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Pro tip: I stopped using a 3:1 pull ratio for rigging years ago and my jobs got way safer.
Everyone in my old crew in Portland swore by that ratio for lowering big limbs, but I saw a 14-inch oak leader swing way too hard on a windy day and nearly hit a fence. Now I run a 5:1 minimum on anything over 8 inches, which gives way more control and less shock load. Has anyone else moved to a higher ratio after a close call?
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jamie_taylor4d ago
Wait, you really use a 5:1 for anything over 8 inches? That seems like a lot of extra rope and time for every single piece. I get being safe, but I've found a solid 3:1 with a good running bowline and proper friction on the portawrap handles most stuff just fine. The key is reading the limb's weight and the drop zone, not just adding more wraps. More gear doesn't always mean more control, sometimes it just complicates the job.
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Seriously, more wraps just means more places for things to go wrong. I've seen guys get tangled in their own extra rope and lose control of the piece entirely. A clean 3:1 with sharp knots and focus beats a messy 5:1 every time. Speed and simplicity keep you safe, not just more gear.
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