Arborist Mag

CARLBIMBERwww.rescuemagazines.com

Aerial Arboriculture, PPE, Climbing and Cutting Equipment

15ISSUE

INTRODUCING THE DENALI

Quick-release
waist buckle

Adjustable
hip dees

Double rope
suspension bridge

Replaceable back Multiple gear loops for easy,
and leg pads personalized configuration

LIGHTWEIGHT HARDWARE VENTILATED
Designed with lightweight, Patented AirFlex foam allows
high-strength aluminum hip dees, continuous air movement for
waist buckle and rigging plate cooling comfort

MAXIMUM ADJUSTABILITY DURABLE DESIGN
One size fits all (28"-48")! Features Rugged, durable water buffalo leather
adjustable position hip dees and leg forms to the shape of your body for
pads to fit climbers of all heights maximum comfort

Designed for the ultimate in comfort and support, the Denali rises to the occasion when you need
a saddle that you can depend on for all-day performance. Premium quality materials pair with
reliable craftsmanship, ensuring this is the saddle that you’ll reach for time and time again.

H ANDCRA
FTED
★ ★ ★ ★IN ★

★

★★
USA
THE

www.weaverarborist.com 19-2374-AR-DAD

15issueCACRLBOIMNBETRENTS EDITOR:

Ade Scott

[email protected]

Snr. Researcher:
Adam Jones

[email protected]

4 PRODUCT INFO Researcher:
PPE, Chainsaw and rope stuff James Hutchen
Photographers:
James Fairfield, & Gere Scott

UK Consultant Editor:
Rich Hackwell

US Contributing Editor:

TC Mazar

15 GEAR REVIEW CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE:
ISC Rigging Wrench Boel Hammarstrand
Adam Jones,
22 MARKET GUIDE TC Mazar,
Rope Winches Ade Scott

ADVERTISING:
Kelly Matthews
[email protected]
or [email protected]
Repro by:
Jo Evernden

36 SPECIAL ACm WEBSITES:
Women in Arb www.rescuemagazines.com

by Bo Hammarstrand www.arbclimber.com

50 GEAR REVIEW Reviews and articles not shown as
Rock Exotica Akimbo authored are by Ade Scott,
Adam Jones and/or Rich Hackwell
56 TRAINING
Crane Safety Climber School FRONT COVER:

by TC Mazar Photo by Pedro Gredoz Pérez.
Swedish climber Bo Hammerstrand
64 MARKET GUIDE is a familiar face at competitions all
Harness Tool Clips & Hooks over the world but has a particular
passion for advancing the cause of
female arborists within a very male-
dominated industry. Article p36

THIS PAGE:

Four climbers on a mature beech
relocation in Gothenburg Sweden.
See next page.
pic by Bo Hammarstrand

ON THE COVER www.rescuemagazines.com

Our front cover features Swedish arborist Boel Hammarstrand exhibiting
athleticism in a climbing competition but in day-to-day work, she has
some epics too. On the Contents page you can see a Bo-s eye view of this
job which was a Beech relocation in Gothenburg, Sweden. This required
Bo and three other climbers to weave wire rigging cables through the
canopy of the tree and down to the massive root-ball support-frame
before it was lifted clear of the site. The tree was relocated about 80m
away in the same park to make way for a large development.

2 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

FLASH ACCESS

Comfortable and durable professional protective
helmet designed for rope access and other work
at height activities.

Weight: 455 g • 16.05 oz
(LD, 440V a.c.,-30°C)

www.singingrock.com

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER 3

PRODUCTS PPE & ROPE STUFF www.rescuemagazines.com

HUSQVARNA [ED: It seems to be all-change for Husqvarna
USA now using Kask instead of Petzl helmet
shells while Husqvarna in Europe continues

Pro Arborist Helmets (for the time being at least) using Petzl shells
for their pro climbing model.]

The new Husqvarna Elevation™ (grey/orange,
vented, class C) and Spire (Orange, non-vented, class

E) arborist helmets are designed for the professional
arborist who requires comfort, safety and style
while working. Universal fit with a wheel ratchet
depth adjustment. Front clips allow for addition
of head lamp. Compatible with Husqvarna’s
arborist helmet ear muffs (sold separately)
and three visor styles, including clear, mirror
and smoke (sold separately). Spire is Orange
color for greater visibility around power lines
as it is the electrical insulation model.

DISCLAIMER: PRODUCT NEWS items are from the manufacturer and are for
reader interest. Inclusion does not infer endorsement or being fit for purpose.

4SRT Cuckoo
BirdFlap
[ED: the cuckoo is a bird that muscles in on

another bird's territory without so much as a

by-your-leave and then proceeds to live the life

of Reilly as part of the family having avoided all

the initial hard work of nest-building or in this

case, Singing Tree Rope Runner building. The

4SRT BirdFlap (our name's better) bolts onto the

top section to make control easier and rope-

running smoother. Available in a host of colours

to suit your RopeRunner which we assume is all

happily approved unless Kev Bingham is tied up

in 4SRT's basement?]

Cost $33/£30 Web: 4srt.co.uk

Meets both ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 – 2014 and CSA ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15
Z94.1 – 2015 Type 1, Class C, in addition, the
Spire meets CSA Z94.1 class E. Maximum 10
year shelf life.
Backed by a 3 year warranty.

COST: $139.95 www.husqvarna.com

4

EXPERT USE ONLY GEAR FOR THE Z-AXIS

Coming in 2018
to a canopy
near you.

made in usa - www.rockexotica.com

EQUIPMENT FOR THE WORKING PROFESSIONAL

THE NEWEST OF THE OMNI FAMILY

sfAryotstmatecmshaesds. dmlei.d line & adj usts w it h ou t t oo ls or r emov i n g
Wor ks on Stat io n a ry o r M ov ing Rope
1.5”
1.1” 2.0” 2.6”

WWW.ROCKEXOTICA.COM

POWER FOR ALLPRODUCTS POWERTOOLS
www.rescuemagazines.com

[ED: it's been a while coming, having been founded in 2015, ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15
and like Musk's Teslar, some of those that forward ordered may
have been getting twitchy but the Ronin Lift has hit the stockists
and you know how we like our powered ascenders]

For the first time in history, you can own your very
own battery powered rope ascender! Whether
you're trying to trim large trees or attempting to
scale a building or cliff, rest assured your task will be
accomplished thanks to this device. In addition to its
affordability, the Ronin Lift is the ultimate go-to device
because it is lightweight, contains a hot-swappable
battery, and is capable of lifting
up to 400 pounds. It features
thumb wheel trigger speed
control, a secondary lock
safety feature for hands free
work, and can act as both a
winch and a rope ascender.
Cost: $1750*

Features:

l A hot-
swappable
battery to
keep you
moving all
day
l A thumb-
wheel
trigger
speed control for
easy operation
l A secondary lock for hands-free work
l Integration with a wide range of climbing technology
l A 400-lbs continuous lifting capacity
l Variable lifting speeds of up to 2 feet per second
l Lightweight and compact, weight 11.8kg/26 lbs
l 15 min continuous use at 200lbs or 1500ft of rope
l Standard 120-240V charging plug

Rope Requirements:

Static line rope 32-strand or higher
Kernmantle or Aramid Sheath
After the rope is loaded the diameter
doesn’t shrink below 10mm
No larger than 12mm in diameter in
a relaxed state
Elongation for 10mm-11.5mm less than 2%
Elongation for 11.6mm-12mm less than 3.3%

*Additional Battery $325

Web: changeyourelevation.com

6

9490   Rugged, Rechargeable and Portable

AREA LIGHT  E asy and quick to set up

Silent lighting on-demand  M ast extends above 1.8 metres

  Battery can be swapped to
extend light duration

 I ntelligent control to programme
light up to 24 hours

 S elf-contained system

D O E S N ’ T C O S T. . . I T PAYS.

2780 RELY ON PELI

LED HEADLIGHT
  Red rear light (constant or flashing)
 P ivoting head for directional beam
 D owncast LED technology
  Battery status indication
 W aterproof to 1 metre

T: 01457 869999

PRODUCTS CHAINSAWS More Bleeders!PRODUCTS TRAUMAwww.rescuemagazines.com

UPDATED STIHL [ED: Following last issue's waterproof, square carry case
BATTERY T-SAWS med-kit from Stein (right), this one is in a fanny-pack/
bum-bag configuration able to be carried more easily
into the canopy. It's from Conterra, a US company
we're familiar with in rescue but not so much in the
arb industry. However, WesSpur have taken this on so
that's a double endorsement. Cost is $229 and, as we
always mention, it's wise to augment your first aid kit
with a multitool and a light source, preferably either a
headlamp or something you can easily hold in your teeth! ].

[ED: Not exactly new but a portent of things to come and
we didn't mention the 161 in the last issue because it was
in their ad, however, the only difference between that ad
and the previous few was the teeny, tiny number 1 of T161
instead of T160 so not everybody noticed and now it just
feels like we're late to the party!]

