lowering device (price is right)

[JonnyHart]

http://www.karlkuemmerling.com/prod20.htm
The price caught my eye. Says a safe working load of 2K. Who's got one or has used one? Seems too good to be true.

 

[KentuckySawyer]

I used this at my old job. It works good on large removals. I've never used one of the pricier lowering devices. I doesn't enable you to lift anything. The ratcheting mechanism is for the attatchment to the trunk.

 

[JonnyHart]

Hmmm... it says the ratcheting model is for lifting a section of tree. Is there pads on it to keep it from messing up the bark on trims?

 

[R Schra]

I use such thing. I had some problems with the strap getting ripped at the hook side under heavy loads. i solved that bij grinding that sharp edge round. see pic for what i mean.

 

[Tree Wizard]

We have a 7000 friction brake that is about 9 years old. Ours did not come with pads. It works fine for big removals. Takes along time to set up for just one or two pieces - porta wrap much quicker.

Since we bought a couple of GRCs from Greg Good six years ago, we haven't used the 7000. The GRC is much more versatile and with the two speed gearing it is easy to lift big wood.

 

[JonnyHart]

Yeah, I used the GRCS before, and I'm sure this would be a sorry comparison, but it's also over 2000$ less than a grcs, and well over 1000$ less than a hobbs. I will probably order it, I was kinda wondering if it's gonna fall apart the first time I use it. Thanks

 

[Koa Man]

The postman just brought me my GRCS yesterday. I can hardly wait to try it out.

 

[SteveBullman]

im jealous.
its not that i cant afford one, its that we just dont get enough jobs over here to warrant buying one, else id get one in a shot!

 

[Tree Wizard]

Once you have a GRCS you will think of different ways to use it. We have used it as a semi-high lead for dragging brush and wood up steep slopes. We set a block up in a tree at the top of the slope and run a line through it that is wrapped on the GRCS and the other end down slope around a pile of brush or logs. We have the attachment where a gas drill fits to the GRCS and we just "crank" away and up comes the brush.

I agree with Dan on the porta wrap - the crews leave the GRCS in truck a lot in favor of the porta wrap.

 

[Koa Man]

I have a capstan winch for dragging brush up steep slopes etc. Posted pictures on another thread about capstan winches. I know I would never use the GRCS if all the job involved was simple lowering of branches. I bought the GRCS for the jobs that I need to raise up the limb first, and then lower. I have 2 such jobs coming up next month and decided to spend the $$$. One job is over $5K and I figure that will at least cover the cost of the GRCS and labor.

 

[rbtree]

Right On, koa man!! You'll love "The Winch", as you already know!

Is your capstan wInch a Simpson?

 

[Koa Man]

Is your capstan wInch a Simpson?

I don't even know and I am too lazy to go out to the tool shed to look. I bought it from Bailey's catalog. It works a lot better than the Lewis winch I had previously.

 

[rbtree]

nothin like 'lazin' on a sunny afternoon" OK, you old fuggers, who can name the band?