Want to extend the life of your rigging ropes? Protect trees? & have an efficient operation when removing limbs?!
Lowering Devices are an excellent piece of equipment for friction management to efficiently and safely lower limbs. Lowering devices save money, time and improve safety.
At Life-Gear.com we have released a comprehensive range of lowering devices from Porta Wraps to Heavy duty lowering bollards. High-quality, competitively-priced, and available to hire as well as to buy our Rigging Systems are perfect for Tree Care Professionals!
One of our most popular lowering devices is the TU100 heavy duty bollard, designed to be attached to the base of a tree groundsman can control the descent of a cut branch/ limb. Made in the EU the padded mounting plates prevent trees from getting damaged.
For more information view our full range here!
A non retrievable cambium saver is annoying, time consuming and can therefore cost you money!
Cambium Savers should be expected from all Arborists, when climbing a tree other than when felling the tree we should aim to prevent damaging the tree as much as possible. Cambium savers help achieve this goal. Arborists can reduce premature wear on climbing lines and prevent damage to tree limbs caused by the climbing line running over a branch.
Ensure the chosen spot is cleaned of all little stumps and twigs that could get in the way, ensure the side where the cambium saver will drop down removing all little stumps and possible twigs that it could catch on. Investing a short amount of time cleaning can save you allot of time retrieving your cambium saver!
The easiest way of retrieving the cambium saver is to tie a knot (half hitch) in the end of the rope.
Simulate savers retrieval; pull at the cambium saver in the direction it will be retrieved checking if it moves easily through crotch or if the pulley releases well, even if this means that you have to look for a different spot to place your cambium saver being able to retrieve your cambium saver safely is crucial for a smooth operation.
Also, ensure you come out of the tree in a relatively straight line so that you can flick your rope from the ground and hence manipulating the cambium saver out of the fork.
Climbing spikes are a simple and effective tool for Arborists. Being able to dig the spikes into a tree provides climbers with solid footing and flexibility when moving around the tree.
However, climbing spikes should only be used on trees that are being cut down or in parts that are being removed. The spikes penetrate the bark of a tree and dig into the living circulatory tissue beneath. Each hole punched into the tree disrupts nutrient circulation, traumatizing to the tree creating unnecessary damage. This is important as the holes also provide an opening for diseases and pests to get in.
Each time climbers spike up a tree each step puts 2-3 inch wounds in a tree, and climbers wearing spikes can potentially create 2 or 3 hundred of those wounds causing severer damage. Spike marks eventually kill the tree; damaging the trees vascular system right below the bark.
If climbers must use tree climbing spikes it is recommended to use them responsibly by cleaning the spikes with alcohol after each use to ensure no fungus or disease is transferred from a sick tree to a healthy one.
So why would climbers use spikes if they are harmful to the trees? There are a few exceptional situations where using spikes is appropriate, such as
- When the tree is being removed
- When branches are more than throwline distance apart and there is no other means of climbing the tree (for example: when there are no branches lower than 50 feet), with no access for an aerial lift device or crane.
- If the tree is to close to power line and cannot be accessed safely by other means, to reach and injured climber.
At Life-Gear.com we supply a comprehensive range of winches for all your pulling and rigging operations. Whether you are rigging, pulling or even lifting equipment, logs or vehicles you are sure to find a solution at Life-Gear.com. One of our newest and most versatile winches is the battery powered lifting/ pulling winch by LiftinGear. Perfect for Arborists, Forestry workers and anyone who needs to pull or even lift loads! Here are some of the benefits of the Battery Powered Winch…
Lightweight
Easy to carry and store the compact light weight design only weighs 8.2kg!
Pulling & Lifting
With a lifting capacity of 100kg and a pulling capacity of 400kg, there is no need to purchase two devices for your pulling and lifting needs. With a speed of 5meters/min, this winch is designed specifically for recovering heavy loads.
Hassel Free!
Not only can this winch lift and pull but it is battery powered! Without the hassle of cables and the need for a power supply, we provide 2x 24v Nimh Rechargeable Batteries that can easily be swapped over. Flexible, portable, easy to use and with a battery charging time of approximately 2-3hrs this winch is perfect for a variety of applications.
Cost
Was £275.98 ex VAT now £199.98 ex VAT! One of the most versatile and reliable winches on the market available right here at Life-Gear.com!
Steel and Aluminium are the most common climbing spikes in the arboriculture market with other options available such as Titanium or Carbon Fibre. Steel is the heaviest but are extremely durable and will out-live the leg straps, gaffs and shin pads which can all be replaced. Aluminium is a lightweight alternative which is strong and durable. Aluminium is highly regarded as a great compromise between steel and carbon fibre due to the lightweight material maintaining a high level of strength.
Spike/ Gaff length is also important. Long gaffs are effective for large diameter trees with thick, rough bark where you can really dig in. Long gaffs stick out further away from the foot making smaller gaffs a better solution for climbing small diameter barked trees.
Although, how much of the tree actually has rough thick bark? On most, it is just the lower 5 – 15% of the trunk where minimal time is spent.
Small shafts tend to feel more natural especially when climbing on small diameter stems and provide a better balance than when using long spikes. Therefore, small spikes are usually the most effective and comfortable when working at height, however; this is usually just down to personal opinion, climbing style, type of trees mostly worked on and what climbers have been taught in!
