Tree Gear

Pre-Orders now open for the Protos Integral by Pfanner. Select from the Arborist or Forestry model, pick your favorite color and reserve yours now before they sell out! The 1st shipment is expected in March.

The Protos has been designed from the ground up specifically for tree workers.  As such it is unique in that it is the first helmet to have a completely intergrated face shield and earmuffs which makes its design far superior to the typical solution of using an industrial helmet where face shield and muffs are an aftermarket add-on, or maybe even an after thought!

The Protos Integral Arborist helmet meets or exceeds the following safety standards: (EN 12492 / EN 352-3 / EN 1731)

	more safety
1. Field of view: Greater field of view compared to all tested helmets on the market offers maximum sight.
2. Neck Protector: The neck protector guards the back of the head from impacts when falling and minimizes the danger of basal skull fractures.
3. Visibility: The sporty 2 colour combination has 35 % more visible surface. The highly increased visibility gives the wearer a great advantage in situations where they might be hard to spot (foliage, coniferous woodland, blinding sunlight etc. - no matter what season).
4. Cushioning: Due to the special cushioning construction (3-point mounting and antishock pads) of the interior shell impacts are effectively absobed and not transferred to the head, respectively the spine.
5. All-around Protection: With the first-time certification with EN 397 and EN 12492 standards the protective helmet Protos not only protects from vertical but also from horizontal impacts. This results in an innovative "all-around protection".
6. Interior Shell: Due to the elaborate interior shell the helmet fits perfectly. In case of an impact the energy is diffused on a large area and absorbed evenly.
7. Additional Shock Protection: As the ear protection is always put on, it serves as additional shock-protection.
8. Safety Ventilation Slit: The safety ventilation slit offers high safety exactly where it is needed. Horizontal and vertical impacts are absorbed by the additional shell before the energy affects the main helmet.

 

	more comfort
1. Ear Protection: Due to the integrated ear protection there are no protruding parts with which you could get caught on branches and such. The adjustable contact pressure of the ear protectors allows optimal customization.
2. Facial Protection: 2 great advantages of the integrated facial protection: You can work without getting caught on twigs or thorns while having an incredible field of view.
3. Neck Bowl: Correct fit on the head due to the prolonged, adjustable neck bowl. This way the helmet offers perfect fit even without chin guard.
4. Active Ventilation: The special construction guarantees active ventilation (air may flow in from all sides and exhaust through the ventilation channels on top). The ventilation channels may be closed or opened with a push lever. This way you can adjust the helmet to warm, cold or wet conditions.
5. Chin Guard: So that the chin guard does not slip under the ear protector we attached a special rail to it. Wearing comfort and noise damping are ensured..
6. Klima-AIR Technology: Extraordinary sweat transport due to large contact pads with Klima-AIR technology.
7. Patented Size Adjustment: Our patented size adjustment makes the helmet easy to put on or off by activating or deactivating the neck part. Once you adjusted its size, you will not have to adjust it again.
8. Easy Operation with 2 Fingers: All functions are operable with only 2 fingers. Also the ear protection which can be deactivated by pushing it in its integrated garage under the outer helmet shell.

The Protos Integral Arborist Helmet made by Pfanner is distributed exclusively in Australia by Treegear Arborist Supplies.

Rob Fisher has been snapping away at the VTCC and has shot some great images that really capture the essence of an event like this.

Check out his website for all the pics here at Fisher Photo Industry|VTCC

Rich Hattier demonstrates the advantages of the revolutionary Rope Wrench.

Designed by Kevin Bingham of Singing Tree, this device opens up a whole bunch of new possibilities in working the whole canopy SRT, on a friction hitch!

In the past SRT was typically used for ascent only, using mechanical camming devices.

Have a look at this discussion thread at Treebuzz: Rope Wrench Feedback There are almost 300 replies on this to date!

Treegear TV's latest video|Product testing in a 65m Mountain Ash Removal with the Total Tree Care crew!

Treegear's own Trev Douglas gets back in the saddle to test out some of the newer products we have gotten in lately and what better tree than a big Ash to put them (and him!) to the test.

Some products used were: Sterling HTP Access Line, Rock Exotica Unicender, Singing Tree Rope Wrench, Teufelberger Tachyon, Our own spliced Ocean Polyester Prusik & Secret Weapon, ArbPro Climbing Boots, ArbPro Rigging Winch, Pfanner Clothing, all hashed together in a variety of techniques throughout the job.

