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Rope questions

S

signcrafter

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Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
12,399
Rope might be a tool right? Anyway I am looking to pick up some decent ropes. I've needed them in the past and all I have is some cheap ones that I have had for years. Want to pick up a couple quality ones. The main time that I use them is for tree trimming or cutting a tree down. Also want to try and do some tree climbing so want some quality ropes. Thinking about picking up 2 ropes for now and looking at getting the 120' or 150' ones. One for climbing and one for lowering branches or for someone on the ground to pull branches in a certain direction or just general use for a rope.

I have been looking online at tree trimming sites and also looked at fleet farm today who has all sorts of spools of ropes and precut ropes. Was looking at the working load of the braided ropes at fleet farm and I think the highest rating was somewhere around 700 pounds or so. The ropes I see on tree cutting websites are all in the 4000-6000 or more load ratings. So what exactly am I looking for in a rope? What makes a good rope? Like everything I'm looking to get the best value since I don't use them often but want to get quality. So where is the best place to pick up a couple lengths of quality ropes? What diameter and weight rating do I want?
 
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91bronc300

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Oct 19, 2009
Messages
2,559
Rock climbers get very good rope and retire it after a certain amount of time out of protocol. They don't wait for obvious signs of wear or damage (that would be foolish, their lives are literally hanging by that rope) they replace them after a certain number of falls or a certain amount of time (even in storage). Get on eBay and buy the ropes that the rock climbers retire. Best way to get great quality rope for a decent price.
 
M

madcrisis

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Joined
Dec 3, 2013
Messages
216
Climbers rope is considered life safety rope. It is designed to stretch more than typical kern mantle rope. This is for fall protection so the sudden stop is more drawn out and less likely to hurt you. It will be solid rope still when climbers are done with it for general use rope but remember it is designed to stretch.

I usually dont buy rope so I dont know who makes the good stuff but I can recognize good rope from cheap stuff. If your going to be hanging from it Id invest in some life safety rope. But as far as pulling tree limbs and such, I typically use a thick braided rope that I dont care if it gets chewed up but is sturdy enough to hold. I dont know how big of limbs you will be removing but I typically dont remove huge limbs. I think braided is better for that stuff, because with kern mantle, when dirt gets into the mantle (the middle part) it can tend to tear it up. Woven rope is also a quality rope. A bit less stretch but also seems to be a bit softer than braided.

I hope this helps a litlle even though I cant exactly tell you what to get. Ive acquired all of the rope I use and have enough of it.

One last thing, Rope is one of the best tools there is.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,216
Location
SE MI
Go to arborsite.com. That is where the pro's hang out.

Stay away from anything that is not 100% nylon or some special material. Double braided is strong, but I don't know how well it will wear as the outer part is a softer nylon for easier handling. 3 strand twist is probably more durable, but it does not have the same strength, I think it stretches more than double braided.

You will probably need 3/4" or possibly 1" depending on what you are doing. 200'-250' is not too much.

Tree limbs weigh a lot more than you think. Anther person an I were the "dead men" on a large limb being cut off of a tree a couple of years ago. Combined we were over 500 lbs. When it fell, it literally picked us both off the ground and about 10' forward. It may have slowed the fall of that limb a little bit.

You will also need some block and tackle, straps, shackle and possibly even some chain.
 
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