CMI Micro Pulley for Hitch Tending

The CMI micro pulley is a compact pulley for hitch tending, placed under your climbing hitch so you can pull slack through with one hand. CMI is a US maker of rope rescue and climbing hardware, and this pulley is sized for arborist hitch systems.

What a hitch tending pulley does

In a hitch-based climbing system, the pulley sits between the hitch and the rope tail, clipped to the same bridge or carabiner. When you pull the tail, the pulley pushes the hitch up the line, so slack comes in with one hand and the hitch stays dressed.

That makes a big difference on a long ascent or when you are walking out a limb and need to keep slack tight. A small pulley keeps the setup short so you lose less height each time you advance.

A compact pulley also has less to snag on as you move through the canopy. On a busy saddle with a top-handle saw, hand saw and lanyard, small hardware keeps the front of the bridge clean and easy to work with, which matters most when you are tending slack hand over hand on a long ascent.

Checking fit and wear

Make sure the pulley fits the rope diameter you climb on and the carabiner you use to connect it. Check that the side plates open and close properly and that the sheave spins freely.

Inspect for grooves, cracks, deformation and stiff bearings before each climb, and retire it if anything looks off. Use it within CMI's instructions and ANSI Z133 practice, and get trained on your climbing system. See more in micro pulleys.