Introducing the treeMOTION Essential and the treeMOTION Pro

The wait is finally over and we are eager to share with you two exciting new products about to take centre stage in the Arb world: two new harnesses from Teufelberger – the treeMOTION Essential and treeMOTION Pro. These great new harnesses have been extensively researched and developed like no others, and include numerous adjustments, improvements, new features, and ergonomic fine tuning to make life easier and more comfortable for the arborist.  This blog will introduce the two new harnesses, focusing on their features and benefits, as well as outlining the differences between the old and new versions of the treeMOTION harnesses.

You may already own one of the original treeMOTION harnesses, and will no doubt have some questions, which this blog aims to answer. Furthermore, we have created a simple table, giving a clear visual representation of both added and existing features of the treeMOTION harnesses, equipping you with the information you need in order to make an informed decision when choosing a harness to meet your exact requirements. We hope that you find this blog both useful and informative.

In 2007 the very first Teufelberger treeMOTION harness was brought to climbers across the globe, and in fifteen years it has become one of the best-selling tree harnesses in the world. Over the years Teufelberger have continued to enhance the treeMOTION harness, making it more comfortable and safer, resulting in its solid reputation as one of the most trusted harnesses for climbers.

The product development and innovation behind the new harnesses have been second to none. Teufelberger have gathered the opinions of hundreds of climbers, dozens of partners and their 25 ambassadors over the last 2 years, resulting in their largest and lengthiest field test campaign in history. This has led to the best treecare harnesses Teufelberger have ever designed, and we are confident that the new treeMOTIONs will meet the expectations of most climbers regardless of their experience, build, and climbing style.

No doubt you’re wondering what the main features of the new treeMOTION harnesses are and what of the old features have remained.

A SUMMARY OF THE NEW FEATURES

It would be difficult to capture all of the dozens of new features and modifications that have been implemented to the treeMOTION harnesses, so here is a non-exhaustive list of the new key features:

• 10 years of life (from date of manufacture) – therefore deeming it more economical in the long term
• 3 sizes (small, medium, and large) – instead of just one size
• Double adjustment waist buckle – for further adaptability  
• Much more adapted to the anatomy of female tree climbers
• Double bridge now possible for both new treeMOTIONs  
• Openable side ring
• 4 attachment points for suspender/chest
• Improved comfort (enhanced back padding and additional leg padding)
• Much more bespoke – tailored to specific individual requirements, depending on size, type of job, etc.

The treeMOTION S.Light/Superlight, USCA and Evo are no longer being made as they’ve been superseded by the new treeMOTION Essential and treeMOTION Pro. However, Teufelberger have pledged to support the older models with spare parts and accessories until 2030.

KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW treeMOTIONS

An explanation of key differences, further design updates and elimination of certain features

The 10-year lifespan and the ability to change up to 10 parts of the harness renders the treeMOTION harness probably the lowest ‘total cost of ownership’ in the tree care industry.

The original harnesses had a life span of 3 years in stock plus 5 years in use. However, Teufelberger have now designed and produced their two new harnesses in such a way that they now have an impressive 10-year life span (from date of manufacture) – this it a total lifespan including storage and use.

The original treeMOTIONs were only available in one size. The two new harnesses come in three sizes – small, medium, and large. Additionally, the old harnesses had a WLL of 130kg. The new treeMOTIONs now have a WLL of 150kg.

Please note that the back padding of the old treeMOTIONs is not compatible with the new treeMOTIONs, as the design has evolved. However, the back padding of the new treeMOTION Essential and Pro are interchangeable with one another and can be installed on each.

SINGLE V DOUBLE BRIDGE

Teufelberger have completely reworked the whole design of the bridge are to reflect the needs and wants of arborists. Two of the original treeMOTIONs were only available with a single bridge whilst the treeMOTION Evo featured a double bridge. The new treeMOTIONs now come with a single 123cm bridge but the user can add a second bridge. The bridges are available in three sizes – 100, 123 or 180cm. The knotted bridges of the old treeMOTIONs remain compatible with the new treeMOTIONs.

BACK RESTRAINT RING V NO BACK RESTRAINT RING

The treeMOTION S. Light did not have a back restraint ring, whereas the treeMOTION Standard/USCA and the treeMOTION Evo featured a green back restraint ring. Research indicated that there was no requirement for this, therefore the new treeMOTIONs do not have this feature.

