Tree Gear

The updated, upgraded & downpriced treeMOTION 2 is now available at Treegear.  

Upgrades include the following:

• now with a PPE Rated Rear Ring.
• COMFORT Back Padding as standard.
• Safety Stitched ends on Rope Bridge.
• Rated to 120kg up from 100kg.
• Now also meets ANSI Z133-2012.
• Price drop to $499.95 down from $609.95!

Arboriculture Australia present this year’s Australia Tree Climbing Championships™ on Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th April 2013 in heritage listed Yarra Park in the reserve area located between MCG gate 2 and Jolimont Train Station. This is 50 meters from the conference hotel, Hilton on the Park Melbourne.

The climber gear check will be held Friday 26th April 2013 4.00pm to 7.00pm and the Judges briefing session from 7.00pm to 8.00pm at the Hilton on the Park Melbourne 192 Wellington Parade. Melbourne 3002. This is mandatory for all climbers and officials to attend.

Petzl have elevated the Stop Use Notice to a full Product Recall.

Petzl Australia have not released this yet, but this information has just come in from Petzl America: 

Do NOT use your Zigzag until further notice!

Released by Petzl:

Safety Alert 

Stop use Petzl ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik 

Sku. D22 

This information is complementary to the Safety Information issued April 15, 2013 

On Friday, April 12, Petzl was informed of an accidental fall in a training center in Germany. The injured person was moving at height using a Petzl ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik. The initial observations have shown that the fall was due to a failure of the rope end attachment hole. Our investigation and further testing lead us to conclude that this failure was the result of a particular configuration of a cantilevered and off axis loaded upper carabiner. 

 Petzl test Results:

 1/3 - Breaking strength of the ZIGZAG’s rope end attachment hole 

With this carabiner configuration, the breaking strength of the rope end attachment hole is greater than 15 kN. 

 2/3 - ZIGZAG with a cantilevered upper carabiner 

This is an incorrect configuration. Note: most of the carabiners tested this way pivot and correct themselves to be loaded on the major axis starting at 2 kN of force. Some carabiners pivoted and corrected themselves at 10 kN, without damaging the upper attachment hole. 

3/3 - ZIGZAG with a cantilevered and off axis upper loaded upper carabiner 

This is an incorrect configuration. 

In this configuration, we have observed a failure of the rope end attachment hole of the ZIGZAG under 4 kN of charge (equivalent to short fall, repeated shock or sudden stop, etc). 

The cantilevered upper carabiner in this particular configuration multiplies the forces applied to the rope end attachment hole, leading to its failure.

Petzl decisions: 

1 - As a measure of precaution, we ask that you stop using your ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik. 

2 - This stoppage will remains in place until we have approved and communicated an appropriate solution to maximize the safety of ZIGZAG users. 

3 - We have decided to stop sales of ZIGZAG mechanical Prusiks. 

4 - While there currently may be several solutions to maintain the upper carabiner correctly oriented on its major axis, Petzl cannot presently guarantee their effectiveness in all circumstances because we have not tested them sufficiently. 

5 - Our teams are mobilized to quickly develop and verify a solution specifically for the ZIGZAG to maintain the upper carabiner oriented on its major axis. 

6 - The availability of this solution will be communicated on www.petzl.com by May 22, 2013 at the latest. 

We are fully aware of the inconvenience caused by this issue. Please accept our apologies and know we take this issue very seriously. The safety of our users is Petzl’s first priority. Thank you for your continued trust. 

Petzl issued the following statement this afternoon regarding their product. It is imperative for all Zig-Zag users to read this statement immediately.

“Petzl has recently become aware of an incident report involving the ZIGZAG mechanical Prusik.
According to a post on the treeclimbers.eu message board, there is a claim that a connection point on the ZIGZAG broke, resulting in a ground fall.
Petzl has not yet confirmed the failure or seen the ZIGZAG in question, nor are we aware of the specific circumstances under which any such incident occurred. Therefore, we cannot comment on the report at this time.
That said, we would like to assure our customers that Petzl takes this and all safety issues extremely seriously. We are currently working diligently to collect information and will issue a statement as soon as we have had a chance to review the circumstances surrounding this reported incident.”

Translated from the forum:
I've just received the news that happened in a crash involving the PETZL ZIGZAG!
Thomas Bohl, head of the FSB Oerrel has been a few hours ago called directly from the casualty ... so it's not a rumor!
The climber, an employee of the town of Celle has crashed with his brand new ZIGZAG from 5 meters because the TOP GOLDEN anchorage is broken ... so free fall!
The climbers considering the circumstances .... but badly injured he is not sure in medical treatment.

Until the facts clarified exactly should refrain from further use of the device ... also please give the user out of all of them you know they ZIGZAG use the best ... immediately!

We apologize for any inconvenience this notice may cause you, but we want you to work safely.

We will keep you updated on any new communications from Petzl as they become available.

Take the time to watch this video on DMM Wales.

We're sure it will give you a new appreciation of what goes into making some of the finest climbing and rigging hardware on earth!

http://dmmclimbing.com/knowledge/dmm-factory-tour-vid/

 
DMM has proudly been manufacturing climbing hardware in north Wales since 1981. Over that time it has established a reputation for innovation and producing premium quality equipment. The high standards of quality control maintained throughout the process of taking the raw material to finished product, including testing and inspection, are reflected in the fact that each and every day, thousands of people around the globe rely on DMM products to safeguard their lives.

Today, DMM continues to reinvest in the company at its Llanberis base, directly employing around 150 people. It is also at the forefront of design and production of working at height safety equipment. Periodically, DMM opens its factory doors to let people come along and see for themselves, the expertise and care that goes into making some of the finest hardware in the world. Keep an eye out for details of our next Factory Tour Open Day but in the meantime this video will give you a good insight into the craftsmanship and story behind the products.

