August and company! I don't think I can describe how appreciative I am for all the content you guys create. I've been climbing for 3 years now and, not to brag but, I've had seasoned professionals (20+ years experience) compliment my climbing style and proficiency in the tree. I would like to personally thank all of you for the seemingly limitless amount of information you put out there for others to learn/ take advice from/ emulate. Many thanks guys. Someday, I'd like to shake hands with you all. Peace be the journey.
I'm a metallurgist. I'm not surprised that the aluminum body broke before the swivel. The swivel is steel, has easily twice the strength of the aluminum. High strength Aluminum like that which would be used in the body also has limited ductility (
Yes, good comment - and in addition, the force of the ball (which pushed the casing apart to break it) was acting as would a wedge, and so was being increased.
I've had a couple zig zags for probably the last 8yrs., been climbing on the unicender for years now but after watching this vid a time back, I broke out the zig zag and absolutely love it for drt/drs, not so much for srt/srs... thank you, cause of this video I feel fully confident in this device now and moving thru the trees easier then ever.😀
Cool thing about the engineering behind it…if intentional or not. It slips at the point that a fall and sudden stop would over G and hurt you. It slips and slows you down before coming up tight! 👍
Please do a side load under tension on the links . As if u cross loaded them going around a limb. And with the chicane please cross loadings going over a limb. U guys are amazing.
Hey August loved the vid. I’m pretty curious how much load the prusik hitch can handle and maybe different variant hitches knots have more load or start to slip. Would love to see it!
See Richard Mumford's channel. He has performed exhaustive testing on tree service specific knots, ropes, and spilces. Also check out HowNOT2 for all sorts of other climbing gear strength and break testing.
Most tests never test the zig in srt w/out the tether system…great to know, really. The 2019 has more room for the swivel in that configuration (steep angles) without pressing against the alu housing…in essence the zig used this way turns a static line into a dynamic one per se in case of a fall. Very informative- and what I am saying here is in no way suggestive…thanks all
Me, too, man. I've been staring at that little shaft (stop laughing) for years, wondering if it's going to kill me. I heart my zig zag. I actually bought the one w/o the swivel when it came out, but had I seen your video.... Cheers from San Juan Island.
Well that test was interesting. The Zigzag was tougher than I thought it might be. I can't wait to see you make some videos with the Unicender. Is your new Unicender going to have the new drum and wear plate? I saw it in one of Richard Mumford's videos back in May. It looks fantastic now.
Ditto, the zigzag always looked fragile to me compared to the Uni. I have 3 and have never had any issues - just get them rebuilt when they start to show signs of wear.
I'm always a little nervous using my Zigzag....but now I'm like I'm Good. Damn the old ones are the size of the Zillion. Dope video Bro and this I'm sure Answered a lot of questions of a lot of people 💯
Awesome! Certainly inspires confidence in the equipment. It would be interesting to see the zigzag offered in case hardened stainless with metal-on-metal components treated with RF-85. Perhaps made in a smaller size for smaller diameter ropes, or the same size, but for rescue scenarios with multiple people on the same rope. I’m not suggesting Petzl R&D a new product - just thinking about the metallurgy and the physics in play.
I don't know if you've seen the test videos out there but I saw one roughly two years ago where they did a break test on the zigzag. I think I have it bookmarked on RU-vid. Anyway it blew out exactly like yours did. The swivel ball blew out the side of the aluminum side plate. So from what I'm seeing it's pretty consistently the weakest part of the zig zag in a straight line pull.
The CC was there on this vid. , I figured it was a Utube thing because its inconsistent on the other channels I watch , Love the new strength test machine !
Because you've tied the knot at the base of the link stack, you're only testing the MBS between the knot contact point (bottom link) and the anchor point on the winch side. The fact the rope slips through the linkage prior to breaking anything makes further testing unnecessary, however if you wanted to find the true weakest point of the ENTIRE mechanism you would need to pull from the absolute top and bottom of the device. Great test tho!!!! Thanks for the sacrifice lol :)
August I’m a traditional prison climber and I do use a zigzag but looking at the swivel when I’m 80+feet up u know can feel sketchy but this video put some fears to rest the petzel is damn strong brother ty
These tests are always cool and interesting. Plus you can write off whatever you test. Your accountant will make use of this information. Nice to see the Monkey Beaver staff in action. Is that Esmeralda laughing in the background lol Laughter is contagious, keep it flowing...
