Excellent Video!! However, I'm a tech rescue guy and not at all familiar with tree work. I'm impressed with "Tree Guys" ability to ascend so I've been watching a lot of vids. Very cool. Thanks for sharing!!
I got the chance to meet Morgan in June at an SRT class. Really nice guy and well grounded. Of course after we saw all the cool R&D projects hanging from his harness that weekend he had to erase all our memories.
Frank Haverkamp Frank, I would have loved to see that harness. Especially because I think the industry still has work to do on SRT. Did he use that MIB flashy thingy?
Tom, I'm not quite an "old fart" yet but, I'm getting there. I finally got a Unicender and have been watching all the videos I can find and just watched yours. I had forgotten about this type of setup. Adding in the Unicender looks like a brilliant idea. 👍 Thanks for taking the time to share this with us. Keep yourself safe! Randy
Hey Mark, it's nice to see you pop up again, even through we're not neighbors any more … ! Thanks for the nice comment, it's my pleasure to do it. Congrats on your Uni --- it is an awesome piece of kit. In addition to experimenting with configurations, you could also think about trying different climbing lines through it. Depending on the diameter and the texture, you can change the Unit from being a slow, grippy device suitable for a rank beginner all the way up to a high performance race car. Everybody has their favorite combination of performance and reliability. Enjoy.
@@tghoffmann Hey! Thanks for the quick feedback Tom! I'm looking forward to having the Uni in my "toolbox". I have several ropes with very different characteristics and I look forward to "playing" around with the different setups. It has some great features that will definitely help me out with my tree work/climbing. Thanks again! 😎👍❤️👍
Thanks, Frank, nice to hear but the smart guy in the room is Morgan Thompson. I met him in Hartford last year ... It was so exciting to find a first class machinist and a first class climber in the same guy. His Unicender invention was truly innovative and a powerful climbing device.
I like your video, and the contents that you provide. I gave you a thumbs up. I do have a question though, can you do the same thing with a hitchhiker 2? And also what advantage does the unicender have over The Hitch-Hiker 2?
TOM, I am new to all this, learning from your videos for education purpose in order to be able to apply your methods on my NEW purchase of property that is 10 acres of trees. I plan to do some clearing myself, and so I am trying to learn the tree climbing, as well as the mechanical advantage stump pulling methods. For a newbie, where is a good starting point to know what type of rope and equipment is best to get as a beginner, without spending a fortune on things I can grow into. Do you have a video on the basics recommendations of rope (diam and length and type) as well as number of other components for mechanical advantage rigs. 5 to 1, and even a little higher. What is the meaning of bull rope, static rope, etc. Also I wanted to ask if you have done any video's on using a mechanical advantage rig attached to the bucket of your loader to pull small stumps straight UP out of the ground, rather than dragging method? Will it work similar? Thanks for advice, and for being such a good teacher for those of us who use youtube as a good source to become educated on things we know nothing about but want to learn! Appreciate your time and efforts, it is very educational! Thanks
Thanks for the nice words. That button is recessed to be hard to press accidentally AND is a double lock action ... two presses required to open. IThe Omniblocks are the premier pulley for life support rescue work.
I use a Buntline hitch. It is a cinching knot approved for life support. It is an easy knot to tie BUT it is also easy to tie wrong. Learn it thoroughly before you use it in this application … !
Hi Tom, I'm pretty new to tree climbing and very keen experimenting with both srt and drt. The question is, you think I can use my Petzl Zigzag using this idea with the prussik and the OmniBlock? Thank you.
No, bro, don't do it. The Zig Zag must be in a "double rope" configuration. In a "straight through" rig, the body of the ZZ rotates and the swivel is driven against the mechanical stop limit. It is unsafe. In fact, I've talked to Petzl and they don't even want it used as a lanyard adjuster! In this O-Ring rig, there is only tending force coming from the loop prussic. The hole on the ZZ needs to carry half the climbing weight to keep the unit properly oriented.
Just picked up a unicender waiting on my new rope, so excited!! I would like to set up something like this, have you used the pinto in place of the omni block as that is what I have currently?
+J Bears Tree Care & Landscaping JB, if your swivel is a classic double eyelet swivel, you have another option to try: just pull the climbing line through the top eyelet and attach to the bottom eyelet. This means more friction but only for hitch positioning, not for climbing. I often use this setup if I want to double rig into the upper eyelet.
Nice system- a disadvantage I see is losing the ability to quicky re-crotch split-tail style. In other words if you had a small carabiner attaching to the bottom of the uni you could open the closed system faster, but slightly lengthen the minimum distance between your saddle bridge and the uni. i like the way it works, though.
