Safety is paramount when it comes to climbing equipment, with comfort coming in a close second. From ropes and harnesses to clothing and accessories, we take a look at some of the latest kit on the market designed to get you where you need to be – up that tree.
CARR’S BILLINGTON SAFETY
CLIMBING TECHNOLOGY XL-D CARABINER
CLIMBING Technology presents the XL-D – the light-alloy, hot-forged connector with large-capacity base with screwgate or triplex gate, designed for mountaineering and for use in rescue operations.
Featuring a wide opening and large internal capacity, the XL-D carabiner has a H-shaped cross-section that ensures an excellent weight-to-strength ratio. The XL-D is available with traditional screw-lock gate (XL-D SG) and with triplex auto-lock gate (XL-D TG), both featuring the catch-free closure system, for smoother clipping and unclipping manoeuvres.
ACCESSORIES:
The XL-D connector is compatible with Climbing Technology FIX PRO +, the positioning element that helps keep the carabiner aligned with the system it is connected to, thus reducing the chances of the carabiner being loaded on the minor axis. FIX PRO + is not supplied with the carabiner but can be purchased separately.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Weight:
- XL-D SG with screwgate: 80 g
- XL-D TG with triplex gate: 85 g
Product code:
- 2C47800 / SG (with screwgate)
- 2C47900 / TG (with triplex gate)
For more information, please call Carr’s Billington Safety on 01228 591091 or visit www.workware.co.uk.
MARLOW ROPES
MARLOW Ropes has released a new colourway in its popular 11.7 mm climbing line, Vega. The CE EN1891 lightweight arborist climbing rope, that currently boasts low elongation (1.2 per cent), has had a revamp for the summer adding a new, bright colourway to give arborists better visibility of their rope in tree canopies and on forest floors.
Also new for 2021, Marlow Ropes has introduced an adjustable grab to its Wirecore Flipline. Marlow’s Wirecore Flipline is CE certified and made from galvanised wire which provides zero stretch, is cut-resistant and gives ideal balance of flexibility and weight for improved flip performance.
For further information, visit www.marlowropes.com or visit your local Marlow stockist.
PETZL
TODAY more than ever, accessing the inaccessible is an everyday requirement for professionals who use our products. For 50 years, Petzl has been applying its expertise and know-how to help make it happen. Grounded in this experience, Petzl designs and manufactures specialised products that provide its customers with the best performance and highest level of safety, so that every move they make during their workday is made easier and more efficient and brings the inaccessible within reach. This year, arborists will be able to take advantage of an exciting innovation: the Eject friction saver.
Petzl knows that its new Eject adjustable friction saver, which is retrievable from the ground, is going to make arborists very happy. It allows the work rope to be set up without damaging the tree, even in narrow forks. It offers multiple set-up configurations on one or two branches and has an adjuster that allows precise length adjustment of the friction saver. Rope ascents and movement in the tree are optimised with the high-efficiency pulley, which facilitates rope glide at the anchor. The included retrieval ball makes the system easily retrievable from the ground.
As for accessories, the new Duffel bags will allow you to easily transport and access your work equipment. Designed to be carried on any means of transport, these bags are ergonomic and comfortable. The back and shoulder straps are padded for comfort when used as a backpack. Versatile, it can be carried in multiple ways and has removable shoulder straps. The large opening allows easy access to equipment, including two pockets in the inner flap and a large side pocket for a helmet or shoes. A large transparent area allows rapid identification of the bag. They are constructed of high-strength TPU tarp fabric for intensive use. The Duffel bags offer a volume of 65 to 85 litres depending on the model.
For more information, visit www.petzl.com or contact 015396 26400.
FLETCHER STEWART
YALE CORDAGE
XTC ENERGIZE – 35 M CLIMBING LINE WITH SPLICED EYE TERMINATION
Yale Energize is a technically advanced, 24-strand, CE certified, low-stretch double-braid rope designed especially for the tree care industry.
Building on the Yale Cordage philosophy of “Passion for the pursuit of better performance”, the 11.7 mm diameter provides the perfect balance between the weight of 11 mm climbing line and the feel of 12.6 mm climbing line; the vibrant orange and yellow colours guarantee exceptional visibility in the tree.
The vibrant 24-strand outer sheaf is made from a premium-grade polyester with an energy-absorbing nylon inner core designed to offer exceptional performance when used in conjunction with modern-day climbing techniques and mechanical ascent/descent devices.
Whether you are a traditional arborist using traditional climbing techniques or a more advanced climber, Energize is suited to both MRT or SRT climbing systems.
Energize is distributed exclusively by Fletcher Stewart.