BUCKLES

SLIDING BUCKLES V COBRA QUICK RELEASE BUCKLES

The old treeMOTION S. Light featured sliding buckles. Similarly, the new treeMOTION Essential also features sliding buckles. Both the treeMOTION Standard/USCA and Evo featured a Cobra quick release buckle. This buckle has now been adapted on the treeMOTION Pro to include Cobra quick release buckles, which are double side adjustable.

Everyone would agree that comfort is hugely important where arborist harnesses are concerned. The harness must feel comfortable, secure, and well fitting. For this reason, further padding has now been added to the new range, and the ‘comfort’ padding retained as a feature on the treeMOTION Pro.

PADDING

The treeMOTION S. Light featured a thin back padding, whereas the treeMOTION Standard/USCA and Evo featured Comfort back padding. The new harnesses have been further adapted with comfort in mind. The treeMOTION Essential features standard back padding and has evolved to now include leg paddings. The treeMOTION Pro features the thicker ‘Comfort’ back padding as well as leg padding.

COMPLETELY NEW FEATURES

STRAPS

The treeMOTION Pro now includes both waist and leg red elastic straps – a feature that will improve the functionality of the harnesses.

GEAR BRACKETS

Both new treeMOTION harnesses now feature 2 x 3 gear brackets, with the Pro additionally featuring 2 x 1 small gear brackets for the downside.

ACCESSORIES AND COMPATIBILITY

You will be pleased to know that the third-party accessories which were compatible with the old treeMOTIONs remain compatible with the new treeMOTIONs.

OTHER GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Is your favourite harness the treeMOTION S. Light? If you wanted to update your harness and keep similar features, you should use the new treeMOTION Essential. However, if you preferred using the treeMOTION USCA/Standard, or the Evo, then the new treeMOTION Pro is the one for you!

OTHER BRAND NEW FEATURES EXPLAINED

You may be wondering what the purpose of the new red plastic parts (known as ‘bumpers’) are. These clever little bumpers have been integrated into the back padding, to mitigate potential shocks and eliminate any risk of abrasion.

All aluminium rings are now manufactured by Teufelberger and the buckles are manufactured by AustriaAlpine.

THE NEW treeMOTIONS AND SUITABILITY FOR FEMALE CLIMBERS

For all the lady arborists out there – the very first prototypes of the new Treemotion, Teufelberger incorporated the comments and suggestions of their female ambassadors into the final product design. The field tests revealed that the new harness was more adapted to the climbers’ female anatomy, but further changes were needed and as a result, the hip and back area has been reworked making this much more comfortable.

REMOVAL OF THE ALUMINIUM RING ON THE BACK OF THE NEW treeMOTIONs

What happened to the aluminium ring? Following the feedback received by Teufelberger, it became apparent that the aluminium ring was used primarily to attach the chainsaw lanyard. Many respondents said that this was too heavy and poorly positioned. Therefore, it was replaced it with a red textile loop positioned at 90° to the treeMOTION, which supports 30kg. The textile loop can be replaced by a black Teufelberger openable ring if required.

WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH THE NEW treeMOTIONS?

For ease of customisation, each new treeMOTION now comes with a wrench and a Torx T20 screwdriver.

RINGS AND LOOPS

The handy black openable ring can also be used on the rope bridges of your treeMOTION as well as instead of the red textile loop at the back to attach your chainsaw.

Also added to the new treeMOTIONs are 4 small red textile loops on the upper side of the waist belt – used for attaching a chest suspender (upper assembly). The best way for attaching it is with accessory karabiners. (NB This should not be used for fall arrest applications).

ELASTICS

No more painful pinging! Feedback from users highlighted the fact that that the round elastics used to connect the harness and the leg loops had a tendency to ‘ping’ suddenly onto the climber’s body. As a result, Teufelberger have used new flat and softer elastics to prevent this discomfort. However, old style round elastics (bungee cord) are provided with each treeMOTION and can be changed over by the climber if desired.

QUALITY STANDARDS

Quality standards are paramount – the certifications of the treeMOTION Essential and Pro are EN813:2008, EN358:2018 ANSI Z133-2017 for arboricultural operations, ASTM F887-20, CSA Z259.1-05, AS/NZS 1891.1:2020

REPLACEABLE PARTS

Here’s a list showing which parts of the treeMOTION Essential and Pro are replaceable:

• Bridges
• Openable ring
• Leg Loops
• Hip Leg Connection
• Elastic for leg loops
• Elastic cords for gear loops
• Chainsaw ring (back)
• Back padding
• Leg padding

We hope you’re looking forward to trying a new treeMOTION harness, and that this blog has helped clarify the features and benefits of each model. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a chat about the treeMOTION Essential or Pro.