A webbing loop thrown over a branch provides an anchor.
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Basket Hitch Details
Uses: The Basket Hitch employs a closed loop made of rope or webbing, as shown in the animation. It hoists a load or provides an anchor point. When someone uses the Basket Hitch to hoist a load, the load risks sliding out of the loop. Arborists use it to create an anchor point or a false crotch.
Name: Basket hitches are often used in overhead rigging and lifting. They create a cradle for the load. People use basket hitches in pairs. “. Ashley doesn’t explain them, but the name likely comes from their original purpose.
Strength: The one-inch tubular nylon webbing in the Basket Hitch animation can handle a breaking strain of 4,000 lb. Because the load is actually taken by four straps, the nominal breaking strain should be 16,000 lb. But the Beer Knot weakens the strap to about 80% – a breaking strain of around 12,800 lb. The 15:1 safety ratio applicable for critical loads would state a safe working load of up to 800 lb. Using a small sling around a large branch would reduce the sling angle.
Precautions: You can lessen the Beer Knot’s weakness. Place it above the branch where tension is lowest, like in the animation. Once set by a major load, the Beer Knot enjoys an excellent reputation for reliability. Yet, it is wise to assume that slipping might have occurred. Check both ends of the knot: you can see one tail end, and you can detect the other by touch. The choice of carabiner also affects strength. The forces on the carabiner create a triangle. Testing shows that the best shapes are an oval carabiner or a triangular screw link.
Alternative use: When the loop is long, someone may wrap it around the branch a second time. The best spot for the Beer Knot is below the branch. This also lowers the tension on the knot itself.
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