Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin.

Ekka · 3rd August 2007, 02:34 PM

Thought I had this one here but I must have missed it.

I get a few inquiries on how you go about it, you know, the spikeless thing.

Anyway, here's a start, I'm sure there's other ways, hitches etc and feel free to put up your ideas, pics and video.

This video is MPG, so large file, and if you are downloading and it starts to hesitate or splutter, that's because it's playing faster than you are downloading ... solution is hit pause on the player and let it download the video.

Once watched, best to save it if you want to rather than go thru it all again.

103mb MPG 10.19mins

http://www.palmtreeservices.com.au/video/drtaccess.mpg

And WMV 52mb version

http://www.palmtreeservices.com.au/video/drtaccess.wmv

OsAGe85 · 4th August 2007, 02:04 AM

Great video for us rookies!

JohN Dee · 6th August 2007, 10:27 PM

Indeed it is a great video, golden oldy'

.

It helped me a great deal when I was still on my steep learning curve (not so steep now :P).

newguy18 · 10th August 2007, 06:25 AM

Nice video Ekka a great source of learning for rookies and old guys wanting to learn a trick or two.

TreeDimensional · 18th March 2008, 01:31 PM

I just discovered this video, it is worth a watch for the members that are NEW to tree climbing.

playfordtree · 18th March 2008, 04:05 PM

Nice work as usual Ekka

I might have to practice that over this Easter weekend.
In the first bit where you trunk walked, is the length of the bridge critical, or do you just use a length that is comfrotable for you?

If i can master that, i might have to leave my ladders on the roofrack where they belong!

JohN Dee · 18th March 2008, 05:34 PM

Eek, ladder

. The bridge length is indeed what you are comfortable with.

How I measure (and was taught) the length of rope I need for my prussic(friction hitch) is; you grab the end of the rope and extend your arms as far as you can comfortably and cut it off to the length of what your arms can go. I guess for an open end hitch(blakes) you would extend them out as far as possible then take half of that(I used to guesstimate it when I used the blakes)?

playfordtree · 18th March 2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohN Dee

Eek, ladder

. The bridge length is indeed what you are comfortable with.

How I measure (and was taught) the length of rope I need for my prussic(friction hitch) is; you grab the end of the rope and extend your arms as far as you can comfortably and cut it off to the length of what your arms can go. I guess for an open end hitch(blakes) you would extend them out as far as possible then take half of that(I used to guesstimate it when I used the blakes)?

Cheers John.

Hey, whats wrong with ladders?

After you've climbed up 8 metres without being tied in, swinging around in the tree seems much less scarey.

JohN Dee · 19th March 2008, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfordtree

Cheers John.

Hey, whats wrong with ladders?

After you've climbed up 8 metres without being tied in, swinging around in the tree seems much less scarey.

Ladders (ones that actually reach) are a pain in the ass to haul around... Plus there is always the risk of it toppeling over whilst going up...

Would much rather swing and launch off branch to branch or trunk to branch then climb up an unsecured ladder

. It may be a bad thing, but I don't get "scared" just from swinging around in the tree...

What's scary is going out too far on a limb(Going past the 45 degree angle from your t.i.p[The point where you foot hold starts bearing weight down onto the branch rather then being supported from above]) to the tip and it snapping beneath you, all while your screaming back in towards the trunk with the pretruding stub waving hello at you

newguy18 · 19th March 2008, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohN Dee

Ladders (ones that actually reach) are a pain in the ass to haul around... Plus there is always the risk of it toppeling over whilst going up...

Would much rather swing and launch off branch to branch or trunk to branch then climb up an unsecured ladder

. It may be a bad thing, but I don't get "scared" just from swinging around in the tree...

What's scary is going out too far on a limb(Going past the 45 degree angle from your t.i.p[The point where you foot hold starts bearing weight down onto the branch rather then being supported from above]) to the tip and it snapping beneath you, all while your screaming back in towards the trunk with the pretruding stub waving hello at you

I'm with yopu i hate ladders,i like swinging around up in trees as well the rope gives you a sense of security while at the same time remaining kind of free.

quercus · 19th March 2008, 04:56 AM

we don't have any ladders and I'm not planning on buying one either...
A ladder is too often used as a workspace and it is a dangerous tool to work on trees.A ladder is a means of access... and should be used only for that purpose. Ya'll couldn't imagine what insurance costs here to actually do work when standing on ladders.