You're exactly right. I do both. When I think I'll want to work high over the rig, I use the knot (a Buntline, stoppered by the sewn eye, is an approved anchor hitch and it unties easily). When I think I'll be moving the rig, I use a biner into a short i2i. See the vid "uCLIMBER" for connection details.
What's a good size rope for the device. My 13mm rope doesn't move through the uniscender. I just got the device. Rope have only been used 3 times. The rope is very soft it's not a static rope
Sounds like you're not on a real climbing rope. If you use a full 13mm line, it needs to be a hard weave like Arbormaster or Samson BRW. Overall, I like a 12mm line but, if you like a "quick" system you can go down to 11.7mm like Sterling Tendrill. Call up TreeStuff.com .. they can guide you into a personal comfort zone. When you get it sorted out, you will be amazed at the smoothness and low friction property of the Unicender.
I'm using a vortex 13mm climb line. I figured out that on double rope I had to much friction on my tie in point so I couldn't rap the rope and collapse the unicender and decend. ( to much friction in the system). I used a busy of mines 48 strand static rope and it worked amazing. My vortex rope even on SRT was just to flexible and it wouldn't decend.
Clay, I use a buntline backed up with an overhand stopper knot. The buntline is compact, presents a flat surface to the Omniblock and it is approved for life support. It is an easy knot to tie BUT IT IS AN EASY KNOT TO TIE WRONG! Practice with it and always use a stopper.
Thanks Tom, I don't climb with a unascender, I still use a hitch climber. It would appear I could use the same set (with modifications) with my hitch climber. Have you ever beard of that being done?
I'm new at this for my age (60) and like you I too exaggerate safety. I really like the adjustability of this system. Do have any videos showing the building steps?
No, sorry Michael, but there's not much to it: The knot is a Buntline, safetied with a stopper kno (not shown in the video for clarity)t. The tending prussic does not need to be life support, as you can see from the video. And I would pay attention to your TIP device. To take advantage of the hitch positioning feature, you should choose a low-friction device to allow the loop to rotate easily. I use a U-Saver (TreeStuff.com) or a PulleySaver (Teufelberger) or some such.
@@tghoffmann agreed, but it is holding...scratch that...loaded with your weight, or at least half of it. i'm just surprised it doesn't seize up. thanks for the reply.
beochie, this geometry can be confusing to look at. If you actually build it, it will surprise you: the prussik NEVER carries body weight or any portion of body weight. You could cut it anytime and nothing will happen. The prussik only tends the rotary position of the climbing line loop. Said another way: it holds the Unicender steady when you pull the tail of the climbing line through it . If the prusik weren't there, the Uni would move toward your hands as the climbing line rotates. The only force it feels is a few pounds of friction force as the rope passes through the Uni. Trust me.
Rafael, this is a completely legitimate comment, thank you. The pulley will not open at a push of a button. It takes three (3) separate actions to open. Moreover, it is a Rock Exotica OmniBlock design. The OmnikBlocks are used worldwide in Rescue and other life support applications. Get on;: you will be impressed.
Tom - That was a very nice response, and 100% true. Rock Exotica produces nothing that is not iron clad. I employ many Omni-Blocks, in many configurations, and have never had a problem with any of them, after years of hard use.
Awesome setup there Tom, well thought out and really looking great. Thank you, Jim
That is an excellent strategy. Thank you for making this video.
Hopefully you're still climbing and enjoying it.
I never stop loving this tool!
Thanks Tom, some awesome insights and concerns! Be Well
I was looking for something and came back across your video, had to watch it again because of all the "still good stuff" in it.
I like your style Tom, interesting setup
Excellent Video!! However, I'm a tech rescue guy and not at all familiar with tree work. I'm impressed with "Tree Guys" ability to ascend so I've been watching a lot of vids. Very cool. Thanks for sharing!!
great vid. Just bought the unicender and like like your advice. gunna have to try your method
Just found (and subscribed to) your channel! Good stuff! From one old fart to a self proclaimed one, keep climbing!!
Between you and Mr. Mumford, I almost know how to use the unicender now
I got the chance to meet Morgan in June at an SRT class. Really nice guy and well grounded. Of course after we saw all the cool R&D projects hanging from his harness that weekend he had to erase all our memories.
Frank Haverkamp Frank, I would have loved to see that harness. Especially because I think the industry still has work to do on SRT. Did he use that MIB flashy thingy?
Good stuff Tom!
Tom, I'm not quite an "old fart" yet but, I'm getting there.
I finally got a Unicender and have been watching all the videos I
can find and just watched yours. I had forgotten about this type
of setup. Adding in the Unicender looks like a brilliant idea. 👍
Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.
Keep yourself safe!
