SherrillTree PORTAWRAP User manual

PORTAWRAP
Portable rope friction device used for controlling the descent of limbs, branches and wood sections in
tree care operations.
WARNING!
This device is intended for use by trained and
skilled rope technicians only. Read instructions
thoroughly and practice use away from people and
valuable property before engaging heavy loads (in
excess of 100 pounds). Use or misuse of this prod-
uct can result in injury or death. Use with caution.
Not designed for human support or transport.
WARNING!
Thoroughly inspect target and work site for potential
hazards and adjust accordingly. When rigging trees,
aside from inspecting tree’s trunk and anticipated
anchor point(s), also inspect tree parts that might
break free in the process of removing connected
sections! And also, as a general statement, tree fail-
ures can occur underground, so carefully inspect the
surrounding ground for signs of root related decay
or other weaknesses.
DO NOT CONNECT Portawrap to sling with SNAP
OR OTHER METAL CONNECTOR (always connect
sling with girth hitch directly to sling loop)
DO NOT attempt to control rope within 2-feet of de-
vice (hands could get sucked into rope path)
DO NOT OPERATE without rst bundling long hair
or removing loose clothing or risk entanglement
MAKE SURE you have enough rope to land target-
ed load safetly onto landing zone
DON’T OVER ESTIMATE the strength of your an-
chor point(s) or ropes. Expect the unexpected and
always have an escape plan from a hazard zone.
Components
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight; MED 4-lbs, LARGE 7-lbs
Working load limit; 2,000 lbs (900 kilos)
Acceptable rope types; polyester-jacketed
doublebraid or solid braid
(Do not use 3-strand or twisted rope)
Recommended rope diameter; 1/2-in.
(13mm), to ¾-in. (20mm)
Recommended sling types for anchor-
ing Portawrap; Whoopie (adjustable lifting
sling), Eye sling with 12-in. (30cm) spliced
eye. NOTE; should have minimum tensile
strength of 20,000 lbs (9,000 kilos);
INSPECT: Prior to use, always inspect
Portawrap and supporting lines for dam-
age or excessive wear. Replace materials
that show signs of excessive wear.
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SLING ATTACHMENT
Attach mooring sling to
long loop (sling loop) of
Portawrap by threading
the sling’s eye through
then passing over the
device to create a se-
cure cinching hitch.
SLING ANCHORAGE
Attach mooring sling to substantially adequate anchor posi-
tion for targeted load requirement
pipe
long leg
pipe
short leg
retention pin
guide loop
sling loop
YES NO
version: 021711

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RUNNING LINE
INSTALLATION
Insert a bite of rigging
line through guide loop
(top) of Portawrap
following the path as
illustrated.
SLACK REMOVAL
Before proceeding to the next
step it is important to draw the
slack out of line so that all is taut.
WRAPPING DEVICE
Wrap the working line
around the Portawrap’s
working end as illus-
trated.
IMPORTANT!! DON’T CHANGE DIRECTION, proceed wrap-
ping in the same direction as inititated.
LOCK-OFF
It may become necessary
to lock off the rigging line
while performing another
task. To do so take as
many wraps as possible (without overlapping line) between
guide loop and retention pin, then hitch pin as illustrated. If
you fail to make essential wraps before locking off there ex-
ists the risk that a strong load may cinch so tight as to require
knife removal of rope.
LIFTING AND PRE-TENSION
In some cases it may be necessary to
pre-tension the rigging line using block
and tackle. Illustrated here is one com-
mon technique utilizing ddle blocks with
separate reeng line (blue) and attached
prusik for speedy line advancement.
RUNNING LINE PREP
Before running line through
the Portawrap it is impor-
tant to make sure that line
will feed freely through the
operator’s hands and into
the device. Flake line from its
falling end, up to that leading
into the Portawrap and make
sure there are no obstacles
(stick, twigs, etc.) that might
obstruct ow of line between
pile and operator.
PRACTICE
There is a learning curve to knowing how many wraps will
affect the best control of various weights. Learn the Por-
tawrap’s limits by practicing with light loads (200-400 pounds)
in an unoccupied safe zone before employing the device in
an occupied hazard zone. 1 wrap controls about 330 pounds.
OPERATION
Using the Portawrap is a one-person operation. The opera-
tor should remove all possible slack from the system prior to
introducing a load from above. It is possible, and likely that
the device will fall just prior to engaging tension because of
slack that will occur when the load is initially released, there
is no cause for alarm. WEAR THICK LEATHER GLOVES
while feeding rope into the Portawrap to protect hands.
Feeding rope is easy, rope should ow smoothly through
hands. If rope doesn’t move freely around the Portawrap
when full load is applied, it is likely there are too many
wraps on the device causing excessive friction. Unwrap a
loop of line from the Portawrap without getting you hands
too close to the device. If half a wrap is causing the friction
you can move to the other side of the rope exit position.
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YES NO
2 wraps 3 wraps