STIHL has launched a series of updates to its cordless This is a basic first responder "jump bag" designed for the field
arborist saw, starting with the MSA 161 T, providing arborist. It has the needed items to control major bleeding and
professionals with a more ergonomic and robust tool. patient packaging of minor breaks. Also allows the trained responder
The MSA 161 T is STIHL's lightweight professional to treat minor abrasions, cuts, and punctures in the event of minor
chainsaw that succeeds the MSA 160 T. As well as boasting injuries where the patient will return to work that day, or even
a 40% higher chain speed (16 m/s), it also delivers a to prepare a patient for transport. There is room in the bag for
15% increase in engine performance, making it ideal additional diagnostic equipment and aid items. This kit can be easily
for removing deadwood, crown maintenance and light transported aloft and far exceeds the capabilities of stock OSHA-
reductions. The cordless nature of the tool means that the compliant First aid kits. This kit contains the components listed
MSA 161 T is so quiet in operation that any disruption is below which the user can load in the desired configuration in the
kept to an absolute minimum The improved MSA 161 T is
now designed with three different trigger combinations Conterra Patrol II bag. Replacement components available.
that can be used with the new 'trigger switch lock out'
feature, including a combination ideally suited when SAM splint (1) Steri-strips (1 pack) 1 Betadyne sponge
performing multiple cuts consecutively. These new uses RATS tourniquet (1) Knuckle bandages (10) 5 4"x4" sponges
have been created to be convenient to operate while also Israeli bandage pressure Waterproof surgical tape 1 CPR/O2 face shield
ensuring user safety. dressing (1) roll (1) 12 antiseptic wipes
On the updated version, the ergo lever – located under Triangular bandages (2) Krinkle gauze roll (2) 1 wound irrigation syringe
the palm of the hand – has also been enhanced, meaning Flex-grid film 4" x 4.75" (1) Combat medic 4 tincture Benzoin swabs
it can now be fully pushed in flush against the handle, 2" x 2" gauze pad (5) reinforcement tape (1) Scissors (1 pair)
which prevents impact induced damage as well as 2" Elastic bandages (2) Oval Eye pads (4) Forceps (1 pair)
improving user comfort. Other changes to the MSA 161 2" x 4" adhesive bandages 1 eyewash cup 1 Conterra Patrol 2 bag
T include a revision to the chainbrake with new metal (5) 1 bottle saline
thread screw joints. 1" x 3" adhesive bandages 10 Benadryl www.wesspur.com
Powered by STIHL's range of 36V AP batteries, the AP 200 (20) 10 Ibuprofen (200mg x2)
battery and AP 300 charger are recommended for the MSA
161 T, which affords professionals an impressive run time
of up to 42 minutes on a single charge whilst leaving the
saw well balanced. Alternatively, when using STIHL's AP 300
battery, users can benefit from a 50 minute run time.
www.stihl.co.uk or www.stihl.com

8 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

comfort and durability S3

with NO compromise! EN ISO 20345:2012
EN ISO 17249:2014
CE EN 17249

Class 3 28m/s

www.arbpro.it

PRODUCTS ROPE STUFF www.rescuemagazines.com

HARKEN The Ninja is designed with lower spring
force for the least rope drag of any
NINJA available foot ascender. This means
that there is a smoother and
Foot ascender easier take off without having to
counterweight the rope or reach

down to pull the rope through the
unit. The result? Increased worker
productivity.

Minimum line Ø: 8 mm / 5 / 16 in
Maximum line Ø: 13 mm / 1 / 2 in

Maximum rated load: 1.5 kN / 330 lb
Width: 83 mm / 3.3 in
Height: 74 mm / 2.9 in
Weight: 175g / 6.2oz
Material: Aluminum

Cam material: Stainless steel

[ED: this one may look familiar since Harken make the Notch Jet-Step Accidental Kick-Outs
not a bad pedigree] are a Thing of the Past
The dual cam system prevents
The Ninja™ foot ascender by Harken Industrial is designed with less accidental kick-outs. The rope
spring force for the least rope drag of any available foot ascender. This stays in place until the user is
means that there is a smoother and easier take off without having to ready to release it intentionally.
counterweight the line or reach down to get the line moving through The Ninja is the only foot ascender
the unit. The entry fairlead maintains correct rope alignment. that can be used on either foot.
Unlike other foot ascenders, The Harken Industrial Ninja™ features a
dual cam system (based on Harken’s marine Cam-Matic® ball bearing Won’t Damage a
cleats) that applies pressure to both sides of the rope simultaneously. THE Rope
This provides more thorough holding power than competitive designs The Ninja uses
that compress the rope against a flat surface from one side and must transverse ribbed cam
rely on aggressive teeth on their single cams. These aggressive teeth as opposed to other
create additional drag on the line as they disengage, which can also designs that rely on
damage the rope cover. The Ninja’s cams use transverse ribs instead aggressive teeth that are
of teeth so they release with less friction and prevent accidental kick- known to damage rope.
outs. It’s also the first foot ascender that can work on either foot, and
has fully adjustable straps. The Harken Industrial Ninja foot ascender Innovative Design
has these advantages over its competitors: Dual cam system (based on Harken’s
marine Cam-Matic® ball bearing cleats)
• Prevents accidental kick-outs applies pressure to both sides of the
• Makes workers more productive rope simultaneously. This provides
• Adds the least drag more thorough holding power than
• Reduces fatigue competitive designs that press just
• Won’t damage your rope one side of the rope against
• Can be used on either foot just one side of the
• Fully adjustable straps ascender’s wall.

IN ACTION www.harkenindustrial.com
The housing is aluminum while the rope-holding dual cams are
stainless steel. Foot ascenders use your body’s largest muscle group to
ascend a rope easily and quickly. The Ninja has a maximum working
load of 150 kg (330 lb) and can handle rope of up to 13 mm (1/2").

10 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

PRODUCTS ROPE STUFF

EDELRID

WOODPECKER

Edelrid's new premium tree
climbing rope.
The Woodpecker has an especially
soft grip and excellent splice
properties, thanks to the special
kernmantle braided core.
The ideal choice for tree climbers
wanting a lightweight yet robust rope.

• Textured sheath ensures excellent
grip, even with gloves

• Twined and shrunk polyester
sheath construction for maximum
abrasion resistance and minimal
shrinkage

• Bright colours ensure
excellent visibility

• Perfectly suited for self braking descenders
• Thermo Shield treatment for perfect handling

Load capacity: 25kN
Load capacity with Fig Eight knot: 16kN
Strength with sewn termination: 6kN
Diameter: 11.7 mm
Core proportion: 45%
Sheath proportion: 55%
Weight: 95g/m
Static elongation: 2.1%
CE marking: CE 0123
Origin: Germany
WEB: edelrid.de

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER 11

PRODUCTS HARNESS www.rescuemagazines.com

MONKEY BEAVER
IS AS MONKEY
BEAVER DOES

[ED: You know what they say, "mad as a Monkey Beaver"... and
they don't come any more Monkey Beaver than arborist/poet
August Hunicke. If this thing has kept him alive this long it can't
be bad and it's made by New Tribe who know a thing or two
about innovative harness design.]

A tree care professional climbs like a monkey and cuts wood like Life-safety components:
a beaver. Arborist August Hunicke, who has a natural aptitude for • Samson ArborMaster 16-strand climbing rope -- (6500 lbs MBS)
supremely skilled, dangerous work up in the treetops, puts it like • 1 ISC aluminum bridge ring -- (25 kN/5620 lbs MBS)
this for his Monkey Beaver™ brand: • 3 ISC aluminum Klick-lock buckles -- (16 kN/3697 lbs MBS)
• 2 Rock Exotica aluminum rigging plates -- (36 kN/8000 lbs MBS)
August and colleague Joe Boyd pooled their ideas with New • 2 forged steel side D rings -- (23kN/5000 lbs)
Tribe’s designer Casey Jones to create the sensational New Tribe/ • 1 3/4” nylon parachute webbing -- (6000 lbs tensile strength)
Monkey Beaver™ arborist saddle. We are proud to label this • 1” heavy nylon webbing -- (5600 lbs tensile strength)
saddle with distinctive patches on the leg pads, with August’s • 1” tubular nylon webbing -- (4000 lbs tensile strength)
Monkey Beaver “Dude” and a new take on the New Tribe logo.
Belt Size (contact us or guidance on sizing).
If, like August and Joe, you were Made for This™ then our new Small 26" to 32" waist
saddle was “Made for YOU.” Medium 33" to 37"waist
Large 36" to 42" waist
• F irm, wide waistbelt is contoured from 8" at rear to 3" X-Large 41" to 46" waist
at front for sturdy, fitted support
COST: $495.00
• R ope bridge attaches to rigging plates with stopper knots,
easy to exchange the bridge

• Forged aluminum bridge ring glides smoothly for
every manoeuvre

• W aistbelt and leg loops equipped with buckles for quick and
easy opening and closing without the need to readjust them

• Leg loops are expanded with lightweight fabric and webbing
that distribute weight for comfort without bulk, and thigh
straps keep them in place

• Optional foam pads can be added for even more leg comfort
• L eg loop buckles adjust for ideal weight distribution between

the waistbelt and the leg loops
• R ear buckles on leg loops can be adjusted for

perfect positioning

On the waistbelt:
• T hree slots for tool holders like Rock Exotica transPorter or

Petzl Caritool or carabiner

• Two large aluminum D rings for tool attachment

• One rolled aluminum ring on tether, to carry chainsaw

• One structured webbing gear loop at rear

• Two snap hooks

• Four rings for attaching optional suspenders Web: monkeybeaver.com

12 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

PRODUCTS CLOTHING

BCLEOATRHVIANLGLCEoY

[ED: You'd think with a name like Bear
Valley that this new range of clothing
would be from the Canadian
Rockies or Yellowstone but if I poke
out through the canopy from our
test platform, I could almost lob
a stick at them, and I can tell
you that there are no mountains
round here, or bears, not many
valleys either. However, being
so local we had to give them a
mention even if, having lobbed
a stick at them and blown
their cover on the local
terrain and fauna, we now
have to drive all the way to
the other ends of the UK,
to Sorbus or Gustharts to
buy one! Great name though and
this has got to be a very tough market to
break into so we wish BVC success.]

The Bear Valley Alpha Arborist Jacket is just one of an entire
clothing range designed by arborists for arborists. The ALPHA
is a technical arb jacket which has been designed to be used
in everyday life for arborists and people dealing in the forestry
sector. An ergonomic and unique design help to make this
jacket comfortable to wear whilst being practical and efficient
for outdoor work. The jacket is highly water resistant with
no taped seams and is made from a softshell (waterproof)
material. Underarm zip ventilation and a high collar complete
the look, along with hook and loop velcro on the wrists
including an inner wrist storm flap with thumb slots.

