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Edge Rollers

PostPosted: Dec 5, 2012 4:23 pm
by Cheryl Jones
Anyone have any experience with edge rollers for the tops of drops (as compared to nice square roof edges)? Recommendations or warnings?
These are the versions I know about. All but the Conterra are heavy and expensive. :yikes:

RA/SMC Edge Roller ~$136 each unit. 3 lbs 2.0 oz (I guess 2 linked would be better than one.)

Conterra Edgebot terrain roller 13 oz. ~$66

And the ladder type:
PMI Edge Roller System 2 lbs 12 oz. ~$219

Petzl Set Caterpillar 2.23lbs. ~$135

Kong Edge Roller 2 lbs. ~$105

Cheryl

Re: Edge Rollers

PostPosted: Dec 5, 2012 5:02 pm
by NZcaver
I've used a few of these, and yes they tend to be heavy and expensive. Of course edge rollers are designed primarily for moving ropes such as those used in rescue raises and lowers. Not for fixed ropes, where a pad or wrap-around protection should suffice. (I know this is rather obvious, but it's surprising how many people don't understand that.)

Depending on your precise requirements and size/weight/budget constraints, you may also want to consider flexible plastic edge protection. These are a kind of hybrid between pads and rollers. They are lighter and cheaper than many traditional rollers and are usually well suited to natural curving edges. I own the 2-rope version of the CMC Ultra-Pro "ice cube tray" ($70 and weighs about 1 lb), and there is also the SMC Rope Tracker which is a similar price and weight and works even better in some applications. Hope this helps!

Re: Edge Rollers

PostPosted: Dec 5, 2012 6:11 pm
by wyandottecaver
edge rollers are also nice for easing the rope bend on roofs/windows, I-beams, well heads, and other right-angles...if you need that sort of thing. :big grin:

Re: Edge Rollers

PostPosted: Dec 5, 2012 7:42 pm
by snoboy
My experience with the Ultra Pro that NZ Caver mentions is that it is one of the best. The low profile keeps it stable, and the grooves work well for keeping the rope on track. For fixed lines, the wrap around pad style usually suffices.

Re: Edge Rollers

PostPosted: Dec 6, 2012 7:13 am
by paul
The fexible plastic type seems to work best when hauling, in my experience anyway.

The more complicated sort with a linked series of rollers don't work as well on sharper edges. In my area of the UK we have a lot of old mine shafts with metal lids and concrete surround, so you don't get a gentle curve at the top of the shaft at ground level (think manhole cover on a road).

The edge of the shaft opening tends to stick out between the rollers and casues the rope to rub on the edge.

Re: Edge Rollers

PostPosted: Dec 6, 2012 8:47 am
by Scott McCrea
I think it depends on the situation. Which causes me to be very curious about your posts. What are you planning?

I depends on how many you need. Do you need to string them together? How many? Long, rounded lip or jagged, sharp lip? etc...

This is one style that I did not like. It's too narrow and rolled over if the rope didn't stay in the middle.
Image

A buddy made one similar to this. Instead of having just round holes on the sides, it also had slots. So, it could be connected with screwlinks or webbing. When used with webbing, the sections could be spread out and arranged at the rub spots.
Image

Re: Edge Rollers

PostPosted: Dec 6, 2012 4:34 pm
by Cheryl Jones
I'm mulling how to make it easier to pull a (heavy) rope out of a deep pit by reducing the friction of pulling it over the lip. Also since, due to geography, the rigging point is at lip level, I was thinking that a roller or something similar would hold the rope off the top of the surface that begins at the lip to make it easier to grab or attach an ascender. If you see what I mean.

Cheryl

Re: Edge Rollers

PostPosted: Dec 6, 2012 4:43 pm
by Amazingracer
I have used the Petzl Caterpillar before. We used it on our fixed line at the Black Canyon in CO. Wasn't about to trust a small wraparound pad for 1600 of bouncy climb on a 90 degree edge. It worked well for its task.

I have used the ice Cube trays Jansen referenced at NCRC and rescue training at work. Those are a great cheap lightweight option.

But as others have mentioned it really comes down to what your scenario involves.

Re: Edge Rollers

PostPosted: Dec 6, 2012 11:43 pm
by Cheryl Jones
Scott McCrea wrote:I think it depends on the situation. Which causes me to be very curious about your posts. What are you planning?


I know you Scott McCrea! You're thinkin' that it sounds like I'm planning something you just might want to be in on! :laughing: :wink: