Instructions / Assembly

8. Destroy and replace all worn or damaged OPE
equipment.
If evidence of excessive wear, deterioration, or mechanical
malfunction is observed, replace the equipment
immediately. Never work with worn or damaged OPE
equipment. Using damaged or worn equipment can cause
serious injury or death.
9. The inspector is the most important part of the
inspection.
Check all equipment thoroughly and follow all safety
procedures and guidelines. Do not take any shortcuts.
Procedures for Inspecting Climbers and Gaffs (continued)
WARNING: Should any unusual conditions be noted
during inspection that are not specified here, do not
use the suspect equipment until an individual
considered by OSHA to be qualified makes a decision
on its usability.
WARNING: OSHA specifies that all employers
covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act
are responsible for inspecting and maintaining all
tools and equipment used by employees — whether
owned by the employees or by the company. Personal-
protective equipment should be inspected before
each use and removed from service if signs of wear or
damage are found.
Maintenance Procedures
Clean and maintain equipment as recommended.
1. Nylon straps.
Wash nylon only in warm water and mild detergent. Avoid
harsh chemical agents such as degreasing compounds,
turpentine, paint thinner, gasoline, and other solvents.
Allow nylon objects to dry naturally. Do not use heat to
speed up the process.
2. Leather components.
Maintain all leather with Neat’s-foot oil or equivalent to
prolong life. Clean with saddle soap or other mild soap.
Allow leather to dry naturally. Do not use heat to speed up
the process.
3. Leg iron, steel sleeve, stirrup, gaff, and other metal
parts.
A. Make sure all metal parts are clean and free of foreign
material. B. Wipe metal parts dry with a clean cloth.
C. Maintain or replace gaffs as explained in this booklet
to preserve proper width, thickness, point profile, and
sharpness.
4. Reinspect all equipment after maintenance.
It is mandatory to reinspect the equipment after
all maintenance procedures to determine if the
maintenance was done properly and effectively.
Gaff Sharpening Instructions
1. Always use a fine-tooth file.
Never grind on a wheel, as you will create heat, which will
alter the temper of the gaff and make it dangerous to use.
A proper file is contained in the Klein KG-2 kit.
2. File gaff from heel to point.
Place the climber in a smooth-jaw vise with the gaff as
shown in Figure 19, so that you can file from the heel to
the point of the gaff as shown by the arrow in Figure 20.
Remove only enough material to make a good point.
Never cross file. Cross-filing weakens the point, and under
load it may cause tip breakage.
3. Remove any file marks by honing.
Work the honing stone in the same direction as the file (as
shown by the arrow in Figure 19.) A compatible honing
stone is included in the KG-2 kit.
Top
Ridge
Figure 19
Figure 20
Heel
Underside of Gaff
1/4"
Point
Side
Slope
(continued on next page)
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Dwg Name: 139107ART Dwg No: 139107
ECO No: 16974 Pkg Dwg Ref: 1502 Rev: B
Color Reference: N/A
139107ART - Pole and Tree Climbers Instructions.indd 7 6/26/2014 3:38:13 PM