lily97•21h ago

Rope saddle over bucket truck for a tight job in Portland

I had to pick between renting a bucket truck for $400 a day or just using my rope saddle on this big maple in a narrow backyard in Portland last week. I always figured the bucket was faster and safer, but the homeowner's fence was only 3 feet from the tree on both sides. A buddy who does climbing work in tight spots convinced me that the rope saddle gives you way more control when you can't get a truck close. So I went with the saddle and some friction hitches I've been messing with lately. Honestly, it took me about an extra hour to set up and get up there, but I could reach every limb without fighting the truck's boom. Has anyone else switched off a bucket for a saddle on a job they thought needed the truck?

2 comments

2 Comments

finley_bennett2815h ago

That extra hour setting up is nothing when you factor in fighting a boom through a tight fence line. Did you find the friction hitches made a big difference in control compared to just using a standard prusik?

barbarab5615h ago

@finley_bennett28 the friction hitches made all the difference honestly. The extra bite lets me hold a position without constantly re-adjusting, which helps a ton when you're twisted up between two fence posts. If you haven't tried a sticht hitch for that kind of work its worth the few minutes to tie one.