Rope troubles

[KentuckySawyer]

I've got a piece of 1/2" Power Braid that I use as a lowering line in conjunction with block and Port-O-Wrap. It does a fine job, but the rope behind the groundman is constantly twisting/knotting up. So much so that if he has to let a piece run it could impossible.

Any suggestions other than straightening the rope out after each lowering?

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

It helps if you run the rope a certain way around the POW.
Think about it like if you ran a rope just around a pipe, like three times. It would twist up like you are experiencing, but if you could go two time around the pipe one way, then two times the other way, it would twist, then un-twist.
Depending on which version of POW you have, you need to figure out what way will work to reverse wrap directions.
We use a "T" shaped POW, and wrap the short end clockwise, and the long end counterclockwise, switching at the shaft.
Make sense?
Also, never wrap up a rope for storage. This introduces twists. Always "flake" a rope into a container.
Tree Spyder has a great link to a page on brakes, mostly mountaineering, but if you click on each brake, you'll learn about the factors that introduce "hockling".

 

[KentuckySawyer]

I've got the same version of the POW. What you're suggesting makes sense. Thanks.

I've only tried using a rope bage once, and it seemed like that rope twisted up worse than any I've ever had. It was my climbing rope, so wasn't used with a POW. A piece of High Vee I think. Maybe I'll try the bag again.

 

[Lumberjack]

I bag all my ropes except the ones that are too big, they get boxed. No problems for me!

 

[P_woozel]

Reverse the line every couple of cycles, if youre doing a long run a swivel helps with this. :umpkin:

 

[NickfromWI]

When I work the ground, I constantly am getting the twist out of the rope. Yes, it can get annoying, but just do it, and be ready for the next piece. It helps if you don't use a 200' rope if you only need a 100 footer.

I've never tried the counter-wrap that mike suggested. I wish I had one handy right now so I could see what it looks like!

love
nick

 

[sharpstikman]

who is the maker of this rope

 

[KentuckySawyer]

Its made by Wall. In the Karl Kuemmerling catalog (where I ordered it) it is called Power Braid. I'm not sure if Sherrill carries it. Its a good strong piece of rope though. Breaking Strength of 9,900 and working strength 1,980.