Standards Development

Scope

This standard specifies basic test and condition requirements for deflection pulleys and sling gear which are attached to ropes and rope end connectors in forestal applications.

It is applicable to forestal hauling operations including rope assisted felling.

This standard is applicable to the following elements, sling gear and fastening elements:

— deflection pulleys used in forestal hauling operation (see 3.22);

— choker ropes;

— choker chains;

— radio controlled chokers;

— shackles;

— round slings/tree protectors;

— tree towing ropes;

— rope slide hooks/rope sliders/choker hooks. It is not applicable to the following sling gear:

— the functional safety of radio controlled chokers;

— non-sheathed tree towing ropes made of synthetic fibres;

— slings and deflection pulleys for the function and structure of mobile yarders as defined on prEN 16517 (e.g. for the installation of the haul-back line).

Purpose

Sling gear for forestal use follows often standards for lifting appliances. This has the effect that choosing appropriate sling gear for forestal use is generally a cumbersome process where often either too heavy or too weak sling gear is used. This may lead either to over-burdening operators who have to carry too heavy gear or to endangering them if sling gear with insufficient strength is used.