The difference between access and working systems

 Working systems are just that, they form your everyday rope climbing system. Access and working systems apply to the use of fibre rope to gain access into the tree and to move around in the tree to perform the work required. These systems are used for body support and for fall protection during work at height.

 The working system used by tree climbers is unique it is pretty much limited to the arboriculture industry. It is restrictive to other industries due to the constant movement of rope over any point of contact from the anchor point to the attachment to the climber. This movement can create high rope wear, especially over anchor points and sharp edges. It is also slow when ascending and descending and uses twice as much rope then other systems.

A typical working system has the rope fixed to the climber’s harness then running up through a suitable branch junction and then back down through a friction knot to the ground. This system works well because only half the climber’s body weight is on each part of rope and this allows for relatively easy adjustment of the friction knot so the climber can move up and down the rope It’s benefits include it’s simplicity and that it requires very little equipment.

 The system clearly works better when we remove the friction generated by the rope running over the anchor point. Installing a friction saver or running the rope through a pulley may achieve this. Friction works in our favour when descending but is a hindrance when ascending.

 Defining a working system

A working system will always have the climbing rope moving past the anchor point when the climber adjusts their position. A working system will also have one part of rope moving down and the other part moving up as the climber changes position. A working system is dynamic and moves as the climber moves. The climber and not somebody on the ground operates a working systems, the exception to this is obviously during a climber rescue.

 The disadvantages of working systems

Working systems do have some disadvantages when a climber needs to gain access into the crown of a tree. This is especially evident as the tree gets taller or the branch spacings become further apart. Working systems are slow and strenuous for ascending into a tree and you can’t blame the modern climber for thinking there must be an easier way. They will be looking for methods that are faster and more energy efficient then the conventional working system and they will turn to access systems for the answers.

 The solution

Access systems will unlock the treasures that they hold and the climber can do nothing but gain from the experience. If it makes the climber’s job easier without compromising safety then it must be a good thing.

Section Two: Access systems

Access systems are tools to make the climber’s job easier; they come in many forms and can be used in different ways. They are rarely talked about and rarely demonstrated in most Arboricultural training colleges around Australia.

These systems are not strictly the domain of the climbing arborist but can be borrowed from other industrial and modified and customised to form brilliant methods of accessing trees. They may be seen in daily use in the industrial rope access industry or in the tower-climbing sector. They are definitely not new or just invented by somebody; in fact they have been around for years. But they may be new to the arborist or if not new just never associated with tree work.

An access system always involves the use of rope and it generally assumes that the climbing rope is installed first. This is not a new concept for spike less tree climbing or were rope is required for a safety system.

The higher the rope is rigged in the tree the better as this reduces the number of changeovers required to reach the top of the tree and thus the time spent accessing the tree. This is a different philosophy to the current teachings of mainstream education that have you leap frogging you way up the tree. Minimising the number of changeovers and set ups will greatly reduce time and reduce the possibility of accidents due to the frequency of opening and closing karabiners and tying knots.

The Benefits of access systems

Equipment like the “Big Shot” and lightweight throw lines allow you to achieve great heights when installing a climbing rope. They allow us to be very accurate and extend beyond the range of throwing a climbing rope. Imagine climbing a single rope from the ground to the top of the tree; in one single no change over action.

Access systems can provide body support and/or fall protection systems and they can provide a means of ascending a climbing rope and/or ascending the tree directly. Access systems allow the climber to reach the high point quickly and relatively easily before changing over to a working system to start work.

You don’t generally work from an access system because of the limited range of easy movement and the fact that the ground crew may be operating the system from the ground. So you don’t have to change your whole climbing system, just add to your system. It’s as simple as reaching the top then change over to your standard climbing system. Getting to the top of the tree can be a major part of the job, especially if there are ten trees and only a single branch to remove from each.

Types of access systems

We can divide access systems into two simple types as follows:

1.     Rope climbing systems.

2.     Tree climbing systems.

Rope climbing systems

Rope climbing systems give you methods of ascending a fixed rope without the physical aid of the tree. These generally involve the use of a number of ascenders to form an ascending rig that is operated by the climber’s hands and feet. The best known of these is the frog system and the rope walking system.

