THE FRICTION SAVER

The Friction Saver, the Cambium Saver and the Rope Saver are all one and the same. A simple length of heavy duty webbing with metal rings sewn in at each end, creates a device that works like a magic trick.

This is a valuable tool for the modern climbing arborist. It is a tool that lets the arborist establish a climbing rope in the tree, virtually friction free, without even leaving the ground.

For those of you using natural forks for your climbing rope, you must think it strange or maybe even unnecessary to use a Friction Saver. You may think why or what a waste of time or it is just another thing for the gear freaks and in some ways you may be right. You will not use it on every job but on some jobs it will make the job a whole lot easier.

So lets look at the benefits of the Friction Saver so that you can judge for yourself on its use by you or your crew.

1. The Friction Saver greatly reduces friction in the climbing system thus making it easier to ascend and limb walk.

2. The Friction Saver greatly reduces rope wear thus making your climbing rope last longer.

3. The Friction Saver protects the Cambium from rope wear and offers more surface area loading than a rope. This greatly reduces damage to soft bark trees when carrying out pruning operations.

4. The Friction Saver is multi directional, it will rotate and follow the climber as they move around the tree and at the same time will provide even friction and free movement of the climbing rope.

5. The Friction Saver can also be used where no natural fork exists eg on a trunk section.

6. The Friction Saver can also be used as a redirection device for your climbing rope. This eliminate the need to change high points and the Friction Saver can be retrieved when you are on the ground.

7. The advantage of the Friction Saver over a standard artificial fork is that it can be rigged from the ground and retrieved without climbing the tree (see installation instructions below).


So have you changed your mind about Friction Savers? Do you think they are a valid extra to add to an arborists climbing kit? Maybe they are not new to you at all!

I feel that whoever the person was who dreamed up this idea deserves heaps of credit. They have made the climbing arborists job a whole lot easier and that is what it is about.

Who in their right mind is going to say no to making the job easier, definitely not me for one.

It is important to note that the Friction Saver should only be used for the climbing rope and never used to lower loads.

Below you will find the installation and retrieval method for the Friction Saver. These photographs and text below have kindly been reproduced from the Buckingham Catalogue for the purpose of education.

Please remember that the information contained in these articles is not and never will be a substitute for formal training and hands on experience.