Self Roping

[WillClimb]

Anyone figure out a way to lower small limbs (ones where the climber alone can handle the weight) but release and retrieve the lowering line when finished...without the help of a groundman?

Yes, I always have a groundie but sometimes he takes breaks...go figure. Or, he may be raking, getting something out of the truck, dragging brush, chipping, etc.

 

[ramanujan]

i'd suggest a new groundman

one way it can be done if circumstances allow:

-pass rigging line through natural crotch on limb or through a sling on piece to be lowered (minimal friction desired).

-tie off one end of rigging line to wherever in the tree, pass other part through rigging point.

-make cut, lower piece, pull rope through and back up (providing it's not tangled in brush.)

-make sure groundman doesn't chip sling

 

[rbtree]

Yep, that works, done it a few times.

Also, you can catch and snub the branch, then cut it into as many pieces as necessary to drop safely.

 

[WillClimb]

I've tried something similar with chainsaws, blowers (from the roof), or anything with a 'biner on it. I placed a bight through the handle of the blower, or through a 'biner, and let out one leg of the bight which lowers the piece.

The rope tends to become a tangled mess though. Sometimes you can pull the bight back through, releasing the piece, but more often than not you yell, "GROUNDIE!!!"

 

[TREETX]

Maybe you should get a good ground man. I'm not saying groundie because that sounds like someone whose only job is to hold a rake and consume precious O2. On large, technical removals a good ground man is just as important as a competent climber. Actually the ground man should have a title more like operations man. Find someone who you can operate with as a team. Someone who knows your next move before you do.

They are also handy on pruning jobs - you never go thirsty.

I have the highest respect for good ground help and would never call them "groundie, ground boy, etc..". The problem is you have to go through many deadheads and jugheads to find someone good.

One of my first jobs on my own involved me lowering a hackberry piece by piece, untying, and heading back up. had a 3' wide landing zone. Took a day and a half of hard work. I will never do that again. With good ground help, it could have been down in half a day or less.

I am not ragging on anyone, just suggesting you instead of striving to be the best arborist, why not strive to be the best team.......

Any ground help who is fiddlephucking around while I am in a tree is gone. I don't mind if they are dragging brush from back to the street, etc. But if they are taking a break, smoking, etc - that is fine - I expect it to be done while the are watching me or very near my tree.

 

[Greg]

I think Tree Machine was a one man show who did all his own lowering --he posted some great stuff -where did he go?? I think he posted some stuff on this topic, I remember him or someone suggesting a Snap shackle. You can buy them from any sailing supply store. they have a small ring that you pull to release the shackle, and would need a small rope tied to that ring so you can pull it when the peice is on the ground. However I think the previous suggestions are more fool proof.
Greg

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I've done it on occation wehr you wrap the line around the tag end and maintain tension till it is on the ground then flip it off the branch.

Does not always work and not for critical situations, but just one more tool for the trick bag.

Oh and you really need a stub or branch to make it hold.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i do as Rama or RB, and that is a 2/1 lowering also; so can handle more weight, pre-tighten more, but takes more time to lower and more rope also as 'costs'. Also, prefer quick release on end of line, in case when branches lay down, that the leg you have to free is somehow caught and has tension.

So if there are a few, i choke sling each and place a pulley on the support line and maybe hook a 1/2 dozen branches to it,cut each limb, last one frees, then 2/1 lower to roof etc., hand off to another line that might work it off roof etc.

Once stretched a line across the top of a roof, had pilot tie off to ground anchor, and spedline each piece (brush) to land stob upin air, brush caught on top of roof, and just sent a number of things down to that stop pont his super steep roof. Then put the end of my lifeline on quick /remote release for high end of speed line. Rode speed line down to pile, claered roof (for the lighter stuff that meantpeedling down the other side), pilot undid ground side of speedline, and sofflty laid me back to the tree under my TIP. i pulled the quick release, freeing my line to come home. Lil'xtravegant, but the only way i saw as a clear path out. Getting stuff out from that back yard forest of rare species would have bee he!!; and customer was eyeing- ready to pounce, at least infraction! Let alone if you could lower to said position.

Tag line to pilot?

Add speedline to rigging line support; where the speed line first is bent and acts as a 2/1? Pilot uses speedline to draw limb around on hinge till speedline is straight; as climber is carefully steering around on hinge to release then at the right time sppedline is set allow tearoff.

Or something like that!


:alien: