45 yrs in the business (I go back to climbing with manilla ropes) not climbing anymore but i still lasoo and pull big trees over.Athritis started almost immediately upon turning 65. With the time I have left I retired the big shot and bought a 'tree toppler' air cannon.laughed wwhen I first saw one yrs.ago.Great idea for the big shot!.
Love the mechanical advantage of the pully system you came up with. I weigh 140 LBS and I have a hard time stretching the rubber bands and setting the cup into the trigger (i bought the trigger) Aiming & firing is a breeze. On shorter throws, I guesstimate how much line to flake out, and step on the line so my weight doesn't fly way too far.
Great idea! I suffer from arthritis in my finger joints and am now using your “invention” successfully without the pain I normally get when shooting my throw-ball!!! Many thanks, Peter
Hi, yes I wanted to do it on a budget as the cost could get out of hand and if your not using the trigger system that often it may put you off. The trigger is the part that costs the money, the one I used was $27 from Cabelas in the U.S and everything else was just a few dollars here and there (most of which you could probably use things that you have lying around).
I wonder if a person could build a trigger, like on a CrossBow, into the lower end of the handle; and put a little flat hook on it. Then put a geared manual crank wench, with vynal coated 1/16" airplane cable, at the bottom of the handle. Hook it to the base of the bag cup and crank it down and hook it took the trigger hook and then take the cable hook off of it. Aim and just pull the trigger. Hey...I'm a retired tool designer. Y'all give it a shot...pun intended. This way there's nothing to rig on your "gun". After all...its just like a crossbow...just more pressure stored per shot! There's your design change. Somebody patent it! That's my gift to you! ( It shouldn't cost much to do.)
Appreciate the instruction. Don’t understand how the friction rope locks the system when pulling back. Sure could use a closeup of that and how you tied the rope to the base of the pole.
Spoiler alert: Equipment list: 6mm(?) cord approx. 18" for distel knot for progress capture 6mm(?) cord approx. 36" for pull-rope anchor 8mm(?) rope approx. 10' for pull rope simple (non-locking) small carabiners (screw-lock ovals/quick-links will work) times 2 small screw-lock oval carabiner/quick-link small double-sheave pulley small single pulley archery bowstring trigger (Cobra brand mentioned) loop of padded 2.8mm wire cable (but paracord might suffice) (You can see the nut-and-washer attachment at 1:40. Slow the playback to 0.25 to catch it as he turns his hand.)
Physics note: The stationary pulley doesn't offer a mechanical advantage; only the moving pulley. The stationary pulley just changes the rope direction.
Have experienced near loss of thumb when getting too close to bigshot . Had .04 deep sea fishing braid and wind blew line near my face and hands. Pull flake pile 5 ft away.
I wonder how well a .22LR blank cartridge could be used to launch the bag... Those are readily available for nail guns at hardware stores and are also used for launching decoys when training retriever type dogs.
I'm making this today, with hardware pulleys I've had in the garage for years. Brilliant explanation! It is appealing to use a classic block and tackle design. Are you still using this now?
Love the content thank you. But as a teaching method, it would be very useful to me include more close-ups. Many of us watch yt on mobile devices in locations where 4K TVs aren’t practical. :) FWIW
In the video you mentioned that you were trying to build the system on a budget, I was just wondering what the cost would be? Also for the cobra trigger mechanism what did you find the cost for that was? Did you pick it up online or did you go to your local "outdoorsman"?
I've never measured it, but I can pull my Big Shot about 6 feet just by hand, so I'm going to guess around 60 pounds or so at full draw. He's only got it pulled 3 or 4 feet, so probably only about 40 pounds.
Thanks for posting. (Go check out Corporal's Corner, and watch his Improved Trucker's Hitch). You can do alot just with that. He makes an old knot better and so easy to understand and tie. I believe you'll like it. My big questions are about the aiming, & how to prepare the little string, so it will follow the bag without knotting up and pulling out half your bucket of string. Please and thank you!
Thought you said simple, this is the most overcomplicate trigger Ive ever seen. Have you sen the production trigger ? Or 1 torque strap with the trigger attahced to the strap brake. So simple works so well, this is way too much trouble lol. pulleys are a waste of time. One quik link the rope could pass through same thing. If you can pull the bigshot full length with your hand u can certainly pull it thru a quiklink 2 to 1. torque straps cost 10.00, 1" webbing.