Taylor Hamel has another informative video that highlights the myriad of uses for the DMM Rigging Hub.

For all those who have looked at it and wondered what on earth you can do with it here is the answer.

It is so much more than just another nice piece of hardware by DMM!  The Rigging Hub really does open up some new possibilities in 3D rigging.

At last! Chainsaw pants designed for the hot Australian climate.  

Pfanner Gladiator COOL Ventilation

25% lighter than the normal Gladiator with additional ventilation through mesh tissue on the hip, no fabric coating and no ankle cuffs for maximum breathability. Every detail was adapted to maximize ventilation properties. If you believe we let down safety or durability you thought wrong. A recently developed fibre for cut protection allows for equal protection at lower weight.

» very light (25 % lighter than the Gladiator trousers)
» summer version without gaiters and coating
» mesh tissue at the waist improves ventilation
» extremely tear-proof Gladiator fabric in the front
» Stretch-AIR fabrics in the back
» pre-shaped knee reinforcements
» lining made of high-quality functional fibre
» high cut protection, class 1 20m/s


Upper: Front: 100% Polyamide (Cordura); Back: 90% Polyamide, 10% Elastane
Lining: 85% Polyester Cocona, 15% Polyester Micro 
Chainsaw Protection: 80% Polyester, 20% Polypropylene

The latest instalment from Taylor Hamel's educational videos on the ever expanding range of product from Teufelberger/New England, Treemagineers & DMM.

Here he presents the CElanyard

This clip shows a myriad of applications for this lanyard.

Check out this new little bit of gear.  It takes the place of a micro pulley as a slack tender for your prusik.  It may not have the efficiency of a pulley, which is negligible in this application anyway, but it sure makes for a compact, streamlined, lightweight set up.  Coming soon to Treegear!

UNICENDER INSPECTION REQUIRED
There is an inspection recall on the Unicender.  All Rock Exotica Unicenders made before August 2011 are affected.  This required inspection is important for the user’s safety and your Unicender should not be used until the inspection has been performed. 

What Happened:  An improperly riveted chain link came apart on one side under use.  No fall occurred and the user was not injured.  We have checked several other units from the same batch and there were no problems, but because your safety is paramount we have decided that all Unicenders must be inspected. 

Serial Numbers:  Each Unicender has a unique number.  The first digits of this number tell the year and day it was assembled.  For example, 11168 means it was assembled in 2011, on the 168th day of the year.  Affected numbers are 11220 and earlier.  All Unicenders of this date or earlier must be inspected.  Later numbers are not affected and do not need to be sent in.  Also, Unicenders of any date that are marked “Factory Inspected” have already been inspected and do not need to be sent in.

What Went Wrong:  The rivets start out as straight pins.  The riveting process presses down on the ends and forms a head that is bigger than the hole in the chain plate so the rivet is captured and cannot come out.  One head was not flared enough and it was able to work its way out of the chain plate.  We have now added additional safeguards and other measures to insure this can’t happen again.

What Needs To Be Inspected:  We will inspect each unit to be sure the rivets are headed properly.  After inspection your Unicender will be laser marked with “Factory Inspected”.  If any do not pass inspection they will, of course, be replaced.

We are very sorry for the inconvenience.  To help make up for it, we are doing two things: 

1. We will send you a free Pirate autolock carabiner when we return your Unicender.
2. As stated in the instructions, a frequently used Unicender will eventually need to be rebuilt.  If and when yours does it will be done at half price, which represents a significant savings.

Is Self-Inspection Possible?  If you are mechanically experienced and have access to accurate calipers it may be possible for you to measure the rivets yourself.  In this case you should call us (801 728-0630, any extension can help you) and we can direct you.  You should only do this if you are confident in your ability.

How To Send Your Unicender To Us:  Send it to the following address.  This address contains both a street address and a P.O. box so you can send it by UPS, FedEx or mail.  Or if more convenient, you can return it to your dealer and they will send it to us (but it will be faster to send it directly to us).  If you send it UPS you can use our UPS account number 1Y9139.

Rock Exotica Equipment LC – Unicender
POB 160470
Freeport Center, F-11
Clearfield, UT 84016

In the box please put a note with your return address.  If it is a street address we will return it by UPS, if it’s a P.O. box we will ship by mail. 

To Get the Half-Price Rebuild Offer:  You don’t need to do anything.  When your Unicender with the affected serial number is ready for a rebuild, it will be charged at the half-price rate. 

http://www.rockexotica.com/unicenderRecall.html