FEATURES
• Comfortable fit
• Made by arborists
• Ergonomic design
• Highly water resistant
• Softshell material
• Underarm zip
• Dove tail
• High collar
• Cordura high abrasion materials on arms
• Hook and loop velcro on wrists
• Inner wrist storm flap with thumb slots

www.bearvalleycompany.co.uk

13

GEAR REVIEW www.rescuemagazines.com

WRIRGEGNINCGHISC/SINGING TREE
By Adam Jones Turning things on their heads is normally the phrase used
& Ade Scott to describe a complete change of direction, as such is
seems to be both technically and physically accurate
when we look at the Rigging Rope Wrench from ISC.

Introduced by the illustrious Kevin Bingham, the original Rope
Wrench was a retro-fit device to allow the use of hitches
such as the Valdotain Tresse or similar to be used for SRS or
Stationary Rope System, a modern variation on the 50 year-old
acronym SRT or Single Rope Technique. Function is pretty much
the same though, the principal being to pass the rope between
two pins which align to allow free passage of rope when not
loaded (in the neutral position), and then, when load/tension
is applied, cause the pins to be pulled out of alignment and
impart significant additional friction on the rope. Originally this
was to prevent the friction hitch from being loaded beyond
a usable stage where a combination of control and damage
limitation would be achieved.

At some point there was a realisation that this principal works
equally well whether you’re suspending a climber, or a branch.
The only (quite significant) thing needed was to turn the system
upside down. The final step in this very simplified chronology
of the evolution, is the removal of the need to be physically
tending the system to release the hitch. Simple, remove the
hitch. What we are left with is an inverted wrench attached to a
pully, initially this was commonly a pinto (or similar) and a stiff
tether, generally shorter than the climbers preferred length.

TOP BRANDS

ArbClimber
Stockist

14 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com GEAR REVIEW

1. Ensure that the working line is threaded correctly
through the device
2. The tail end of the line can be pulled to remove slack.
Further pulling of the tail end will result in tension
being applied in an upwards direction on the section that
is to be cut. This is useful when cut sections are to be
lifted away from targets
3. For tensioning / lifting operations, the Wrench element
of the Rigging Rope Wrench will fold into a neutral
position. On the RP292 20kg - 120kg model, the one-way
bearing will rotate to reduce friction on the lift
4. For lowering operations, the Wrench element of the
Rigging Rope Wrench will engage and apply friction to the
working end of the line. On the RP292 20kg - 120kg model, the
one-way bearing will lock the pulley sheave and add extra
friction to the working line
5. WARNING - The Rigging Rope Wrench is only designed as a
friction aid. The user must keep control of the tail end of
the rope at all times during lowering operations
6. The user must wear gloves when handling and controlling
the working line
7. ISC recommend the use of a 13mm (1/2”) 12 Braid rope sling
in either a Loopie or Dead Eye configuration. Best practice
dictates that the anchor sling should be double the
strength of the intended working line

Controlled from either the ground or by the climber, the system
allowed for the management of heavier loads for lowering and
provided a fast, highly mobile and efficient system of work.
ISC took this idea and created a truly heavy-duty option with
smooth functioning, and refined and dedicated components
that will be an asset to any outfit's rigging kit. The wrench
part of it isn't actually a Rope-Wrench at all though it does still
bear a resemblance. It's now a little more ‘industrial’ than its
climbing counterpart with a spring-lock pin that can be removed
for rope installation or you can leave the pin in place and feed
the rope through. The tether has been replaced by a solid alloy
‘Dog Bone’-shaped link and the pulley is a bespoke construction
visually matching the wrench part but with a sprung, locking pin
at the top for connecting the anchor sling/rope which

.............in the heart of Virginia Visit our store

or order Online

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER www.arbortechsupply.com

15

GEAR REVIEW www.rescuemagazines.com

16 SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: 70 120
WEB: www.iscwales.com
Rope diameter: 13mm / 1/2" 13mm / 1/2"
Working Load Limit/WLL: 0-70kg / 154 lb 20-120kg / 44-264 lb
MIn Breaking Strength/MBS: 30kN / 6744 lbf 30kN / 6744 lbf
Bearing type Bush Bearing
Weight: 475g / 17oz 475g / 17oz
Height: 190mm / 7.5" 190mm / 7.5"
Width: 52mm / 2" 52mm / 2"
Thickness: 45mm / 1.8" 45mm / 1.8"
APPROX COST: £175/$220/€195 £190/$235/€210

makes it look like an impact block The working range of the larger
but ISC advise you NOT to use this for capacity device is 20kg-120kg which
negative rigging presumably because extends 50kg over the other model
of the forces that would transmit to but it's not quite the done-deal it
the dog-bone and wrench elements. might appear because that extra
friction on the 120 has a significant
There are two versions of Rigging affect on smaller loads, physically
Rope Wrench, rated either to loading preventing the lowering of the lightest
of up to 70kg/154 lb (grey bone, black of branches. This is where you must
wheel) or 120kg/308lb (black bone, be discerning, first in your choice of
silver wheel), they are identified by whether to buy one of these things
the colour of the dog bone and the or both and if you buy both, in your
pulley wheel although we cannot, for choice of which to use. You'll need
the life of us, figure out why the two to judge the approximate weight of
versions don't simply have different the maximum potential load during
coloured cheeks! We even asked, reduction or removal of limbs to
and there was a valid reason but decide which to use or perhaps adjust
it was late, and much alcohol had your working loads to suit the one
been imbibed so we're still none the you HAVE chosen to use. The obvious
wiser and it was too embarrassing and safest system of work, regardless
to ask again. We're going to go with of which option you have available,
economics, all the side plates are will be to gradually build up the size
common components to both version of the sections being lowered. An
so it's cheaper to have them all the experienced crew will quickly refine
same colour. Anyway, as it stands, the their technique to achieve the safest
pulley wheel is the most distinctive and most efficient way of working.
indicator, with the larger capacity
option being silver (machined alloy). One of the major advantages of this
kit is that it is so light it allows the
It is this wheel that sets the two climber him or herself to move the
otherwise identical-looking products rigging point around the canopy
apart. The lower rated model has a or spar with ease in addition to
mind-boggling Molybdenum disulphide being able to manage the lowering
(MOS2) impregnated brass bushing themselves. For two-man bands and
and, complicated as that sounds, it's smaller companies, the quality of
still the limiting component. The higher ground crew might be questionable
rated option is equipped with bearings with the climber sometimes wishing
and one-way locking. This provides two he or she could just drop a branch on
obvious advantages of the 120-model top of the ground crew. Now you can
over the 70-model: dispense with such wicked thoughts
1) It has the capacity to handle and just rig it yourself. You always
higher loads have been able to do it yourself of
2) One-way locking effectively changes course but this Rigging Wrench makes
the wheel into a lowering bollard things so much more easily managed.
which imparts even more friction to The climber can control the lower
the advantage of the operative.
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com GEAR REVIEW

while the ground crew just concentrate on manoeuvring it block which means that this will not replace that particular
to the drop zone, or the ground crew can control the lowering part of your kit. Despite ISC's instructions to the contrary, we
initially when the climber makes the cut and then hand back did look at (and dismiss) using just the 120 pulley element for
to the climber. negative rigging in the conventional way with a base-rigged
lock-off and then retro-fit the Wrench for the lowing. It can be
It's a shame the 120 has frictional limitations for smaller done but never would be for any number of common sense
branches because by smaller we mean a 40lb branch which reasons. Just thought we'd check it out. This is really a device
is not an insignificant missile if it has to dropped rather with more finesse for controlled lowering of branches, not huge
than lowered. We fully understand that this limitation is a sections of trunk.
consequence of the highly desirable option of a locking wheel
to give even greater load control for heavier weights and on In a magazine issue that includes winches costing multiple
balance this is the one we would go for. With a harness full of thousands and weighing almost as much as your pet donkey
other shiny stuff including a good old carabiner and sling, I'm (what, you haven't got one of those? Cheaper than ground
happy to go old-school for those lighter weights if I have to but crew), the ISC Rigging Wrench offers smaller companies a
it's more difficult to Gerry-rig something and get the same sort valuable tool. We're quite often guilty in these magazines of
of control we get with the 120 for heavier limbs. introducing you to shiny stuff that is unquestionably excellent
but you're more likely to 'want' it than 'need' it. Rock Exotica's
If a more traditional approach is adopted even the ground Akimbo later in this issue could be viewed as such an item. But
crew you wanted to drop a branch onto can easily run the for lighter work and/or small crews, the Rigging Rope Wrench
lowering from the base with the 120 but with the advantage could qualify as a 'need' as well as a 'want'. That's what you
of negating the need for a larger/heavier/more expensive/ tell the boss anyway, or your other half if it's just you and that
more complicated [delete as appropriate] ground-based control ground worker with the branch on his head. You might also
device. HOWEVER, two things the Rigging Wrench won't do want to mention to the person holding the purse strings that it
is replace your impact block for negative rigging or lower an comes in its own protective case.
injured climber to the ground. Not officially anyway. In a life-
threatening emergency you would use your mum's old washing Well done Kev Bingham for bringing the Rope Wrench to
line if it was all you had and your climber was about to expire fruition in the first place and well done ISC for running with it
but technically this is absolutely NOT for live loads. As a system, and to expanding on the concept for something that is a truly
the impact block-looking pulley isn't really usable as an impact useful alternative........until the next bit of shiny.

LOWERING DEVICE

SOLD IN A STURDY BOX

ISTORTIO WLL THOUT B 006/42/C

E
MACH

OX

1
N

5
D
N

WI
2
CTIVE
,000 da ,000 daN 5,9 kg INE DIRE

1355, chemin de Malombre • Z.I. Les Plaines • 26780 MALATAVERNE
FRANCE • (+33) 475 528 640 • [email protected]

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER 17

POWER

ASCENDERS

FOR PROFESSIONALS

ActSafe Power Ascenders are an ingenious combination of
a high-capacity rope winch in a compact, lightweight and
user-friendly design. They simply redefine the possibilities
for working in vertical environments.

The PMX provides the strength
and versatility of engine power
in a highly-portable design
that is built to endure the
toughest environments.

The battery-powered ACX
with Bluetooth Remote Control
makes it the perfect tool for a
multitude of lifting operations.

