Wanted to start this in Reg's "message to young climbers" thread, but felt it should probably be it's own post.
I'm a bit outside of the norm when it comes to tree work. Came straight from being a salesman at a Kubota/John Deere/Stihl dealer. Did that for a bit over a year, in which time I fell in love with chainsaws, then fell in love with watching climbers, to climbing now, and love every minute, even the truly shitty jobs because I know that job will be over soon, and you never know how awesome the next one may be.
Already getting off topic. So the question I'd like to ask is, what gear do you feel is worth my money? We're a pretty small company "I'm assuming, chipper truck, dump truck, bucket truck, 2 chippers, 2 bobcats", the owner used to climb, but is getting up there in age and hasn't kept up with the times as far as equipment goes. Only one other climber, who is great, but isn't really passionate about it, he's been climbing since he was 13 "his father does tree work" and to him it's just a job and he also doesn't really keep up with new techniques/technology. For my gear advice, I usually turn to the internet, but there isn't really a dedicated thread to telling what gear is worth my time/money, and what gear isn't.
As of right now, my personal gear consists of.
-petzl sequoia harness
-120' arbormaster rope
-120' tachyon rope
-150' 9/16 rigging rope
-stihl ms201t c-m
-silky zubat handsaw
-silky zubat stick saw
-stein x2 spurs "still use bosses old bashlins though, more comfy"
-arbpro clip'n'step boots
-timberland logger boots
-split tail climbing system
-adjustable cambium saver for DRT climbing
-petzl rig
-petzl hand ascender
-singling tree rope wrench "just got, like more than climbing with the rig"
-2-in-1 lanyard
-couple of micropulleys
-numerous assorted biners
-assortment of dyneema loops, varying sizes
-companies port-a-wrap, arborist block, rigging pulleys, fiddle blocks
Is there a glaring omission in my kit that you personally could not live without? What do I currently have that you would never purchase? I live in the midwest, St. Louis, generally the biggest trees I climb I'm about 60' up. Just want to be told specifically what gear to stay away from, don't really have a mentor is that aspect of the job.
Also, just an fyi, I live a very minimalist lifestyle, and am very anti-materialistic in all things, with the exception of tree gear. For some reason it just rubs me the right way.
I'm a bit outside of the norm when it comes to tree work. Came straight from being a salesman at a Kubota/John Deere/Stihl dealer. Did that for a bit over a year, in which time I fell in love with chainsaws, then fell in love with watching climbers, to climbing now, and love every minute, even the truly shitty jobs because I know that job will be over soon, and you never know how awesome the next one may be.
Already getting off topic. So the question I'd like to ask is, what gear do you feel is worth my money? We're a pretty small company "I'm assuming, chipper truck, dump truck, bucket truck, 2 chippers, 2 bobcats", the owner used to climb, but is getting up there in age and hasn't kept up with the times as far as equipment goes. Only one other climber, who is great, but isn't really passionate about it, he's been climbing since he was 13 "his father does tree work" and to him it's just a job and he also doesn't really keep up with new techniques/technology. For my gear advice, I usually turn to the internet, but there isn't really a dedicated thread to telling what gear is worth my time/money, and what gear isn't.
As of right now, my personal gear consists of.
-petzl sequoia harness
-120' arbormaster rope
-120' tachyon rope
-150' 9/16 rigging rope
-stihl ms201t c-m
-silky zubat handsaw
-silky zubat stick saw
-stein x2 spurs "still use bosses old bashlins though, more comfy"
-arbpro clip'n'step boots
-timberland logger boots
-split tail climbing system
-adjustable cambium saver for DRT climbing
-petzl rig
-petzl hand ascender
-singling tree rope wrench "just got, like more than climbing with the rig"
-2-in-1 lanyard
-couple of micropulleys
-numerous assorted biners
-assortment of dyneema loops, varying sizes
-companies port-a-wrap, arborist block, rigging pulleys, fiddle blocks
Is there a glaring omission in my kit that you personally could not live without? What do I currently have that you would never purchase? I live in the midwest, St. Louis, generally the biggest trees I climb I'm about 60' up. Just want to be told specifically what gear to stay away from, don't really have a mentor is that aspect of the job.
Also, just an fyi, I live a very minimalist lifestyle, and am very anti-materialistic in all things, with the exception of tree gear. For some reason it just rubs me the right way.