Rope climbing systems allow you to rig the climbing rope free of the trunk and have virtually no contact with the tree until you near the top. Rope climbing systems are commonly used for spike less tree works and are indeed the fastest spike less access system.

Rope climbing systems are mostly rigged on a single rope and this means that the other end of the climbing rope is fixed to an anchor at ground level and this is generally the tree itself. So picture the rope running from the climber up through a high fork and then back down to a sound anchor. How direct is that access?

Think of any means of ascending a single fixed rope and that is an access system. Some systems are faster then other and some systems require more equipment then others. Seek information and training in the systems available and then choose the one that is most suitable to the type of work you are doing.

 Tree climbing systems

Tree climbing access systems involves direct physical contact with the tree and generally requires the use of tree climbing spikes. These systems use the climbing rope not is constant support but for safety should a fall occur.

Tree climbing access systems are mostly used for tree removal. They offer all the advantages of a typical access system and that includes virtually no changeovers on the way up. We can bypass the changeovers by being good with the throw line and installing the climbing rope as high as possible in the tree.

Tree climbing access systems remove the need for localised climber attachment but still offer the confidence of a fall protection system. This will free up the climber to focus on the act of climbing and also reduce the risk of accidents while clipping and un-clipping from every change over.

These rope systems are commonly known as “belaying” and they too can be broken into to groups as shown below:

 1.     Self-belaying.

2.     Assisted-belaying.

 Self -belaying

Self-belaying involves the attachment of an ascender to the fixed single rope and then connecting it directly to the climbers harness. The ascender will automatically follow the climber as they ascend into the tree possibly using tree-climbing spikes or climbing natural branches. If the climber were to fall the fall protection system would support the climber until they regained control.

This system allows the climber to ascend to the top of the single rope without the need for changeovers or even stopping. Self-belays will need the rope to be held taut below the ascender; this may be achieved by weighting the rope or by the ground crew holding the rope. This procedure will permit the ascender to slide up the rope freely without lifting the rope as the climber ascends.

Please note that self-belaying systems using an ascender will not allow the climber to descend. This is a one way system.

 Assisted Belays

Assisted belays involve the helpful hands of the ground crew to control the rope as the climber ascends. In this case the belay device is auto locking and could also have a feature that would allow the ground crew to lower the climber in a controlled manner if required.

The belay device would be anchored to a solid object on the ground and the ground crew would take in rope as the climber ascends the tree. Again this system is a fall protection system that is operated by another person and is only used for support when resting or after a fall.

The key benefits of belay systems

1.     They are easy to set-up and operate.

2.     They require minimal extra equipment.

3.     They can remove the need to use a pole straps or flip line.

4.     They allow easy and fast passing of branches and other obstacles.

5.     They allow safe free climbing over vine-covered trunks.

One of the best times I use these belaying systems is after lunch. It’s a big tree and it’s taken me half a day to remove all the branches and I am due for a rest. I rig my climbing rope through a pulley and descend to the ground for lunch. After lunch I just clip into the rope and spike to the top using my hands on the trunk to maintain balance. It’s too easy.

Conclusion

Tree climbing is never easy but we do have some options that will make your days a little bit easier. The above systems are in easy reach of most climbers that are willing to have a go. We recommend that you consult with your specialist-climbing store for information on the best brands and types of equipment for the desired system.

There is no substitute for professional training from an export, this article talks about the systems but in no way offers in-depth instruction on the set-up or operation of these systems.

Please do not take unnecessary risks when it comes to trailing new equipment or methods. Always play it safe.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the readers of The Australian Arbor Age for their feedback and comments about the climber related articles. I appreciate the good ideas and the constructive criticism given by the people in the industry. We have such a great wealth of experience and knowledge to be shared and I am pleased to have the Australian Arbor Age as to medium to do this. Thank you again.

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