Independent arborist gear picks · Typical prices shown, checked at the retailer

Brand

Hobbs

Hobbs makes lowering devices for tree rigging. The Hobbs lowering device gives the ground crew controlled friction on the rigging line so pieces can be let down smoothly instead of crashing to the ground.

  • Hobbs lowering device
  • Friction control for rigging
  • Lowering heavy wood

1 products

Hobbs

Hobbs H2 Lowering Device

A trunk-mounted friction lowering device built for heavy rigging control.

Typical $1,150

About Hobbs

Lowering wood safely is all about friction control. A lowering device anchored at the base of the tree lets the groundworker add or take away wraps to match the load, then let the piece run or hold it. The Hobbs is one of the established devices in that role.

Size your rigging line, slings and hardware to the loads you will see, set the device up per the manufacturer's instructions, and keep hands clear of the rope where it enters the device. Rigging forces climb fast with shock loading, so plan cuts that keep loads under control. Rigging should only be done by trained crews.