Innovation in arboriculture seldom comes from a boardroom. It often starts with a problem, some scrap metal, and a climber frustrated by unreliable gear. The Notch Six Pack is a prime example—a lowering device that began on a workbench, outlined with six empty beer cans.
In a recently released behind-the-scenes video, inventor and professional arborist Terry Banyard explains how the Six Pack evolved from a rough sketch into one of the most adaptable tree-mounted rigging devices on the market. Terry set out to address three long-standing frustrations: rope twist, unpredictable friction control, and awkward setups that slow down a job. With a welder on the bench and a problem to solve, he spent months refining plate shapes, friction paths, and attachment options until he found a configuration that worked cleanly every time.
The result is the Six Pack—a compact rigging tool that bolts to the stem, delivering predictable, controllable friction without the bulk or complexity of traditional lowering devices. Its geometry supports multiple rigging configurations, making it ideal when space is tight or mid-line redirects might create unwanted rope behavior.
The Six Pack stands out for its origin: not created as a product, but as a fix for problems Terry faced in the canopy. Its design shows this practical history—made for arborists, tested in the field, and honed across dozens of prototypes.
To learn more about the Six Pack’s journey from idea to indispensable rigging tool, watch the video below. See firsthand how practical challenges drove its design, and discover why so many riggers are adopting it for their own work.
