Seriously considering buying these| baumvelo climbers| Palm climbers

StrictlyPalms

The first link is to the product "Baumvelo" or Tree Bicycle.
Baumsteiggerät "Baumvelo", Typ BVS mit Stahlbändern

This link is to an article I posted a few weeks ago in another thread
How do you spikeless climb big palms?

That thread got me thinking about the different ways I could be doing my side business. (My main work is in television, I travel 35 weeks a year and have summers mostly off, this is when I do the bulk of my side work with palms)

1) Boom or Bucket truck. $$$$ and use limited to open area.
- I'm not ready to take this large a leap into my business
2) Rope climbing. $$ and unlimited access to any tree.
- Since I'm not yet trained I'd appreciate advice here. I have an appointment to go to a tree climbing school next month in Georgia to take a basic training course and an advanced course the following month. Drawback seems to be a long set up time, from shooting the weight to getting up the tree. I've seen people saying 15 minutes per tree.
3) Ladders and polesaw. $ but limited in height.
- This is how I got started on my own palms and my neighbors started paying me to trim thiers. As "hack" as it is it's worked for me for the last year or so for the jobs I've been doing. (all residential, all 40' or less)
4) The Baumvello or "Tree Bicycle". $$ with no limit to height.
- Obviously the training in climbing is still a necessity with these. I'm corresponding with Grube.de to see what the exact limitations on diameter are
but it seems to me that a quick clip into the rig and clicking into the foot climbers would lend to a very quick setup and breakdown per tree. Ekka brought up a question in the linked post about getting up into the crown, well since they can be "parked" and dismounted a shorter climb into the crown would seem to work. (though I may be talking out my butt since I'm not a climber, yet.) If I could cut 5-10 minutes off the setup and breakdown per tree it would allow for many more trees per day.


I'm asking because I see so much knowledge here and your opinions on the practicality of this piece of equipment would be greatly appreciated. The application I see for it is in doing commercial areas like local malls and other businesses with 50'+ palms.

The problems I'm seeing are these:
1) getting the contractee to want their trees cleaned of husks, which is necessary for the Baumvelo.
2) diameter of tree - I'm working on this part.
3) Cost - Actually I don't have a problem with the cost, If I think I could get more work out of them. List price is approximately $2500.00 USD.

By the way, anyone out there know of a Smilie like this but with a Palm?

Thanks again guys/gals.

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

Eric Frei

Well, cant say till you tried them but I do think they'll struggle on washingtonias.

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StrictlyPalms

reasoning?

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

Pigdog

For straight limbless trees, why wouldn't this work?
For under $300 too!


https://www.equalizertreestands.com/index.php

To see how it works, click on the video link at the site.

Oldtimer

Quote" I have an appointment to go to a tree climbing school next month in Georgia to take a basic training course and an advanced course the following month." End of Quote.

Who do you going to learn your Tree Climbing Training from in GA?

Just curious.

StrictlyPalms

Dancing With Trees - genevieve summers - recreational tree climbing guide and instructor - parties to treetop camping & adventure expeditions

I live in the Southeast and figure Georgia is easy to get to. Especially since I travel so much and connect through Atlanta every week.

Unless someone out there wants to teach me their bad habits during my weeks off this summer.

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

Treelore

Why do you want to climb palm trees??

StrictlyPalms

well, long story short.... I've been growing my own for the last 4 years... 2 in the front yard, and 3 in the back... and been trimming my own and my neighbors (5 different yards) for the last year to 2 years.
I've also been picking up a few trimming jobs through a neighbor who is a home inspector and another who is a real estate agent on and off when they need me.

All the trees I have been working on are Palms, I've decided I want to begin a side business working on palms, from trimming to fertilization to planting to planning. Florida is FULL of palms, unfortunately there are very few people educated about Palm care, trimming especially.

The reason I'm interested in the Baumvelo is I am wanting to bid on some commercial contracts with local malls. Around here the average mall has 50-100 Palms, which always need trimming.


Just a little background...

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

Treelore

kinda just sounds like stump grinding..... cant understand why someone wants to do it.

Bermy

All the retained leaf bases...unless the girth on the tree bike is adjustable enough to get over the accumulation.
You would also be under a ton of debris just waiting to let go at the first pull...there have been a couple of fatalities from piles of washingtonia leaves letting go and trapping the climber underneath...suffocation!
Also coming down would be difficult, I would detach the bike and lower it then rappel down on your safety line.

I reckon it would work a treat on smooth palms - I've laid eyes on a tree bike, just its bits on the fround, not actually seen it in use...although I do recall and article in either Arborist News or TCIA about climbers in Spain I think.

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Keep smiling, people will wonder what you are up to! (especially if you're gunning a chainsaw!)

