A 12-strand bull rope (rigging rope) with a polyester cover over a nylon core. Used for pulling trees and natural crotch rigging.
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- This product is made in the United States.
Great for
- The tight polyester cover resists abrasion, and the rope grips well.
- A strong, highly visible rope sold for pulling trees.
- Works well with blocks and pulleys as well as over a limb.
Another rope to consider
Specs
See all sizes
| Diameter | Weight (Lbs / 100 Ft) | Breaking Strength (Lbs) | Safe Working Load Limit (Lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 9.33 | 8700 | 725 - 1740 |
| 5/8 | 13.33 | 12400 | 1033 - 2480 |
| 3/4 | 17.13 | 16000 | 1333 - 3200 |
How it holds up
- StretchSome give
- AbrasionVery good
- Rot and mildewExcellent
Description
TreeBLITZ is a 12 strand braided arborist rigging rope made in the USA, with a polyester cover over a nylon core. The tightly braided polyester cover resists abrasion and wears well, and the nylon core adds strength and absorbs some shock. It's a highly visible rope for pulling trees and natural crotch rigging, it works with blocks and pulleys too, and it ties and unties easily and grips well. Among our bull ropes with a polyester jacket and a nylon core, TreeBLITZ is Great, V-HEX is Better and Husky is Best, so those two are the steps up for more strength.
- Sizes 1/2 in to 3/4 in
- Runs slightly oversized: 1/2 in measures 14 mm and 3/4 in measures 20 mm
- Can't be spliced: for a rope you can splice, see Husky
- Use a 5 to 1 safety factor: divide the breaking strength by 5 for the working load limit
Questions
About the rope
What is it made of?
A 12-strand braided rope with a tightly braided polyester cover and a nylon core. It is made in the USA.
Does it ship at the diameter I order?
The actual diameter runs slightly larger than stated:
- 1/2 in measures 14 mm
- 5/8 in measures 17 mm
- 3/4 in measures 20 mm
Can I splice it?
No. The 12-strand braid cannot be spliced.
How does it handle?
It ties and unties easily and grips well. The polyester cover gives it good abrasion resistance and durability.
Choosing a bull rope
Is there a stronger rope?
Yes. For a stronger rope that still allows shock-loading (polyester jacket over a nylon core), the next steps up are the V-HEX Arborist Bull Rope, then the Husky Arborist Bull Rope.
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?
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%.
Factor this into your working load limit by raising the safety factor. 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.
This rope cannot be spliced. On ropes that can be, splices are much safer in heavy rigging, lifting and towing 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.