Fortunately Life-Gear supply FREE an extra pair of climbing spikes/ gaffs across all our climbing spurs. We also offer adjustable height models for Steel and Aluminium Spurs at great prices!
Rope life can be extended by a number of care and maintenance factors. This is important as ropes are a crucial part of Tree Climber kits.
A cambium saver is fundamental when using a climbing rope to reduce wear and abrasion. Cambium savers enable ropes to pass over the smooth surface of rings or a pulley rather than the rough bark of a branch and help maintain trees health. Never run the climbing rope over dirty surfaces or sharp objects/ edges to prevent fraying or damage to fibres. Similarly, fast descents should be avoided as the friction can produce high temperatures, possibly melting the rope's fibres.
Rope inspection is fundamental for extending rope life and should be a part of tree care professional’s daily routine. For example, wear, rope eyes and rope ends should be constantly monitored. It is normal for climbing ropes to show signs of abrasion and for the outer sheath to have a fuzzy texture due to small fibre breaks. Although, any signs of damaged strands, excessive wear or chemical contamination, the rope should be retired immediately from use.
A storage bag is excellent for prolonging the life of ropes, being able to store rope prevents sharp objects and equipment, sunlight, abrasive materials and dirt damaging the rope with the added benefits of transportation.
If a rope has been subjected to damage or shock loading, always retire it immediately. Please Visit Life-Gear.com, call 0808 12 69 69 or email us at sales@life-gear.com for more information on our Repairs and Inspections services!
Due to the launch of our new Tree-Force.com dedicated website for Arborists, Tree climbers and all Forestry workers we are introducing a 5% discount offer for everything listed on the website!
Please use the Discount Code: OAK1 at the checkout, offer ends 1st December 2017.
Life-Gear Hire Fleet
Life-Gear supply only the best, safest, user-friendly products to arborists and tree surgeons throughout the UK. We have decades of experience in the rope access, lifting and height safety industries, and our knowledge in this field is unparalleled. We work hard to source the highest-quality equipment that we test and certify before dispatch.
Please click “Hire Me” on a product to further complete a hire enquiry form and our Hire Team will get back to you ASAP, alternatively please call our Hire team on 0808 123 69 69.
Our comprehensive Hire Fleet has grown rapidly in the last few years and we continue to develop our range throughout our depots in the UK. Our vast range includes lifting equipment, material handling and work positioning/ rope access equipment. Our knowledgeable staff aim to service UK customers on a same and next day service for all our equipment, offering advice and information on any Climbing/ Rope Access, Rigging, Lifting and Material Handling solutions.
Benefits of Hiring Equipment
Saving money on service costs and having to buy equipment outright.
Technical support from a company with years of experience.
Inspected, tested and certified equipment for each job.
One of the most commonly asked questions from new tree climbers is “should I purchase a dynamic rope for safer falls or a static rope for easier climbing?”. Professional Arborists would agree, Static rope is adequate. Static ropes enable most of your energy to pull your body up the rope, as opposed to wasting your energy from the stretchiness when using a dynamic rope.
When ascending a rope there is no need to worry about falling as the rope is always tight under the pressure of your body weight. However, if you get to a section of the tree where you decide to climb the branches instead of your rope you must always keep the line taught. This is important so that if you slip off the branch you will not fall. As opposed to allowing slack to build up, if you slip off a branch you will build momentum while falling down until all of the slack in your rope is gone and this can create a very painful fall.
Dynamic ropes are made to absorb energy, using a dynamic rope to climb would feel like climbing a rubber band!
The world of Arboriculture can be a fascinating industry to enter. Understanding why trees grow like they do and how they respond in an urban and natural surrounding. Nature and man made causes can severely damage trees therefore, becoming an Arborist is a challenging yet rewarding career to undertake, learning and appreciating how to manage trees in an urban environment, Arborists have a responsibility to protect the public yet conduct tree surgery in a sustainable way maintaining the trees health.
One of the most popular roles in Arboriculture is becoming a climbing Arborist. Becoming a climbing Arborist, it is important to understand the day to day role varies greatly, there are various types of pruning such as, crown raising and clearance pruning. Tree removals can be in many different sizes and degree of difficulty involving various rigging systems therefore, the complexity and variety of solutions available can make an arborists role challenging making knowledge the key to success.
There are a variety of roles available but if you love working as a team, outdoors and a career that not one day is the same then becoming a professional arborist could be for you! Numerous paths are available in beginning the process.
College: Short courses are provided by colleges in tree climbing that usually last around 8 weeks. This can be effective for individuals who wish to understand some basics in Arborist from a theoretical and practical perspective.
Apprenticeship: This includes a set curriculum to learn theoretical concepts. Apprenticeships provide individuals the opportunity to take theoretical concepts and apply them in a hands on environment and further extend their knowledge through learning from colleagues.
Degree: A degree in Arboriculture still focuses on practical elements of learning such as, tree climbing techniques and using chainsaws. Equally important, theoretical concepts go further in depth to develop individual’s knowledge on how trees grow, what they require from the environment and how they react.
As knowledge is power in this industry please stay up to date to learn more on Arborist equipment and techniques!
