For Sale: 1850 Lbs Mule Tape - 5/8" wide

[Buffalo Skipper]

I too am interested! Please PM me when you get down to me, and we can arrange payment.

[Poppabear]

I have concerns about using 5/8" mule tape for tree huggers, when most folks are using wider, 1" strapping.

The whole purpose of a hugger is to avoid damaging the trees we hang from by distributing the load of the suspension. For lightweights, and kids I don't see a problem, but by reducing the strap size, we're again increasing the pressure on the tree, and possibly damaging the tree.

Has anybody looked into this?

Interesting question I will be watching to see how the discussion develops. While 5/8" in considerably smaller than the one 1 inch that is normally used in tree huggers. I am thinking that they may not do as much damage as one might think. Rope is obviously round and therefore the curved surface presents a very small contact area with the tree. Thus the possibility of causing tree damage. The 5/8" mule tape is flat and in my mind should distribute the hanging force much more evenly. Thus greatly minimizing or eliminating any possible tree dmage.

[Bags4266]

I did a job with verizon who gave me a ton of this stuff. They just throw it out when it was used just once. Past poster asked if it could be dyed? Yes, I dye mine black and it doesn't hold well but it came out silver the color of my sil tarp so it looks pretty cool. I like better than black.

[PapaSmurf]

I have concerns about using 5/8" mule tape for tree huggers, when most folks are using wider, 1" strapping.

I plan to make all the straps I supply 10 ft. and encourage my Scouts to wrap the strap multiple times if possible.
I'm guessing that this spreads the force somewhat, but it's only a hunch.

[HappyCamper]

Yes, the mule tape is flat AND soft and doesn't saw into trees. When I can I do multiple wraps, just for extra protection of tree.

[mike777]

I'd be interested in buying a box.

Thanks for the offer. Just PM me when you are ready for payment.

I'm thinking that this would be great to use with tarps, so you don't cut the tree bark as you slide the cord around.

[kebdvm]

I would be interested in a box or 2 for our scout troop. When you are ready forward me the payment information. Thanks

[Lonely Raven]

I did a job with verizon who gave me a ton of this stuff. They just throw it out when it was used just once. Past poster asked if it could be dyed? Yes, I dye mine black and it doesn't hold well but it came out silver the color of my sil tarp so it looks pretty cool. I like better than black.

That's good to know. I was hoping to dye black as well, but I'll take silver over white.

I plan to make all the straps I supply 10 ft. and encourage my Scouts to wrap the strap multiple times if possible.
I'm guessing that this spreads the force somewhat, but it's only a hunch.

I'm going to try and sew up a set with the straps side by side, giving me a little more than an inch. Probably just bar-tac across. I'll post photos when I get to it...assuming there is enough of this stuff that I get a box.

[Bags4266]

While I sew I don't bother with this stuff. I just put a bowline in the ends. It holds knots well. Yea it's not professional looking that way but as stated before its a loose weave and a single stich kinda gets lost. Bar tacks are the way to go if sewing.

[SlowBro]

I plan to make all the straps I supply 10 ft. and encourage my Scouts to wrap the strap multiple times if possible.
I'm guessing that this spreads the force somewhat, but it's only a hunch.

I am not a Quant by any means but I will take a stab at this-
Let's say the tree is 30 inches in circumference (about 9.5 inches in diameter)
Let's suppose our hanger weighs 200 lb
Lets say he has hung the hammock at the perfect angle so the pull on the suspension and therefore on the tree straps is equal to the weight of the hanger (200lb)
Finally assume that the weight is distributed equally around the tree by the strap (hugger) which of course it isn't, but we will say it does for now.

For one inch webbing we have 200lb per (1 inch by 30 inches or) 30 sq. inches. Or 200/30 = 6.67 lb/in*2 (psi)

For 5/8 inch webbing we have 200 lb per (5/8 inch x 30 inches or) 18.75 sq inches, Or 200/18.75 = 10.67 psi

So, using simple thinking here the force on the tree is inversely proportional to the width of the webbing ( strap, hugger). That is the narrower the webbing the higher the force, which is intuitive.

I would also guess the force is not equal all the way around, but primarily along the the side of the tree away from the hammock, so that would mean only half of that 30 inches is Really pressing on the tree which in turn means that you would get double the amount of force that I calculated on the back side of the tree. So think roughly 13 psi for 1 inch webbing and nearly 22 psi for the 5/8th. For a point of reference, a normal human blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg which is about 2.3psi/1.54psi. So if we applied the psi of the 1 inch tree hugger around your arm it would cut off the blood flow to you arm with more than 10 psi to spare. Or, since it takes between 7 and 15 lb of force to break a rib, if you wrapped the strap around your rib cage and applied the force you are applying to the tree you could easily break a rib.

Be kind to the trees

-Mark

P.S. Another thought here, is that the smaller the tree you pick the more force you are applying to the bark. So bigger trees are better.