GRCS, Good Rigging Control System

Kevin · 16th April 2007, 04:21 AM

One huge advantage to having a GRCS is removing badly decayed trees in their entire length without climbing them when you have the conditions that make it possible.
You can set the line from the ground and block it off to another tree, cut it off at the ground or above a roof top and lower the entire tree cutting it off in sections.
I removed three this way this past weekend and it saved a bunch of time, effort, was very controlled and safe.

Scottyfl · 16th April 2007, 04:35 PM

IMO even if you only use it once a month or so it will pay for it self in no time.
Scotty

Ekka · 17th April 2007, 01:30 AM

No doubt excellent stuff.

But what about Hobbs? I think the grcs has more lifting power.

Scottyfl · 17th April 2007, 03:01 AM

I'v never used the hobbs myself.
Scotty

TreeCo · 17th April 2007, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

No doubt excellent stuff.

But what about Hobbs? I think the grcs has more lifting power.

The Hobbs has good lifting power too. I don't own a Hobbs today but I did own one from 1990 until 2001. The problem with the Hobbs is that lifting power is delivered with a 3 foot long bar inserted into the bollard........which is a pita! The two speed hand cranked Harkin winch on the GRCS is much more convient to use.

My GRCS only gets used every couple of weeks but I wouldn't be without it. It gets quite a bit of use pulling trees over in hard to access locations. It is a bugger to carry in though as it is quite heavy.

Both the Hobbs and the GRCS would benefit from some type of fairlead roller. It's a pain setting a block above these devices like must be done whenever they are not loaded from directly overhead.

TrevMcRev · 18th April 2007, 12:07 AM

In the latest Australian Arbor Age there is an ad from redroo saying they are now selling them here. I'll be contacting them to find out how much theyd be here compared to getting one sent from the US.

Just did an ugly spreading manna gum removal with no dropzone today. Coundnt stop thinking about how much quicker it've been with a GRCS.

Main reason ive put off getting one is i think i can get one made so much cheaper. I know the winch itself is pricey but a friend of mine could easy fabricate the rest and maybe add any improvements such as the roller TreeCo mentioned.

Ekka · 18th April 2007, 12:32 AM

Trouble is Trev, if ever and hope never something went wrong it wouldn't be a certified piece of equipment, you know, OHS would hammer you for it.

I think best to buy one and shift liability to the manufacturer who has insurance for freak things happening.

Of course, mis-use and abuse is not covered, so no bombing vovlvo's out of trees ... but have ya got an old EH we can try?

TrevMcRev · 18th April 2007, 02:41 PM

Yeah, aware of the liability issues

I have confidence in the fabricator. He builds roll cages for top national motorsport teams, Ford, Ralliart, Hsv (and me

) etc to international compliance but yeah, at the end of the day he aint a friction device manufacturer.

Ekka · 18th April 2007, 11:14 PM

And he'd have to make a quota and destroy them to get a load rating I think.

Quintrex · 18th June 2007, 07:31 PM

Do any of you guys use the Aussie made FRICTION DRUM? I have 2 and find them superior to the POTA WRAP.

Ekka · 18th June 2007, 09:26 PM

Is that the THS ones with aluminium bollard?

Pic please, and welcome.

Also there's a thread running somewhere about us building one.
Building the Aussie GRCS

What's the lifting capacity like?

Quintrex · 24th June 2007, 03:51 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I'm in Sydney, have been in the tree game for 30 years.
The friction drum is made by Bill Goddard of THS. He also provides excellent training courses in the use of the FD and many other aspects of climbing and rigging.
Not sure of the lifting capacity, 2 operators can probably lift 500kg, maybe a bit more. I'll load a pic when I get a chance.
Steve

TrevMcRev · 25th June 2007, 02:28 AM

This is one being used here, but not the closest of shots!

These will lift, but extremely slow compared to a grcs. Mostly suited to just tensioning the line and giving friction for lowering. You can bring down a decent size piece of wood though!

