Tree climbing kit?

[Kram]

I'd like to get my own tree climbing kit. I'm not often working in trees so I will need to keep practising or I will forget how - as happened recently! Took 3 days to get back to my usual slow speed. Today was up a chestnut removing dead wood.

Could anyone help me chose what to buy, harness, rope etc... Which shops are good? I've used RadmoreTucker, and HoneyBros.

Harnesses are ££££££ expensive, the Skylotec seems most comfortable, also used a Petzl Sequoia and Treehog th5000 I have been using the last few days - least comfortable.
One feature I want is the ability to have two seperate bridge loops as Im always using two anchors and its a pain when I need to swap sides. It seems this can likely be added by swapping some bits.

Rope... Is there any advantage of proper arborist rope over, 11mm Beal Industry static is cheap, though I'd much prefer a rope with two spliced eyes. I'm thinking 45m is a good length.

 

[Mick Annick]

When my son was climbing we found Honey Bros the best, I think @8ob uses them too. From memory he used Petzl kit which he was happy with.

 

[Agrismith]

Go to honey brothers and try all the harnesses on. They have a setup in the showroom so you can do a bit of climbing and test them out.
There is little point in buying something like a harness from other peoples recommendations. Plus in person for a full kit honey brothers might do you a bit of a deal.

 

[mike os]

Honey bros was my go to

Get an arborist rope the cost difference is minimal

 

[8ob]

As above, Honey Bros. That said the apf show is coming up in September, if you trolley around there and get in among the trade stands you will get a chance to try before you buy. If you have a fiver sticking out of each ear there is always a discount that betters the shops prices, well worth a trip up there.

Bob

 

[Parm]

Calling @mtt.tr

 

[premmington]

Calling @mtt.tr

Yeah calling @mtt.tr


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But a purchase of a Silky Saw can cut most of the climbing out.

 

[mtt.tr]

Ive always used Honey Bros.

I'm happy to have an in depth discussion, also happy to meet have a climb around.

You can try out the srt kit I use. I don't want to be that guy, but I was a bloody skilled climber and rigger. If a TPO said "1m of tips," i'd be out with secateurs on the tips

Happy to share some pruning techniques and the reasons why.



Tree motion is the only option they are just so so well designed ergonomics are spot on.

Rope, I have climbed on 11.5mm abseiling rope only because I had bales of 100m from doing IRATA work, its ok but the sheath pulls so tight that knotting and handling becomes difficult, though I still have 100m that I use for light rigging and speed lining.
My preferred length is often 45-60m using both ends srt

Bridge difficulties are from inexperience, with time you learn the most efficient routes around a tree which also makes the job generally less tiring aswell.

 

[dobbslc]

No idea what you're talking about but it sounds like a real artform!
I was once asked what my fantasy profession would be and I said tree surgeon, the room went quite

 

[mtt.tr]

No idea what you're talking about but it sounds like a real artform!
I was once asked what my fantasy profession would be and I said tree surgeon, the room went quite

Silly name, not sure what surgery I would like that requires a chainsaw

 

[mtt.tr]

Ps I have a spare tree motion you can try out, stopped using it as it didn't have the quick buckles.

 

[Kram]

I'm happy to have an in depth discussion, also happy to meet have a climb around.

That would be great!

Get an arborist rope the cost difference is minimal

Its about 1/4 price of a proper arb rope. I'll agree with whats said above it doesnt handle or take knots well.

Tree motion is the only option they are just so so well designed ergonomics are spot on.

The most expensive one too Do you know if the essential is good or just the pro?
The Skylotec is a lot cheaper, tho a newer model tha the one I used - but I could be happy in that all day.

But a purchase of a Silky Saw can cut most of the climbing out.

Wobbly saw? Horrible things. Id prefer to climb!

Anyway heres a pic of yesterdays job

I did use the Katsu cordless saw - same one as the review thread.. it was perfect for this

 

[Kram]

Anyone tried a Simarghu harness? I think HB have them so will try on when I go.

Simarghu Fire Male Climbing Harness (Fits 27" to 34" Waist) - Radmore & Tucker

The Simarghu FIRE has been designed specifically for Arborists and is packed with unique features to give the wearer the very best in comfort, fit and flexibility. Designed for male climbers, this fits waist sizes between 67.5cm - 85cm (27"-34") The Simarghu brand, (Sim-ar-ghu, the mythical...

www.radmoretucker.co.uk

Clearing dead wood on sycamores today, generally strong unkillable trees but these had decay and rot on many of the limbs which I havent seen before.

This one was solid but the bark a bit odd...

Theres a chestnut or oak tomorrow

 

[mtt.tr]

Anyone tried a Simarghu harness? I think HB have them so will try on when I go.

Simarghu Fire Male Climbing Harness (Fits 27" to 34" Waist) - Radmore & Tucker

The Simarghu FIRE has been designed specifically for Arborists and is packed with unique features to give the wearer the very best in comfort, fit and flexibility. Designed for male climbers, this fits waist sizes between 67.5cm - 85cm (27"-34") The Simarghu brand, (Sim-ar-ghu, the mythical...

www.radmoretucker.co.uk

Clearing dead wood on sycamores today, generally strong unkillable trees but these had decay and rot on many of the limbs which I havent seen before.
View attachment 413170
View attachment 413171
This one was solid but the bark a bit odd...

Theres a chestnut or oak tomorrow

They are meant to be ok, friend had one looks cheaper than the tree motion.


Bark, assuming no fungus is present can be a symptom of excessively dry environment

 

[Kram]

Im at HB... This is the RT shopping list so far.. I think I'll skip the zigzag for now.

As I use two anchors most of the time... Double spliced 60m rope or two 45m single splices? Hmmm

 

[Kram]

Looks like HB dont keep much in stock so wasted journey Only thing I got was a Liros 45m rope

 

[dobbslc]

Im at HB... This is the RT shopping list so far.. I think I'll skip the zigzag for now.

As I use two anchors most of the time... Double spliced 60m rope or two 45m single splices? Hmmm

View attachment 413934

That's one hell of a list for climbing a tree!
When we woz kids we'd climb up up a 60' tree with just a pen knife and a bottle of Corona.
Edit: that's fizzy pop Corona not beer!

 

[Kram]

Sod that 20 meters up with no rope....

HB overcharged me £18 vs their website price for the rope
Where website shows everything in stock for next day delivery, they apparently only have a handful of spliced ropes, most are done to order. Tbh I'd prefer if it were manufacturer spliced...

They said if I go back tomorrow they will have the other harnesses in, not sure I can be bothered.

 

[dobbslc]

Sod that 20 meters up with no rope....

There was this one particular tree in Cassiobury park in Watford that we climbed, it had a kind of twisting internal tunnel of branches you had to climb through to get up then some more well spaced branches up to a sort of platform we could site on.
We just used to watch people below that had no idea we were up there, fun times

 

[mtt.tr]

Where website shows everything in stock for next day delivery, they apparently only have a handful of spliced ropes, most are done to order. Tbh I'd prefer if it were manufacturer spliced...

Honies are OEM trained on splicing.

I've been splicing my own ropes for years just for the practice, it's pretty simple just need to follow the instructions correctly