@@AugustHunicke I’m hopeful for that but if you could try it I would like to see at what point with a tight knot. I am going to buy some hardware after seeing your test. Thanks. Appreciate the video about your mom. Reminds me of my own who is no longer with us. Family is everything
LMAO! “Tomorrow, we’re gonna break the links.” HahahahahHaha! Thank you for breaking the old zigzag August. I’ll feel better climbing with the new one, tomorrow.
I’m pretty old school, did tree trimming in my teens and early twenties, then I got into lineman apprenticeship. We do a lot of crazy rigging still in our trade. Do these “mechanical hitches” ever fail involving injury? Do they clog up with sap or bark/chip debris? I’m just so use to my knots.
I have the same older model w/o chesty hole that comes on the plus. Knowing its rated to near climb line inspires alot of confidence.😁 So ummm ya. After testing that old zigzag, are you sure you want to switch to the uni? 😆
I’ve have my old zig zag a few years and my links are crack. Probably about 4 of them with minor loading. I still use it and it’s fine. Just some slippage from time to time probably from my rope getting worn.
can we take a moment to appreciate the zig zag,,,, and how you guys were putting your fingers in a metal hand slicer with 2500 lbs on it... that was balls
I really love my ZigZag for DRT work but in SRT it's just unwieldy. Love the Unicender in concept but it seems to have a couple poorly thought out design elements that have to be fixed with mods. Roperunner Pro is looking pretty nice.
I would love to see how much weight the zigzag would hole without a knot at the end of the links. Can you not a do a test of one, as its supposed to be used DRT??
The links feel SO sturdy on them, significantly bigger and thicker than a lot of motorbike chains. Think of the torque on a motorbike's drive sprocket during acceleration...feel better about your zigzag having to deal with a few dozen kilos of meatsack in a tree.
I am definitely more fond of the older smaller zigzag but only for SRT...now that it has some wear and tear it have purchased the Zigzag plus and I never use it ....bigger isn't always better Awesome video gentlemen
Time to dispel all the nonsense regarding mechanicals being unsafe! Thanks August and crew for contributing to the industry. 🤙🏻 Long live mechanicals haha.
Hello cool vid, I actually cracked two different zig zags I was in Virginia and New Jersey, it was heating it up zipping out fast when it was cold outside not side loading
imagine the load on the pin of a tractor trailer and consider the diameter of the pin...crazy strong stuff. Good test demo. thanks for sharing. Cheers from New Brunswick, Canada...eh.
2 tons before it breaks! unbelievable, and without a knot in the rope it was not broken. this is indeed a safe device if used correctly, and the new one is even more robust. still nice to have looked at this test, it may not be small in size but it is safe!
No, I think he's no more than 5'9" and he'll be 160Lbs if he does not overeat and balloon up to 240#. I am 5'9"-5'10" and I weight 162#, dripping wet myself. But I'm not big boned, and I doubt August is either.
I love your tester Did you guys build it if so did you do a a build video what strain gage is being used that talks to your phone really want to see more of the tool
Man I want that old one.he he hee.got the mumford drum kit ..it's much diferent wanted the reon, with the tender . seems almost better THE way it was but after one use uni was deeply scored' with out it.pine had that thing locked up in sap.but it grabs no doubt
Off topic but to sharpen your 1/4p Panther chain do you use a 5/32 file or do you prefer the slightly larger 3/16? Also is there a raker gauge that can be used for the chain?
Petzl seriously, needs to remake the new zigzag,more compact .and or do 2 versions. There losing out..big..it could be thicker gauge and remain small like that old one always wanted one older ones never can find one.they should make single cand double .instead of legal jargon.....thanks
Well, you put your money where you mouth was and came out on top. Now let's see all the naysayers try to pick fault with your choices and back it up with real world testing.