Randy
Hey Mark, it's nice to see you pop up again, even through we're not neighbors any more … ! Thanks for the nice comment, it's my pleasure to do it. Congrats on your Uni --- it is an awesome piece of kit. In addition to experimenting with configurations, you could also think about trying different climbing lines through it. Depending on the diameter and the texture, you can change the Unit from being a slow, grippy device suitable for a rank beginner all the way up to a high performance race car. Everybody has their favorite combination of performance and reliability. Enjoy.
@@tghoffmann Hey! Thanks for the quick feedback Tom!
I'm looking forward to having the Uni in my "toolbox". I have
several ropes with very different characteristics and I look
forward to "playing" around with the different setups. It has
some great features that will definitely help me out with my
tree work/climbing.
Thanks again! 😎👍❤️👍
@@NHlocal Oops! Sorry, Randy … brainfart on the name.
@@tghoffmann No worries Tom. 😉👍😁
you could replace the saddle pulley with a Pulleybiner and reduce from 5 to 3'' and clean it up further. Nice job Tom
Hey Tom, finally got a chance to try climbing in a loop with the Uni. Nice setup, works great just like all your other ideas.
Thanks, Frank, nice to hear but the smart guy in the room is Morgan Thompson. I met him in Hartford last year ... It was so exciting to find a first class machinist and a first class climber in the same guy. His Unicender invention was truly innovative and a powerful climbing device.
You're such a great ol' fart! Thanks for sharing.
I like your video, and the contents that you provide. I gave you a thumbs up. I do have a question though, can you do the same thing with a hitchhiker 2? And also what advantage does the unicender have over The Hitch-Hiker 2?
I climb SRS but that's a great idea
Wow...I think I'll try a zigzag lol
TOM, I am new to all this, learning from your videos for education purpose in order to be able to apply your methods on my NEW purchase of property that is 10 acres of trees. I plan to do some clearing myself, and so I am trying to learn the tree climbing, as well as the mechanical advantage stump pulling methods. For a newbie, where is a good starting point to know what type of rope and equipment is best to get as a beginner, without spending a fortune on things I can grow into. Do you have a video on the basics recommendations of rope (diam and length and type) as well as number of other components for mechanical advantage rigs. 5 to 1, and even a little higher. What is the meaning of bull rope, static rope, etc. Also I wanted to ask if you have done any video's on using a mechanical advantage rig attached to the bucket of your loader to pull small stumps straight UP out of the ground, rather than dragging method? Will it work similar? Thanks for advice, and for being such a good teacher for those of us who use youtube as a good source to become educated on things we know nothing about but want to learn! Appreciate your time and efforts, it is very educational! Thanks
I have had the book Tree Climbers Companion recommended to me, and found it to be a great resource of information and techniques.
Very cool.
Been prusik for a long time just got the uni the open button on the omni would make me a little nervous of opening.
But great vid
Thanks for the nice words. That button is recessed to be hard to press accidentally AND is a double lock action ... two presses required to open. IThe Omniblocks are the premier pulley for life support rescue work.
@@tghoffmann yes you are right branches just have a way you know.
We practice aerial rescues
I probably missed it but would you tell me the knot used to tie into lower end of unicender?
I use a Buntline hitch. It is a cinching knot approved for life support. It is an easy knot to tie BUT it is also easy to tie wrong. Learn it thoroughly before you use it in this application … !
Nice job! What saddle do you use? I’m shopping for one now. I ordered a weaver but they’re not responding. They took my money though
You are my hero 🤩
Hi Tom, I'm pretty new to tree climbing and very keen experimenting with both srt and drt. The question is, you think I can use my Petzl Zigzag using this idea with the prussik and the OmniBlock? Thank you.
No, bro, don't do it. The Zig Zag must be in a "double rope" configuration. In a "straight through" rig, the body of the ZZ rotates and the swivel is driven against the mechanical stop limit. It is unsafe. In fact, I've talked to Petzl and they don't even want it used as a lanyard adjuster! In this O-Ring rig, there is only tending force coming from the loop prussic. The hole on the ZZ needs to carry half the climbing weight to keep the unit properly oriented.
I see, thanks Tom for your prompt reply...will not even think trying.
Yes, but with some qualifications. See the new video "uCLIMBER buildout"
Ya SEE?? It's always a good idea to ask questions!!! 💪👌👍👍 Thumbs up to both of you gentlemen!
Just picked up a unicender waiting on my new rope, so excited!! I would like to set up something like this, have you used the pinto in place of the omni block as that is what I have currently?
You're gonna love the efficiency. Pinto will work but I'd really miss the swivel ... !
I have a swivel on my bridge already
+J Bears Tree Care & Landscaping JB, if your swivel is a classic double eyelet swivel, you have another option to try: just pull the climbing line through the top eyelet and attach to the bottom eyelet. This means more friction but only for hitch positioning, not for climbing. I often use this setup if I want to double rig into the upper eyelet.
