Anyone tried one of these pulleys?

http://www.treepro.co.nz/pdf/hitchClimber.pdf

It's the current hot item in the arborist climbing world. If you climb on a closed or \"advanced hitch\" split-tail it can improve the system. Works better if one end of your rope is spliced. If there's a knot instead of a splice on the anchor leg or working end of the rope it tends to rub against the friction hitch and release it when you want it to hold you. The only complaint I've heard is that some climbers don't like having the down rope or running end of the rope so close to the anchor leg, their hand gets pinched when they're working the hitch. Some climbers set up an inline sling/anchor so they can move the pulley higher so that's it's easier to pull below the hitch for ascending. Requires 3 biners to implement. I'd say that you'd want to set up this way if you have a problem with your system that it will fix. Does that make sense?
-moss

Ya makes sense. I'm currently looking for the best setup for self advancing friction knot, this pulley just seemed like a good way to set it up.

I added a few more details from stuff I've heard and observed with climber friends who use it.
-moss

do you hve a pic of the 3 biner setup you can post? I'm not sure if I understand how its setup.

Ace wrote:

do you hve a pic of the 3 biner setup you can post? I'm not sure if I understand how its setup.

My mistake, it's a two biner setup as shown in the pdf you posted.
-moss

Ace, first off what kind of friction hitch do you use? Secondly have you looked into the MicroMouse pulley? It is about half the price and similar in function to the Hitch climber. It is not as new or hot right now but I have one and I love it. I dont see how adding a third hole to the pulley will justify almost doubling the cost. Now that I have the MicroMouse, I wont climb without it.

here is a link for those who are not fimilar

http://www.cmi-gear.com/catalog/pulleys/micro.asp

it is the top pulley

I'm fairly new at tree climbing. I will more than likely be using the \"Martin\" hitch. That MickeyMouse pulley dont look bad, thanks for the link.

That was a good video, I have never seen it before. I know that many climbers who use the Hitchclimber will not agree with me, but I really dont see the need for that third hole, especilly if you are newer to the climbing world. The Hitchclimber will not be used to its full potential unless you are using some very advanced techniques. The Martin is a great hitch and will fit into a system like this perfectly.

I saw/read Nick's discussed the use of that tool at the Treebuzz a few months back when he got it. I appears to me that it is more applicable with Advanced knots (Distel, Swabisch, and VT)using end to end spliced tails. There is a two holed pulley sold by Sherril that is a lot cheaper and does essentially the same as the tree holed one shown in the photos.
Here is the link to the Micro Mouse Pulley
http://gear.sherrilltree.com/iwwidb.pvx?;multi_item_submit?comp=SHE

It may be worth having the third hole if I plan to try some advanced rigging later on down the road when I become more experienced. I'm taking a 3 day SRT training course next month, the instructor is the author of \"On Rope\"

Ace, do you have plans on using this for SRT? I have never thought of a way to use a tool like this for SRT. If you or anyone else uses one of these for SRT please share how. That SRT class should be alot of fun. On Rope is a great book and I have heard tons of great things about their store and other operations. I am jealous!

emr wrote:

Ace, do you have plans on using this for SRT? I have never thought of a way to use a tool like this for SRT. If you or anyone else uses one of these for SRT please share how. That SRT class should be alot of fun. On Rope is a great book and I have heard tons of great things about their store and other operations. I am jealous!

I dont know if it can be used for SRT or not. I doubt it could be helpful in SRT climbing, but it may be useful for rigging other things. I mentioned the class becaused I'm so excited about it, I had to tell someone.

The HitchClimber pulley is only $30 more than the CMI mouse, couldn't hurt to have an extra connection point.

Ace, You can definitely can use tha pulley in SRT in a RADS (aka: Yo-Yo)configuration but only one hole of the pulley is used in that set up and any cheap CMI pulley works in that case.