Synthetic Rope And Logging - Oregon

23field testing of Samson Rope Technologies Am-Steel Blue, and AmSteel Blue II synthetic rope come together to a “cooperators” meeting toshare their experiences, and sharewhat works and doesn’t work withthe product.This year’s meeting was held atthe Oregon State Forestry ClubCabin on the OSU Research ForestDR. JOHN GARLAND during the cooperatorsmeeting of those individuals involved in thefield tests on the AmSteel Blue synthericrope, in early May. The meeting was held atthe OSU Forestry Club cabin on the OSU Research Forest just outside Corvallis, Oregon.just outside Corvallis, Oregon inearly May, with about 20 participants involved, most of whom hadused the AmSteel synthetic line theover that span of time.AMSTEEL-BLUE is manufactured by Samson Rope Technologiesout of Ferndale, Washington(www.samsonrope.com). Certainly,there are other synthetic ropes onthe market, however SamsonRope stepped up in the researchand provided a lot of their owntime, energy, and materials tothis project.First, the rope itself is ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber rope. Thepolyethylene fibers are combinedto yarns and the yarns are combined into strands that areformed into various rope constructions including twisted,plaited, and braided. AMSTEEL-BLUE is a 12-strandbraided rope. This syntheticrope has a higher breakingstrength to weight ratio thansteel, by a factor of 9 to 10. Other favorable characteristics include high flexibility, low stretch(other than the newly formedeye-splice), and a specific gravityless than one (floats), and can beeasily spliced. Coatings can beapplied to increase resistance toabrasion, prevent contamination, and increase ease of splicing used ropes.The synthetic is generally thesame material commonly usedfor fuel containers.Weight differenceThe most obvious plus ofsynthetic rope is the differ(Continued on Page 24)See “Synthetic rope”PilingJuniper ClearingBrush RemovalSlashbustingThinningNeed Worker’s Comp Insurancefor Logging in Idaho?Call the Experts!The Associated Loggers Exchange is the only Worker’s compinsurance company in Idaho that is owned by loggers!We know your business!Both mechanical and handoperations performed.ASSOCIATED LOGGERS EXCHANGECall Blaine & Co. Insurance Agency14606 Anderson Rd.Klamath Falls, OR 97603Office 541-798-5601Fax: 541-798-5107Serving You Since 1984!www.ghranch.biz Circle 39 On Inquiry Card – Pg. 34Coeur d’AleneBoiseToll FreeToll Free1-877-834-24361-800-333-5108 Circle 40 On Inquiry Card – Pg. 34JULY 2004Second cooperators meetingyields some solutionsCORVALLIS, OREGONach of the past two years, logBy Mike CrouseEgers who were involved with theongoing Oregon State UniversityLOGGERS WORLDSynthetic rope and logging23

2424Synthetic ropeLOGGERS WORLDJULY 2004(Continued from Page 23)ence in weight. For a given diameter, steel wire rope is 7.5 (extra improved plow steel, EIPS) to 9(swaged) times as heavy as a comparable length of AMSTEEL-BLUErope (See Fig. 1). The synthetic ropeis also flexible and does not produce“jiggers” (sharp, broken wires withina strand) as handling hazards common to wire rope. The cost is aboutfour to six times that of wire rope inthe specially produced quantitiesnow available. The offshore drillinging with reviewing test results(anchoring) marine towing indusFIGURE ONE. Nominal breaking strength as a functinofrom other areas on similar syntries use similar synthetic ropesof rope weight for rope diameters 0.5-1.0 inches.thetic rope products, includingin applications parallel to logfield trials in Canada by FERICging.(Forest Engineering Research InThe breaking strength of AMstitute of Canada), as well as othSTEEL vs. steel products is siger trials in Austria, Newnificantly higher than in previousZealand, and in both Minnesotasynthetics as well (See Fig. 2 onand Colorado. The applicationsPage 25). Comparisons betweenwere similar to those being testedpublished breaking strengths forat Oregon State, although condisome common logging wire ropetions varied with locale. The syngrades and constructions (EIPSthetic line was also used in Newand swaged) and those publishedZealand on self-releasing chokersfor AMSTEEL-BLUE. At medias well.um rope sizes (0.5-0.625 inch di100 feet of rope length at loadingsameter), synthetic strength exceedsshown (an absolute percentage difEnd connectors researchboth EIPS and swaged wire ropes.ference of 0.3 percent more thanAt larger diameters, the syntheticne of the more eagerly anticisteel constructed ropes).advantage diminishes to aboutpated presentations was fromequal EIPS strength at a 1-inch digraduate research assistant JoelOther testing and otherameter. Rope elongation is alsoHartter, and the results of the reproductsshown for AMSTEEL-BLUE under(Continued on Page 25)regon State University’s Dr.loads in Table 1. These elongationJohn Garland opened the meetvalues are an increase of 0.3 feet perSee “Synthetic rope”OODR. JOHN GARLAND (standing) as Ben Stringhamtalks of his experience using the Am-Steel Bluesynthetic rope the few years during the recentlycompleted cooperators meeting at Oregon StateUniv. From the left are Steve Wimer, Mike Lulay,Stringham, Steve Pinkerton and Doug Schlatter.VARIIOUS pices of working AmSteel Blue and some Am-Steel BlueII on display for all to examine atthe cooperators meeting. Circle 41 On Inquiry Card – Pg. 34

