CMI Heavy Duty Loop Runners

A CMI heavy duty loop runner is a sewn loop of webbing that you girth hitch, basket or choke around a limb to make a quick anchor. Arborists use loop runners for redirects, light rigging, anchoring pulleys and gear on the ground.

How arborists use a loop runner

A loop runner is the quickest anchor you can carry. Girth hitch it around a limb and clip a pulley for a redirect, or basket it around a stub to anchor a light rigging point. On the ground, use it to anchor a pulley at the base of a tree for a pull line.

Because they are sewn, there is no knot to untie after a load, and they weigh almost nothing on the saddle.

Carry a few in different lengths so you can wrap both small limbs and larger stems. Color-coding by length makes it easy to grab the right one from the saddle.

They also make tidy gear loops on the ground.

Inspection and limits

Girth hitches reduce a runner's strength compared with a straight pull, and sharp edges reduce it more. Check the marking for its rating and use runners within it. Inspect the stitching and webbing for cuts, burns and fraying before use.

If a runner is part of a climbing system, it must be rated for life support and used as CMI instructs. Keep rigging and climbing gear separate, and train to ANSI Z133.

Wash dirty runners in clean water and air dry them.

Retire any runner with a faded or missing marking.