Arbor Hitch Testing Summary
Sterling conducted a series of static and dynamic tests of popular hitches commonly used in the arbor industry. The purpose of the testing was to provide comparative data for the arbor community on hitch performance. The data presented is for educational purposes only and is not a guarantee of performance. All tests were conducted with new products. The data concludes that different hitches on different ropes provide different results so it is important to ensure components in a climbing system are compatible. Note: 1 kN is equal to 224.8 lbs.
Static Pull Tests This test procedure is a modified version of ANSI Z359.3 Slow Pull Test for Rope Adjusters. We created a test program that will set the hitch at 0.98 kN (approximate load for body weight), reduce the load to approximately 0.0 kN and then ramp to 4.45 kN. We then measured the slippage. Dynamic Drop Test These tests were conducted using a test mass of 100 kg. A fall factor 0.3 was used, which is the free fall distance divided by the length of the rope in the system. The hitch is tied to the host rope and then anchored to the test mass. The hitch is set prior to drop test. The mass is then raised to the prescribed drop height and released. For more information on hitches tested as well as expanded details on the tests performed, please go to sterlingrope.com.
Valdotain Tresse RIT 500 8 mm Hitch Cord
Static Pull Test Results
Drop Test Results
Host Rope
Average Max Holding Load (kN)
Average Slip at 4.45 kN (cm)
Average Impact Force FF=0.3 (kN)
Average Slip (cm)
3/8" HTP™
7.75
1.3
6.11
11.3
7/16" HTP
9.29
1.3
7.43
5.5
Tech11™
16.07
1.7
4.56
9.5
Tendril™
6.80
1.7
5.30
4.4
Scion™
5.60
3.8
5.08
8.7
Schwabisch 4 Wrap RIT 500 8 mm Hitch Cord
Static Pull Test Results
Drop Test Results
Host Rope
Average Max Holding Load (kN)
Average Slip at 4.45 kN (cm)
Average Impact Force FF=0.3 (kN)
Average Slip (cm)
3/8" HTP
7.78
0.9
7.11
5.4
7/16" HTP
9.05
0.6
7.20
7.8
Tech11
3.78
*
4.00
26.1
Tendril
8.92
0.7
5.36
1.1
Scion
6.52
0.5
5.08
2.2
Schwabisch 5 Wrap RIT 500 8 mm Hitch Cord
Static Pull Test Results
Drop Test Results
Host Rope
Average Max Holding Load (kN)
Average Slip at 4.45 kN (cm)
Average Impact Force FF=0.3 (kN)
Average Slip (cm)
Tech11
10.19
7.33
5.21
3.0
Distel RIT 500 8 mm Hitch Cord
Static Pull Test Results
Drop Test Results
Host Rope
Average Max Holding Load (kN)
Average Slip at 4.45 kN (cm)
Average Impact Force FF=0.3 (kN)
Average Slip (cm)
3/8" HTP
2.74
*
3.68
67.5
7/16" HTP
3.79
*
1.86
88.8
Tech11
3.96
*
1.43
**
Tendril
4.91
1.3
4.98
7.8
Scion
5.21
2.1
5.00
6.2
* Target load of 4.45 kN held for 60 seconds not achieved ** Did not catch—Mass hit the floor.
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Arbor 2016 | Tech Specs