Rope diameter for pulling

[Treeaddict]

I’m trying to figure out what type of force a 1 ton pickup can put on a rope. Assuming traction could it break a 5/8” rope? A 1” rope?

Anyone break a rope pulling ? What size or equipment? Rope type?

 

[greengreer]

I've broken a few 1/2" lines with a 1 ton, not exactly easily though.

 

[SeanKroll]

When in doubt or trying to keep forces lower, consider a Double Whip Tackle with a strategically placed block or rings.

 

[SeanKroll]

Rope angle and 4wd affect traction and load to the rope. Momentum/ dynamic versus steady, more-static pulling affects peak force. Rope Elasticity affects peak force.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

I've not yet broke 5/8ths with my 4wd
1/2". No problemo

 

[SeanKroll]

Where did 1/2" break? Midline, at the tree, at the truck?

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Mid line. Was not a new rope. We dont do that with new rope. Unless it's absolutely critical. I use a porty on the pintle hitch to hitch the rope to the truck.
I have broken a running bowline on a tree once. But I usually build in some extra friction through a crotch and basil tie or a few wraps on a basil tie .

 

[flushcut]

I broke a 1/2”stable braid pulling a stuck chunk out of a Fecon head on a CAT 299D. Old rope broke at the knot.

 

[Eric H-L]

Seems like this thread is a good way to build collective wisdom! Anyone ever break a 1/2” rope lifting with a GRCS?

 

[flushcut]

No. I don’t think you can generate enough pull with a GRCS to break a line. Maybe some thin cheap hardware store no-name rope but anything marketed to tree peeps, no.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

You'll tear the rigging out first I would bet. Tree is the weak point

 

[Altissimus]

Many different Pull Trees , many different Lines is my tach.

 

[Mellow]

In 40+ years of tree work, I've never broken a rope, either pulling or rigging. Trying to pull out stuck trucks is another matter.

 

[Altissimus]

In 40+ years of tree work, I've never broken a rope, either pulling or rigging. Trying to pull out stuck trucks is another matter.

Almost said that too (didn't want to seem preachy , hehehe) , Rope is downgraded and retired well before that could ever happen on the job

 

[CurSedVoyce]

I guess I should specify that I have never broke a rope pulling a tree over. Yarding stuff out of creek beds certainly. Rigging I think maybe once, but the details escape me. Obviously not catastrophic..

 

[SeanKroll]

I've broken one old, old rope on a hard pull on a log off a spar in a no-risk situation. Log just sat back onto the spar. Another rope pulled it off. Working solo, nobody in the tree.
5-6 years ago.

 

[Treeaddict]

What started the topic of this thread was that I had a group of probably eight blow downs. They are diameters were between six and 20 inches. They were still partially rooted. They were directly over top of the neighbors, shed and fence I needed to pull the canopies over into the customers yard. Needed to set up a redirect and pull. I originally lassoed it with 1/2”. I wasn’t comfortable with it so I set up the 5/8 stablebraid. Pulled until I spun tires on dry grass in 4wd high. Maybe I could have done 4wd low on pavement but I was too skeart.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

I've had good luck on heavy pulls by adding a z rig into the system.

 

[Altissimus]

I never use the Truck for MA

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Rarely here. I would rather finesse than force.. but sometimes, with real ugly stick sticks. A med fast hard pull to get it to hit the less expensive object, is what you need.

 

[Treeaddict]

I've had good luck on heavy pulls by adding a z rig into the system.

A z rig is on the list!! I use a come along for finesse and the truck for brute strength. The Z would be the best of both, I’m sure.

 

[SeanKroll]

A Maasdam rope puller has much more MA than a Z-rig, with progress capture built-in, and may be cheaper. A bit heavier.

 

[SeanKroll]

I've had good luck on heavy pulls by adding a z rig into the system.

Maybe you mean a HD z-rig.

 

[lxskllr]

What are the definitions here? This is what I thought Stephen was referring to...



It's all pretty cheap when you consider the gear has multiple uses. A maasdam is invaluable though. It does a lot of work for almost throwaway money. Also, a Zdrag can be added to the maasdam for extra pull.

 

[pete mctree]

Pulling with any truck is marginal on a big pull- small contact area to the road. Biggest cause of breaking ropes when pulling is knots. I use an oversize portawrap on the vehicle or winch (thanks for the idea @stig ). In the tree I usually wrap the rope several times around the stem before tying off - better bend radius is where it’s at.

Diameter is dependant for me on what I’m pulling with - I’m not going to use 24mm line on a hand pull or 11mm with the 9ton tractor mounted winch. Elasticity of line can complicate things a little.