25Hartter noted that seven of the 14 end connectors which were tested were suitable for commer(Continued from Page 24)cial use. He made particular emphasis that knotson the synthetic rope should not be used (sacrisearch he’s been involved with on synthetic ropefices strength, and because of the lack of abraend connectors for harvesting applications.sion, ultimately will slipThere are some obstaand fail).cles by the very nature ofFIGURE 2. Ultimate breaking strengths of common diThe central point tosynthetic rope’s characterameter ropes used in logging applications: comparisonkeep in mind in workingof steel wire rope with AMSTEEL-BLUE (UHMWPE)istics that have made endwith the synthetic rope issynthetic rope.connectors a challenge.when they encounter anyWith the AmSteel Blue, itsurface, that the surfacehas a low coefficient ofbe smooth, and if the ropefriction (about 0.08), lowis looped over that surfaceheat resistance (max.that it be smooth, roundworking temperature ised, and without sharp158 deg. F), and does notedges. With that and abond well to other materigood eye splice, you’reals.able to maintain the ropesThe rope’s manufacturstrength, and form a coner, Samson, recommendsnection with (as in thesplices only, and tests concase with synthetic wrapsistently demonstrate thepers) lengths of chain.rope loses very little of its strength from thatmodification.A new developmentA number of splices have worked well, in termsamson developed a second Am-Steel productof joining two pieces together (long splice), makcalled Am-Steel Blue II. “It’s two ropes,” saiding an eye by feeding the rope back onto itselfSamson representative Dave Strauss, “made to(eye splice), whoopee slings, that feed backresist the wear.” This was in response to the wearthrough the rope itself, which allows for lengththey were seeing in the log truck wrappers. Theadjustment, and Y-Splices.outside blue layer covers the interior yellow core.Knots or compressing the synthetic rope great“When the core is visible, its time to retire,”ly reduces both its strength and resilience, andStrauss reiterated “it’s a double braid. with thisepoxy proved disappointing as well.product its core dependent in terms of the load.”What has proven to work best is creating anThe product to date has been used primarilyeye splice that looks over an end connector. Thatwith truck wrappers.maintains the strength of the rope while allowinga terminator. Some original designs of this are(Continued on Page 26)not quite ready for public use as yet, but are exSee“Synthetic rope”pected in the near future.25LOGGERS WORLDJULY 2004Synthetic ropeS Circle 42 On Inquiry Card – Pg. 34JOEL HARTTER presented the results of his research on synthetic rope end connectors duringthe cooperator’s meeting. Hartter is a graduateassistant.

2626Synthetic ropeJULY 2004(Continued from Page 25)Other logging applicationsALOGGERS WORLDfew things to keep in mindwith AmSteel Blue, and likelywith other similar makes of synthetic rope. First off, while it hasstrength similar to that seen in steelrope, the crew using this materialhas to be aware of how they treat it,in particular as it concerns sharpedges and rough surfaces. For instance, you’ll want to make sure thestumps you tie to aren’t going tosnag or perforate the rope. Similarly, any surface the rope runs overshould be smooth, and withoutsharp edges that can cut thestrands.The rope has excellent spoolingcharacteristics, laying down on thespool very well, without the problems one can encounter with steelwire diving between loops and beingdifficult to retrieve. One plus several have alluded to, is the ability toget more line on the spool, whichhas some obvious benefits.MEASURING DEFLECTOIN with a plumb bob are a number of thoseparticipating in the Division 7 Forest Activities Code Rigging Demonstations at Oregon State’s McDonald Forest the day following the cooperator’s meeting. During this demonstration, they also had a number of working and static displays set up using the Am-Steel Bluesynthetic rope, which Oregon State has been researching for forestapplications the past several years.LOGGERS WORLDSUSPENDERS Heavy Duty 2” Straps Leather Straps or Heavy DutyMetal Clips Red or Blaze Orange with blackLoggers World letteringSome other applications: Haywire: one crew used about2,000-ft. of 3/8ths inch AmSteelBlue, in three sections. “We wondered how we’d string them together, and used a short strap with aburied eye on each end, and connected.” They hadn’t found any problemswith pulling it through the brush,and between the weight and its flex-12 Issues – 1 Year Subscription METAL CLIPS1 75Pkg.Inside U.S.A.11Send your order to:12002 Year Subscription – 2000 42” 46” 50”BUTTONS(Continued on Page 27)See “Synthetic rope”“The Logger’s Magazine,” isconcerned with whatconcerns loggers 42” 46” 50”for Leather Strapsibility, it is much easier to deal with.Again, you have to be aware of running over sharp surfaces. Drop line on a Boman skycar: The crew runs 9/16ths. “Wetied it with a knot and about eightwraps, then painted orange on thenext 50-ft. so they had plenty of no-Subscribe Today!LOGGERS WORLDPLEASE MARK YOURPREFERENCE & SIZE. LEATHER ENDS few.00Pair (U.S. Funds)Plus 3.00 Shipping(per pair)(Inside USA)WA Residents add 1 Sales TaxLOGGERS WORLD SUSPENDERS4206 Jackson Hwy., Chehalis, WA 98532Offer expiresDecember 31, 2004LOGGERS WORLDSend your check or Money order S4206JACKSONHIGHWAY4206 JACKSON HIGHWAYCHEHALIS, WA98532CHEHALIS, WA98532 12.00 for 1-Year Subscription 20.00 for 2-Year SubscriptionNAME:ADDRESS:CITY:PHONE: (STATE:ZIP:)WASHINGTON RESIDENTS: ADD 7.7% SALES TAX(ALLOW 3 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY OF FIRST ISSUE)