Tom Dunlap
Addicted to ArboristSite
The climbing line thread got me thinking about what rigging lines are used.
Rigging rope selection
- Thread starter Tom Dunlap
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Dave
ArboristSite Guru
If I had to pick ONLY one, I'd pack up my toys and go home mad 
The older (smarter) I get, the more I appreciate having a good selection of equipment. Right now the hundred pound duffle bag contains :
200' 1/2" stablebraid
150' 5/8" superbraid ( a little harder to set a knot well)
100' 5/8" stablebraid
80' 3/4" stablebraid
75' 1/2" arborplex hand line
If I REALLY had to pick one, it would be 100' of 5/8", but I would spend the the entire job thinking how nice it would be to have ALL my ropes to choose from
The older (smarter) I get, the more I appreciate having a good selection of equipment. Right now the hundred pound duffle bag contains :200' 1/2" stablebraid
150' 5/8" superbraid ( a little harder to set a knot well)
100' 5/8" stablebraid
80' 3/4" stablebraid
75' 1/2" arborplex hand line
If I REALLY had to pick one, it would be 100' of 5/8", but I would spend the the entire job thinking how nice it would be to have ALL my ropes to choose from
treeman82
Addicted to ArboristSite
Here is what I like, and why.
1/2" x 150' Hi-Vee line for doing brush, small and lightweight, easy to make knots in.
5/8" x 150' Stable Braid? for doing wood when I have to rig it out, moderatley heavy, somewhat harder to put knots in, but holds up well.
probably a 3/4" x 150' for doing the larger wood.
and definatley a good 150 - 200' of the 9/16" because that stuff is really really strong for pulling over trees, and doing pretty much whatever else you need it to do.
1/2" x 150' Hi-Vee line for doing brush, small and lightweight, easy to make knots in.
5/8" x 150' Stable Braid? for doing wood when I have to rig it out, moderatley heavy, somewhat harder to put knots in, but holds up well.
probably a 3/4" x 150' for doing the larger wood.
and definatley a good 150 - 200' of the 9/16" because that stuff is really really strong for pulling over trees, and doing pretty much whatever else you need it to do.
monkeypuzzle
ArboristSite Guru
Things seem to go smoother when we go with the big ropes,less stress on the groundmen.
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
I like that 5/8 stable braid from Samapson. Feels good, runs well and ties easily.
I used to like a 3 strand hard lay when I started, cannot find it any more.
I used a 1 inch braid bull when I was with a big company. That was a beast to get in the tree.
I used to like a 3 strand hard lay when I started, cannot find it any more.
I used a 1 inch braid bull when I was with a big company. That was a beast to get in the tree.
Toddppm
Addicted to ArboristSite
The 1/2 " Stable braid is awesome except for coiling it up, still use a 3 strand when doing small stuff. I've got about 3 of the 3/4 " bull ropes we don't even use anymore that are in good shape, I think I cut a couple pieces off to use as tow ropes.
Kneejerk Bombas
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I say, use as small and short a rope as the job allows.
I have a half dozen or so, 1/2" ropes of different construction and length's(75' to 180'). I also have a couple big(5/8" & 3/4") stable braid that I bring out if I have to, I hate working with that big stuff.
Dave's point about having short lengths of the big stuff is smart. After all, the big stuff is mostly close to the ground, why fight with 100 feet of tail you ain't going to use?
I also like the idea of using some 5/16" or 3/8" ropes for light brushng.
If I were forced to only use 1 rope, it would be a 1/2" Stable Braid.
I have a half dozen or so, 1/2" ropes of different construction and length's(75' to 180'). I also have a couple big(5/8" & 3/4") stable braid that I bring out if I have to, I hate working with that big stuff.
Dave's point about having short lengths of the big stuff is smart. After all, the big stuff is mostly close to the ground, why fight with 100 feet of tail you ain't going to use?
I also like the idea of using some 5/16" or 3/8" ropes for light brushng.
If I were forced to only use 1 rope, it would be a 1/2" Stable Braid.
Mike,
Good post. I have a 220' 0.5 double braid. Recently lowered cedrus deodar trunk wood on it. max size 20" and weight 200 lb. It is so much easier to use than my .75", plus the matching 9/16 sling is easy too.
But as I work with lots of evergreens and do other light lowering, I usually use 1/2 inch New England Treeline or the stiff Arborplex. I often use naturall crotches and do much of the lowering myself with wraps or a fig 8. This is all for speed and convenience. I dont care if these cheap lines wear out quicker from natural crotch use. Besides, they still last plenty long.
I also use the double braid as a winch line in my Simpson capstan winch. Powered by a 4.4 hp 036 Stihl, it is awesome for storm work or raising heavy lateral branches. Faster and more versatile but nowhere near as safe or heavy duty as a conventional ratcheting lowering device. However, we recently sucked up a 85 foot 16"dbh bitter cherry from its 40 degree lean, then butt cut it and pulled her the rest of the way up, then wacked her off 6 feet at a time from the bottom up. Portawrap backup for safety.