SIP PROTECTION
GECKO CLIMBING TROUSERS
Gecko climbing trousers are light and the robust, flexible fabric will keep you comfortable all day long, and the Teflon finish ensures a water and soil repellency. This lightweight, quick-drying pair of trousers has a ventilation mesh around the ankles and three pockets. What more do you need?
The Gecko trouser is a completely new pair of climbing trousers, built from scratch. The development was a process of working together with the end user and, during the development stage, SIP Protection conducted an intensive wearer test with several testers around the world. Based on their feedback, SIP Protection was able to create the trousers to what they are today.
The exterior features a front fly with zip closure (closing by hook and eye and press stud), two inset pockets with zip closure, loops for belt, one inset thigh pocket with zip closure, one inset back pocket with flap and closed by zipper, elasticated waist and triple-needle stitching on the back seam to the inside leg. The interior features an elasticated gaiter with metal lace hook to fix on shoelaces.
The fabric is high performance water- and dirt-repellent with Teflon full stretch TeXXion (87% Cordura – 13% elasthane ±240 g/m²).
ICS SQUIRREL TETHER WITH PULLEY
The Squirrel Tether is the only metal tether for the ISC rope wrench, which is designed and manufactured exclusively by ISC in Wales.
Designed for low-friction ascents and optimal engagement of the rope wrench, the new Squirrel Tether is manufactured from aluminium, which ensures that twist and flex in the system is minimal. This means that the rope wrench remains in the optimal low-friction position during ascent, allowing the climber to achieve maximum climb efficiency, and ensures that the wrench engages efficiently, as required during lateral movements and descent.
The Squirrel is fitted with a stopper bollard, which keeps the rope wrench correctly positioned to ensure correct engagement on the rope. The stopper bollard also prevents the rope wrench from pinching the user’s hand. The Squirrel can be used with an SRS chest harness for hands-free tending of the system, while ascending.
The ISC Squirrel aluminium tether is now CE certified for use with the rope wrench PPE regulation kits. This means it can now also be supplied and used in Europe.
For more information, contact Fletcher Stewart on 0161 483 5542, email info@fletcherstewart.co.uk or visit www.fletcherstewart.com.
SORBUS INTERNATIONAL
TEUFELBERGER HIPSTAR FLEX LIGHT LANYARD
The hipSTAR Flex Light is a multifunctional and certified lanyard that takes advantage of the ‘hitch climber system’ for length adjustment. The hipSTAR Flex Light is supplied without an OD Loop T 7 mm. The OD Loop T 7 mm is then possible as a spare part.
Arborists around the globe use this one-of-a-kind system and enjoy its many benefits.
The hipSTAR Flex Light 11.5 is certified with Valdotain 4+3 and Distel 5 wraps. The hipSTAR Flex Light 12.7 is certified with Valdotain 4+3, Distel 5 wraps and Michoacan. The seams of the ends of the hipSTAR Flex come with Teufelberger’s resin-based seam protector technology. The 7 mm Ocean Dyneema rope with stainless steel thimble is designed as an additional mounting point and is available as an extra spare part.
The following elements continue to be exchangeable: Ocean Polyester e2e, Ocean Dyneema Loop T, hipSTAR Flex e2e.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Diameters: 11.5 mm (green) and 12.7 mm (orange)
Lengths: 3 m, 4 m, 5 m, 7 m, 10 m
Standards:
Ø 11.5 mm: EN 358/EN 795B/ANSI Z133/AS/NZS 1891.1/AS/NZS5532
Ø 12.7 mm: EN 358/EN 795B/ANSI Z133/AS/NZS 1891.1/AS/NZS5532
EDELRID TREEREX BUNGEE CHEST
This size-adjustable chest harness was developed by Edelrid to support comfortable ascending using a single rope.
The harness features a 3D mesh padding for maximum comfort and improved breathability; various attachment loops to secure a guided-type fall arrester; adjustable bungee cord for hauling a knee ascender; and can be directly connected to the waist belt of the Edelrid TreeRex tree-climbing harness.
Note: This chest harness is NOT PPE.
COURANT ODIN CONNECTOR
The Odin is made from highly resistant stainless steel. It is a versatile connector, facilitating numerous set-ups and configurations. It opens like a normal carabiner but in a sideways direction, and together with the specially designed keylock gate it assures minimal force is applied to the locking screw. The screw has a spring ball system with a thread lock to securely fix the gate before use.
FEATURES:
• Wear resistant
• Patented design
• Unique keylock gate
• Multiple applications
• External diameter Ø 75 mm
• Internal diameter Ø 47 mm
• Gate opening 18 mm
• Weight 130 g
• Static resistance 25 kN
• CE EN362
For more information, visit www.sorbus-intl.co.uk, contact 01373 475540 or email sales@sorbus-intl.co.uk.
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