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hank moon wrote:I have been told that a pressure washer can damage rope by forcing contaminants into and/or through the sheath. I have not seen any testing to verify this. Petzl warns against using them in their instructions for use (see below). Anyone have emperical info on this topic?

Actually I believe that's Petzl's warning against allowing Daleks near your rope.

Stridergdm wrote:Actually I believe that's Petzl's warning against allowing Daleks near your rope.

Yep. Which seems to suggest Petzl is in an alternate dimension with some of these warnings.

Stridergdm wrote:Actually I believe that's Petzl's warning against allowing Daleks near your rope.

I'll ask Petzl about the...Aqualek problem

hank moon wrote:I have been told that a pressure washer can damage rope by forcing contaminants into and/or through the sheath. I have not seen any testing to verify this. Petzl warns against using them in their instructions for use (see below). Anyone have emperical info on this topic?

This is Bruce Smith's Myth No. 8 .
http://www.onrope1.com/Myth8.htm

Just in case it got lost on the previous page, I tested the pressure washer theory. http://caveworthy.blogspot.com/2009/05/ ... -rope.html

Scott McCrea wrote:Just in case it got lost on the previous page, I tested the pressure washer theory. http://caveworthy.blogspot.com/2009/05/ ... -rope.html

Great Scott! Someone still does backyard testing? Nice work.

So...your test sample was a well-used PMI pit rope. Very thick, tightly braided sheath. Further tightened with use. Pretty impervious, apparently.

I wonder what would be revealed with a nearly-new PMI pit rope? Or a thin-sheathed climbing rope?

Even if dirt could be forced through into the core, would it do any damage to the rope?

I haven't tested any other types of rope, but Tim addressed in the comments under the report.

Scott McCrea wrote:I haven't tested any other types of rope, but Tim addressed in the comments under the report.

THanks!

It is worth mention that higher psi pressure washers will actually damage the sheath of the rope. Your average "residential" grade unit probably doesn't have high enough psi, but probably still a good idea to start with the wand a reasonable distance away from the rope and move it closer to observe the effect.

I like to use a rope washer like the Bokat or CMI. This has the added benefit of reminding you to inspect the entire sheath of your rope while you are cleaning it.

PeterFJohnson wrote:It is worth mention that higher psi pressure washers will actually damage the sheath of the rope. Your average "residential" grade unit probably doesn't have high enough psi, but probably still a good idea to start with the wand a reasonable distance away from the rope and move it closer to observe the effect.

I had heard this too, but I don't recall seeing any actual proof. Have you personally experienced physical damage and/or a reduction in MBS caused by a pressure washer?

NZcaver wrote:

PeterFJohnson wrote:It is worth mention that higher psi pressure washers will actually damage the sheath of the rope. Your average "residential" grade unit probably doesn't have high enough psi, but probably still a good idea to start with the wand a reasonable distance away from the rope and move it closer to observe the effect.

I had heard this too, but I don't recall seeing any actual proof. Have you personally experienced physical damage and/or a reduction in MBS caused by a pressure washer?

I've used Landa 8gpm washers with heat stacks on industrial cleaning jobs, and while I haven't tried to cut Pit rope, I have no doubt that they could do so. I've cut through electric lines, 3/4" woven poly rope, sheets of plywood and other assorted stuff. One guy cut through his boots and foot. Of course, many of these things are "softer" than static rope. Using different tips makes a big difference too. We were working with zero or rotating "turbo" tips. With a wide fan tip, even 8 gpm may be harmless.

GroundquestMSA wrote:I've used Landa 8gpm washers with heat stacks on industrial cleaning jobs, and while I haven't tried to cut Pit rope, I have no doubt that they could do so. I've cut through electric lines, 3/4" woven poly rope, sheets of plywood and other assorted stuff. One guy cut through his boots and foot. Of course, many of these things are "softer" than static rope. Using different tips makes a big difference too. We were working with zero or rotating "turbo" tips. With a wide fan tip, even 8 gpm may be harmless.

Oooo! Sweet! You gotta try this and post a video. Also try cutting thru a loaded rope with it.

Scott McCrea wrote:Oooo! Sweet! You gotta try this and post a video. Also try cutting thru a loaded rope with it.

Yes please.

NZcaver wrote:

Scott McCrea wrote:Oooo! Sweet! You gotta try this and post a video. Also try cutting thru a loaded rope with it.

Yes please.

I don't own one of these massive pressure washers. I travel to do two or three jobs a year that use them. The next one is in December, but I'll try to remember to bring a chunk of rope for you guys.