Get in touch with us today to find your nearest ActSafe distributor

ActSafe Systems AB T: +46 31 65 56 60
Sagbäcksvägen 13 E: [email protected]
SE-43731 Lindome, Sweden W: www.actsafe.se

www.rescuemagazines.comARWRoBIpNOeRCISHTESMARKET GUIDE

On the left is the original arborist winch with steel back plate, the Hobbs which is still going strong after nearly 40 years in the form of the H2
version [pic courtesy of Blair's Arborist Eqpt in MD] while on the right is an engineered alloy model from Italy using a modular back plate and
yachting quality capstan together with guides and a cam above that have evolved to meet the specific needs of arborists.

20 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

Hwww.rescuemagazines.com RIGGING BLOCK
andled winches that use ROPE instead of wire cable, do a
similar job of lowering to the static bollards we covered in TOP SPECIALIST
the last MARKET GUIDE and are of two distinct types: FOR RIGGING

1) Capstan winches which are cotton-reel'-shaped bollards MBS WLL WEIGHT CE/98/37
now stolen from yachting via the market leader, Harken Industrial
shown in the picture on the left. They often have a lovely shiny MACH
surface around which several wraps of rope can absorb friction
and lower some substantial weights to the ground in a controlled 2
manner. Specific arborist models have a longer drum able to use 1
more wraps and/or larger ropes. In the case of the ubiquitous 0,000 daN
Harken 46 model, it will take 5 wraps of half inch rope. N
CTIVE
2) Hand Winches (for want of a better ,000 da 600 g INE DIRE
description!) which are basically the gearing
of a capstan turned sideways into a flat metal 1355, chemin de Malombre • Z.I. Les Plaines • 26780 MALATAVERNE
housing and bolted/pinned above a standard FRANCE • (+33) 475 528 640 • [email protected]

static bollard for the purposes of PULLING 21
rope via a handle and an appropriate
number of wraps rather than just lowering. These
are less efficient but far less expensive than capstans.

The difference between a winch and a static bollard as
featured in last issue's GUIDE, is that they have a handle and
some cogs connected to the inside of the capstan to offer
varying degrees of mechanical advantage allowing you to
lift heavy weights as well as lower. This GUIDE focuses only
on manual devices but you may obviously wish to consider
powered winches – battery in particular seems to be the
way things are going and prices aren't actually a lot different,
in fact, many are considerably cheaper than some of these
finely engineered models with their Harken Capstans fit for a
millionaire's yacht. The clincher will often be the sheer brute
competence and reliability of manually operated winches,
no fuel/power to worry about, no inadvertent application of
power when you didn't want it (bearing in mind that most
don't have protective clutches) and no electronics to go wrong
on a cold or hot day.

Mechanical advantage, in the case of capstan winches, is
described by the gear ratio or alternatively by the power ratio
which both relate to the movement of a gearing mechanism
when compared to the distance the load is raised. More on this
later. There are many capstan winches covering every industry and
one or two rescue models but they are mostly NOT applicable to
arborist work purely because they can't be adequately mounted to
a trunk for a stable lowering and raising position.

Specific arborist models were pioneered by Ed Hobbs in 1980
with the novel idea of mounting a capstan to a base-plate
and side-mounting it to a tree trunk using ratchet straps.
Ratchet straps were part of the original idea rather than
simply tensioned rope and this continues to be the simplest,
fastest and most secure option. That first Hobbs design had a
bespoke straight handle rather than the modern yacht-evolved
modified Z-shape. The Hobbs also demonstrates the key
arborist requirement which is a quite specifically designed

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER

ROPE WINCHES www.rescuemagazines.com

backing plate able to grip the trunk and remain in a rope when raising. Because the
stable position during wincing or lowering. These days, loads can be quite high you must
rubber pads are used to protect the bark and with a ensure that you are adequately
much broader backing plate and heavier securing capturing the progress you make
straps they tend not to have the serrated teeth we after the manic winding. Capstans
discussed in last issue's Bollards guide. generally have their own progress
In this Guide we have also included capture CAPTIVE self-tailing which is
a rescue model from Skyhook and a pair of gripping 'lips' at the top of
Harken's own model (right) which the capstan which will hold the rope if you have
both have universal back plates enough turns to absorb the weight. You can see
designed to fit, amongst other this most clearly in the Sterling Rope ad a few
things, telegraph poles which is as pages on where the Harken capstan is shown in
difficult as it gets because it's much profile with the two gripping surfaces plus the silver coloured
easier to get a secure purchase on a rope guide. This works best on the largest rope in the winch's
broader trunk, especially if you can cut range and may be augmented or replaced in some models with
a level mount into the trunk. Aside from FTC's an altogether more positive cam which, in yachting, would be
fine Italian Antal winch, the Harken capstan is a common a jamming cleat which we'll discuss shortly, while those with
theme for most of the capstan winches in this GUIDE which integral bollards can use their simpler tie-off posts instead of, or
is testament to the quality and reverence within the industry. as well as, the cleat or cams.
The Protekt Tree Up model (top right) for instance is a clear
marriage between the slick Harken capstan and Protekt's own Circumstances that require raising include
arb-specific base plate with rubber feet. There will be some • Relocating a branch being cut or that is
die-hards who swear by their vehicle mounted drum winch for
various aspects of tree work, but....different animal entirely, already cut,
different skill-set and vast scope for failure. Were we discussing • Lifting a cut branch or trunk over an
winches with the sole job of pulling we could probably include
virtually anything including the multitude of drum winches obstruction after cutting
and even the venerable Tirfor winch which invariably uses wire • Correct an angle or lean prior to
cable and will do a sterling job of pulling over leaners. They
would all do this from an anchor point far away from the target cutting
tree and often with direct connection to the load rather than
via a redirect. Once the raising work is done it's time to lock off

RAISING & LOWERING the load and prepare for lowering. This may use those integral

The style of winch we're camming cleats we mentioned or the tie-off posts but
discussing could be said to take
some of the skills necessity out remember that a cam would require you to take load
of the hands of ground crew;
no setting up of pulley systems, off before it will release the rope for lowering so
no tying of knots even. It will
always be secured to the base you're either going to need that winch again to take
of a tree so as long as your
crew can pick a good site (not in enough rope to release the cam or you might have
too close to the ground and
not directly in an impact area), one like the ArbPro pictured above or the ATD on the
you're sorted. The winch will
almost always be attached to right and left which have a small handle on the cam
the target tree or very close
to it and the rope (NOT WIRE to release the cam and transfer load to your lowering
CABLE) will be redirected to the
load branch or trunk section bollard/capstan which you will have taken in firmly.
via a snatch or impact block/
pulley. The ground crew stand Tie-off posts are the same as you always have with a
to one side when lowering
in the same way as the static bollard, a few sturdy wraps and a strong hand grasp as you gently
bollards and use a handle to
wind the bejesus out of the unwrap until the load comes on and remains manageable. With

capstan winches this then becomes a self-tailing action where

several wraps wound around the shiny surface allow one person

to hold the load and gently run the rope through gloved hands to

lower. FTC provide these handy figures for the load holding ability

of a new 12mm rope when wrapped around their mini-bollard

with the operator(s) feeling a weight/resistance on the rope of

around 30-40kg/67-90lb:

3/4 turn = 75 daN / 77kg / 169 lb

1 3/4 turns = 200 daN / 204kg / 450 lb

2 3/4 turn = 470 daN / 479kg / 1057 lb

3 3/4 turn = 1000 daN /1020kg / 2248 lb

For the lowering function we can pretty much use exactly the
same description as we did for fixed-location static bollards last
time and add in the new winch stuff, how's this for lazy.....:

22 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

ISTORTIO N
,000 da 4
LOWERING DEVICE D
WLL N
COMPACT AND 800 daN
PERFORMANT THOUT B

3,8 kg OX E2 WI
006/42/C MACH CTIVE
INE DIRE

SOLD IN A STURDY BOX

1355, chemin de Malombre • Z.I. Les Plaines
26780 MALATAVERNE • FRANCE

(+33) 475 528 640 • [email protected]

ROPE WINCHES www.rescuemagazines.com

After flying and fixed or static bollards, our third you didn't lift it into place
and heaviest lowering option is a winch with a large correctly. Were it not for
ROTATING DRUM driven by a crank handle. The winch is the fact that the biggest and
mounted (bolted, pinned or welded) to a backing plate heaviest systems like the GRCS
with the whole assembly anchored firmly to the tree's (below left), come in two,
trunk with ratchet straps. Many have rubber feet or the three or four separate parts
option of rubber feet to protect the bark from inevitable – usually the back plate, the
damage during tensioning and arrest/lowering. You capstan, a handle/windlass,
need to have a fairly level surface to sit the back plate and a cleat and/or a lowering
on so that it can't rock under load and loosen its bollard. Notable exceptions to
retaining straps. Interestingly, a number of models the comment on being heavy
quote a lower WLL with rubber feet than without, are the more rescue oriented
probably due to compression forces on the rubber and pushing models from Skyhook and Harken Industrial and the newest
the plate further out from the trunk, so it's fair to assume that winch on the market the ODSK Elephant (above) all of which
the same should be the case for ANY model with the option are less than 10kg/22 lbs. Well, OK, Krok's heavy duty steel Ilya
of rubber feet. Nevertheless a solid flat surface is best so for and Tree-Up's TU120 were also very close at 10.2kg each but
dismantling jobs you would be able to cut a flat section into otherwise, the rest in this list are pretty heavy. Jeez.
the bark with your chainsaw. Alternatively, for dismantling
operations or if you don't like the client, there are plates Note that our figures are for the Capstan/winch version NOT
with teeth or serrations which dig into the bark to provide the interchangeable rigging
a firm fixing though we haven't seen this with winches bollard (where there is one)
which all have flat back plates. unless specifically listed
Once you add raising into any equation the forces multiply as such. Rope capacity
considerably because there's a whole load of friction to diameters for instance, are
take into account that you don't have with lowering. This often a couple of mil larger
is why the Working Load Limit is higher for the capstan or for the bollard than they are
bollard in lowering than it is for the capstan and/or cleat for the capstan. A noticeable
in raising and then you may also need to reduce the load exception to this is the FTC
in your calculation for rubber feet depending on what the Transformeur (left) which
manufacturer has quoted. might sound very heavy at
43kg but that includes two,
It won't have escaped your notice that, not only are these count 'em, two bollards
systems quite expensive, they're also pretty big and heavy. AND the winch on the same
So much so, that you could be into back-injury territory if assembly all of which can
24
be removed from the plate as required – you could
for instance have just one bollard on the back
plate or none at all and the weight would go down
accordingly. The Stein 3002 also offers two bollards
but these are fixed so the basic weight of the unit is
quite high at 42kg but the 15kg winch attachment is
easily separated.