The trunk walk tech is used almost daily in my team... I've got a groundie/climber who even calls it the aussie trunk walk.... He uses it when he's tired of body-thrusting wich is actually quite a lot.
I use it on demo's too... to show people that other ways exist to climb trees and that spiking is not always needed.

vl2007 · 19th March 2008, 05:55 AM

Ekka,
That's how I climbed three royal palms last week. Learned it from that video some time ago.

vl2007 · 19th March 2008, 05:59 AM

It's a money maker.

newguy18 · 19th March 2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vl2007

Ekka,
That's how I climbed three royal palms last week. Learned it from that video some time ago.

you rope climb palms?I spike them without exception.i'm not hanging my life on those fronds even with a false crotch setup.

vl2007 · 19th March 2008, 07:09 AM

I will still spike a palm if the client wishes that price. But the spar on a royal is different. Normally I let them self prune, but this one was over an entrance with hanging fronds and pods just ready to kill someone. No bucket access, and too high and dangerous for ladders. The adjustable false croch is a very safe method; mixed with the Ddrt and the trunk walk, no problems. The bull rope goes over more than one frond.

Ekka · 19th March 2008, 07:34 PM

I dont like spiking cubans either. And being fat they lend themselves to trunk walks

vl2007 · 10th April 2008, 08:20 AM

Ok, the thread to resize photos came in very helpful. Here are some photos of the Ddrt, adjustable false crotch tech I use.

vl2007 · 10th April 2008, 08:25 AM

one more.

JohN Dee · 10th April 2008, 02:22 PM

How would you go about putting your false crotch up a bangelow or alex type of palm where the fronds arn't really that compressed and pull out rather easy, vl2007?

vl2007 · 11th April 2008, 06:09 AM

Bangalows and Alexandra palms have not displayed hazordous conditions. They too are self pruning, but never seem to reach their typical height of 30'-40'. I've never need to clean them for safety reasons. But you are correct, they seem weak.

All tech. has limitations, but it's nice to have different tech in your toolbox. I have only use this on Royals, and coconuts that the client does not want spiked.

FlashD · 15th April 2008, 07:26 AM

great video. I was already planning on using a double Blake's hitch on my next climb, but now I'm definitely going to have to.

3rd August 2007, 02:34 PM	#1
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort & Seldom Wrong Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,764	Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. Thought I had this one here but I must have missed it. I get a few inquiries on how you go about it, you know, the spikeless thing. Anyway, here's a start, I'm sure there's other ways, hitches etc and feel free to put up your ideas, pics and video. This video is MPG, so large file, and if you are downloading and it starts to hesitate or splutter, that's because it's playing faster than you are downloading ... solution is hit pause on the player and let it download the video. Once watched, best to save it if you want to rather than go thru it all again. 103mb MPG 10.19mins http://www.palmtreeservices.com.au/video/drtaccess.mpg And WMV 52mb version http://www.palmtreeservices.com.au/video/drtaccess.wmv __________________ TAS Training & Assessment Services\| Arb and Hort Training available here Free Online Tree Value Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online TPZ and SRZ AS4970-2009 Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online Tree Surface Area and Tree Volume Calculator by TreeWorld Free Tree and Green Industry Deep Link Directory ... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist, Tree and Arborist Reports \| Project Arborist

4th August 2007, 02:04 AM	#2
OsAGe85 Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Littlerock Arkansas US Posts: 66	Great video for us rookies! __________________ Gotta love the smell 2 stroke and wood chips. Be smart, be safe.

6th August 2007, 10:27 PM	#3
JohN Dee Moderator - Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 929	Indeed it is a great video, golden oldy' . It helped me a great deal when I was still on my steep learning curve (not so steep now :P). __________________ The bigger the dreams, the smaller the competition Red : Green : Blue

10th August 2007, 06:25 AM	#4
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 5,184	Nice video Ekka a great source of learning for rookies and old guys wanting to learn a trick or two. __________________ Have your say join us today. I ship USA saws out of the USA old schooler

18th March 2008, 01:31 PM	#5
TreeDimensional Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 447	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. I just discovered this video, it is worth a watch for the members that are NEW to tree climbing.

