GRCS: Good Rigging Control System

After a storm, there is often significant damage. Trees may be tangled together, requiring careful planning to remove them safely and efficiently. Cranes and bucket trucks may not be accessible, leaving the need for pulleys and ropes. Enter: Good Rigging Control System (GRCS). The GRCS offers a controlled lift and release. We’ll unpack the GRCS’s origins and explain how to use it and compare it to other approaches so you, whether a crew leader, trainer, or contract climber, can decide when the GRCS is the right tool for the job.

What is the Good Rigging Control System

The Good Rigging Control System is a tree-mounted lowering and hoisting system developed for the working arborists to provide mechanical advantage for lifting and precise control when lowering large tree sections, or other heavy loads. The mounting base plate is interchangeable between the fixed bollard and the Harken Winch – designed to provide a high mechanical advantage for exceptional lift. 

The GRCS was gifted to the Tree Care Industry by Mr. Greg Good of Hartland, Wisconsin. Rather than just being a single-purpose lowering friction brake, the GRCS pairs with the Harken winch enabling the crew to effectively lift heavy loads without the need for a crane (within reason). The two common configurations, either a 44:1 or a 22:1 mechanical advantage depending on rotation of the winch. However, it is easy to get a little overzealous; you must remember, only one person on that handle when lifting! 

As previously noted, the GRCS serves dual functions; however, it is subject to certain limitations: a working load limit of 2,000 lbs. and a maximum deadlift capacity of 3,000 lbs. The drum is designed to accommodate several complete wraps of rigging rope, with sufficient capacity for up to five full wraps when utilizing ¾” rigging rope. This configuration provides the necessary friction to support effective tree removal operations. Always check the specifications for the unit’s dos and don’ts.

Configurations

When positioning the GRCS, it is advisable to remove the winch from the base plate to reduce weight before attaching it to the base of the tree. The cinching strap should be tightened securely to prevent the unit from moving up the trunk during tree removal, such as in negative rigging or when lifting large sections. Once the unit is fastened, reinstall the Harken winch and secure it with the appropriate rod and cotter pin. It is also important to consider the placement of the primary anchor point and the intended path of the rigging rope, as these factors will influence the optimal location for setting up the GRCS.

Why does the path of the rigging rope matter?

At the top of the base plate are rope fairleads, through which the rope must be routed whenever lifting or lowering a load. Failure to use these upper fairleads may result in the rigging rope crossing over itself and potentially causing a lockout. It is important to note that these upper fairleads are not designed to bear loads; if the rope exceeds a 15-degree angle at the fairleads, breakage can occur. To address excessive angles, a redirect installed above the GRCS, at an appropriate distance, can help achieve an optimal rope alignment.

The previous discussion covered upper fairleads and their appropriate usage. Side fairleads, commonly known as “pig tail” fairleads, are positioned on both sides of the Harken winch. These pig tails should be in the stowed position when cranking/lifting a load. If they remain engaged during lifting, the rope may not exit the winch as intended and could press against the fairlead, potentially forcing the rope out of the winch’s rope channel. To undo wraps from the GRCS, hold the rigging rope taut and aligned with the Harken winch. Keep tension as you lift the rope up and around the winch—never remove wraps by pulling sideways or whipping the rope off.

Conclusion

The Good Rigging Control System may not come out to play on every jobsite, but it does have a time and a place. From simplifying a lift to utilizing it for aerial rescue training, the GRCS has cemented its position in the tree care industry! Have you played with this phenomenal rigging device!?