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Location

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Date Posted

Georgia

I purchased a set of lifting straps made from seat belts. I am still not understanding the how the bottom strap that sinches the bottom of the pumpkin works.

Not sure why that bottom strap is a head scratcher for me. All the other straps have loops on both ends which makes sense, but I don't understand how to the loopless strap that goes around the bottom of the pumpkins is somehow tied off.

9/8/2024 8:27:25 AM

Germany

The bottom strap is used the same way that others are using some kind of rope which goes through the bottom loops. Does that answer your question, or are you asking for which kind of knot to use for the bottom strap (regardless if it´s seatbelt material or any other rope)?

9/8/2024 8:49:58 AM

Grittyville, WA

The bottom strap is tied to itself. I've been wondering what the correct knot to use is called. Is it a slipknot plus a couple extra hitches? I wish someone smart would do a video on it. I'd go with a square knot but I guess for certain ropes or pumpkins it would get too tight.

9/8/2024 12:22:12 PM

Cheshire Ma USA

I replaced my bottom strap with a heavy duty 1" braided rope. works much better than the strap

9/8/2024 3:00:39 PM

Norwich, NY

I’m sure I’ve been doing it wrong, but for me…. I put my rope through the loops and then bring it back the way it came (putting it underneath itself. As I do that I be sure I’ve tightened everything around the base of the kin. As the kin is lifted everything tightens up on itself. If I ever grow bigger than 1423 I might do different.

9/8/2024 9:42:14 PM

Syracuse, NY

See:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=734016

also:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=313730

Concerning how do I do it?
Oh, stand back, everyone, lol---

eg

[Last edit: 09/08/24 10:17:15 PM]

9/8/2024 10:10:32 PM

Germany

In the past few years I used a simple knot and bow, basically the way you would use them in the shoelace, and then (before the pumpkin was lifted) I placed the four ends (the two ears of the bow and the two simple ends) under one of the lifting straps, so that upon lifting the lifting strap would press the four ends against the wall of the fruit and thus prevents the bow from losening. Once the pumpkin has been lowered onto a pallet or scales, the pressure is gone and you can easily take the ends and open the bow. Alternatively, you can hold the ends of the bow in your hand while the fruit is hanging in the lifting straps and is being moved.

Have added a pic to my diary, it might help with the explanation. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=349098

Need to point out that this works with a rope (as you can see in the pic), but I haven´t tried it with that seat belt material. Some years ago, when I had used that strap of seat belt material in place of that rope, I had used the sheet bend knot.

[Last edit: 09/09/24 6:49:26 AM]

9/9/2024 2:17:47 AM

Indiana

I did the same as DKrus. Strap seemed like it was to slick and wanted to slip.

9/9/2024 5:12:12 AM

Georgia

Thank you guys for all the great responses. It always looks so easy in the videos without much explanation. To me, the bottom piece is the money shot not the tripod or the side straps. I have always felt like I should turn in my man card when someone is tying things off with some super cool knot.

It just seems like magic the way the bottom strap/rope cinches under.

Thanks again.

[Last edit: 09/11/24 1:17:33 AM]

9/11/2024 1:12:51 AM

Wisconsin

I use a 3/4" "dock line" with a spliced eye, The spliced eye is as strong as any knot and doesn't dig into your pumpkin. Typically these Dock ropes are pretty soft also and don't scratch up your pumpkin.

9/24/2024 8:56:41 AM