Time for a new lowering device and looking for opinions

[canadianclimber]

Hey,

Need to replace my portawarap. Looking at the two stein options (rc2000 or the SMB1000). The majority of my rigging is light duty.(sub 500lbs). Anyone have any experience with either? Do you prefer the fixed bollard over a portable wrap? The RC200 seems like a mix of both.

RC2000 Lowering Device

STEIN RC2000 Floating Lowering Device 2000kg WLL Working ropes can easily be wrapped and unwrapped without removing the RC-1000 or RC-2000 from either its main anchor point or the top attachment point. The bottom anchor point has a large eye to accommodate a choked sling. The top attachment...

www.steinworldwide.com

SMB1000 Lowering Bollard

STEIN SMB1000 Fixed Lowering Device 1000kg WLL The STEIN SMB1000 single bollard lowering device has a WLL of 1000kg and designed to work effectively with ropes of up to 14mm (Recommended Rope - STEIN Omega 12mm or 14mm). The line is guided down to the bollard and managed by fairleads both front...

www.steinworldwide.com

 

[flushcut]

I’ve always been a Porty guy unless I am using a GRCS or HOBBS. I can’t speak on the other two but I have read good things about both.

 

[stig]

We have the RC2000.
I wastly prefer our porty.
They really over complicated a simple thing with the RC2000 IMO.

 

[lxskllr]

They look very similar to me. What makes the 2000 worse to use?

 

[Altissimus]

That's the decision when I have to lower , when to go from portowrap to GCRS ... usually go big when a little hoisting is key .... Portolawrap has let us brake and lower some heavies safe and easy. More setup time to go beyond

 

[friedrich]

i enjoy the ability to finetune the friction with a fixed bollard and 4 cleats and to take less than 1 wrap but mainly use either a port-a-wrap or hobbs depending on the task. instead of the stein bollard i would buy the ftc micro bollard, same max rope diameter but made out of aluminium, much better heat dissipation and its cute

 

[CurSedVoyce]

If I have running room where I dont need lift or much pre tension, porty.
Heavier loads, lack of height or run room, need for more varience in friction, pretensioning and lifting, HOBBS.

 

[flushcut]

My GRCS rarely comes out to play but when it does it’s magical.

 

[flushcut]

Porty 95%

 

[Altissimus]

I always say , wish the GRCS went out more oftens

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Other consideration is solo work. Bigger devises are a bit harder to strap on by ones self. Can be done. But simple is better. Same with ground help. Simple is better.

 

[lumberjack]

Sub 500lb, not negative blocking, I use a rescue 8 from the top of the tree.

You wore out a porty.... what weren't you happy about with it that prevents you from just buying another porty?

 

[greengreer]

I've got the stein 2000 as well. I really like the 1/4 wrap adjustments and the bigger bollard over a standard porty. I use a cam strap to hold up the top, makes it easy to setup and dismantle. All that being said my standard port a wrap probably sees the most use. You can't go wrong with either

 

[canadianclimber]

Sub 500lb, not negative blocking, I use a rescue 8 from the top of the tree.

You wore out a porty.... what weren't you happy about with it that prevents you from just buying another porty?

Didn't wear it out. Just gonna pass it on to a friend getting into the business. I've been wanting to try something different for awhile. Thought maybe going the fixed bollard route and there seems to be some more compact versions around now. GRCS would not be worth it for me. The RC1000 seems like a mix of both. Like the idea of being able to keep the device upright (no ports wrap flop). Sounds like fixed bollards might be easier for newbies to learn to "let it run".

 

[SeanKroll]

I use a ratchet-strap to hold the POW up.






Good to pass it to a friend.
And
When a storm hits, many LDs are good.

 

[biggun]

I have the stein fixed bollard. The two ton one. 2001 iirc:

Much easier to use for a beginner and pretty bomb proof. If find it easier to gauge friction and to let it run on sketchy trees.