Seriously, if you see these as a cheaper alternative to the playtpus system leave them where they are on the shelf. I'd rather slash my wrists than waste my time with these again.
The catch on the ratchet system is so, so pitiful. There is no real way to hold the rathcet as you tighten the system, its just hit and miss if the tooth catches. Yes, on a nice hard flat surface i imagine it would be ok, but when you are struggling at ground level on soils not the case.
Even when you manage to get the thing nice and tight and the tooth to catch heres what happens. If your tree is exposed to wind a good rock can unsettle the tooth and hey presto your anchor is useless. Im not talking pulling the thing about with a strap attached to a digger, just moving the trunk by hand....
In short, pitiful. Avoid at all costs.
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Thanks for that. I've been looking into tree anchors lately. Platipus is the only one offered by two of my suppliers, Green-tech and ALS.
Any other experiences with alternative tree anchors anyone?
Better method in my opinion. I use Gripple tensioners with galv cable passed over a picture frame, on top of the root ball. This allows for a much slimmer profile and easier to disguise with a layer of bark, but still accessible should re-tensioning be required.
For the anchors, 4 no 600mm mild steel angle iron, driven into base of the planting holes at an angle to the tension. Do take care of underground services using this method. If services are present then use sleeper or kerb deadmen placed in the bottom of the planting hole
http://www.landscapeplus.com/products.aspx?productId=456
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JKz4vc69K3n3ubumnMPyedMTjNZET...
clive
www.thehandmadegarden.com
I work for a company in Sheffield called Gripple. We are looking into using our ground anchor range for rootball anchoring. here are our current ground anchors http://www.gripple.com/products/catalogue/agricultural/products/gri...
My project is to look in to the market and the current practices and find out the problems so we can solve them and i'd be interested to hear your views on the subject if you have the time to respond.
thanks
Jonathan
j.pankethman@gripple.com
0114 2288705
Jonathan
I dont use any ground driven anchors now unless they are specified. I use deadman systems now all the way. I had a look at your page and im interested in using the GPAK youhave there. I currently make my own anchors from heavy gauge galved wire but your system there with loop may come in handy if the price is right.
Can you drop me an email ocastledine@blakedownlandscapes.com