- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - - (CLF2000) Advanced Core Cluster: AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS (CLF2600) Unit Title: ROPEWORK ________________________________________________________________________ (CLF2603) Topic: KNOTS, HITCHES, AND Time Year(s) THEIR USES 1 hour 1/2/3/4 ________________________________________________________________________ Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to: Learning Outcome #: (M 7) - Tie three types of common knots. (M-6) - Tie three types of common hitches. Special Materials and Equipment: Three-foot lengths of 1/4" or 3/8" rope for each student. Examples of knots on a knot board. For the purpose of this lesson, baler twine can be substituted for rope because it is cheaper and more flexible. Four or five poles for practicing hitches. References: Birkby, Robert C. (1990). BOY SCOUT HANDBOOK (10th ed.). Boy Scouts of America, Irving, Texas. (Check the telephone book under Boy Scouts of America for the nearest store or Council Office that carries scouting supplies.) Phipps, Lloyd J., & Reynolds, Carl L. (1990). MECHANICS INAGRICULTURE (4th ed.). Danville, IL: Interstate Publishers. Resources: USING ROPE IN ANIMAL AGRICULTURE (12 pages) (1975). Available from: Ohio Agricultural Education Curriculum Materials Service, Room 254, 2120 Fyffe Road, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1099. Telephone (614) 292-4848 Evaluation: Successful identification of at least three knots and three hitches. Have students demonstrate that they can successfully tie three knots and three hitches on more than one occasion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** INSTRUCTORS PLEASE NOTE *** More than three knots and three hitches are covered in this material. It will take longer than the indicated time above to cover all of the knots and hitches presented here. Choose the knots and hitches that are the most applicable to you and your class in performing normal routines and activities. The references and resource listed above have useful diagrams and illustrations to assist with tying of knots. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOPIC PRESENTATION: KNOTS, HITCHES, AND THEIR USES A. Knots: Knots generally stay tight without the necessity of a steady pull or strain on the rope. 1. The Square Knot is used to tie together two ropes of the same size. a. The Square Knot will not slip and is easy to untie. b. The Square Knot should be distinguished from the Granny Knot which appears similar but binds, is difficult to untie, and will slip. 2. The Sheet Bend (or Carrick Bend) is used to tie together two ropes of unequal diameter. 3. The Manger Hitch is not a hitch, but a knot used to tie livestock to something. 4. The Cat's Paw is used to hold a line to a hook when lifting a load. 5. The Bowline forms a loop that will not slip, yet is easy to untie. a. The Bowline is used to tie around the neck of livestock because it will not tighten and strangle the animal. b. The Bowline is the most common knot used in mountain climbing and rescue work. 6. The Sheep Shank is a knot used to shorten a rope or take the slack out of a rope without cutting it. a. The Sheep Shank can also be used to bypass a damaged section of rope. b. The Sheep Shank depends upon the rope being taut; therefore, slack will cause the knot to untie. B. Hitches: Hitches are a temporary method of fastening that depend on the pull of the rope to keep them tight. 1. The Double Half Hitch is used to tie a rope around a post or through a ring or grommet. 2. The Taut-Line Hitch is used to keep a line taut or tight. When used on a tent or a guy line, the tension can be adjusted by pushing the hitch up or down the standing part. 3. The Clove Hitch is used to secure a rope to a post or a pole. a. The Clove Hitch is used to start and finish many lashings. b. The Clove Hitch is also referred to as an "H-Knot" and is very easy to untie. 4. The Timber Hitch is used to secure logs or objects that will be towed or dragged. 5. The Trucker's Hitch is used to tighten a line over a load to secure the load. There are several variations to this hitch. C. Ropework has its own specialized terminology: 1. A bight means to bend the rope back on itself to make a "U." 2. A turn or a hitch refers to the passing of a rope all the way around an object such as a post, a rail, or another rope. 3. A standing line is the main rope that leads to the object being tied. 4. The working line is the end of the rope that is passed around or through so as to actually tie the knot or hitch. 5. To "serve a line" means to wrap a line with cord to strengthen or protect the line and to add a finished look to a splice. D. Safety considerations must be made before choosing a knot or a hitch. 1. Using a slip knot, or any binding knot, to tie around the neck of an animal or the waist of a person is dangerous. Animals can be strangled and ribs can be broken. