Rope Tackle for Pioneering Use (Trucker's Hitch)

When you want to lift or pull more than your own strength will permit, or when you want to make a heavy lifting job a little easier, the rope tackle is a device that can be used.

The idea behind a rope tackle is similar to that of a tackle using blocks and pulleys. In a rope tackle, one lead (end) of the rope has to be fixed. That is, it has to be anchored around a spar or tied through a ring or other piece of hardware that doesn’t move.

Follow this link for a full description with diagrams and illustrations: ROPE TACKLE FOR PIONEERING USE

Start with a Butterfly Knot in the desired position along the standing part of the rope.

When there is lots of line, make a bight in the running end and feed it through the fixed loop of the Butterfly Knot.

To tighten the line, grab a hold of the bight and pull it towards the anchor.

When the desired tension is put on the line, with one hand, keep the line taut, and holding the bight in the other hand, use the bight to form a half hitch around both tight lines.

As the half hitch is secured, maintain the tension on the line by pinching the standing part, making sure it doesn’t slip.

Still maintaining the tension on the tightened lines in the standing part, cinch the half hitch up close to the fixed loop of the Butterfly Knot.

As an added measure, tie another half hitch around the tightened lines. All excess rope should be coiled under the knots.