Eric Frei

Thanks Bermy, I missed that post.

I dont like palms much anyway, cleaning them is like being a janitor!

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newguy18

my mom helped me clean some palms out in the church yard about a month ago,she decided then that she doesn't want palm trees.

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old schooler

Bermy

Got you covered Ekka!

I did three coconuts last week...dropping a bunch of semi ripe coconuts from 30'...makes a big bang on the ground...tourists loved it, I'll be starring in some home videos.

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Keep smiling, people will wonder what you are up to! (especially if you're gunning a chainsaw!)

southsoundtree

I wondered about hunting tree climbing stands. Seems that they would chew up the bark. Can't use for tree care. For removals, use spikes.

StrictlyPalms

Hey all,
I received a response from Grube Inc. in Europe, they sent me this PDF on the Baumvelo.

Looking at the pictures in the file, are they using the climbing rope as a flipline? or am I seeing it wrong?

Attached Files

Prospekt_Baumvelo_neu.pdf (1.06 MB, 168 views)

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

newguy18

it just looks like a long flipline but then again hard to tell.It really doesn't matter as i have used my climb line as a flipline on big trees,until i spliced that 45 footer.

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Pigdog

No, it doesn't penetrate enough other than just knock off some loose bark.
It presses or squeezes the tree rather than penetrates. Kind of like when using a flip line and using your feet against the tree. Those small teeth just keep you from slipping.

There are some types of climber stands that will bite into the bark though.

bigshea13

for 300 buck you cant go wrong! a nice stable platform to work from....minimal tree harm....works like a climber hunting stand...foolproof. hell, if your not keen on climbing why not try it. even if you frigged up and cut one strap you still have two left to cut

Therrin

How well would that work on palms which have the cut-husk going up the trunk? (the ones that aren't smooth). Would it still grip it alright or would that cause problems?

StrictlyPalms

Therrin, is that question directed to me? or the treestand side-thread?

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

Therrin

Um... both now that you mention it. Give it a go.

vl2007

I've also gave thought to this product. 70% of the palms in florida could be cleaned with this product, all others could be climbed with an adjustable false crotch, Ddrt, and trunk walk. I would only clean a Wash. with a bucket truck, (that i don't have), or a climbing system. would not what to be pinned to the tree. I say go for it, then let me know how it works.

southsoundtree

Strictly Palms,

Is that correct, $2500 US dollars?

That's a large investment to have to recuperate.

Seems like the tree bicycle is a good product in some ways, especially for the manufacturer at $2500 each, plus the specialized replacement parts.

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If I were to need to climb a smooth tree without branches or spikes,

1) I'd use a GriGri (which I already own, new price about $65) attached to my harness on the bridge or center D ring on Rope #1. I'd attach rope #1 to the tree with a running bowline around the trunk.

2) have another rope #2 with a running bowline tied above #1. Attach a 10' pole to the loop of the running bowline. With the #2 Running bowline loose around the tree, push the loop up the tree 10' with the pole then cinch it tight in place.

3) using Single Rope Technique SRT, ascend up to the high point of rope #2. I'd use the mechanical ascenders that I have already (about $150 for a set).

4)While moving up rope #2, move #1 up the tree still attached. Always provides you an emergency exit in case or injury or bees/ hornets, etc.

5)when you get to the top of #2, sit in your harness on rope #1. Push #2 up the tree again with the attached pole. Repeat.

6) When you are done, rather than having to bicycle back down, use an adjustable false crotch as though you are on a spar. Lower yourself to the ground. Retrieve aFC from the ground.

I'd start on the ground with the longest extendable pole that I could easily use to push the #2 rope up. You could maybe start ascending to 25'+. Then use the shorter pole, or keep with the longer one.
Rock climbers, when aid climbing (pulling on gear for advancement) will use a cheater stick to attached their rope above them in this fashion when there is something above them that they can reach (a bolt with hanger-- the attachment point for a carabiner, a horn they can sling, or to place a piece of removable gear).


Pluses: Always have an emergency exit.
Minimal extra gear to buy, which you can use for other purposes.
Compact and easy to travel with.
Very fast set-up and break-down.
No specialty equipment to have break, then wait for the manufacturer to charge you a bunch for specialty replacement parts. Use your regular climb line for #1, and a short piece of rope, or the bottom end of your #1 climbline for the #2 rope. GriGri and Ascenders won't wear out realistically, nor break realistically unless mistreated or used for a bizillion, or is that bazillion, trees.

Minuses over Tree Bike:??.

Savings: $2000+.

Good luck with it.

vl2007

$2500.00 is about two days profit when cleaning palms. I can clean 28 palms in one day, at $75.-85. per palm. So, the bicycle would be paid for with two good jobs.