We just learned about an accident in France involving a LockJack Sport. An experienced climber took an about 15 m fall because the wooden toggle of his LockJack got caught in the carabiner.

This prevented the LockJack from turning automatically into its locking position as it would usually do.

The climber suffered some serious injuries but fortunately is on the way to recovery.

The reason for this accident was that the climber had replaced the required carabiner which was originally supplied by the retailer by another one of a different shape which isn’t approved in this application.

In light of this recent event we would like to point out to all climbers the importance of consulting and the correct choice of carabiners:

Important Notice:

The LockJack must be used with appropriate carabiners only.

The carabiner connecting to the harness (lower carabiner) has to have a slim design in order to prevent the wooden toggle from clipping into the carabiner under any circumstance!

In case of the toggle being stuck the LockJack will not be able to lock on the rope!

The carabiners listed below meet the criteria requested by the users manual: ISC Gator, DMM Zodiac, DMM Shadow, DMM Ultra-O, Petzl Am’D, Petzl OK, Rock-O, Rock-D

In the accident mentioned above the user had exchanged the carabiner not in compliance with the instructions given in the manual (see illustration).

For the upper connection between LockJack shackle and the rope’s eye every safelock carabiner can be used.

Still it is highly recommended to fixate the upper as well as the lower carabiner in order to prevent them from twisting.

This on one hand prevents a not permissible transverse loading while on the other it helps to avoid the lower carabiner’s locking sleeve from getting stuck in the eye of the LockJack swivel.

Convenient parts are: Pinch (Beal), Fast Clip (Kong) or rubber fixings.

Appeal

Of course every user is obliged to read instuctions carefully before climbing with an ART product.

They are here. Really. Yes REALLY! The 1st Shipment of Protos Integral Forestry Helmets are in store now.

All Pre-Orders have now shipped and if that includes you, you should have it by now.

To all those patiently waiting the Arborist Helmet...we have no further updates yet, but please hang in there! 

In the meantime...but you didnt hear it from me.... we do also have the Arborist Chin Strap in stock as a spare part.

It is directly interchangable with the Forestry Helmet, so for those that can't wait any longer it may be an option.

The 1st shipment of Forestry helmets will go quick as we ordered far more quantity of Arborist Helmets, of which we still don't know when they will be released.

So that said, get in quick if you want one now!

In store now we have new helmets, harnesses and prusik cord from ArbPro.

With more exiting products in development, this Italian manufacturer is surely making its mark in the tree climbing world!

Their first product, the climbing boot (below), has been a real hit is now seen on the feet of the majority of climbers at local competitions.

We've seen promising prototypes of an even sportier "Evo" version of the climbing boot, along with a chainsaw protection boot coming soon...

But here and now we have a new harness, the TreeAccess, new Galaxy helmets, and CE certified sewn eye to eye prusiks.

Early tests of the TreeAccess harness indicate this is likely to be very popular.  

With a low ride height on the hips, and wide, load spreading back padding similar to a treemotion but coming in at a great price point of $495.

There is a launch special on these until the 24/12/12 for $45 off making them only $450! You need to enter the code: APTA4ME at the checkout...

The Galaxy Helmet takes from the idea of the popular KASK helmet (1st introduced to Australia by Treegear!) and improves on the concept in our opinion.

Light weight with an improved visor system and the option to run a mesh screen instead, or over the clear or tinted visors is a big tick!

The CE certified sewn eye to eye prusiks are great value, and unique with a 9.1mm diameter.  

By splitting the difference between the typical 8 & 10mm cords, the ArbPro XS9.1 might just solve the dilemma of what size is best!

Early tests show the 9.1mm to work well on 11mm-11.7mm climbing lines, of course compatibility will vary for different weight climbers, different hitches and largely the "right" cord comes down to personal preference.

There is also a new version of the ArbPro LD-2 Rigging Winch available. As a lifting and lowering device this is hard to beat!

The new Alloy frame of the LD-2 makes it much lighter to handle during set up than the previous LD-1, or its rival, the GRCS.

It also has an interchangable Alloy Bollard if you're just dumping big blocks into it to preserve the winch.

Another unique feature is the one-way CamLock Clutch.  This allows you to lock off the load above the winch, safely altering wraps, switching riggers etc can be done without worrying about the load getting away from you!

Having CE Certification is a big plus for your OHS Risk Management, given some serious reported incidents on "other" devices...

The largest single store in Victoria (and maybe Australia?) dedicated to tree climbing gear and equipment is here!

The new Treegear store in Braeside, Melbourne was a vision of owner Trevor Douglas for some time.

"What I really wanted to do for the tree industry, after 15 years of being "in" it was to give back with a place that brought together a range of the best products available, offered them at great value prices, in a space that really welcomed tree workers to stop by and spend time in, and enjoy the experience" says Trevor.

It took some time to find the perfect site that ticked all the boxes.

Main road exposure - check!

Service road for easy truck/chipper/trailer parking - check!

Easy to get to from Nepean Hwy & Eastlink - check!

8m high ceilings to set up demo climbing systems in - check!

Space to set up the biggest display of tree climbing gear in Australia - check!

Redgum slab bar counter with stools for you to take a break - check!

Fridge full of complimentary RedBull & bottled water - check!

Complimentry Espresso coffee with freshly roasted Merlo beans - check!

Directly opposite a major Stihl Shop for all your chainsaw needs - check!

We are now open here at 1/238 Governor Rd Braeside Victoria.

So next time you're nearby...or can make the excuse to be passing ;) drop in for a chat and a coffee or cold drink and check out whats new in store.

Treegear.  Australia's #1 Tree Climbers Gear Store!