18th March 2008, 04:05 PM	#6
playfordtree Mature tree Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Adelaide Australia Posts: 348	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. Nice work as usual Ekka I might have to practice that over this Easter weekend. In the first bit where you trunk walked, is the length of the bridge critical, or do you just use a length that is comfrotable for you? If i can master that, i might have to leave my ladders on the roofrack where they belong! __________________ Jack of all trades. Mastered by No-one.

18th March 2008, 05:34 PM	#7
JohN Dee Moderator - Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 929	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. Eek, ladder. The bridge length is indeed what you are comfortable with. How I measure (and was taught) the length of rope I need for my prussic(friction hitch) is; you grab the end of the rope and extend your arms as far as you can comfortably and cut it off to the length of what your arms can go. I guess for an open end hitch(blakes) you would extend them out as far as possible then take half of that(I used to guesstimate it when I used the blakes)? __________________ The bigger the dreams, the smaller the competition Red : Green : Blue

19th March 2008, 04:56 AM	#11
quercus Mature tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: belgium Posts: 379	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. we don't have any ladders and I'm not planning on buying one either... A ladder is too often used as a workspace and it is a dangerous tool to work on trees.A ladder is a means of access... and should be used only for that purpose. Ya'll couldn't imagine what insurance costs here to actually do work when standing on ladders. The trunk walk tech is used almost daily in my team... I've got a groundie/climber who even calls it the aussie trunk walk.... He uses it when he's tired of body-thrusting wich is actually quite a lot. I use it on demo's too... to show people that other ways exist to climb trees and that spiking is not always needed.

19th March 2008, 05:55 AM	#12
vl2007 Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 313	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. Ekka, That's how I climbed three royal palms last week. Learned it from that video some time ago.

19th March 2008, 05:59 AM	#13
vl2007 Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 313	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. It's a money maker.

19th March 2008, 07:09 AM	#15
vl2007 Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 313	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. I will still spike a palm if the client wishes that price. But the spar on a royal is different. Normally I let them self prune, but this one was over an entrance with hanging fronds and pods just ready to kill someone. No bucket access, and too high and dangerous for ladders. The adjustable false croch is a very safe method; mixed with the Ddrt and the trunk walk, no problems. The bull rope goes over more than one frond.

19th March 2008, 07:34 PM	#16
Ekka Admin - Dip Arb & Hort & Seldom Wrong Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,764	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. I dont like spiking cubans either. And being fat they lend themselves to trunk walks __________________ TAS Training & Assessment Services\| Arb and Hort Training available here Free Online Tree Value Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online TPZ and SRZ AS4970-2009 Calculator by TreeWorld Free Online Tree Surface Area and Tree Volume Calculator by TreeWorld Free Tree and Green Industry Deep Link Directory ... Yes, I also SEO (Optimize) and build websites that fly high in Google Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist, Tree and Arborist Reports \| Project Arborist

10th April 2008, 02:22 PM	#19
JohN Dee Moderator - Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 929	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. How would you go about putting your false crotch up a bangelow or alex type of palm where the fronds arn't really that compressed and pull out rather easy, vl2007? __________________ The bigger the dreams, the smaller the competition Red : Green : Blue

11th April 2008, 06:09 AM	#20
vl2007 Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 313	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. Bangalows and Alexandra palms have not displayed hazordous conditions. They too are self pruning, but never seem to reach their typical height of 30'-40'. I've never need to clean them for safety reasons. But you are correct, they seem weak. All tech. has limitations, but it's nice to have different tech in your toolbox. I have only use this on Royals, and coconuts that the client does not want spiked.

15th April 2008, 07:26 AM	#21
FlashD Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 182	Re: Spikeless DRT access, trunk walk etc. Featuring Brother Colin. great video. I was already planning on using a double Blake's hitch on my next climb, but now I'm definitely going to have to.

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