I tried to advance line using a pole pruner, but the rope is not stiff enough, (not able to slide it up, one side goes up, but the other side stays. The running bowline lossens when you try to slide it up). Cable would be a better choice. The bicycle has banding straps.

StrictlyPalms

Well, looking at the size of the banding that can be set, I'm thinking it may be usable on a trunk that hasn't been cleaned. Going just a little bit larger than the husks that remain you could climb the palm, trim what was needed and then set a descent line and repel down. In looking at the .pdf file I attached from GRUBE.com I would expect that a line could be hauled up and run over the top of the tree once you're there. A ground worker could tie it off and you could work the canopy however you needed as well as descending when done.

Gonna order mine this week. Might as well jump in head first.

SP

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

southsoundtree

Please let us know how it works out for you. Pics or vids would be great.

I tried looking on the Grube page quickly. Is it $2500 us dollars?

StrictlyPalms

Yep, 2500 US

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

StrictlyPalms

To start, i lost my memory stick in my camera so no pics at the moment
I received the Baumvelo last week, unfortunately Tropical Storm Faye decided to show up and keep me from trying them out. Well yesterday I made my first climb with them up my neighbors 40' Cocos (queen palm).

In my metric-standard conversion I apparently made a mistake. The steel bands they sent me were WAAYY too long. I wound up cutting off about 2.5 feet to get the excess down to a manageable length. Make sure you know how big the largest dia. tree you are going to climb is before ordering. Fortunately it wasn't too expensive a mistake.

Assembly: Fairly easy, looked at the pictures sent with the equipment and it was easy to put together. Adjust the leather foot straps, (make sure right foot is in the "R" and left in the "L". Easy to miss in the excitement of the moment. I knew I had them on the wrong feet when my knees felt like they wanted to unscrew. On the right feet it feels very comfortable.

Mounting on tree: loop banding around tree and through mounting/lockscrew holes 2x. Putting weight on the foot area puts pressure on the heavy rubber foot that cantilevers against the tree, keeping it from sliding down on the ground. (Neighbor has some decorative plants around the base of the tree, Thinking of using folding ladder that can give me a working area above other similar trees) Once they're mounted to the tree its simply sliding the boot into the straps, very similar to snowboard cam-type bindings, and camming down the main strap.

Climbing: The step-climb action is very natural, the only difficulty comes when you get a section of tree that is thicker or thinner than the current band setting as a change in the diameter changes the angle at which the cantilever pushes against the tree. Too large and the foot doesn't come straight down with your weight, too small and your toe hits the tree, taking pressure off the rubber pad and allowing the entire thing to slip. The design of the bands makes for relatively easy adjustment though. So when the angle isn't right it only takes a couple seconds to reach down, loosen the set screw and tighten/loosen the bands. Climbing down is just the reverse of the above, step-step-Lanyard, step-step-lanyard, Dismounting at the bottom is easy as unlocking the cam and stepping out of the binding.

Working: I was able to do quite a bit of pulling and lateral movement while at the top of the tree with no slippage of the feet. The wide (6") rubber feet that brace against the tree are textured to grab even if there is a good bit of dirt/leaves etc.. Haven't tested wet slick bark, though I don't foresee a problem there either. It is very easy to maneuver around the crown of the tree to work opposite sides. Getting up into the crown is actually pretty easy so long as you can get the lanyard past the base of the crown you can get the upper loop (at your knee) as high as it can go.

I think a Canary Island Date Palm, with it's big pineapple-looking base would only allow the lanyard up to the bottom of the pineapple, but with a pole-chainsaw trimming even that wouldn't be an issue.

Drawbacks: The only thing I found I didn't like was the feeling that there was nothing holding my weight other than the lanyard and baumvello combo. Maybe I'm just used to the harness/rope DRT setup, but I felt like if both bands slipped I was going for a ride, probably similar to spikes letting go. So a 2nd lanyard is how I'll go. Also, the only way to approach a beard with these would be from below. So I'm thinking safety-wise I'll keep using DRT and work from the top down on a large unstable beard.

I'm going to pick up a new memory card for my camera today so I'll have some pics and maybe a video to show y'all.

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Strictly Palms, Inc.
Orlando, Florida USA

vl2007

Most interesting, thanks for the update. Cann't wait for the vid!

I've played around with the idea of making something close the the bicycle, but nothing has ever worked.

JohN Dee

Eek, now that is scary... We make our own equipment too, but we follow the standards at what others are manufactured at - the engineering is done for us.

I like the fact when I'm way up high that I know the manufacturing company is in shit if the equipment fails on me - gives me a safe feeling, cuz' what manufacturer wants that kind of tag labelled on them?

That buamvello climber sounds alright except for how it goes on tapered trunks Can't wait for the pics and videos

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