You can order the trigger system designed specifically for the Big Shot by Sherrill Tree on Amazon for $35. That's less than what you'd pay for the pieces and parts for the one in the video. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07885BY9L (You can also order it from most any arborist supply, and even from HomeDepot.com. You can even get it direct from Sherrill Tree - www.sherrilltree.com/notch-big-shot-trigger)
good demo, thanks. a couple of points, these can be dangerous, you made no mention of safety during this video the line can be dangerous when you fire it, you should always wear eye protection incase the rubber breaks and fires it back in your face. also the UK went decimal in 1971, how about the distances in metres? the triggers are great, I've used them with a big shot and they really add a lot to the system
You haven't even pulled the pouch 4 feet from its static position, and that's farther than you can pull it by hand? If you seriously can't pull that pouch at least 6 feet by hand, then you don't actually do tree work for a living. Even a beginner is strong enough to do that. You've reinvented the wheel, man. Just put the lower prusik on the pole where you want the pouch, clip your trigger to it directly, throw out all the pulleys and ropes, and just pull the pouch down by hand and lock the trigger onto it. Then just place the bag in it when you're ready to fire, and Bob's your uncle.
45 yrs in the business (I go back to climbing with manilla ropes) not climbing anymore but i still lasoo and pull big trees over.Athritis started almost immediately upon turning 65. With the time I have left I retired the big shot and bought a 'tree toppler' air cannon.laughed wwhen I first saw one yrs.ago.Great idea for the big shot!.
Love the mechanical advantage of the pully system you came up with.
I weigh 140 LBS and I have a hard time stretching the rubber bands and setting the cup into the trigger (i bought the trigger)
Aiming & firing is a breeze. On shorter throws, I guesstimate how much line to flake out, and step on the line so my weight doesn't fly way too far.
Great idea!
I suffer from arthritis in my finger joints and am now using your “invention” successfully without the pain I normally get when shooting my throw-ball!!!
Many thanks, Peter
Thank you! Following your explanations I built a similair release with parts from a boat supply shop. It works perfect!
Can i ask what parts you bought plz mate ?
Great video-- thanks.
I implemented something similar, based on this video.
love that wizzing sound!
Hi, yes I wanted to do it on a budget as the cost could get out of hand and if your not using the trigger system that often it may put you off. The trigger is the part that costs the money, the one I used was $27 from Cabelas in the U.S and everything else was just a few dollars here and there (most of which you could probably use things that you have lying around).
I wonder if a person could build a trigger, like on a CrossBow, into the lower end of the handle; and put a little flat hook on it. Then put a geared manual crank wench, with vynal coated 1/16" airplane cable, at the bottom of the handle. Hook it to the base of the bag cup and crank it down and hook it took the trigger hook and then take the cable hook off of it. Aim and just pull the trigger. Hey...I'm a retired tool designer. Y'all give it a shot...pun intended. This way there's nothing to rig on your "gun". After all...its just like a crossbow...just more pressure stored per shot! There's your design change. Somebody patent it! That's my gift to you! ( It shouldn't cost much to do.)
Appreciate the instruction. Don’t understand how the friction rope locks the system when pulling back. Sure could use a closeup of that and how you tied the rope to the base of the pole.
yes would like to see a drawn out diagram
This is a very good video and easily understood.
Spoiler alert: Equipment list:
6mm(?) cord approx. 18" for distel knot for progress capture
6mm(?) cord approx. 36" for pull-rope anchor
8mm(?) rope approx. 10' for pull rope
simple (non-locking) small carabiners (screw-lock ovals/quick-links will work) times 2
small screw-lock oval carabiner/quick-link
small double-sheave pulley
small single pulley
archery bowstring trigger (Cobra brand mentioned)
loop of padded 2.8mm wire cable (but paracord might suffice)
(You can see the nut-and-washer attachment at 1:40. Slow the playback to 0.25 to catch it as he turns his hand.)
Superb. Thank you for such an informative video. I thought my big shot was pretty good before, should be amazing after these modifications.
Physics note: The stationary pulley doesn't offer a mechanical advantage; only the moving pulley. The stationary pulley just changes the rope direction.
Have experienced near loss of thumb when getting too close to bigshot . Had .04 deep sea fishing braid and wind blew line near my face and hands. Pull flake pile 5 ft away.
