The Rope Wrench is meant to be used by arborists servicing, accessing, or maintaining trees in conjunction
with a Single Rope Technique (SRT) conguration. The Rope Wrench is a friction control device that allows
a climber to ascend and descend a single rope without changing equipment. When used as part of a
secure hitch based climbing system, it allows the climber to smoothly control the rate of descent by
adding friction to the climbing system.
The Rope Wrench is NOT:
•a life support device. It is, however, a load- bearing device that may
bear more than 50% of the climbers weight during the climb;
•for use without a life supporting friction hitch or similar device
that will immediately stop descent in an emergency situation;
•for use by persons novice to SRT techniques;
•an SRT training device.
The Rope Wrench has two gears, neutral and engaged, as shown below.
Neutral Gear
(Fig 1a) The climbing rope can pass freely through the Rope Wrench.
Engaged Gear
(Fig 1b) Due to downward loading on the tether attachment point, the climbing rope is bent into an S
shape by the Wheel and the Slic Pin. The climbing rope may still pass through the Rope Wrench, but the
Slic Pin and Wheel apply friction that slows it down.
Intent and Purpose
Basic Operation
Fig 1a
Neutral Gear
Fig 1b
Engaged Gear
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