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St. Thomas Ontario

What would be considered the 'safest' (not nessesarily the easiest) as far as stress on a large (900lbs+) fruit goes when loading. Could tipping a large pumpkin on its side while sliding a tarp under it lead to problems, or is it just mostly a manpower thing?

Thanks in advance

9/10/2009 6:18:44 AM

[email protected]

Rings are much easier & safer once the crew learns to tie a taught line hitch knot. Make sure to have a Boy Scout handy on weighoff day LOL. Tied correctly the knot comes free quite easily. Tied wrong the weight of the pumpkin will make the knot impossibly tight which will burn the clock & frustrate the lifting crew, growers & audience.

We use a tarp for under 600 lbs.
We use the ring for over 600 lbs. (give or take)

You CAN tarp the entire event if you have enough bodies with good backs. Just make sure they are all focused on safe handling & not easily distracted.

9/10/2009 9:19:25 AM

[email protected]

Rings are safer for the fruit too. You don't want to DQ a pumpkin because it split along a dill ring as a result of the scale team rolling it on edge to facilitate the tarp.

9/10/2009 9:31:34 AM

Ohio

Tremor, you wouldnt happen know of a web site I could go to so I can look at how that taught line hitch is tied?,, Most of the time when I try to tie this I get it wrong and its a pain trying to get that knot out,,lol.

9/10/2009 10:05:27 AM

Ohio

Found it.

http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2008/05/27/taut-line-hitch/

9/10/2009 10:08:07 AM

Ohio

http://www.proknot.com/html/tautline_hitch.html

9/10/2009 10:18:33 AM

[email protected]

Great job Brooks. Have you ever seen the movie "Follow Me Boys"?

9/10/2009 12:07:06 PM

Buffalo, New York

so what type of knot should i use when lifting my fruit?

i have a lifting harness from P & P seeds.
It is all black seatbelt material.

thanks..

9/10/2009 12:16:06 PM

[email protected]

We use a taught line hitch to secure a line with a loop in the end. That line cinches up the vertical straps by threading through their loop ends.

9/10/2009 1:37:23 PM

St. Thomas Ontario

Thanks guys...i'll be practicing those knots for the next 3 weeks:)

9/10/2009 2:39:33 PM

Nova Scotia

that pumpkin is going light just tie a string to the stock when you cut it off the vine and float her to your truck. lol as for that squash it's going to be a new WW 1351lbs my prediction lol

9/10/2009 3:21:44 PM

[email protected]

Once the line has tension on it, even a half hitch will hold so long as a ground-person adds to the tension by hand. Prctice on the first few fruit & you'll be a pro in no time.

9/10/2009 4:08:05 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Yep, if your rope isn't particularly "slippery", you don't even need to tie it. The person attending can slip the rope through a loop, then hold the end straight up... just be careful and don't let go! Well, for safety's sake, anything over 400 pounds ought to be tied. You'd hate for that guy to trip, let go, and the pumpkin fall (on him).

9/10/2009 4:43:56 PM

St. Thomas Ontario

I'd be holding the end. If i tripped and 'let go'...I would hope it falls on me;)

9/10/2009 6:22:15 PM

Ohio

nothing is a sure hold, I remember using a chain one year,,, and well,,,,,, You guy know the rest of that story,,Ha!

9/10/2009 9:06:50 PM

Ohio

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=75865

9/10/2009 9:12:00 PM

Hamburg, NY

Jeremy,

Don't experiment. Use only a "slip proof" knot. I suggest a "square knot". Slip proof and easy to get out. Best to be safe. Always test your technique first before you lift. /Ray

9/10/2009 10:17:41 PM

Iowa

OK, looks like a good knot, but how do you use it? ( you're not tying to a post or pipe, it's rope to rope)
A true square knot is a great way to tie two pieces rope together, but I would have to say maybe not the easiest to untie.
And make sure it's a square knot, not a granny.

9/10/2009 11:04:05 PM

[email protected]

OL Brooks - I'd forgotten your POS rusty chain.

9/10/2009 11:30:38 PM

[email protected]

Brooks - this isn't too clear but...

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=74837

9/10/2009 11:38:01 PM

Buffalo, New York

thank ray....

9/11/2009 1:14:34 AM

Hamburg, NY

"A true square knot is a great way to tie two pieces rope together, but I would have to say maybe not the easiest to untie.
And make sure it's a square knot, not a granny."

You can still leave a loop in one lead of a "square knot" - that makes it easy to get out. Just be darn sure that that loop is not caught on anythong that will pull it loose. Not a "granny"!

9/11/2009 7:22:59 AM

[email protected]

Ray is correct. Tied improperly the weight of the pumpkin will cause the knot to tighten....often to the point you'll have to cut the line to save the weighoff.

9/11/2009 8:29:10 AM