17th April 2007, 01:30 AM	#28 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 8,009	No doubt excellent stuff. But what about Hobbs? I think the grcs has more lifting power. __________________ Tree World Legal Fighting Fund\| Protect Your Rights to Freedom Of Speech\| Pledge Today Tree World Picture Competition\| $300 of Prizes Up for Grabs Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

18th April 2007, 12:07 AM	#31 (permalink)
TrevMcRev Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 875	In the latest Australian Arbor Age there is an ad from redroo saying they are now selling them here. I'll be contacting them to find out how much theyd be here compared to getting one sent from the US. Just did an ugly spreading manna gum removal with no dropzone today. Coundnt stop thinking about how much quicker it've been with a GRCS. Main reason ive put off getting one is i think i can get one made so much cheaper. I know the winch itself is pricey but a friend of mine could easy fabricate the rest and maybe add any improvements such as the roller TreeCo mentioned. __________________ Total Tree Care- Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal www.treegear.com.au Tree Climbing Gear, Arborist Supplies

18th April 2007, 12:32 AM	#32 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 8,009	Trouble is Trev, if ever and hope never something went wrong it wouldn't be a certified piece of equipment, you know, OHS would hammer you for it. I think best to buy one and shift liability to the manufacturer who has insurance for freak things happening. Of course, mis-use and abuse is not covered, so no bombing vovlvo's out of trees ... but have ya got an old EH we can try? __________________ Tree World Legal Fighting Fund\| Protect Your Rights to Freedom Of Speech\| Pledge Today Tree World Picture Competition\| $300 of Prizes Up for Grabs Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

18th April 2007, 02:41 PM	#33 (permalink)
TrevMcRev Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 875	Yeah, aware of the liability issues I have confidence in the fabricator. He builds roll cages for top national motorsport teams, Ford, Ralliart, Hsv (and me ) etc to international compliance but yeah, at the end of the day he aint a friction device manufacturer. __________________ Total Tree Care- Melbourne Arborist Reports & Consulting,Tree Pruning & Removal www.treegear.com.au Tree Climbing Gear, Arborist Supplies

18th April 2007, 11:14 PM	#34 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 8,009	And he'd have to make a quota and destroy them to get a load rating I think. __________________ Tree World Legal Fighting Fund\| Protect Your Rights to Freedom Of Speech\| Pledge Today Tree World Picture Competition\| $300 of Prizes Up for Grabs Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

16th April 2007, 04:21 AM	#26 (permalink)
Kevin Sappling Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 19	One huge advantage to having a GRCS is removing badly decayed trees in their entire length without climbing them when you have the conditions that make it possible. You can set the line from the ground and block it off to another tree, cut it off at the ground or above a roof top and lower the entire tree cutting it off in sections. I removed three this way this past weekend and it saved a bunch of time, effort, was very controlled and safe.

16th April 2007, 04:35 PM	#27 (permalink)
Scottyfl Sappling Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Deltona Fl. Posts: 25	IMO even if you only use it once a month or so it will pay for it self in no time. Scotty

17th April 2007, 03:01 AM	#29 (permalink)
Scottyfl Sappling Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Deltona Fl. Posts: 25	I'v never used the hobbs myself. Scotty

18th June 2007, 07:31 PM	#35 (permalink)
Quintrex Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 538	Do any of you guys use the Aussie made FRICTION DRUM? I have 2 and find them superior to the POTA WRAP.

18th June 2007, 09:26 PM	#36 (permalink)
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 8,009	Is that the THS ones with aluminium bollard? Pic please, and welcome. Also there's a thread running somewhere about us building one. Building the Aussie GRCS What's the lifting capacity like? __________________ Tree World Legal Fighting Fund\| Protect Your Rights to Freedom Of Speech\| Pledge Today Tree World Picture Competition\| $300 of Prizes Up for Grabs Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

24th June 2007, 03:51 PM	#37 (permalink)
Quintrex Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 538	Thanks for the welcome. I'm in Sydney, have been in the tree game for 30 years. The friction drum is made by Bill Goddard of THS. He also provides excellent training courses in the use of the FD and many other aspects of climbing and rigging. Not sure of the lifting capacity, 2 operators can probably lift 500kg, maybe a bit more. I'll load a pic when I get a chance. Steve

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