Grcs Rules!!!!!

[Matt Follett]

hey folks

Been far to busy to sit down and read let alone type here for many weeks... Missed everyone.

Anyway in a fit of shopping compulsion (actully it was quite well thought out) I purchased a GRCS!!!

WOW, hey I'll say it again WOWEE

We have long emloyed a clean 5:1 system for lifts and stuff but man what a differance during a big take down, set up time etc.

We've used it so much in the first two weeks I don't know how we managed without it. Our area had a storm blow through and we really put it to use lifting things of houses fences, wires etc. A couple of the local tree guys have since farmed us out to 'Bring in the Goods'

Then we did the job I had wanted it for... Two big poplars, one with a bad series of lightning strikes... the other right over the house.

Big lifts, big rigs, lots of blocks, tip/butt tied stuff, Man was it fun! I've got pics coming.. I post when I get em.

Then working sub for another company, we used it and a insane set of mechanical advantage to try to right a fallen willow bole (about 36-40" diam) by the time the system was engineered, I worked out approx (assuming 100 lbs of force by me) 24,000 lbs of force at the tree. A lot of rope, the 5:1 being run by the Goods, then working another b&t set up with the bull ropes an the big rigging blocks on the tree... Wow we stood it up! slowly though. In the end the client is taking it down, good since We tried to tell them that it would just happen again bla bla bal, but the rigging was fun anyway!

So for anyone considering picking one up... GET IT you won't be dissapointed particularliy if you like to work with little dynamic loading, and the whole bit... the rope drum is smooth to boot!

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

And whar is our GRCS site Rep been?

He can't really hide............
or maybe i better hide....

 

[Greg]

I use my GRCS about 2-3 times a week. Even on things like a low branch I took out over a house Friday. It didn't "need" the GRCS, you could easily cut the branches fairly small and lower them down to the guy on the roof to cut and throw off, but instead I did let the branches hinge down on to the roof (instead of tip tieing and raising) with a butt tie, but we then winched them up and swept them back off the roof from a rigging point high and away from the house. This kept me from having a man on the roof with a saw.

--My ONLY issue/problem with the GRCS is the little rubber donuts on the back that act as bumpers between the tree and the mount. If the winch moves slightly on the tree the donuts get torn up easily. I've been thinking of using a different type bumper in those positions. I think a peice of tire tread cut into a circle would be more durable.
--My biggest complaint--when I mount the winch poorly I have to replace a little peice of rubber that cost me $4.50 ---big deal, GRCS is a kick a$$ tool!
Greg

 

[rbtree]

I've used ours three times in two weeks. The purchase was shared with another tree sevice. We've two more jobs for it coming up next week. We got it just in time for the windstorm. On one half day job, I charged $3000, but without the GRCS, we'd have needed a 110 ton crane, so that meant more $ for us, and less for the insurance company to pay.

With it, the Hobbs, a Simpson chain saw capstan winch, chipper winch, and fiddle blocks, we're loaded for bear!

 

[Tom Dunlap]

JPS was at my picnic today. He's very busy getting squared away with his new job.

Tom

 

[Matt Follett]

To those who have used one, what are your concerns regarding tearing the tree apart?

I like to think I am always keeping loading in mind but the hard to answer question always comes up, what about the tree? With this device I can easily see going overboard, knowing that the system can handle the load but what about the rigging point.

Next... RB, what do you think about the chainsaw winch, any recommendations on types and size? Thats another purchase I'm considering...

Yep the GRCS can almost replace a crane in the right situ, wow. Those poplars would have been a day each with a 40 ton, we did each crown in a day and dropped the remaining wood in another. Almost as much fun, if not more.

 

[rbtree]

http://www.novajack.com/en/imgs/NovaJack_feric.pdf
http://www.madsens1.com/capstan.htm

I modified mine to allow for bidirectional use. Won't have much if any need for that feature now that the GRCS has joined the stable.

 

[wiley_p]

I use mine several times a week. I need to get a bit for my Echo drill, that will make the light driftline gigs go alittle faster. Does anyone know where to get one areadly fabricated?

 

[Frans]

I bought my 1/2" adaptor bit from Greg Good

 

[wiley_p]

should have given that a little more thought I guess, Thanx.

 

[rbtree]

Matt,

Here's pics of the mod done on the Simpson winch. If you look at the photo at Madsen's site, you'll see two points on the input fairlead. These can impale the line if you use it for lowering, so I added the tube device, and filed the points. We've used it similarly to the GRCS a few times,but it is awkward to use for both lifting and lowering....It is fast though

Also see the metal piece which allowed a fabric sling to be used versus the wire rope, which damages trees. I got the unit from Tom Dunlap, who did this mod.

 

[rbtree]

Another

 

[rbtree]

I had a conversation with the mfr of this slick unit a year ago. It would be awesome for some work, like long runs yarding brush or small logs uphill. But it costs in the neighborhood of $3000, if I recall correctly. I just checked the website, it is down temporarily-- http://www.tufftug.com

 

[rbtree]

And then there's "Scotty" as in "Beam me up", which Graeme McMahon uses to access those elusive euc regnans canopies.

The old thread with lots more info is here:
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5100&highlight=Beam+me+up+Scotty


Here a vid of lowering with the GRCS. We had a redirect block set to limit the swing. The branch was a bit close to two house roofs, but I still should have let it run a bit more....just getting used to the GRCS. I'm pretty sure I had taken the rope out of the self tailer, but think I had one too many wraps.

 

[rbtree]

Here's a small log that we lifted up, then cut loose. Wasn't necessary, just learning the GRCS.

 

[Nickrosis]

I'm trying to imagine how you would use the saw mounted winch.....standing with your feet braced? Tied directly to a limb or a log you're trying to drag? Through a friction device or something? I'm just not picturing it...

 

[rbtree]

Nick nick nick

Go to the novojack site link I posted and read away.

You strap the winch to a fixed object, the saw only provides the power, then winch away. Fill capstan with wraps just like GRCS.

 

[Nickrosis]

So I missed the paragraph mentioning the sling...

 

[a_lopa]

looking at this thread ive been thinking of getting one trying to justify it but as soon as im cashed im getting it.got to do a few decent limbs (liquid amber)over roof tmorow no sweat use a bit of deflection but bottom limb is 2' off roof line one of these would be great

 

[John Stewart]

Hey Matt
I guess you need that extra muscle cause you don't always have me around!!!!!
We got to hook up and play with that.
Talk to you soon!
John