Highlights

Most economical arborist bull rope. Strongest of its type on the market and our lowest-priced option:

• 3 strand twisted combo rope, can be spliced
• Cover: High-tenacity polyester cover yarns
• Core: High-strength polyolefin core yarns
• Sinks in water per higher ratio of dense polyester fibers
• Low stretch and high breaking strength
• Sizes: 1/2" to 1" diameter
• 3/4" Breaking Strength: 10,190 lbs (for comparison)

Description

Strong Rope: Our premium combo rope is the strongest on the market made with high-tenacity polyester cover yarns over high strength polyolefin core yarns. This high-strength combo rope is very durable and excellent for tree work and other demanding utility work -- while still being an economical choice. 

More Polyester: Our premium polydacron combination rope is white with a red tracer and has more polyester than most other polyester combo ropes, making it the strongest available. Most other polydac combination ropes float on water which means they are mostly polypropylene. Ours sink in water because they have a higher ratio of the more dense, stronger, polyester fibers.

Handling and Performance: These polyester combo ropes are low stretch and have very high breaking strengths. The polyester cover makes this rope soft and easy handling, but maintains superior abrasion resistance as well as UV resistance for the longest service life. These ropes also resist rot, mildew, and petroleum products. 

Pulling Tools: Our 1/2" 3 Strand Arborist Bull Rope is the recommended rope for the Maasdam Rope Puller. This puller can be purchased without a rope or with 100 ft of 1/2" 3 Strand Arborist Bull Rope that also comes with a hook spliced into one end.

Best Value Arborist Bull Rope: Our polydac combination rope is the best value available. We sell other ropes that are cheaper, but not as durable or high strength, and we sell higher quality ropes that are not as inexpensive. This rope seems to be the best bang for your buck if you are looking for something durable and economical. 

Our 3 Strand Arborist Bull Rope is the same rope as our Polyester Combo Rope. Visit this page to find larger and smaller sizes from 1/4" to 2" in diameter. 

Alternate Arborist Bull Ropes:

• For a stronger low-stretch rope, upgrade to Double Braid Arborist Bull Rope.
  
  
• For a stronger rope that allows for shock-loading, upgrade to a rope with a polyester jacket and a nylon core. 
  • Great: TreeBLITZ Arborist Bull Rope
  • Better: V-HEX Arborist Bull Rope
  • Best: Husky Arborist Bull Rope

Watch our 2 minute video for more guidance on how to choose the right rigging rope for your tree work.

Important Safety Tip

We recommend a 5:1 safety factor to determine the rated capacity or working load limit. To find the working load limit, divide the tensile strength by 5 for the diameter you choose. See specifications for tensile strength and working load limits (WLL). Do NOT exceed the working load limit. 

Breaking Strength vs. Safe Working Load Limit

One of the most important parts of rope safety is understanding the difference between tensile strength and working load limit. The Breaking Strength, or tensile strength, is the force needed to break a new piece of rope under perfect conditions. Safe Working Load Limit, on the other hand, is the safe amount of weight the rope can handle during real-world use, without sustaining damage. If you stay at or under the SWLL you have a much lower chance of a break, which means a much lower chance of an accident.

Typically your SWLL (or WLL) will be the Breaking Strength of the rope divided by 5. This is called the safety factor, and the more dangerous the use case for the rope, or the less ideal the use of the rope, the higher the safety factor should be. For example, a 1 inch piece of HMPE rope has a breaking strength of 110,000 lbs., but for a low-danger operation its Safe Working Load Limit is up to 22,000 lbs (110,000 divided by 5).

For operations where a rope failure would be catastrophic, such as causing certain injury or death, a safety factor of 12 should be used. For this high risk operation, the same piece of HMPE now has a SWLL of 9,166 lbs (110,000 divided by 12). Finally, that same piece of HMPE being used for a low-risk operation but with a figure-eight knot on a bight (non-ideal use of the rope) should have a safety factor of more like 7, putting SWLL at 15,700 lbs.

Knowing how to calculate your safety factor and SWLL takes some experience, the ability to recognize real-world physics, and the history of your rope. Read on to learn more situations that may weaken your rope.

A final important thing to remember about SWLL is that exceeding the SWLL may weaken or damage the rope, often in ways that are not immediately obvious. The more often you exceed the SWLL, the easier it will be to break the rope. Respecting the working load limit is one of the most reliable ways to avoid accidents and get the most our of your gear.

How Knots and Splices Affect Rope Strength

Many rope users don’t realize that knots reduce rope strength significantly. A bowline or clove hitch can reduce breaking strength by about 40%. Certain knots can reduce strength by up to 60%! Knots create sharp bends and friction points that concentrate stress on the rope fibers. Some knots slip under load, and others can jam so tightly that they damage the rope permanently. The best knot you can use is a figure-eight knot, which only reduces the strength of the rope by about 25%. Make sure if you are using any knots that you factor that in to your SWLL, increasing the safety factor by a representative amount.

In heavy rigging, lifting, and towing, splices are much safer because they preserve most of the rope’s original strength. A well-made eye splice maintains eighty-five to ninety-five percent of the rope’s strength, especially when paired with a thimble to maintain proper bend radius. Rope safety means knowing which knots to use, when a splice is the better option, and how different tying methods affect load capacity. If you have doubts about your ability to calculate the proper SWLL, speak with a seasoned professional, and err on the side of caution.