A rigging kit is the backbone of an arborist’s field gear, but assembling one is rarely simple or inexpensive.
Building a Rigging Kit Without Breaking the Bank By Ben Culbreth
A rigging kit forms the backbone of an arbor- ist’s field equipment, but building one is rare- ly straightforward — or cheap. The number of available tools and configurations continues to grow, and so do the price tags. Simply searching “rigging kit essentials” online yields dozens of options, with pre-made selections ranging from $400 to more than $2,000. Rigging kits can be functional, safe, and versa- tile without blowing your entire budget. Selecting what’s necessary while passing on more expensive add-ons can help save on costs. But going too cheap on certain items can result in lower-quality equip- ment that helps keep crews safe. Here’s how experts say they would build a rigging kit that doesn’t cost a fortune. START WITH A QUALITY ROPE While all pieces are necessary, the rope is the work- horse of the rigging system. For Danae Jackson, an at-height business developer at Redwing Company , investing more in a rope pays off in the long run because it can last nearly a decade and serves as a lifeline. Of course, this means that rope selection is critical and largely based on use-case.
“Know what your rope is and the utilization of the rope,” Jackson explained. Drew Dunavant, director of sales for commercial user channel at RBI Corporation said he recommends 16 or 24-strand double braid ropes for most uses and applications. Dunavant noted that a three-strand or 12-strand rope can be used on a job where pulleys and a block system aren’t required. Jackson and Dunavant both noted the importance of ensuring the rope are paired with compatible gear to help extend its life.
Jackson and Dunavant agree that a high-quality rope is a foundational piece of any budget-friendly rigging kit.
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