A new wave of mechanical friction devices bring ultimate control to tree climbing systems. These devices can be used to augment or replace friction hitches for smoothly-controlled ascents and descents.
The Akimbo is a unique arborist climbing tool that enables the climber to ascend, descend and position on both stationary rope and moving rope systems.
The Hitch Hiker 2 incorporates a steel friction device with your hitch cord to produce a great device for hybrid tree climbing systems. The Hitch Hiker 2 advances smoothly and engages instantly when weighted, with easy slack tending, and may be used in double or single rope systems.
The dog bone where the hitch cord runs through slides up behind your hitch when you advance, taking the weight off your cord and tending your hitch. When you weight the Hitch Hiker 2, the dog bone and carabiner are pressed into the rope for additional friction. The pressure of the dog bone and carabiner on the rope takes some of the pressure of your body weight off the hitch, allowing you to climb on your Friction Hitch in SRS.
The Holster is the best option we've seen for tending the Hitch Hiker 2. Super easy to install, and provides great slack tending.
The Rope Runner Pro has been re-engineered with original inventor Kevin Bingham for a next-generation climbing device. The Rope Runner Pro is mid-line attachable, and approved for both SRS and MRS climbing. Multiple friction settings allow you to customize the performance. The geometry of the top has been improved for comfortable, one-handed descent. Steel bollards allow for smoother descent and a reduced break-in period. Integrated SRS harness attachment point and one-piece design with retained slic pin. Every feature of the rope runner pro has been looked at for ergonomics, performance, and rope-friendly surfaces.
The APEX Rope Wrench builds on the original with advanced function and convenience.
An adjustable cam allows the user to select from clearly marked friction settings, to adjust to rope type and diameter. The spring-loaded cam can be adjusted in under 5 seconds. Push the sid button, swing the side plate open, pull out and rotate the cam to the new setting, then return cam and close the device. No tools required, no droppable parts.
The Rope Wrench ZK-2 friction device allows climbers to ascend, descend and work the tree "Single Rope" with their favorite friction hitch. While the Rope Wrench ZK-2 is not for use as your life support device, it places a bend in your climbing line and takes just enough pressure off your hitch, allowing you to climbing on your friction hitch SRT with greater ease. Improved version in 2012 with aluminum frame, integrated pulley, swinging sideplates, and smaller profile.
The RP283 Rope Wrench has been optimized to achieve best friction performance on 13mm (1/2") ropes. The RP283 Rope Wrench allows the climber to ascend and work the tree in a stationary rope system on their favorite hitch.
The Flow Adjustable Rope Wrench has an adjustable concave stainless steel bollard which provides customized friction setting. This makes for an improved ultra-low drag ascent, saving you time and energy when you climb. Pair the Flow with the Fusion Tether to create the ultimate SRS setup.
Rigid wrench tether with built-in hitch-tending pulley and multiple SRS attachment points.
The Squirrel Tether is a metal tether designed and manufactured by ISC for the Rope Wrench. Because of its aluminum frame, the Squirrel Tether ensures that twist and flex in the Rope Wrench system remains in the optimal low friction position during ascent, and engages efficiently during lateral movements and descents. A stopper bollard keeps the Rope Wrench correctly positioned at all times, and prevents pinching of the user's hand while tending.
ISC Squirrel FLEX Tether balances rigidity with flexibility for optimal climbing with the Rope Wrench.
Built from high-quality kernmantle rope with advanced polymer molding. The combination of the materials provides just the right blend of flex and stiffness. Stitching is tight for a snug fit on your carabiners. Contrasting thread colors make it easy to inspect.
The Lawton is a compact stiff tether for the Ropewrench. At 7.5" this tether shaves almost 3" from your tending system when coupled with a compact oval carabiner. It is easy to remove from the rope and hitchclimber pulley making a very clean transition from SRS to MRS. Included is 5' of tarred whipping twine to seize the eye of the tether to the carabiner. Works well with the DMM Perfect O, RockO, or Camp Oval carabiners.
The Lawton Tether idea was brought to Niceguydave and WesSpur by Dan Lawton during the 2018 Spring Crane Safety Climber School.
Sewn stiff tethers for use with the Singing Tree Rope Wrench. One eye features a rubber grommet to aid in positioning.
ISC pulley built this pulley to work with the stiff tethers used with the Rope Wrench ZK-2. The wide spacing between the swinging side plates provides plenty of room for various tethers. The Rope Wrench pulley will work with spliced or hand-tied prusik cords.
Multi-functional, self-blocking rope control device. The running rope is directly in front of the climber so it is possible to pull and feed the rope with one hand or hand over hand into the device. Turning it to the releasing position and pressing the thumb brake needs very little force, so speed regulation is very easy, and handling is smoother. Features a secured locking position.
Rated: Excellent Review by: Nels
“Ok first I won this product on fb (thanks again you guys rock) I have to say my mind is blown. What a great well thought out product. So much fun to use the tending is effortless. Descent is a blast. It takes a little time to learn but the rewards just keep coming. if I were to loose or have this item stolen I would buy it. ”
The Unicender can replace friction hitches, figure 8s, and ascenders! In the doubled rope technique, the Unicender can be used as a mechanical split tail in place of a friction hitch. Because of the ease with which it advances in this configuration, it makes any rope climbing technique easier and faster. In the single rope technique, the Unicender takes the place of both ascenders and descender. Works on 7/16” to 1/2” lines.
Rated: Excellent Review by: Very Good Tree Service
“The Unicender is bad ass. It's so easy to switch between SRT and MRS with no extra gear or problems. I do agree with Baby Gorilla's review that it needs to have a stainless steel option for the wear issue. ”
Rated: OK Review by: Baby Gorilla
“ I love the 5nicender The ability to install it midline and switch seamlessly from MRS to SRS is unfathomably amazing but there is one major drawback to it being made out of aluminum, which is that it wears out quick, especially if you are heavy (210 pounds suited up) like me. Mine wore out in less than one season. After it wears, it starts creeping, which is not safe. You must retire or repair it which will cost more than half the brand new 5nicender Such a great product, but I'll have to keep using my way less convenient stainless steel mechanical knot instead. I wouldn't care if the 5nicender weighed 2 pounds, if it was stainless and therefore more reliable. ”
Rated: Excellent Review by: Leaning Trees Tree Services
“ I love the uni. Best piece ever. I love WesSpur.”
The popular Zigzag mechanical prusik has been redesigned! The ZIGZAG allows the user to move around efficiently in a tree using classic Prusik pulley system technique. The friction chain provides precision and fluidity when moving around. The pulley is mounted on sealed ball bearings for easy slack-tending. Can be used on either doubled ropes or a single rope (by using the separate Chicane add-on).
The Zigzag is redesigned with a fixed lower attachment hole to ensure alignment of the device with the axis of the worker and optimize grip.
Redesigned Zigzag, the Zigzag plus lower attachment hole has a high-efficiency swivel, to ensure stable positioning and optimal rope glide.
The ZIGZAG allows the user to move around efficiently in a tree using classic Prusik pulley system technique. The friction chain provides precision and fluidity when moving around. The pulley is mounted on sealed ball bearings for easy slack-tending. Can be used on either doubled ropes or a single rope (by using the separate Chicane add-on).
Note: Chicane needs to be used with H-frame Petzl OK or Am'D carabiners for proper fitting.
The CHICANE allows ZIGZAG and ZIGZAG PLUS mechanical Prusiks to be used on single ropes. It provides continuous additional friction on descents. The excellent compatibility of the CHICANE and mechanical Prusik as an assembled unit ensures smooth rope glide through the brake during ascents. The ergonomic handle provides excellent grip and facilitates movement while limb walking. Thanks to the openable side plate, installation is quick and easy.
This kit combines your choice of Zigzag or Zigzag Plus with carabiners and choice of spliced climbing line so that you can get a professional climbing system in one convenient kit!
Oval Petzl OK Triact carabiners are ideal for moving-rope systems, and Drenaline is one of the most popular climbing lines, lightweight with great handling and durability. This kit comes with a medium rope bag - keep it ready for instant deployment.
