Synthetic Long Lines

[skullcap]

Just inquiring those who of you who have any insight on the use of synthetic lines on water buckets. Having just done some research, the Amsteel Blue(new name for spectra) lines have a very low tolerance for heat. Has anyone come across the problem of losing buckets and/or what measures do to you take to prevent this, ie, use cable at lower end or some type of sheathing. Am worried that if lowering bucket into crew doing IA and get too close to heat or tree blows up beside line that could lose the bucket. Have lots of experience with this myself with both steel and synthetic but have never had any problems, not sure what to do now.

 

sc

[skullcap]

Now what kind of a clown would be bucketing without a longline.

 

Sorry, couldn't resist there vr.

[bh205]

Some one that wants to actually get the fire going instead of just lookin pretty

[CTD]

High Modulus Polyethylene (HMPE) ropes, from which Amsteel Blue and others are made, begin to suffer progressive strength loss at 65 degrees C.

 

I personally believe they should not be used on fires, or anywhere other than a pristine environment with experienced and trained ground crews. They should also be retired afer 5 years, regardless of use.

[skullcap]

Yeah, CTD, am beginning to think the same. Tested a piece by pulling tight in a vice and literally ran a heat gun by it and it pulled in two with our bare hands(mind you a heat gun is a lot hotter than what is listed as safe)!!! Isn't it strange though that there have not been more failures. I think that we will install a lightweight stainless cable on the lower portion(40-60') to ensure that the heat is away from the rope.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

sc

[Jet B]

This is just silly talk... Spectra lines are the best. How likely are you to be lowering a bucket down to a mop up crew through crowning tops?? I say that if you are in a position to be exposing your line to enough heat to damage it, then your arse would be on fire anyway. If you are in the habit of dragging your bucket and line through the foliage of a raging forest fire, then good luck with that... :up: :shock:

[frenchwrench]

plus the last 20 feet is wet from the water..

[skullcap]

Well lets just say that you are supporting a crew or a few cats and they need water put specifically on a spot, not dropped from the tree tops. This then puts the downwash into the trees nearby. If you have not seen your downwash kicking up some flames then look around. And my worry is that maybe partway up a tree your downwash kicks up a bit of flame, 65'C is not that hot. All of this I have done and will in the future as well. It is not silly, just being proactive. I will be install the steel cable on lower end, you can stay bucketing from 50 above the trees and I'll work with the crews, cio.

 

Frenchwrench, generally the line doesn't get in the water and if you think it does in flight, the water spray goes back not up. Am not some child here.

[Guest CHEVY II]

All fired up now!

[skullcap]

Now that I have a few Golden Throat Charmers(to quote Duke Elegant) I'm not so grumpy, my apologies for doing my grizzly bear immitation.

 

Guess I don't like being called silly on a Monday morning, you'd think I would be used to it by now though.