+Tom Hoffmann beautiful suggestion I will fly that when I get a chance after I practice the basics
Nice system- a disadvantage I see is losing the ability to quicky re-crotch split-tail style. In other words if you had a small carabiner attaching to the bottom of the uni you could open the closed system faster, but slightly lengthen the minimum distance between your saddle bridge and the uni. i like the way it works, though.
You're exactly right. I do both. When I think I'll want to work high over the rig, I use the knot (a Buntline, stoppered by the sewn eye, is an approved anchor hitch and it unties easily). When I think I'll be moving the rig, I use a biner into a short i2i. See the vid "uCLIMBER" for connection details.
What's a good size rope for the device. My 13mm rope doesn't move through the uniscender. I just got the device. Rope have only been used 3 times. The rope is very soft it's not a static rope
Sounds like you're not on a real climbing rope. If you use a full 13mm line, it needs to be a hard weave like Arbormaster or Samson BRW. Overall, I like a 12mm line but, if you like a "quick" system you can go down to 11.7mm like Sterling Tendrill. Call up TreeStuff.com .. they can guide you into a personal comfort zone. When you get it sorted out, you will be amazed at the smoothness and low friction property of the Unicender.
I'm using a vortex 13mm climb line. I figured out that on double rope I had to much friction on my tie in point so I couldn't rap the rope and collapse the unicender and decend. ( to much friction in the system). I used a busy of mines 48 strand static rope and it worked amazing. My vortex rope even on SRT was just to flexible and it wouldn't decend.
The 48 strand rope is a yale kernmaster
I use a nice and nubbly Tree-Pro Red, or True-Blue, from Samson. I am just addicted to the texture and hand of the line.
Hello Mr.Hoffman I was wondering what knot you used to tie in the Unicender I’m think a type of anchor knot? Thanks for the help and your videos! :)
Clay, I use a buntline backed up with an overhand stopper knot. The buntline is compact, presents a flat surface to the Omniblock and it is approved for life support. It is an easy knot to tie BUT IT IS AN EASY KNOT TO TIE WRONG! Practice with it and always use a stopper.
@@tghoffmann Tom. Why no more videos on your channel.
Thanks Tom, I don't climb with a unascender, I still use a hitch climber. It would appear I could use the same set (with modifications) with my hitch climber. Have you ever beard of that being done?
michael gilbert yes, the climbing in a loop configuration is quite common
I'm new at this for my age (60) and like you I too exaggerate safety. I really like the adjustability of this system. Do have any videos showing the building steps?
No, sorry Michael, but there's not much to it: The knot is a Buntline, safetied with a stopper kno (not shown in the video for clarity)t. The tending prussic does not need to be life support, as you can see from the video. And I would pay attention to your TIP device. To take advantage of the hitch positioning feature, you should choose a low-friction device to allow the loop to rotate easily. I use a U-Saver (TreeStuff.com) or a PulleySaver (Teufelberger) or some such.
That knot looks more like a scaffold knot than a buntline...
I have seen people modifying the uni with a type of friction plate on top with a pulley Mount?
Climbing experience level: life......
why are you using a accessory biner on your non uni side? with this system it's supporting you as much as the uni
The mini and its prusik only tend the position of the hoop; it doesn't do life support at all.
@@tghoffmann agreed, but it is holding...scratch that...loaded with your weight, or at least half of it. i'm just surprised it doesn't seize up. thanks for the reply.
beochie, this geometry can be confusing to look at. If you actually build it, it will surprise you: the prussik NEVER carries body weight or any portion of body weight. You could cut it anytime and nothing will happen. The prussik only tends the rotary position of the climbing line loop. Said another way: it holds the Unicender steady when you pull the tail of the climbing line through it . If the prusik weren't there, the Uni would move toward your hands as the climbing line rotates. The only force it feels is a few pounds of friction force as the rope passes through the Uni. Trust me.
@@tghoffmann Thanks Tom, I tried it and it works well even with a hitchclimber set up...and you dont been to buy a rope with an eye in it....Bonus!
I wish I could afford a uni. alas, I climb on a prusik.
most relatable comment on any acender/descender video...
Bro are you wearing slippers?
hahahaha no my friend, they are tactical pursuit/bike shoes for cops. See the video "Urban Enforcers in Tree Climbing Application"
Don't use that pulley. It can open really easy. Only pushing a bottom.
Rafael, this is a completely legitimate comment, thank you. The pulley will not open at a push of a button. It takes three (3) separate actions to open. Moreover, it is a Rock Exotica OmniBlock design. The OmnikBlocks are used worldwide in Rescue and other life support applications. Get on;: you will be impressed.
Tom - That was a very nice response, and 100% true. Rock Exotica produces nothing that is not iron clad. I employ many Omni-Blocks, in many configurations, and have never had a problem with any of them, after years of hard use.