I wonder how well a .22LR blank cartridge could be used to launch the bag... Those are readily available for nail guns at hardware stores and are also used for launching decoys when training retriever type dogs.
Do you have a video on how to replace the rubber on the bigshot? I need to replace mine. Great video, I will definitely be making one of these. Thanks
Im in the early stages of building a big shot. This is so so infinitely better than the best i could do. How heavy is your bag?
🤙
Nice piece of engineering
I can't see how you made the friction piece.
I'm making this today, with hardware pulleys I've had in the garage for years. Brilliant explanation! It is appealing to use a classic block and tackle design. Are you still using this now?
Congratulations for the video!
How high you can pull with this system?
The trigger's name?
Thanks
Marcello
Love your accent dude..... good tips too!
Love the content thank you. But as a teaching method, it would be very useful to me include more close-ups. Many of us watch yt on mobile devices in locations where 4K TVs aren’t practical. :) FWIW
The pole is fiberglass. It could break if you're pulling not before someone cuts the eye hole.
Take a look at one of the Arb chat forums they all have the answer on there in some form. Treeworld , Arbtalk, Arborsite etc
In the video you mentioned that you were trying to build the system on a budget, I was just wondering what the cost would be? Also for the cobra trigger mechanism what did you find the cost for that was? Did you pick it up online or did you go to your local "outdoorsman"?
All you need to add is a scope sight!
Have you ever measured the forces on the pulleys and the release at full draw?
I've never measured it, but I can pull my Big Shot about 6 feet just by hand, so I'm going to guess around 60 pounds or so at full draw. He's only got it pulled 3 or 4 feet, so probably only about 40 pounds.
It's a 3:1 Z rig pulley system.
I kept waiting for the car alarm to go off when the throw bag came down in the parking lot next to the park.
That's not simple at all,
Why not using your lanyard? you can accomplish the same result
Thanks for posting. (Go check out Corporal's Corner, and watch his Improved Trucker's Hitch). You can do alot just with that. He makes an old knot better and so easy to understand and tie. I believe you'll like it.
My big questions are about the aiming, & how to prepare the little string, so it will follow the bag without knotting up and pulling out half your bucket of string. Please and thank you!
How high it’s trhow
Pretty damn high, maybe 110ft
thank you
hi m8,
where i can find the trigger?
Thought you said simple, this is the most overcomplicate trigger Ive ever seen.
Have you sen the production trigger ?
Or 1 torque strap with the trigger attahced to the strap brake. So simple works so well, this is way too much trouble lol.
pulleys are a waste of time.
One quik link the rope could pass through same thing.
If you can pull the bigshot full length with your hand u can certainly pull it thru a quiklink 2 to 1.
torque straps cost 10.00, 1" webbing.
hi, please tell me where can i get the trigger sistem
You can order the trigger system designed specifically for the Big Shot by Sherrill Tree on Amazon for $35. That's less than what you'd pay for the pieces and parts for the one in the video. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07885BY9L
(You can also order it from most any arborist supply, and even from HomeDepot.com. You can even get it direct from Sherrill Tree - www.sherrilltree.com/notch-big-shot-trigger)
good demo, thanks.
a couple of points, these can be dangerous, you made no mention of safety during this video
the line can be dangerous when you fire it, you should always wear eye protection incase the rubber breaks and fires it back in your face.
also the UK went decimal in 1971, how about the distances in metres?
the triggers are great, I've used them with a big shot and they really add a lot to the system
Consider CLOSEUPS!!!
Sure wish you would have taught the knots you used as you went. The rest was self explanatory.
So, the moral of the story is.. clime up their before a guy gets hurt at the bottom
Ok, I found the name.
dude you should of patented that . lazy climbers would of bought it .
Carbine hooks
You haven't even pulled the pouch 4 feet from its static position, and that's farther than you can pull it by hand? If you seriously can't pull that pouch at least 6 feet by hand, then you don't actually do tree work for a living. Even a beginner is strong enough to do that.
You've reinvented the wheel, man. Just put the lower prusik on the pole where you want the pouch, clip your trigger to it directly, throw out all the pulleys and ropes, and just pull the pouch down by hand and lock the trigger onto it. Then just place the bag in it when you're ready to fire, and Bob's your uncle.
cheers for this bud:) i have all this stuff lying around, gonna knock this up for mine!