GEAR RATIO versus POWER RATIO :

We're listing this as MA or MECHANICAL
ADVANTAGE which correlates to the Power ratio.
While the actual gear ratio on, for instance a Harken
winch may be 2:1 and 6:1 as it is on the Rigger 500,
this actually translates to the much higher 'Power'
ratio of 13:1 and 40:1. You calculate the 'Power'
ratio by dividing the handle length by the Drum
Radius (not diameter) and multiplying that by the
gear ratio. Not sure how that works if you choose to
measure the handle in millimetres? This power ratio
figure is obviously starkly different to the gear ratio
so make sure you are talking the same language
when comparing 'Ratios'. For two speed winches the low ratio
winding direction is often one way, while the higher

ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15



ROPE WINCHES www.rescuemagazines.com

ratio is in the opposite winding direction. This gearing principle power drill. The
is the same throughout the world of mechanical devices from job of dynamically
watches to cars – you drive a small cog which engages with a arresting heavy
bigger cog, maybe several cogs with the effect that the shorter loads is generally left
revolutions of the small cog causes you to wind quite furiously to Impact blocks rigged
while it engages teeth to teeth with the larger cog rotating closer to the load, (as in
much more slowly which in turn may be engaging and driving our diagram on the right from
even larger cogs until it connects with the thing being driven, the last issue's Guide to Bollards
in this case a heavy load. There's always a trade off in effort courtesy of Wesspur), which are only
and in this case its an increased number of turns to achieve the then lowered on the kinds of devices listed
same aim. In capstans, the cogs sit horizontally in the larger in this article. Some of the fixed bollards we
section of the 'cotton reel' in the base. In the case of arborist included in the previous GUIDE can be retro-
methodology, this means they sit vertically but in the capstan's fitted with a drum winch for raising like the Stein
original yachting mode it would be sat flat to the deck winding and KROK models but in the case of the Stein
horizontally. The flat, drum winches that attach to the top of (opposite) it is unique in this selection because
some bollard devices like the Stein models, are oriented, and it uses a separate, small diameter winching rope
intended to be used, vertically. allowing you to rig up to two separate lowering
ropes AND a raising rope at the same time.

SAFE OPERATING TECHNIQUE
The standard bollard devices are

solid lumps of metal that

you are very unlikely to

damage in a controlled

lowering even if it gets

sideswiped by the section

being lowered. However, a

winch has extraneous components that are

DRILL ADAPTERS much more susceptible to damage – the handle

Where the handle is detachable it is often possible to use a for instance if left in and the side cheeks on a drum
power drill and adapter to drive the winch. Harken winches in
particular have a universal star-shaped bit winch or the top lip and control surfaces on a
(above) that will fit any drill and any Harken
winch. This saves on what can be a manic capstan. These are expensive as well so it's best to
winding action in high ratio. You can use the
drill to do most of the donkey work and then ensure that you position it so that it is offset and
switch back to hand-winding for finite control the lowered section comes down to one side. In
when you need it. This adaptation came the case of the ATD and the Smartwinch (above),
from yachting because of the repetition and the integral bollard provides a protective shroud
from rescue because extremely long raises for the capstan but if the handle is
might be needed in the mountains (picture in place on either the capstan or, in
opposite), certainly far higher than we ever
see in arb work but in an environment where
time literally is money, it can speed up the job
no end on consecutive raises and lowerings. If
you have the spare cash after having stumped
up four figures for your winch system you
might consider Milwaukee's $250 Hole
Hawg (above) which is the newer, ergonomic
version of the adapted drill shown opposite
but with a dedicated right angle head and top-handle.
Just to be clear, this guide does NOT include any powered
(battery or fuel) winches, they will be in a separate GUIDE
next issue. The tables in this Guide are devices which perform
heavy-duty lowering and raising using manual winding power
albeit that some can augment this action with a regular battery

26

www.rescuemagazines.com ROPE WINCHES

Smartwinche's case, the web
tensioner, this would still be
a weak-point. Don't forget
to factor in that your load
may start out in a controlled
lower but end up in freefall
should an operator or
component fail.
A key factor in positioning
your winch offset to the
load is that the operator
will need to stand directly
adjacent to the winch to
wind the handle and so
could be in the danger/drop
zone. Also bear in mind that
raising adds forces to the system that make it a more dangerous
operation with greater scope for component failure at the rigging
or even the rope itself than lowering imparts. When lowering,
the operator will typically stand a minimum of 6ft-2m from the
lowering device, often much more and will ALWAYS wear gloves.
Good technique requires the operators to use the appropriate
number of wraps to hold the load and when arresting a falling
branch or section to do so dynamically allowing enough rope to
run though gloved hands so that impact forces are minimised.
If the load comes to a sudden arrest because you've wrapped
too many turns around the bollard or capstan the impact forces
will magnify considerably and could adversely affect ANY of the
components including the rope and the winch if that is being
used as a lowering bollard.

Ensure that the wraps are regular and do not over-lap or Quite a lot going on in this picture from Skyhook and you can tell straight
override each other – this can make your job harder at best away that this is a rescuer rather than arborist from the PPE! The winch is
and can be extremely dangerous at worst. Some of the Harken secured to a small diameter pine and without the optional Universal plate
winches have moulded diagonal grooves which help guide each attachment to sit it more snuggly to the trunk, it's vital that there is no lateral
turn of rope in the right place. load to destabilise the placement hence the redirects above and below which
align the tail rope and the loaded rope more vertically. The winch operator
IN THE FOLLOWING TABLES:.............. is using a powered adapter to do the work while the capstan self-tails for
progress capture with an ancillary PCD in the form of a prusik on the entry
COST: rope. We'll pretend this is all an effort to rescue an injured arborist. Good
Approximate. Includes local taxes but can vary due to exchange luck finding one of Skyhook's Classic winches as all of the remaining models
rates, other taxes etc. We generally round up the cost to the have been earmarked for the US Coastguard. Skyhook bought up all 300 of
nearest Pound£, US Dollar$ or Euro€ Harken's now discontinued but highly sought after 40.2 Original capstans
for the Classic model while the Skyhook Lightweight uses the 40.2 Radial.
ORIGIN: Is the country of the company selling the item which However, a lot of rescue winches don't see much use, are far better looked
is not necessarily the same as the origin of the product itself. after than most arb winches and certainly don't see the same level of abuse
Where we know the manufacturing origin is different there is during use so if you get the chance to buy a second hand winch from a rescue
an inset flag. agency it probably won't be a bad deal at all.

MAX DIMENSIONS: this is the diameter at which you will lose virtually NO strength
Height and the width of the base plate but in some cases, a in your rope due to bending fibres.
third figure will be the depth of the winch or bollard. These
should be excluding handle but we think some of the submitted MA RATIO:
figures have strayed! Mechanical Advantage expressed as a ratio. As already
discussed this is the input power to ultimate drive that you
CAPSTAN DIAMETER: create rather than the gearing ratio of the cogs. Invariably a
The wider the sheave on a pulley the more residual strength is figure on quality capstans around the 40:1 mark in high ratio
available in the rope – it's all about avoiding tight radius bends and around 12:1 or low ratio. We have rounded the figures
and it's the same with a winch, the wider the capstan diameter because to be accurate the Harken 46 is 11.7:1 & 46.5:1 not
the better it is for your rope – The magic figure is 4"/100mm, 12:1 and 46:1 as we have shown.

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER MAX ROPE DIAMETER
Given by the manufacturer. This should be dictated by the
diameter of the cylinder maximising the bend radius and the

27

ROPE WINCHES www.rescuemagazines.com

A classic example of where raising is necessary prior to lowering. This is ODSK's Elephant winch number of wraps you can fit but
from Japan using the ubiquitous Harken capstan and an alloy frame with a trio of unique, also by the gap at the rear rope
machined rope guides which double as friction posts. In this picture the winch is secured to a guide. Oddly, many of these DO
standing tree used as the anchor from which to raise a faller that is entangled in its branches. NOT correspond to the capstan
This is storm damage from a busy year of typhoons in 2018 and you have little say on where the manufacturer’s own recommended
tree ends up. On another day (with that impact block above the winch), this could have been diameters. In some cases this may be
a congested work area in which a cut section has to be 'unpicked' from an adjacent tree and because they are quoting the bollard
raised, using the winch, before it can be lowered. It may be an optical illusion but doesn't it look capacity rather than the capstan (for
like the ratchet strap on the winch is squeezing the life out of that trunk? winches that have both options).
28 MBS and WLL:
... is the Minimum Breaking Strength
and in the case of all these winches
refers to the LOWERING mode NOT
RAISING mode which would be
considerably less and best factored
into your calculations using the
maximum Working Load (WLL) for
raising shown in orange in the WLL
column. MBS isn't given by everyone
in the arb sector, many preferring to
stick with a Working Load Limit or
Safe Working Load WLL/SWL because
it's often dictated by the webbing
rather than the actual device (like
the Hobbs). We list the MBS in units
of force as KiloNewtons and Pounds
Force and WLL in terms of weight as
Kilograms and Lbs but they are broadly
comparable figures ie. 50kN isn't quite
5000kg, it's 5099kg, close enough for
you to be able to work out the load
limits and stay well clear of them.
These figures are for NON-HUMAN
LOADS. CE standards require a separate
rating for rescue/man-riding which
is just over half of the WLL of these
winches. However, it is quite obvious
that none of these winches has a
problem with the physical weight of a
casualty, it's just a question of being
tested to specific standards which
the rescue winches in this list would
additionally need to adhere to.
MODULAR:
means that the base plate can be
separated from the winch and/or
bollard which is the case with the
majority of models in this guide.
ANCHOR STRAPS:
A solid black square n indicates that
the device comes complete with the
necessary strapping (whether you
want it or not!). An outline square
n indicates that bespoke strapping is
available as an option.

ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com T: 01670 789701 E: [email protected]
MILKHOPE CENTRE, BLAGDON, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE13 6DA
RUBBER BARK PROTECTION
refers to protective feet 29
to protect bark from
damage during lowering
operations. None of the
models here appears to
offer teeth/serrations in the
same way as some of the static
bollards did but virtually all of
those with rubber pads can have
them removed to leave you with
the basic metal plate which, of course, is stronger than with
rubber feet but you are more likely to damage the bark.
TIE-OFF/CONTROL POSTS:
Refers ONLY to bollards rather than the winch and is only
relevant here for models that have an integrated bollard like
the Smartwinch or where the bollard is attached to the plate
simultaneously with the winch as with the Transformeur. Such
posts help to maintain wraps on the cylinder and direct the
entry rope to allow the ground to stand in the safest position
for lowering eg. not directly beneath the limb/section being
cut. The model shown above was most recently badged as the
now discontinued 'Dragon' winch and was unusual in having a
custom-made capstan crossed with a bollard with integral tie-
off posts. It was considerably cheaper than other winches but
was presumably superseded for good reason.
PROGRESS CAPTURE –
SELF-TAIL / CAM / RATCHET
A black square n indicates an integral
'jamming' action on the top of the
winch drum called self-tailing and
common on Harken models.
An orange square n indicates an
add-on camming option like the ArbPro
and ATD models.
A Green square n indicates a simple
ratchet cam where a cog-like wheel is stopped from going
backwards by some form of 'catch'. This is typical on the Stein
and Krok models.
ROPE GUIDES:
Also known as FAIRLEADS. This includes specific hook-style
guides and spiral pig-tails which make sure the rope enters and
leave the winch drum in the correct alignment.
TOP/BOTTOM ANCHOR EYE
refers to a load bearing eye located on the top for clipping in
a raising/tensioning system or on the bottom as an ancillary
anchor point, often for a Whoopie sling style anchor.
Among the models we haven't included in our tables is the
Harken 200 Riggers Winch because the base plate is too small
for arb work – it is intended as a portable light-load-lifting/
hauling winch for remote deployment. We have also again
precluded the Russian brand VTT for lack of contacts but they
have model with a detachable handle for pre-tensioning which
looks like a smaller version of the Stein Dual model.
NEXT ISSUE: POWERED ARBORIST WINCHES -
spoiler alert..there aren't many!

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER

Made in U.S.A.

with U.S. and Globally

Sourced Material

Rig.
remove.
REPEAT.

1/2" Orange The AtlasTMRigging Line

1/2" Green The burly Atlas has a completely
redesigned double-braid construction
9/16" Blue that provides a huge increase in overall
strength: over 32% stronger than the
9/16" Red previous Atlas design. The nylon/polyester
construction gives the Atlas unmatched
5/8" Yellow strength-to-weight performance for a
dynamic rigging line.
NEW!
Buy the Atlas Rigging Line at your local arbor dealer.
3/4" Green

© 2019 Sterling Rope Company, Inc. | SterlingRope.com/work

MARKET GUIDE www.rescuemagazines.com

images images MODEL COMPANY HARKENN WT MATERIALS
NOT approximately ORIGIN exc BASE PLATE
COST CAPSTAN
to scale to scale inc tax straps

ATD Winch ARBOTEAM 46 £4080 30.3kg Steel

€4641 67 lb Aluminium

LD1 ARBPRO 40 €2440 21.3kg Steel
47 lb Stainless Steel

LD2 ARBPRO 46 €3297 26kg Alloy
57 lb Alloy

CPR £2295 23kg Stainless Steel
SmartWinch INNOVATIONS 46 €2250 51 lb Stainless Steel

BV

Transformeur FTC £3354 43kg Alloy

€3150 95 lb Stainless Steel

GRCS GOOD 46 £2754 38.5kg Alloy &Steel
RIGGING $2900 85 lb Stainless Steel

Rigger 500 HARKEN 40 £1500 7kg Alloy
INDUSTRIAL
$1725 15.4 lb Aluminium

H2 K&R Products £2034 26.3kg Steel

$2000 58 lb Aluminium

Ilya 87 KROK €148* 10.2kg Steel
22.5 lb Steel

Elephant ODSK/ 40 ¥300000 7.6kg Alloy
TAKASHI 16.75 lb Aluminium
OSAKA

NOTES COST: Approx & inc VAT/Taxes MAX DIMENSIONS: height x width x Depth MBS: In lowering mode. WLL/Max Loa

32 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com ROPE WINCHES

MAX CAPSTAN MBS WLL MODULAR NOTES WWW.
DIMENSIONS CAPSTAN MA Rope RUBBGERRIPTSRUNK
Max ANCHOR STRAP
exc handle DIAM RATIOS Diam INC BOLLARD
Load for PROGRESS CAPTURE

raising SELF-TAILCAMRATCHET
Lowering
CONTTIER-OOLFPF/OSTS
ROPE GUIDES
TAONPC/BHOOTRTEOYEM

1300kg* * WLL for hard
2866 lb securing of back
480x370x330mm 100mm 12:1 14-16mm 2000kg n plate. Rubber arboteam.it
18.9 x 14.5 x 13" 3.9" 46:1 9/16-5/8" - 4400 lb n 1 n n 7n mounting max= freeworker.de

800kg. Cost inc
carbon-plastic Case

800kg MBS is when used
600x300x250mm 140mm 13.5:1 12-14mm 48kN 1764 lb n with optional cam.
24 x 12 x 10" 5.5" 40:1 1/2-9/16" 10791 lbf 1000kg n n 3 n n 2 arbpro.it
n 140mm diam Bollard
2200 lb weighs 11kg

1200kg MBS is when used
600x350x250mm 150mm 12-19mm 73.5kN 2645 lb n with optional cam.
24 x 14 x 10" 5.9" 12:1 1/2-3/4" 16535 lbf 1500kg n n 3 n n 4 arbpro.it
46:1 n 150mm diam Bollard

3306 lb weighs 5kg

1300kg Integral bollard
protects capsatn.
510x350x250mm 101mm 12:1 8-14mm 70kN 2866 lb Straps are tightenend
20 x 14 x10" 4" 46:1 5/16-9/16" 15736 lbf 700kg n n 1 n 2 3 n using the winch cprinnovations.com

1575 lb handle in the riht-
hand webbing pin.

816kg All components
450 x 370mm 93mm 10-16mm 100kN 1798 lb n can be purchased
18 x 14.5" 3.7" 20:1 3/8-5/8" 22481 lbf 2040kg n n 2 n n 0-4 2-6 n separately. Model ftc-tree.com
43:1 shown includes 2x
Bollards and case.
4500 lbf

907kg
360x230x250mm 100mm 12:1 <19mm 91.6kN 2000 lb Base plate is hinged
14.1 x 9 x 10" 3.9" 46:1 <3/4"" 20592 lbf 1360kg n n n n n 3 n for greater stability goodrigging.com
on a curved surface.
3000 lb

290x290x369mm 80mm 13.5:1 8-12mm 25kN 500kg Also available is
11.4 x 11.4 x 14.5" 3.5" 40:1 5/16-1/2" 5620 lbf 1102 lb n a smaller, lighter
n 1 n Rigger 200 but harkenindustrial.com
not marketed to
arborists

*75- 12-19mm >89kN 1360kg The original arborist
483x436x236mm 152mm 1/2-3/4" >20000 lbf 3000lb lowering device with
19 x 19 x 9.3" 3-6" 16:1 nn n n 1 2 blairsae.com
n raising capability. krok.biz
*Has a highly
tapered capstan

500kg
1102 lb
160mm 87mm 13:1 8-19mm 190kN 1000kg nn n n 2 2 n *price ex works Russia
6.3" 3.4" 5/16-3/4" 42714 lbf 2204 lb n and is an Ilya bollard
AND the winch (€53)

289x250x240mm 80mm 13.5 12mm >40kN 400kg nn n 3* 3* n Guides designed as works-odsk.jp
11.4 x 10 x 9.5" 3.5" 40:1 1/2" >8992 lbf 881 lb n 'hyperbars that double

as tie-off posts

ad: normally based on 7:1 to 10:1 of the MBS. INC BOLLARD: Add on. Except nwhich are integral N/A info Not Available/not given 33

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER

MARKET GUIDE www.rescuemagazines.com

images images MODEL COMPANY HARKEN WT MATERIALS
NOT approximately ORIGIN exc BASE PLATE
COST CAPSTAN
to scale to scale inc tax straps

Classic SKYHOOK 40 $3660 9.3kg Alloy
20.5 lb Aluminium

Lightweight SKYHOOK 40 $3840 7.9kg Alloy
17.5 lb Aluminium

RCW3001 STEIN £1008 29kg Steel
$1150 64 lb -

RCW3002 STEIN £1248 41.7kg Steel
92 lb -

TU120 TREE-UP 46 $2185 10.2kg Alloy
(PROTEKT)
€1938 22.5 lb Aluminium

Arborist Supply Co. Inc.

arboristsupplyco.ca 1-888-240-3993

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Bay 8, 141 Commercial Dr.

