DIY Tree Squeeze/Choke.

[Pj0230]

I have a second linesman hanging from my saddle, it’s made from 8mm climbing rope, I use it only to hold me to the tree while I move up the main linesman and choke.

 

[Yodan]

After reading all of these posts, I think it's important to be attached to the tree more than with a linesman belt. Many of the people here have a lot of great ideas and most all agree that you need more than a single lb belt to climb. I've tried going around the tree twice with my belt but hard to move because the rope snags on its self. I haven't tried the X method yet. Don't really know how well that would work. I think either a diy tree squeeze or store bought one is the way to go. Until I make one I'll use my tether as a safety connection. I've been on this site several months now and this is the first I'm reading about this. I'm all for safety. Thanks to @Pj0230 and many others for opening my eyes to this.

 

[Yodan]

I checked out a couple of websites for arborists looking for tree squeeze ideas and prices. Figuring that I paid a lot of cash for the saddle and steps so I'll have to spend more for safety tree squeeze. I thought I would try to diy one first and try it. My first attempt looked like it would work, figure 1. I thought more about it and fine tuned it with splices and got rid of the knots, figure 2. Haven't tried it yet. Going to hunting camp for work party tomorrow so I'll give it a try.

 

[joel0711]

I have a wespur tree squeeze in the classified

 

[fawnzy]

Amazon.ca has the Buckingham tree squeeze on for 173.00 Cad..
that’s pretty cheap


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[k_hoffman91]

I have a wespur tree squeeze in the classified

Do u still have the tree squeeze? Pm me if so

 

[robstewart]

I was sharing this thread with someone else and thinking, what if the back side of the squeeze was a really stiff rope or cable? That would make it super easy to move up the tree.

 

[Yodan]

I was sharing this thread with someone else and thinking, what if the back side of the squeeze was a really stiff rope or cable? That would make it super easy to move up the tree.

I think I know where you are going with that thought that it would slide up the tree and you wouldn't have to stop and flip the rope up. But would that work the opposite way also and be slick on the way down, which might not be desirable if you had slipped. I did look at WesSpur before I made mine and they looked like they were more of a cable and not rope.
When I made mine it was in the summer before hunting. Now that hunting is over, I used mine only twice but I carry it in my bag every time. The first time was my first saddle hunt and I climbed an ash tree. Here in NY all ash trees are either dying or dead thanks to the emerald ash borer. I was in a rush to get into position, didn't take my time, and noticed that my we stepps were not staying tight. The bark was dead and kind of flaky. On my way down I did use the tree squeeze and went slow and felt a lot more secure. Needless to say I learned a lot that day.

 

[Blacksmith]

What about using a biner on both ends of the choker rather than the ring? Would add a little wt. but the choker could be unhooked to store w/o unhooking the bridge. Either way I like it and will make one. Thanks

 

[raisins]

What about using a biner on both ends of the choker rather than the ring? Would add a little wt. but the choker could be unhooked to store w/o unhooking the bridge. Either way I like it and will make one. Thanks

I think that would cause a crossloaded 'biner situation. It is unclear how a screwlock 'biner is effected by the type of falls we might take, but it is forbidden in other disciplines. Some think a steel screwlink is strong enough to take it though.

 

[Pj0230]

What about using a biner on both ends of the choker rather than the ring? Would add a little wt. but the choker could be unhooked to store w/o unhooking the bridge. Either way I like it and will make one. Thanks

Not sure if you are clear on how the choke is connected the the setup. My choke is not connected to the bridge, it’s connected to my lineman’s rope, and is easily stored on my left side using daisy chain loops and clipped the the lineman‘s loop, I leave it there even when i decide to just use the lineman’s rope to climb a tree without the choke.

 

[Yodan]

Not sure if you are clear on how the choke is connected the the setup. My choke is not connected to the bridge, it’s connected to my lineman’s rope, and is easily stored on my left side using daisy chain loops and clipped the the lineman‘s loop, I leave it there even when i decide to just use the lineman’s rope to climb a tree without the choke.

Thanks for the good idea about leaving my tree squeeze attached to my lineman's belt. I carry it with all the time but it's in my bag. Hard to get at in a hurry. In fact if it's out I may use it more often. Good idea.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

Thought I'd post some updated pictures, these were taken from 28 feet up.

View attachment 11679

What’s a good stiff rope type for a squeeze


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[Pj0230]

What’s a good stiff rope type for a squeeze


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I used an 11mm static rope that I had from my rock climbing gear, I think it was made by blue water...its quite a stiff rope and works well for its purpose, I think monster also makes a similar rope.

 

[SecretAgentMan]

I’ve followed this thread quite a bit since I’ve gotten started on gathering gear, practicing in the yard, and I too have come to the conclusion that I’m not comfortable with a lineman’s only. I climb on sticks, so best I can tell, a squeeze isn’t going to work too great. But I did come across some threads on using what I guess is called a monkey tail. I’ve got a carabiner in a strangle poacher’s knot on the left. (Wiregate in the photo. Maybe I should switch to a screw gate to up the safety.) Blake’s hitch on the right with a stopper behind it.

I assume you keep the hitch pretty snug against the tree, but if you’re keeping the lineman’s above your hips, what keeps the carabiner from sliding back down the lineman’s back toward your loop? I guess I just can’t envision how it cinches onto the tree in the event of a misstep.

Just looking for input on ways to improve it, make it safer, and just generally understand how it works. Not opposed to trying the flingin’ X method or just using my tether as I go. Or just tie a Blake’s on each side...

 

[robstewart]

Thanks for the good idea about leaving my tree squeeze attached to my lineman's belt. I carry it with all the time but it's in my bag. Hard to get at in a hurry. In fact if it's out I may use it more often. Good idea.

It reminds me of my safety boots. I work in an office environment but need boots for certain tasks like moving equipment or working in the areas we are renovating. My boss agreed to pay for boots but wanted them under my desk and only worn when I needed them.

I don’t do that. I wear them all the time because a couple of times I found myself being called upon to go to the loading dock or move something and I quickly went over and did it without my boots because I was in a hurry and lazy. Now I wear them all the time.

Keeping your safety gear on you for quick and easy access helps prevent you from saying “I won’t bother because this will be quick”. So is a fall!


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[GTel]

I assume you keep the hitch pretty snug against the tree, but if you’re keeping the lineman’s above your hips, what keeps the carabiner from sliding back down the lineman’s back toward your loop? I guess I just can’t envision how it cinches onto the tree in the event of a misstep....

You need to reverse what you have in your pic. Move the squeeze to the rear of the tree and the linemans belt to the front of the tree. Your linesman belt does not go around this tree in this setup. When you lean back or fall, the linesman belt will cinch up the squeeze around the tree by pulling the carabiner and Blake's hitch towards each other, hence the name tree squeeze. Just make sure that you slide the Blake's hitch far enough away from you so that it can't reach the carabiner. You'll need to keep doing that as the tree diameter decreases.

This pic shows the black rope squeeze around the tree and the predator linesman belt run through the biner and ring.

 

[elk yinzer]

So is it just me or is anyone else picturing the amsteel adjustable bridge concept making some big improvements to the tree squeeze?

 

[elk yinzer]

I was sharing this thread with someone else and thinking, what if the back side of the squeeze was a really stiff rope or cable? That would make it super easy to move up the tree.

I wonder if you put a steel cable core inside amsteel if a prusik would bite?

 

[elk yinzer]

I guess I shouldn't be putting ideas in the public domain next thing you know they'll be patent pending right?