ISC Rigging Rope Wrench (70kg)

The ISC rigging rope wrench is a friction device for lowering light loads, listed for up to 70kg, that crews use when a porta-wrap at the base is more than the job needs. It helps a climber or ground worker control small limbs and brush on pruning jobs.

Light lowering in the canopy

Plenty of pruning cuts are too heavy to drop over a roof or a garden but nowhere near the size that needs a full rigging block and porta-wrap. A light-duty rope wrench adds just enough friction to let a limb down slowly and in control.

It works with smaller rope and lighter loads than heavy lowering devices, so it is quick to set and easy to carry. See our other lowering devices when the wood gets bigger.

Unlike a porta-wrap at the base of the tree, a light device like this can be set close to the work, which suits single-person pruning setups where the climber controls the descent of small limbs.

Know the limits

The 70kg figure is a hard limit, not a guide. Shock loading a light device by letting pieces free-fall onto it multiplies the force, so keep pieces small and catch them with little slack.

Follow ISC's instructions for rope size, setup, and inspection. Check for wear grooves, cracks, and burrs before each use. Do not use it as a climbing device unless the maker says it is designed for that. Rigging should follow ANSI Z133 and be done by trained crew.

Store it clean and dry, and keep it with the rope it was set up for so the system stays matched.