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34 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com ROPE WINCHES

MAX CAPSTAN MBS WLL MODULAR NOTES WWW.
DIMENSIONS CAPSTAN MA Rope RUBBGERRIPTSRUNK
Max ANCHOR STRAP
exc handle DIAM RATIOS Diam INC BOLLARD
Load for PROGRESS CAPTURE

raising SELF-TAILCAMRATCHET
Lowering
CONTTIER-OOLFPF/OSTS
ROPE GUIDES
TAONPC/BHOOTRTEOYEM

Price includes (and
508x254x235mm 80mm 13.5:1 11-13mm 500kg n requires) 'Universal'
20 x 10 x 9.25" 3.5" 40:1 7/16-1/2" - 1100 lb n 1 n back plate for efficient skyhookrescue.com

attachment to trunks.

Dimensions do not
refer to the optional
508x254x235mm 80mm 13.5:1 11-13mm - 500kg n 1 n H-Plate shown. skyhookrescue.com
20 x 10 x 9.25" 3.5" 40:1 7/16-1/2" 1100 lb n
Bottom anchor eyes on
guide roller frame.

275xmm 115mm* 8mm 681kg n * No capstan - this is
11 " 4.5" 5/16" 1501 lb n the Bollard diameter.
5.4:1 - 3000kg n n n n 2 2 Winch has separate steinworldwide.com
6614 lb
8mm raising rope

365xmm 115mm* 8mm 681kg 2 2 n * No capstan - this is
14.4 x " 4.5" 5/16" 1501 lb x2 x2 n the Bollard diameter.
5.4:1 - 3000kg n n n n Winch has separate steinworldwide.com
6614 lb
8mm raising rope

429x250x355mm 80mm 44:1 8-14mm 65kN 1326kg nn n 1n Cost includes treeup.pl
17 x 10 x 14" 3.5" 22:1 5/16-9/16" 14613 lbf 2923 lb carry bag

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER 35

SPECIAL www.rescuemagazines.com

How is this even a thing? Female arborists are every bit the
'industrial athletes' that men are. Competitions have long
recognised this but has the work scene still got some catching
up to do? Bo Hammarstrand discusses....

Multiple World Championship winning New Zealander Chrissie Spence in competition mode – Photo by James Fairfield

36 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com WOMEN IN ARB

by Boel Hammarstrand Ok, so I was asked to write an article about
women in arboriculture and this is a
Bo attended Horticultural college in Sweden and, after graduating, subject that I am very passionate about
moved to the UK to undertake short courses and NPTC certificates and feel there is room for more female climbers
whilst also working as an apprentice at an arb company. She is and workers within the profession. But it is a
currently a contract arborist in Sweden as well as the UK and has little contradictory to write an article about
been organizing and running Woman's Arb Camp for the past 4 years. 'women in arb' as if there's a difference. As a
female climber, my normal work day is pretty
much the same as any male counterpart that
I am working with; climbing, dragging brash,
chipping and cleaning up. It's a lot easier to do
a great crown reduction or a difficult removal
than to express myself and my work adequately
in this article. At the same time, I don't want to
belittle any other woman's journey, struggles
or issues within the arb industry and there are
surely plenty. There are issues that needs to be
raised and discussed throughout the profession,
some that are individual, some that have a
bigger impact on one gender, but some of these
issues might affect both men and women.
However, I will keep this article largely upbeat
rather than negative because this is an industry,
much like the military, that will have seen more
changes in the past several years than in the past
several hundred. I will hopefully be able to cover
more specific operational or gender-relevant
aspects such as clothing and PPE in later articles.

Some people assume the arborist profession is
entirely staffed by men but the fact is that more
and more women are becoming attracted to the
profession for the same reasons as the men. A
passion for being outdoors, a passion and will to
work in a natural setting, the health benefits of
working with physically demanding tasks as well
as the psychological benefits when solving the
mental challenges with some of the challenging
work tasks not forgetting the diverse career
paths the profession offers, not just climbers
and groundworkers, but machinery operators,
administrators, local authority arb officers or
inspectors and company owners.

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER 37

SPECIAL www.rescuemagazines.com

EDITOR: We hesitated to ask Bo to write this article Female arborists become just as fit and conditioned to
using heavier equipment as their male counterparts.
because it implies that there's something out of the ordinary
about women arborists when it should be the norm. As with so It's a common misconception that to work as a climbing
many things in modern life, it may be a more accepted norm arborist or "in the field" one must have a certain level of
now but it hasn't been that way for a very long time. In a few strength to complete and manage the heavy work we do. When
years time people will look back and say, wow, before the start looking at workers we cannot assume that all men are strong
of this century there were virtually no female arborists, how and all women are not as strong. There are genetic differences
backward is that. It's a bit like celebrating the fact that women between men and women that we can never get away from,
in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Austria etc. have but making assumptions like this is not fair to either gender. By
had the vote for around 100 years when it should really be a working smart and not hard and working as a team, strength
source of embarrassment that it took that long! Good old New becomes less of an issue. The equipment and technology
Zealand had the vote in 1893, took a while for everyone to catch available today have really advanced, making the need for
up didn't it. Bit like the rugby except nobody has yet caught up. physical strength in the
We're a bit biased because we have World Champion field more equalized,
climber and working aborist Jo Hedger on our patch as one of making it possible for
the best in the business running a very slick arb company and female climbers to
proving that you do not have to be built like a Russian weight complete the same work
lifter to be a skilled arborist. There are times when brute force as the male counterpart.
is handy on a tree job but that's generally when skills to avoid These advances in the
a situation demanding brute force were lacking or shortcuts equipment also makes
were being taken. On page 46/47 we've included a piece on the the work safer and easier
Woman's Arb Camp which is in Finland this year and deserves for all workers.
support. You could say that the very existence of an event that
separates women from men is counterproductive to the concept It's important to take TC in this issue, Jimmy Hughes in the
of women in arboriculture being the norm but for the next advantage of everybody last issue and Chris Girad in the next
few years it's a necessary distinction to balance up the gender on the work team as issue aren't the only ones that get to
gap created in the previous few thousand years and convince quite often, arboriculture
a whole new generation of girls that this is an industry they is "lone-teamwork". I use the bigger toys.
can excel in just as much as men. Colleges are already seeing am not sure if this is an
much, much higher percentages of women but again, that's not actual term but it's how
surprising when just over a decade ago they would have had I would try to explain
virtually none. it. I am working as part
Incidentally, it's OK to differentiate women from men, of a team, but I might
to acknowledge that woman have no wish to morph into a be alone in the top of
man in order to fit a long-established stereotype. It's OK to the tree for most of the
make allowances for differences in strength between a male day. Its like being part
groundworker who actually is a Russian weight lifter and your
new female groundworker who isn't. You wouldn't expect a new
male recruit who was half the weight and bulk to be able to lift
the same heavy weights so it's not sexism, it's strengthism. Of
course the elephant-in-the-room may not be questioning of skill
or even strength at all, it's perceived economics. The possibility
of losing your prize climber to pregnancy and maternity leave
for several months; no such worries with a male climber?
Maybe not but they're just as likely (if not more likely) to go off
with injury either inflicted by the job or by an outside sporting,
DIY or adrenaline activity or while making a You-Tube video!
Those are stereotypically male traits that ARE true. For any
companies larger than a one or two-man band or operating in
a remote rural area there should always be a plan in place in
the event of losing your climber to injury, illness or pregnancy.
Contract climbers, a trainee or protégée who can step up or a
mutual aid arrangement with another local arb company that
you're not at war with. It's not radical, it's just a simple answer
to what some see as the perfect excuse for not employing a
female worker. And for anyone who moans about the purple/
pink theme being sterotypical, it's Bo's favourite colour(ish).

38 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com WOMEN IN ARB

of something bigger, like anyone below. As a

a cog in a machine, that team we succeed by

can turn on its own, but bringing the weaker

achieves more when all or slower or newer

the cogs turns together. or just plain tired-out

As an example, in a private people up regardless

garden there are four of gender. As a team

large trees in clear space we might decide that

to deadwood using a for a specific job a

team consisting of three certain climber is

climbers and one ground more suitable due to

person. The climbers start experience or strength

with doing a tree each and or technique, not

then either work the last necessarily because

tree together, or the two of gender. The same

climbers that finish first climber might not be

work on the last tree while the most suitable for a

the third climber helps different job due to size

clean up on the ground or weight or technique.

and chip. Once finished,

the other two climbers Look into my eyes.....Bo hypnotises colleagues into switching to pink Kask helmets. This might
also join the clean up. Whatever she's saying...they're not arguing unfortunately lead
[ED: in some outfits, the to some climbers

climber wouldn't seldom deign to help with any work that not developing their skills in certain areas because there

doesn't require a rope and harness!] That's lone-teamwork. Of isn't enough time or profit on the job for experimentation or

course we always need to communicate as a whole team and on-the-job training because, at the end of the day, we are all

make sure we get all the deadwood that may only be seen from trying to make a living. By using more efficient equipment

the ground as well as making sure we don't drop anything on or by thinking slightly differently about the task at hand this

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39

SPECIAL www.rescuemagazines.com

Competitions have done much to put promote female arborists by highlighting to male colleagues just how adept they are at exactly the same
tasks. Such aerial gymnastics also tax the limits of clothing, footwear and harnesses if they're not well-fitting. Photo by Pedro Gredoz Perez

might however be overcome, giving another climber a chance an investment in the future smooth operating of the company.
to learn and develop and helping the team grow. Instead of What happens when your biggest fella calls in sick and you've
always having the same climber "chog down logs" because resisted the kind of training Bo has just described?]
they are the strongest, have another climber practice and have
a tug line in the top, then they will be able to chog down the The work opportunities for men and women throughout
same if not bigger logs giving them an opportunity to learn. arboriculture, I would say is pretty much the same. I know
Again, by working as a team the opportunity to develop in the both male and female ground workers, climbers, team leaders,
profession is greater and the opportunities more equalized, but consultants, researchers, business owners or trainers. And
this requires an open mind from all workers. [ED: this kind of the educational aspects to reach one or the other is the same
broad-spectrum training is far from a drain on resources, it's for both genders but only in certain countries. In Sweden for

The author demonstrates 'lone-teamwork' on a dismantling while Viktoria Carstens taxes her own choice of clothing and PPE.