Good post. I have a 220' 0.5 double braid. Recently lowered cedrus deodar trunk wood on it. max size 20" and weight 200 lb. It is so much easier to use than my .75", plus the matching 9/16 sling is easy too.
But as I work with lots of evergreens and do other light lowering, I usually use 1/2 inch New England Treeline or the stiff Arborplex. I often use naturall crotches and do much of the lowering myself with wraps or a fig 8. This is all for speed and convenience. I dont care if these cheap lines wear out quicker from natural crotch use. Besides, they still last plenty long.
I also use the double braid as a winch line in my Simpson capstan winch. Powered by a 4.4 hp 036 Stihl, it is awesome for storm work or raising heavy lateral branches. Faster and more versatile but nowhere near as safe or heavy duty as a conventional ratcheting lowering device. However, we recently sucked up a 85 foot 16"dbh bitter cherry from its 40 degree lean, then butt cut it and pulled her the rest of the way up, then wacked her off 6 feet at a time from the bottom up. Portawrap backup for safety.
Last edited:
Rob Murphy
ArboristSite Operative
Originally posted by rbtree
Mike,
Good post. I have a 220' 0.5 double braid. Recently lowered cedrus deodar trunk wood on it. max size 20" and weight 200 lb. It is so much easier to use than my .75", plus the matching 9/16 sling is easy too.
Mike is the double braid an untreated rope?? We seem to be able to source these @ 1/3 cost off treated rope and with the same strength rating. We are thinking that they arn't going to wear three times as quick althoughwe have heard that the treatements prevent fibres snagging an pulling out.
We are thinking to get everything double braid ,easier to splice,cheaper, some say stronger.
Any expirenced commentry welcomed
Tom Dunlap
Addicted to ArboristSite
Rob,
The half inch double braid that I have is raw and I don't see a lot of snags. But! I am very careful about how I rig with that rope. I will use a biner redirect rather than have it run against the bark. For us, buying the ropes coated is not too expensive. Samson sells the urethane [Samthane] coating by the bucket for home treatment. I have never heard from anyone who has done the treatment themselves. you might contact the rope manufacturer to see if they have the good to sell.
You're right, DB ropes are the way to go for rigging. There are some exotic fibers in some ropes that would make great speedlines if you did not want stretch. the catch is that those ropes are more expensive. In the right situation, it would be worth the money.
Do you use the "$" symbol for your dollar? Do you have a slang term for an Aussie dollar like a "buck" for an American. The Canadians have a dollar coin with a loon on the back, hence, a "Loonie". You guys have the coolest bills of any that I have seen! Plastic money...
Merry Christmas!
We just got a cover of snow so the Twin Cities will have a White Christmas.
Tom
The half inch double braid that I have is raw and I don't see a lot of snags. But! I am very careful about how I rig with that rope. I will use a biner redirect rather than have it run against the bark. For us, buying the ropes coated is not too expensive. Samson sells the urethane [Samthane] coating by the bucket for home treatment. I have never heard from anyone who has done the treatment themselves. you might contact the rope manufacturer to see if they have the good to sell.
You're right, DB ropes are the way to go for rigging. There are some exotic fibers in some ropes that would make great speedlines if you did not want stretch. the catch is that those ropes are more expensive. In the right situation, it would be worth the money.
Do you use the "$" symbol for your dollar? Do you have a slang term for an Aussie dollar like a "buck" for an American. The Canadians have a dollar coin with a loon on the back, hence, a "Loonie". You guys have the coolest bills of any that I have seen! Plastic money...
Merry Christmas!
We just got a cover of snow so the Twin Cities will have a White Christmas.
Tom
Rob Murphy
ArboristSite Operative
Thanks Tom I do apreciate all your help this year and that off all the other 'arbornuts'out there in online land.I do really believe I have learnt as much in the last year (climbing and rigging) as i have in the last five.
So thanks again Mate.
Yes our money is very pretty ,pity its not worth more When I was in Kenya they loved how it looked too but were suprissed that we didn't have pictures of our "dictator" on it and that we have pictures of people that we don't even know.We call them "notes"(we don't call them bills, they are the "requests for payment '' that come in the mail).We have a few weird slang terms ie 'spondooly' but mostly it is called 'cash' or 'dollars'or rarley we also use 'bucks'.We use a $ symbol as well.....
All the Best for "Chrissy" and the New Year as i break out my "sunnies"(sunglasses) and sunscreen.Good thing the beach is not too far away in Tassie ,the water may be cold but at least that keeps the crocs away.
So thanks again Mate.
Yes our money is very pretty ,pity its not worth more
When I was in Kenya they loved how it looked too but were suprissed that we didn't have pictures of our "dictator" on it and that we have pictures of people that we don't even know.We call them "notes"(we don't call them bills, they are the "requests for payment '' that come in the mail).We have a few weird slang terms ie 'spondooly' but mostly it is called 'cash' or 'dollars'or rarley we also use 'bucks'.We use a $ symbol as well.....All the Best for "Chrissy" and the New Year as i break out my "sunnies"(sunglasses) and sunscreen.Good thing the beach is not too far away in Tassie ,the water may be cold but at least that keeps the crocs away.
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
The great thing about an island. Wherever you are the beach is over there.
