Knots and Mechanical Advantage systems
One thing I haven't seen elaborate discussions on here is mechanical advantage systems made with ropes and carabiners, and I would like to contribute to the body of info on this forum some knowledge I have gained over the years using these systems.
First- What is a mechanical advantage system? Basically a mechanical advantage system is a way to use rope and carabiners to move heavy objects. It is a way that one person with the right equipment can do the lifting of 3- 5 strong people. The two systems I use the most are the Z drag, and the Pig Rig.
Second- When and Where? I have used these systems to pull a Bull Elk about 100 yards up from a creek bed to a trail, pull a canoe off of a rock that it was pinned on in the middle of a river, pull 20 foot sections of logs up onto a flatbed trailer, and on and on. I have managed to do all this heavy lifting by myself with just rope, knots and carabiners. Basically, the ideal use of these systems are when you don't have many people to help, and a winch, or some other power tool can't help or isn't available.
What you need
Z-Drag System
(1) 100' 5/8" static line (5000 lb)
(2) 20' lengths of 1" tubular webbing
(3) 5' lengths of 1/2" static line (to be made into prussic lines)
(4) carabiners
(2) pulleys optional- can be done with the body of carabiners- just less efficent
(1) 50' rope- 5/8" rope better than 3/8"
http://www.sunrisecanoeandkayak.com/...es/pinkit1.gif
http://www.sunrisecanoeandkayak.com/...es/pinkit2.gif
In the next post I'll describe how it works
