Drop Line concensus

[GilaMinumBeer]

My plans in this hoppy endeavor were to have my drop lines in a "V" formation to allow 2 to 6 bines per plant to comprise the leafy goodness. Furthermore, my intent was to harvest the cones, whilst balancing on a ladder.

After much consideration, and a reality check, I have come to the conclusion that to do this would be INSANE at the least and potentially hazardous to my health. Literally like riding a motorcycle, "it's not if your gonna...but when".

So, I am curious. What methods does everyone else employ?

On your drop lines, did you go with a V or a single line?

For harvest, are you picking from a ladder, cutting down the bines, or using a pulley system to lower the plants.

I do like the idea of the pulley system, and have read that many have some great success with this but I wonder if the act of lowering and then hoisting has a detrimental, damaging effect on the bines.

So what are you folks doing.

 

[cheezydemon]

I was planning a v with 3 lines going up....more of a stick arrow pointing down, to allow 3-6 bines to climb, 1 to 2 to each line.

 

[TCHDNSD]

Mine has a triple "V" for the vines to climb and at season end I will lower them to harvest. I'll cut the base and then release the top and cut it away from the supporting cable.
Here in SW Idaho, the commercial growers cut the base and then come along and cut the tops free and load them into trucks to go to the stripping process.
Basically I'll do the same thing.

 

[david_42]

I use a single line and 2-3 bines per. Mine are setup so I can hook the ends with a pole and lay the bines down for harvesting. That helps the roots get ready for next year, but the pros just whack the bines off and haul them to the drier.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I use a single line and 2-3 bines per. Mine are setup so I can hook the ends with a pole and lay the bines down for harvesting. That helps the roots get ready for next year, but the pros just whack the bines off and haul them to the drier.

What are you using for the drop line to top wire attachment?

I am considering a similar approach using a hook at the top of the drop line but, I am concerned that the hook will "travel" along the top wire with the wind.

 

[Crazytwoknobs]

Tie-wraps or zip-ties or whatever they're called, if big enough could be attached to the top wire to prevent it from moving. Anything that could be secured to the wire really...

 

[CodeRage]

Tie-wraps or zip-ties or whatever they're called, if big enough could be attached to the top wire to prevent it from moving. Anything that could be secured to the wire really...

I wouldnt recomend using those. They tend to degrade rather quickly in the sunlught.

I am using a combination of a cable clips and rings.
http://www.webriggingsupply.com/pages/catalog/hardware/wireropeclips.html#A

Cant find the rings online but I picked them up at lowes. I clipped the rings to cable using the clips. Ill then run my sisal through the ring and tie it off to the trellis. This way I can drop the bines and run new sisal without teetering on a ladder.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I wouldnt recomend using those. They tend to degrade rather quickly in the sunlught.

I am using a combination of a cable clips and rings.
http://www.webriggingsupply.com/pages/catalog/hardware/wireropeclips.html#A

Cant find the rings online but I picked them up at lowes. I clipped the rings to cable using the clips. Ill then run my sisal through the ring and tie it off to the trellis. This way I can drop the bines and run new sisal without teetering on a ladder.

Ha. This is exactly what I decided to go with after spending an hour in Lowes brainstorming.

I am attaching a cable clip to the top wire with a modified S hook. Modified meaning I have bent it to close the open ends. The side the clip attaches to is closed completely and the other end is bent just enough to still let the ring pass and seat into the hook. To the drop line I am tying on a welded ring. I also got a long piece of EMT (Conduit), smashed the end, and cut in a grovve for the ring.

The plan is to hook onto the ring with the conduit to raise and lower the drop line/bines at will.:fro: