VT...Only Way To Go!!!

[rahtreelimbs]

I finally got to use the VT at what seems to be the proper length, 54" before the double fisherman knots are tied. This hitch is the $hit. It grabs and releases real well. A few times I had to tie a stopper knot above the hitch to keep the weight of the tail from pulling it thru. Any suggestions on another method for this? Thanx to all who have contributed to the other threads on the VT.

Rich.

 

[ramanujan]

i find that the free running nature of the VT is more of a blessing than a curse... effortless slack tending. i have had it be an annoyance as well, but not enough to need a fix.

my 2¢

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by ramanujan
i find that the free running nature of the VT is more of a blessing than a curse... effortless slack tending. i have had it be an annoyance as well, but not enough to need a fix.

my 2¢

Believe me, I agree with you 100%. It is getting used to it that is sometimes difficult.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
What configuration are you using? I've been mostly using a 4-2 using 8mm Sta-Set tied about 23" eye-to-eye. It doesn't lock up when the tres cord gets a little used/ dirty like the Distel simetimes does.

I'm using 8mm Sta-Set tied 4 wrap - 3 braid ( just like the picture in the 2nd edition of the Tree Climbers Companion ). At 54" untied, that gives me a cord that is 34" eye-to-eye. That may seem long, but at my weight ( 220 lbs. ) it works real good. The 54" was a random number as I just increased the length 6" from 48" and it worked.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Another thing to think of is having a stopper on the trailing end of your line, espcially if you are on a shorter rope the the tree.

A week or two ago I, for the first time ever, came off the end of my rope a few feet above the ground.

I was working on a bluff and paying more attention to not breaking undergrowth.... Lucky I did not have one of those 2 ft stumps under me!!!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

OK a stoppper of some sort.

Some people will backsplice a short portion of the shaeth and put a small carabiner in.

My point is that with the more dynamic hitches it is much easier to have the bitter end go through the hitch.

I've had tape and dipped ends jam in my Blakes and taughtline, but the action was slow and tight enough I could catch it.

This i did not even know it till i was going down.

What i get for not carrying the 120 hank into the thicket

 

[Eagle1]

VT?

What is the VT?

 

[kf_tree]

jps

i almost did that a few weeks ago down in GA. i only use a 120ft line, i went up a pine popped the top and set a bull rope to lower some other tree's. as i was comeing down my rope was about 20ft too short. if i was staying here i'd have to get a longer line.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Re: VT?

Originally posted by Eagle1
What is the VT?

Look into the VT. You will be very impressed with it's performance as anyone here will agree with.

 

[Eagle1]

I use the Blake for LL. I looked up the vt in my Tree Climbers Companion and it looks very comlicated. I have never had any problems with the blake but if something was more safe or sure I would give it a try.

By the way, I am STILL looking for a chipper. Anyone? (75-100 HP. 12" capacity, used)
Thanks

 

[kf_tree]

Tree Climbers Companion ?

i went into my gear bag and pulled out my bottle of jim beam and it doesn't say any thing about a VT hitch on the label.

what gives? should i switch to jack?

 

[TREETX]

Re: VT?

Originally posted by Eagle1
What is the VT?

There is a search feature on this forum. I highly recommend using it. This forum has seen many a question in its day. There is a chance you can find out about it topics by doing a little research first.

 

[Eagle1]

Maybe you are right. I should do research on discussions before I enter the forum of that topic.
I will stick to the blake.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Any of the closed loop hitches perform better then a splitail, if only because you can tend slack one handed.

 

[NickfromWI]

John, you can slack tend one handed with the blakes, too!!!

love
nick

 

[TREETX]

Beagle1,

There are some good threads here on the VT. It is a more high performance hitch. I don't see why it wouldn't suit you. It is not as turnkey though. I recommend finding what you can here and elsewhere on line, then spending a few hours in the backyard doing the low and slow thing. It will take a little while to find a configuration that really jives with you.

It is definitely worth a try. Just don't be dillusional and think that you can get a length of tress cord and try it out the first time on the job. It really takes a little tweaking but oh so worth the time.

 

[TREETX]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
I think the Distel hitch is a great starting hitch for someone who currently uses the Blake's or tautline. Very easy to tie and length isn't quite as critical as the V.T.

I agree 100% here. The distal is more bomb proof and will get you used to a short bridge and pulling down on the rope above the hitch, then pulling the tail up to advance slack. It is an odd conversion going from a blake's/tautline with a long bridge where you pull down on the rope(under the hitch) and then slide the hitch up to a short bridge.

.02

 

[NickfromWI]

Yep, I PM'd him and reccomended the distel as a starter knot. I think we're all on the same page here.

Now if it was only in the same book....

love
nick

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Originally posted by NickfromWI
John, you can slack tend one handed with the blakes, too!!!

love
nick

I found that a PITA to tend with the keychain biner or dog-snap.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

i always thought that what Brian did, writing like a short diary of challenges and changes was pretty good, cuz it captured all the twists and turns as he went thru them. Sometimes i think of my monitor as a jar on the desk to collect such things. i have been scheming and plotting to put this up on Sept. 16 to wonder at the change and evolution of thought in one year:
Brian starts with split tail