The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: MikeM on December 07, 2012, 06:59:18 pm

Title: rope question.
Post by: MikeM on December 07, 2012, 06:59:18 pm
I have need of some rope for several jobs. I've tried using that blue stuff that Mole valley sell, but it's too stretchy and what I need is non stretchy. I need it to lift stuff, and also to help me fell an awkwardly leaning tree, so it needs to be fairly stout as well. I guess I'm after the kind of rope riggers use to lift stuff, but I have no idea what it's called. A google search brought up tonnes of responses (and earned them another quid they won't pay any tax on) so I was hoping to narrow it down.
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: mab on December 07, 2012, 11:55:31 pm
if memory serves, the cheap blue rope is polypropylene and quite stretchy; nylon in very stretchy but stronger - used for anchor warps, but polyester is not stretchy - used for halyards for hoisting sails.

if you really want non stretchy then you can get pre-stretched polyester (4% stretch at breaking strain)

I think a braid is less stretchy than twisted three-strand.

m
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: MikeM on December 08, 2012, 08:01:42 am
gotcha, thanks mab.
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: Womble on December 08, 2012, 08:42:35 am
Hiya,

Rope is all very well, but for tree work or lifting heavy stuff, I'd personally use a webbing strop. there are plenty on ebay and the like. Obviously long lengths can become quite expensive, but they're very hard wearing and can be used for all sorts of things.
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: bloomer on December 08, 2012, 09:47:05 am
we use webbing for most tree work


i have an old abseil line (not fit for climbing anymore) i use for lifting and lowering as it has very little stretch.


i dread it finally giving up as its too expensive to replace as i don't climb anymore...
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: hughesy on December 10, 2012, 12:32:10 pm
I'll second that. Webbing strops are one of the most useful things you can own. Lifting, dragging, you name it they do it, and you'll never have to try and untie a horrible wet knot again.
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: chrismahon on December 11, 2012, 12:41:28 pm
We felled 15 trees last month using the blue polyprop rope for pulling them over their natural centre of gravity so they fell where we wanted. Some of it is looking rather frayed now, just from broken strands under tension. It's cheap, but if any lines had broken we would have destroyed the greenhouse. So I think we took a big risk and were lucky.
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: bloomer on December 11, 2012, 12:51:45 pm
blue 6mm polyprop has a nominal breaking strain of 1 ton with no knots or abrasions, these weaken it very quickly!!!
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: Drummournie on January 24, 2013, 10:22:22 pm
We tend to use 2 or 5 ton webbing lifting straps, they are only 20 quid or so from our local tarp and lifting place in Inverness and they last forever. Doubles asa handy tow strap when you get the tractor stuck too.... :innocent:
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: arwelcoed on January 25, 2013, 06:11:12 am
What your after is 12-13mm static 12 or 16 strand rope as we use for tree climbing and dismantling. This rope has a very high braking strain (about 3.5 tons!) and is very easy to untie knots in.
Expensive rope and you wouldn't want to be cutting bits off as luxury bailer twine but if you use real knots and not your own recipe! It will last for ever!
I keep all my old climbing lines and retire them for this purpose. Try eBay for used ones. 
Title: Re: rope question.
Post by: Fowgill Farm on January 25, 2013, 10:31:00 am
We tend to use 2 or 5 ton webbing lifting straps, they are only 20 quid or so from our local tarp and lifting place in Inverness and they last forever. Doubles asa handy tow strap when you get the tractor stuck too.... :innocent:
Ditto i keep two coiled up under the seat in my pick-up you never know when you might need to strap sommat down or tow somebody out, i usually pick mine up at the hardware stalls at the show we go to in the summer, i can't resist those stalls and come away with all sorts of lovelies for my shed! :thumbsup:
mandy :pig: