2 in. Ring-to-Ring Friction Saver

A ring-to-ring friction saver puts two metal rings at your tie-in point so the climbing line runs on metal instead of bark. This version uses 2 inch rings, large enough to pass a knot or hitch through when you retrieve it from the ground.

What a friction saver does

When you climb on a moving rope system, the line slides over the tie-in crotch every time you advance or descend. That friction heats the rope, glazes the bark, and can damage the cambium on the tree you are being paid to care for. A ring-to-ring friction saver wraps the limb and gives the rope a smooth pair of rings to run through instead. Because the rope runs through metal rings, it also tends to run with less wear than it would over rough bark, so your climbing line lasts longer.

Less friction also means easier advancing of your hitch and smoother descents, which adds up over a full day of pruning.

Install, retrieve, inspect

Choose a sound limb of adequate size, set the saver so the rings sit at the top of the crotch, and make sure the rings cannot be pulled through each other in your setup. Learn the retrieval method from a qualified trainer before relying on it, since the knot and ring order matter.

Inspect the rings for grooves and the sling for cuts, glazing, and abrasion before each climb. Life-support gear must meet the applicable standard and be used per ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions. Compare other friction savers here.