A Bartlett Arborist Supply Custom: The Arkham Friction Saver

Friction savers are increasingly being adopted within the arborist community, which represents a positive development. As advocates for their use, we have consistently highlighted the benefits of friction savers in professional tree climbing ventures. While not as attention-grabbing as newly released mechanical devices, friction savers are among the simplest yet most effective tools available. Their importance becomes especially apparent when they are paired with modern mechanical equipment during moving rope operations; therefore, friction savers merit more discussion and recognition within the field.

Recap: What is a Friction Saver?

A friction saver serves as a cambium-protection device that may be installed remotely from the ground or manually upon reaching the intended tie-in point (TIP). Its function is to provide a low-friction interface between the climbing rope and the tree, thereby minimizing abrasion and extending the service life of the rope. While friction savers may incorporate webbing, pulleys, or sleeves, the ring-to-ring configuration remains the most prevalent design.

One of the core principles of an arborist is minimizing damage to the tree – especially when pruning. Running a rope directly over bark can create abrasion, compression, and heat, which can damage the cambium. 

Better Efficiency 

Less friction equals better movement (moving rope systems) – PERIOD!

Recall those days when not using a friction saver left your elbows and shoulders sore from too much friction. It's an experience you'd want to avoid repeating! Adding a friction saver helps make climbing smoother, limb walking less strenuous, and positioning more reliable. Although it lowers rope resistance and makes pulling easier, you might find it takes a little more effort to hold the running end and manage slack because there’s less friction at the anchor point.

The conventional method of using a friction saver involves positioning it up and around the branch union, anchoring it to the main stem, and threading the climbing rope first through the smaller ring attached to the adjustable prussic and then through the larger ring. Generally, the rings are placed at a distance from the branch union for practical reasons: as one climbs and maneuvers throughout the tree, the friction saver moves along the stem, ensuring the climbing rope does not come into direct contact with the stem, therefore reducing friction. 

More Configurations

A versatile tool is valuable in many professional settings. The Bartlett Arborist Supply custom Arkham friction saver, measuring seven feet, is designed to accommodate a variety of configurations for enhanced usability.

Spar work:

Configuring a spar anchor is not difficult either; friction saver goes around the spar per usual but here’s the technical thing – there must be space between the rings in order to achieve a cinching effect. The actual distance will vary whom you ask. Some will say a six-inch gap is sufficient and others will say so long as the rings do not contact one another.

Equalizing anchors:

We strive to select the optimal TIP with careful consideration of factors such as tree species, diameter, season, and direction of movement. Despite best efforts, there are instances where an ideal TIP cannot be utilized due to the potential application of excessive force. By incorporating a large anchor ring between the primary ring on the friction saver and the adjustable ring, it is possible to use two TIPS to more effectively distribute the load across multiple anchor points, minimizing the force exerted on any single location. While spanning a friction saver between two anchor points without an equalizing component is possible, the use of such a component is STRONGLY recommended. The primary concern is not the vertical force but rather the horizontal forces that draw the anchors together, thus increasing the risk of failure. Therefore, understanding rope angles is essential for ensuring safety and effectiveness.

Moving rope redirects: 

The friction saver is designed to function as a moving rope redirect. Both types of redirects require the same initial configuration:

1. Install the friction saver around the anchor point in the conventional manner.

2. Attach either a carabiner and Pinto pulley to the anchor ring of the adjustable prussic, or, for a more compact setup:

• Use a separate prussic secured to the friction saver; connect the Pinto and carabiner, or the DMM Revolver Rig, to this arrangement.

3. Insert the running end of the rope (hitch side) into the Pinto.

4. Pass the working end (splice) through the large ring of the Arkham friction saver.

The retrieval process varies slightly depending on your goal:

1. If you want to retrieve everything when all tasks are complete and it's safe to pull the main anchor:

• Attach the retrieval ball to the splice.

• Pull the hardware from the anchor.

• The weight of the falling hardware will disengage the redirect and bring it down to the ground.

2. To retrieve without removing the main anchor:

• Use two mini accessory carabiners preferably with locking gates and attach onto the sewn eye of the friction saver.

• Connect one mini carabiner to the rope's spliced eye leg.

• The retrieval ball will stop at this mini carabiner.

• Pull up the bitter end of the climbing rope and attach it to the second mini carabiner to keep this rope end with you.

• When the retrieval ball meets the first mini carabiner, pull on the bitter end to recover both the hardware and the eye splice.

Note that retrieving without removing the anchor has a drawback: it may not offer a direct path to the ground.

SRS redirect:

First, remove the adjustable prussic and choke the friction saver around the stem. The sewn eye might end up a bit farther away than you'd like, but you can fix this by tying an Alpine Butterfly knot and attaching your climbing line to it with a carabiner.

Final Thoughts

Utilizing a friction saver enhances climbing efficiency, prolongs the lifespan of your rope, reduces strain, and protects the tree. This tool is especially valuable due to its adaptability in various configurations. Friction savers represent a straightforward yet significant improvement to any climbing system. If your climbing rope is still running directly over bark, it may be time to rethink your setup. Thoughts?