Slings-vs-Ropes

[newb]

When rigging down a tree I have recently switched from tying each cut to wraping a sling around it. I have found that it seems to be easier on both myself and my groundman. We dont have to worry if the knot is going to hold and the pace is quicker. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Lumberjack]

I use loopies for all my rigging. I dont see any advantage to using a rope under normal circumstances.

 

[Husky288XP]

You are not permitted to harass other members at ArboristSite.com. This includes offensive remarks or remarks that attempt to provoke another member. Sarcastic baiting is also not permitted. If you disagree with someone, state why, but do not resort to name calling, threats, etc…

 

[Lumberjack]

Um, do I know you? Do you know me? I have no pics (or very many) of rigging, but I think I have made several post on the subject of rigging.

I guess I dont know how to respond, why not ask me a question and I will answer it. Why not start a new thread quizing me if you like?

 

[MasterBlaster]

I'll use slings with cranes, but it's pretty much ropes for everything else.

 

[Lumberjack]

I'll use slings with cranes, but it's pretty much ropes for everything else.

I think he is talking about using (adjustable) slings to attach hardware (blocks and pulleys) to the tree.

Is that what your talking about too?

 

[Lumberjack]

Perhaps I missread his post, I use rope and knots to attach the piece being rigged to the rope, not slings there.

I use slings to attach the hardware.

 

[NickfromWI]

...We dont have to worry if the knot is going to hold and ...

Use the right knots and tie them properly. Then don't worry about it.

love
nick

 

[Ax-man]

In some cases it is quicker and easier than repetitive knot tying. It works best in a tree with small dia. light limbs, like a tree that has been severely topped and the crown is twice as full , but the limbs are half the size than they normally would be. Add a pulley up high in the tree makes it go even quicker.

Larger limbs does not equal using larger slings, there is a limit to using this method, like Nick said, " use the right knots and tie them properly" A running bowline will get you by most of the time, if in doubt back the bowline up with a marl.

Larry

 

[TimberMcPherson]

Slings are great, they save me alot of time as you can get loops on all the bits and not waste time with knots, just biner them up to the rope. If its smaller bits you can rig up a bunch to the same rope all at once.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

With the proper pieces rigging down large wood with slings can be done. There are some heavy duty steel rope snaps that can be spliced into a large rope. Then get slings to choke the wood. I've used this setup for years. It is very quick and easy. With some care, the snap will never end up under the wood where they get chewed up and ground into the dirt. The rope takes very little wear and tear. When a sling is used up, it gets cut into pieces and tossed. Cheaper than trashing the end of the rope.

The groundies will collect the slings and send them back up with the snap.

The climber will have a number of slings with them. While the groundies are getting the wood moved, the climber can get the next few cuts setup. Then, the rope is sent up and clipped.

With a bit of creativity whole branches can be dismantled and lowered at once. I call this "The Bouquet" since all of the branch stems are bunched together like a flower bouquet. I'll set up some of the branches to speedline down to the #1 clipin. By weaving the line and slings, the branch will collapse like an umbrella. With a winch device you can take up slack as the branch is dismantled.

Slings are much faster than tying knots. And they can be much stronger too.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

With a bit of creativity whole branches can be dismantled and lowered at once. I call this "The Bouquet" since all of the branch stems are bunched together like a flower bouquet.

Why did someone else claim "chandelier"?

My thought with slings is that it really speeds up the gorund. If you can shave off 30 seconds per rig with a sling, for every 30 riggs you save 15 min. On big tight jobs that can add.

I know guys who have gone to big rigging snaps (locking) that do not need gloves removed to operate, works real well.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Why did someone else claim "chandelier"?

Too many people didn't see the analogy. Bouquet makes more sense

Bringing bouquets worked really well when I used the ATV as a skidder too. Everything was bundled and ready for the chipper.

Too often climbers get caught up doing big things. Changing to doing little things that save seconds does pay off.

 

[Ny finest]

Why not a clove and a designated roper?

 

[Lumberjack]

On some types of trees you can send down 4+ (small) limbs at a time using slings to attach multiple limbs to the same rope. You save time by lowering the group instead of lowering all 4 limbs by themselves.

Most people here (I would think) use a running bowline, or a bowline with a marl or half hitch. On large limbs (8"+ depending) that I am butt tying I will back them up with a half hitch or marl.

The clove hitch has its place, different strokes for diff folks. The only time I can think a clove would help is if the limb would barberchair (I can think of a couple of situations that MAY happen) that the clove would be better. A bowline can get pushed open and the limb fall through. However if you back it up with a marl then its almost the same thing. Never used a clove hitch for rigging that I can remember.

Check this out, its Butch's vid shows the idea well.
http://www.gypoclimber.com/4atonce.mov

 

[mikecross23]

I used to use slings for anything I could think of including lowering limbs in mutiples. Now I just tie them all off w/ my rope end. Sometimes up to 4 small limbs at a time but usually more like 2-3. Yes maybe a little slower to tie than choke w/ slings, but man I hate all that crap hangin' off my saddle. It all tangles up and I find myself spending more time unlooping stuff than it's worth. I've got 15 slings all w/ biners and now I only use 'em for speed lining, which doesn't happen very often.

Just my preference. . .

-Mike-

 

[Lumberjack]

I keep my slings in Sherrills ditty bag. Very useful! I also keep my cell and whatever else i need in there. Another good buy in my book.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

It all tangles up and I find myself spending more time unlooping stuff than it's worth.

They rarely go on my saddle these days, they get sent up as I need them. i might keep 2 daisychained on a carabiner to keep them out of the way.

They have a lot of different uses, liek if im cutting in an area I dont want to just bomb stuff and holding on would wrench my shoulder; anchor one and set the other on the target branch, then connect then with a carabiner... redirects....a handle to get leverage on a top...

If i'm doing a lot of rigging real fast, then I'll wear a stitched CMI daisy bandoleer style like rock guys where their cam & nut rack.

 

[clearance]

I use a rope snap tied at the end of the rigging rope. Loop it once around the branch and click. Groundsman just has to unclick-no knots. For anything big, big, like pulling over trees it is always a running bowline.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I stopped using a snap when I started buying my own ropes, they wear the strands to fast. I'll sometimes use a carabiner, but they do not load properly and I've seen them come open on big wood as it rolls. We had a snugged up marl under the connection to take up part of the load. It only bent open, but it was an eye opner. I even watched my buddy (for whom I was working) set and double check the carabiner before cutting.