bob.dino 1 #1 November 8, 2006 Is there a consensus on the lifetime of a set of main risers? How many jumps should you do before replacing them? What should one look out for when inspecting them for wear? Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 November 8, 2006 I've gotten as few as 400 jumps out of a set of mini-risers and as many as 600. Typically the number people toss around is 500 jumps. Look at the top of the risers where the links are. Is there a lot of pronounce wear? Does it look kind of like its "melted" on the edges? How about the dive loops (if you use them) are they tearing? How about the bottom of the 2nd ring? Is the webbing wearing quite a bit? All in all risers are cheap. You can replace them every 500-jumps or so (or every time you get a new lineset, give or take) or you can simply wait till they break. Waiting till they break is the BAD choice. Same with your lineset. When you change the risers or lines, go ahead and replace your slinks.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
br0k3n 0 #3 November 8, 2006 Someting I noticed on one of my risers recently was the (not entirely sure of the technical name) the "locking loop"!!! for my 3 rings was damaged and about a 1/4 of the loop was torn. It would seem that the ring on the end of metal cutaway housing had worn through it.. It was easier and cheap'ish to repair.. Probably worth checking as its best not to lose a riser, especially 100ft from the ground.----------------------------------------------------------- --+ There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't.. --+ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazydiver 0 #4 November 8, 2006 One of the most prominent things to look at is wear below the grommet that the three ring loop passes through. Historically, this grommet has begun to separate from the webbing and be pulled upwards...not good. Cheers, Travis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #5 November 8, 2006 The answer to the question of lifetime for skydiving stuff almost always begins with "it depends." Others above mentioned things to look for. I will add "risk factors" that are pretty much the same as for canopies: do you jump in the desert, or in green grass? Do you pack indoors, on carpet, or outdoors in the dirt/sand? Has it been wet? Fresh or salt water? The best time to inspect risers fairly thoroughly is once a month when you clean and inspect your 3-ring release/cables. You do that don't you??? Have your rigger walk you through both if you need some guidance. I agree with the generic number of 500 jumps though. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCR10480 0 #6 November 8, 2006 500 jumps maximum...Period! After having one fail on deployment, I change mine at 300. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 9 #7 November 8, 2006 Type 8s... forever, if cared for properly and/or not damaged by some accident. Type 17s... (a.k.a. mini risers)... replace them every main line-set is a good rule of thumb, which translates into about the #s folks up-post have thrown out on how often to change them. OBTW... if you run across a set of Type 17 risers that is "un-reinforced"... i.e. not reinforced where the gromet is punched thorough the riser... I'd strongly recommend to the owner that they be replaced NOW! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #8 November 8, 2006 Tandem risers last two or three times longer than main suspension lines. Ergo, I try to replace tandem risers every 600 jumps or 900 jumps, or when they show fraying around the second ring. For example, I just inspected 20 tandem mains. Eight of them are due for reline (i.e. three inch difference across A lines), but only two or three of them are due for new risers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
recovercrachead 0 #9 November 8, 2006 QuoteType 8s... forever, if cared for properly and/or not damaged by some accident. Type 17s... (a.k.a. mini risers)... replace them every main line-set is a good rule of thumb, which translates into about the #s folks up-post have thrown out on how often to change them. OBTW... if you run across a set of Type 17 risers that is "un-reinforced"... i.e. not reinforced where the gromet is punched thorough the riser... I'd strongly recommend to the owner that they be replaced NOW! What about the big fat ones. I choosed to not go for the mini. I dont care that my slider doesn't go down all the way.Track high, Pull LOW!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #10 November 8, 2006 The large ones are Type 8 Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,989 #11 November 8, 2006 >500 jumps maximum...Period! Not a bad limit to set. We've seen risers with upwards of 2000 jumps on them that are quite worn but are still hanging on. When Amy points out that they should be replaced, a common reaction is "they wear out?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkeenan 14 #12 November 8, 2006 The people who sell them say they should be replaced often. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 9 #13 November 8, 2006 QuoteQuoteType 8s... forever, if cared for properly and/or not damaged by some accident. Type 17s... (a.k.a. mini risers)... replace them every main line-set is a good rule of thumb, which translates into about the #s folks up-post have thrown out on how often to change them. OBTW... if you run across a set of Type 17 risers that is "un-reinforced"... i.e. not reinforced where the gromet is punched thorough the riser... I'd strongly recommend to the owner that they be replaced NOW! What about the big fat ones. I choosed to not go for the mini. I dont care that my slider doesn't go down all the way. A little bit of Rigging / Gear 101... go checkout: http://www.paragear.com/templates/parachutes.asp?group=31&level=2&parent=193 1. Scroll down to Type 7 webbing... that's what the main lift web / leg straps are made of on most rigs. 2. Scroll down further to Type 8 webbing... that's what "the big fat risers" are made of / what most all main risers used to be made of "back in the day". 3. Scroll down further still to Type 17 webbing... that's what the "hip" "new" skinny main risers are made of on a large number of rigs today... a lot of chest straps too. Enjoy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,354 #14 November 8, 2006 Hi zig, Actually, quite a few newer rigs have only Type 8 for the main lift web (i.e., Jav Odyssey). And some rigs have Type 8 for the leg straps (i.e., Velocity Infinity). And some wide 3-rings risers are of Type 6; remember the Swift? There is not consistency across all mfrs, Jerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 9 #15 November 8, 2006 yeah, you're right, but but I was trying to make a general statement to pass on some general knowlege to some new folk... but had to get it all picked apart... fuck it... I deleted it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derekbox 0 #16 November 9, 2006 the people who make them say you should replace them. nice. on a totally random note. saw you at the airport a few weeks ago. tried to wave you down... but you were talking to someone... I would throw a USPA sticker on my new car... but I dont want anything that makes it uniquely identifiable on it while the police are chasing me... Muah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
