walnut behind.
Speed line tensioned with 5-1 on a V.T.


PS sorry for the pic size, that always seems to happen when I post, how do reduce the size of the image??

 

[treeslayer]

Try using a photo editor and "crop" the picture. using the select (square box dotted outline) icon, then crop. that will cut out a lot of unneeded picture, and allow you you to increase resolution and save on size.

 

[Toddppm]

Treeco when you just let em fly are you just using carabiners instead of a pulley?

 

[rbtree]

For light stuff, if you have enough pitch in the speedline, there is no need for a pulley. I carry up to 15 slings, so I can work for a while before needing a "refill".

For heavy weights, use a pulley, and lowering/return line. No problem putting moderately heavy loads directly onto the line, if it is tied above the work. Then you will be preloading the line, by tensioning from below with 3-1 or greater m.a. If this is not possible, by all means catch the load first, then ease it onto the speedline.

And guy the speedline lead back, if the loads are high enough to warrant.

Matt, nice photo of the line in another tree giving the ability to lift a log!! Have done that only once or twice....but do a lot of lifting and turning of loads...it is all in managing the amount of bight, too much and the piece will drop when it comes off, too little and you can't lift or turn. I control bight with a sling the appropriate distance above the work of the moment.

Except for the noise, we like using the chipper winch for easy tensioning, if it can be positioned correctly.