40 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com SKELETOOL® RX

instance, there are now 2 colleges available as well as a few An essential tool for EMTs or first responders
independent training providers covering the entire country. In with a 154CM serrated blade and a carbide
the UK there are lots, a quick Google search counted at least glass break bit.
15 colleges offering arb related courses, and I am positive
that some of the other agricultural and tech colleges offer www.leatherman.co.uk
courses as well. On top of this there are countless independent
or freelance trainers and assessors including at least one 41
woman, Jo Hedger in the South of England , so the educational
opportunities in the UK are much greater compared to Sweden.

With regards to clothing and PPE, this tends to be an issue
because traditionally, all safety clothing and PPE is made
for men. Only relatively recently have
we seen helmets designed for use
with long hair, trousers tailored
especially for women like these
Breatheflex by Arbortec and boots
produced on a female last and
in smaller sizes like Haix which
has long serviced the female
firefighter market and so has
something of a track record in
catering to professional women.
[ED: don't be fooled by any
gender-based ideas about colour
– Bo may be sticking mostly to
her pink and purple but in PPE,
pink is the new black for male
clothing. The Arbortec range
mentioned earlier for instance, has
the male trousers in Pink, NOT the
female range]. A large percentage
of female climbers are more petite
than men, this makes finding good
PPE that fits properly a harder task.
If you have an EU size 36 (UK 3.5) in
boots you don't have many options
to choose from and if your feet are a
lot smaller the struggle to find small
enough chainsaw boots will be even
greater. It's the same with helmets
and chainsaw pants. Its harder to
find pants in size XS or smaller in a
stockist than it is to find M or L, and
finding a helmet that fits comfortably
and properly on a smaller head
without wobbling or ending up
sitting tilted one way or another can
be a challenge too. However there
are manufacturers that are starting to
address some of these issues now. With manufacturers

making efforts with different sizing and fitting as well as PPE
specifically made for female workers the work environment will
be safer. Plus it will be easier for females to overcome some of
the "non specific, trade-related" struggles, like having to wear
ill-fitting PPE or dealing with the potential dangers resulting
from wearing incorrectly fitted, over sized or no PPE.

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER

SPECIAL www.rescuemagazines.com

42 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com WOMEN IN ARB (COMPETITIONS)

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER GALLERY

by JAMES FAIRFIELD

FAR LEFT: Our cover arborist this issue , Bo Hammarstrand
contemplates the stiff competition before...
ABOVE-LEFT: throwing herself off a perfectly good tree.
ABOVE-Right: Rebecca Siebel-Hunt from Minnesota prepares
to raise, detach from lanyard and then lower her casualty.
LEFT: Hong Kong's champion climber Kay Cheung is one of an
increasing number of international competitors in the North
American and European competitions.

43

SPECIAL www.rescuemagazines.com

Jo Hedger is perhaps the UK's best known female arborist. She is a multiple World Championship winner who runs her own arboriculture and
training company, Arbor-Venture so is a fine role model for woman to aspire to. Here, she takes time out to test Harken's new foot ascender.

I was asked if I have noticed any resistance from customers Conversely as an unregulated medium it's possible to come
and even males within the industry, and yes, sometimes I have, away thinking you know and understand what's been
but I have also had resistance from women. I have seen and discussed and end up trying something dangerous or reckless
experienced resistance both when I was new to the profession and having an accident.
and now. Nowadays I would say I see or hear about it more, [ED: our advice is to avoid Insta-Tube-A-Gram-Book altogether
which is probably due to social media platforms. On social and buy a book or magazine or both!]
media its easy to have a strong opinion about everything and
everyone else. Its easy to voice that opinion before reading Another way I have experienced resistance within the industry
the context or before checking the validity of the information. is when organising WAC- Womens ArbCamp which is detailed
Its also too easy to take someone else’s picture and post it on the next pages. The amount of people getting upset by an
out of context. If a female climber gets highlighted, sponsored event aimed towards women is amazing. This is an event to try
or becomes an ambassador for a brand or by a magazine or and promote the profession to women and show them (and the
association, its far too common for reactions to be along the public) that it's a trade for everyone. An event to give women
lines of "its just because she's insta-famous", "out of everyone a chance to learn, develop and meet other women within
in the profession why her and not me" or "those kind of arboriculture. Many guys ask "where are the male-only events",
pictures are bad for female arborists and female climbers "why aren't we invited" or "why exclude us". Perhaps because
should not post selfies". Comments like this and the feeling there have always been numerous events for male attendance.
this leaves behind is bad for the profession as a whole and its They may not be specifically termed 'Male-Only' but with such
also very demoralizing. We should all help empower women male dominance and some degree of resistance the attendance
and make them feel comfortable and confident within the by one or two females can be daunting. There are obviously still
profession, not bring them down because our point of views more men working in the profession so these events become
are different or we feel differently about something. I also see primarily male gatherings with all that can entail. It is not that
it a lot on forums, someone posting a question, a quite valid individual men or even the majority of men are anti-women but
question that is fair to ask, about a particular set up or specific it only takes one or two outspoken individuals to ruin an event
gear and it often descends into flaming and argument rather for the subjects of their comments. WAC is an event to promote
than discussion. This will ultimately lead to people stop asking women, its not an event to "ban" men or an event where we
questions and therefore learning what can be valuable tips. look to exclude ourselves from the profession. On all the WAC

44 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com

events there have been guys on site, guys helping out, helping
to facilitate the event so that the female participants can all be
part of the group and workshops. The guys that ask "what can I
do to support your event", "how can I help" or better still, "I can
help hold a workshop or demonstrate such and such", that's the
kind of guys we need, the guys that are willing to help promote
and facilitate "our event", without any gain to themselves and
we greatly appreciate all those that help.

When I think about arboriculture I don't think about "we" and
"them", "ours" and "theirs". I think about "us" and "trees".

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WOMANS' ARB CAMPSPECIAL
www.rescuemagazines.com

Turku, Finland, 23rd – 25th of August 2019

The first Women’s Arb Camp (WAC) was organised by Boel is also space for tents, hammocks and caravans on site. The
Hammarstrand in 2016 and held just outside Birmingham campsite is ideally located on the coast so make sure you bring
in the UK. This initial event attracted 18 women from 7 your swimwear and as the event will be in Finland we will take
different countries and 2 continents. From there the event has advantage of the Finish customs with a sauna booked for the
grown and become an annual event with regular participants Saturday evening.
travelling from most
European countries. Support for
In its third year 2018, WAC has been
the event attracted overwhelming
over 30 women from
all over Europe and So far the event has been
even North America. free to attend each year
courtesy of support from
Now the planning for our key sponsor STEIN
WAC 2019 is well under and all our other regular
way and this year we are sponsors. STEIN is once
hoping to reach over 40 again returning as the main
participants travelling event sponsor for 2019! We
from all over Europe to also have the Swedish Tree
be part of the event! Care Association, Gustharts,
ISC Wales, Grönyte-Konsult
WAC 2019 is being and SIP supporting the
organised in association event. Last year ISC made
with SPY, the Finnish custom coloured and laser
Tree Care Association etched karabiners and
and our returning main sponsor STEIN. The event will be held Grönute-Konsult provided custom buffs with a WAC theme. We
outside Turku, Finland, 23rd – 25th of August. The location is are really excited to find out what they will have in store for
Campsite Ruissalon Leirintäalue, where we have pre-booked us this year, but no doubt it will be some awesome hardware
some cabins. There will be limited places in the cabins but we and some cool WAC goodies! We have had so many companies
will try to accommodate as many as possible in them. There come on board each year to donate additional items to go in

46 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 15

www.rescuemagazines.com WOMEN IN ARB

the goodie bags as well as prizes for a raffle which we aim When looking at booking your trip to Finland, Turku is the
to have again this year. Last year's goodie bag contents is closest but small airport about 30 min drive from the site or
shown below. about 1 hour on public transport. Helsinki Vantaa is the main
international airport; approximately 2 hours drive away or 3.5
The event will have an “open plan" schedule with a few hours on public transport. The local currency is Euro.
workshops and participants will be able to pick and choose We will be at the campsite from Thursday AM until Monday,
which workshops they want to attend, with different on-going to make it possible for participants to arrive early Friday
climbing workshops throughout. WAC encourages participants morning and leave either late Sunday evening or Monday
to share knowledge and therefore help each other in advancing morning. Either way we’ll make sure you will not be the first
their careers within Arb and Forestry. As all the participants or last person on site!
have different skills we welcome anyone who wishes to hold
a workshop or carry out a demonstration. There are lots of If you would like to get involved or have any questions,
opportunities for personal skill development and possibilities suggestions or ideas please get in touch via email to
of achieving CEU's. [email protected]
You can also find us on Facebook – “Womens ArbCamp”
The event also boasts non-climbing activities which may or Instagram @womensarbcamp
include a talk about bats and trees, cranes or grapple trucks, Also remember to check out our new website, subscribe to our
chainsaw maintenance, knots and friction hitches and tree mailing list and get filling in an participation form!
planting and after care. We’re also hoping to be able to offer www.womensarbcamp.com
everyone the opportunity to visit the local botanical garden in
Turku that’s located nearby.

The Women’s Arb Camp was an initiative by Boel to bring
together women from within the arb profession in a safe,
friendly and fun environment; great for networking and
socialising. The all-inclusive event caters for all levels of skill
and interests within Arboriculture, ranging from climbing and
pruning work, to consultancy and business management.
Whether you’re the woman that just wants to “have a go" to
see if it’s for you or you’re a climber that has been working
in the profession “since forever!" you’re guaranteed a warm
welcome at WAC!

ISSUE 15 ARBCLIMBER 47

WOMEN IN ARB…

The Arbortec brand is focused on protecting the lifestyle of all
those in the arb and forestry industries.

The launch of Arbortec’s womens trousers will be great for the
industry in showing support for women in arb. It is important that
protective wear is more accessible to everyone in the industry.

Be sure to keep up to date with the latest from Arbortec on
Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.