A 3-strand polyester and polyolefin combo rope (polydac) used as an arborist bull rope for pulling trees and rigging limbs. Can be spliced.
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Great for
- A durable combo rope sold as an arborist bull rope.
- The soft polyester cover is easy to handle.
- The 1/2 in size is the recommended rope for that puller.
Another rope to consider
Specs
See all sizes
| Diameter | Weight (Lbs / 100 Ft) | Breaking Strength (Lbs) | Safe Working Load Limit (Lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 7 | 5875 | 489 - 1175 |
| 5/8 | 10 | 8950 | 745 - 1790 |
| 3/4 | 13 | 10190 | 849 - 2038 |
| 1 | 22 | 17000 | 1416 - 3400 |
How it holds up
- In waterSinks
- Rot and mildewExcellent
- SunExcellent
Description
Our 3 Strand Arborist Bull Rope is a polydac combo rope: a high-tenacity polyester cover over high-strength polyolefin core yarns, twisted in 3 strands. It's made for pulling trees and rigging limbs, with low stretch, a soft cover that's easy to handle, and good resistance to wear, sun, rot and oil. Most polydac ropes float because they're mostly polypropylene, while ours sinks because it carries more polyester, the denser, stronger fiber. It's our most budget-friendly bull rope. For more strength with low stretch, step up to Double Braid Arborist Bull Rope, and for shock loading, to TreeBLITZ, V-HEX or Husky.
- Sizes 1/2 in to 1 in. The same rope as our Polyester Combo Rope, which comes in 1/4 in to 2 in
- 1/2 in is the recommended rope for the Maasdam Rope Puller
- Splices like any 3 strand rope
- Use a 5 to 1 safety factor: divide the breaking strength by 5 for the working load limit
- White with a red tracer
Questions
About the rope
What is polydac?
It is short for polydacron, a polyester combination rope. This one is white with a red tracer. It has high-tenacity polyester cover yarns over high-strength polyolefin core yarns.
Does it float?
No, it sinks. Most other polydac combination ropes float because they are mostly polypropylene. This one has a higher ratio of denser polyester fibers.
Is it the same as your Polyester Combo Rope?
Yes. It is the same rope as our Polyester Combo Rope. That page has sizes from 1/4 in to 2 in. This bull rope page covers 1/2 in to 1 in.
Can I splice it?
Yes. It is a 3-strand twisted rope and can be spliced.
Using it
Which rope puller does it fit?
The 1/2 in size is the recommended rope for the Maasdam Rope Puller. The puller can be bought without a rope, or with 100 ft of 1/2 in 3 Strand Arborist Bull Rope that has a hook spliced into one end.
Choosing a bull rope
What are the stronger options?
For a stronger low-stretch rope, upgrade to Double Braid Arborist Bull Rope.
For a stronger rope that takes shock-loading, look at our nylon-core rigging ropes: TreeBLITZ, V-HEX and Husky.
Strength and safety
How do I work out the working load limit?
We recommend a 5:1 safety factor. Divide the breaking strength for your diameter by 5. Do not exceed that working load limit.
Breaking strength is the force that breaks new rope under perfect conditions. The working load limit is what the rope can handle in real use without damage. Going over it can weaken the rope in ways you may not see right away.
Where a failure could cause certain injury or death, use a safety factor of 12. The less ideal the use, the higher the factor should be.
Do knots weaken the rope? What about splices?
Yes. A bowline or clove hitch can reduce breaking strength by about 40%. Some knots reduce it by up to 60%. A figure-eight is the best choice, at about 25%. Raise the safety factor to allow for this.
A well-made eye splice keeps 85 to 95 percent of the rope's strength, especially with a thimble. If you have doubts, speak with a seasoned professional.
More help
How do I choose the right rigging rope?
Our 2 minute video gives more guidance on how to choose the right rigging rope for your tree work.
How does a safety factor work out in real numbers?
The safe working load limit (SWLL, or WLL) is typically the breaking strength divided by 5. The more dangerous the use, or the less ideal the use of the rope, the higher the safety factor should be.
Working out your safety factor and SWLL takes some experience, the ability to recognize real-world physics, and knowing the history of your rope.
Here is one example, a 1 inch piece of HMPE rope with a breaking strength of 110,000 lb:
- Low-danger operation, safety factor 5: up to 22,000 lb (110,000 divided by 5)
- A failure would be catastrophic, such as causing certain injury or death, safety factor 12: 9,166 lb (110,000 divided by 12)
- That same piece of HMPE 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 lb
What happens if I go over the working load limit?
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.
Exceeding it may weaken or damage the rope, often in ways that are not immediately obvious. The more often you exceed it, 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 out of your gear.
Why do knots weaken rope, and when is a splice better?
Many rope users don't realize that knots reduce rope strength significantly. 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. 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 85 to 95 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.
Ordering
What lengths can I order?
A custom length up to 1,200 ft, or 100, 120, 150, 200 or 300 ft, plus 600, 720 and 1,200 ft bulk lengths.
Can I order it with an eye or thimble?
Yes. Set each end: eye splice, thimble splice (standard or heavy, galvanized or stainless), chafe guard, or an 8 in rubber handle.
