ahhh, no you could not.
The Harken capstan alone costs (retail) about $1,000. Plus the one model that is appropriate for tree work (size, strength, etc) is a special order so it may even cost a bit more. That does not include sales tax, shipping, etc etc.
so you buy a capstan, ok now you have to buy the tie down hardware for cinching the strap to the tree, then you have to buy the strap.
After all that you still need to reverse engineer the fairlead and base plate.
All told your costs would come pretty close to the sale cost.
Lets say you are a first class welder able to set beads on hardened steel that will perform in shock load senerios without failing. Lets also assume you are a damm good designer/copier and can set up the welding to spec.
If you are this skilled you will know right off what the time involved would be to get this product finished.
Welders of this type get $75.00-$100.00/ hour. So you would do the math and see that the costs are high.
Oh I forgot, the paint. You could rattle can it to keep the rust at bay but this wears off real quick. Powder coating is what Greg gets done and that costs as well. Powder coating costs even more for a single project vrs. mass orders.
All in all I would venture an educated guess that you indeed could not, (and wont) get a GRCS unit made ten times over for the price of one GRCS. In fact you cannot get even ONE unit made for that price.
I know a little about these devices and have gone into extensive talks with the manufacturer (Greg Good) and have come to learn that the profit margin is less than you might think.
Now dont think I am biased toward the GRCS (well a little) rest assured I would turn on the manufacturer like a rabid dog if I thought the product was lame.
But this device is well made and works for the type of tree work I do. High end pruning and removals where total limb and wood control and fautless removals in multi millionair estates is required.
I have tested this device using a 3500 Lb. Volvo station wagon dropping it 10' and 20' into rigging (shock loading) and have the video to prove it. I did this also with the new Hobbs. Drop for drop the GRCS excelled. Not only that but the GRCS used was one of the first made, not the upgraded model available today. And the test was done against the newest Hobbs on the market. The Hobbs bent, the GRCS did not.
The GRCS on one test moved up the trunk and popped off the outer part of the capstan while the Hobbs bent it's frame. The GRCS required a $160.00 repair while the Hobbs requires a new rebuild of the frame. In the later test with the GRCS bolted to the tree it took the blow from the Volvo and did not bend, brake, or otherwise suffer any damage whatsoever. In fact it is in use today by Gerri Baranek winching big wood in Norther CA.
Any questions or if you would like to see the video it will be on display at TCIA in Detroit.
I hope this helps
Frans
Ahhh I forgot about the winch handle (thanks Greg from N. Florida) Another $100.00
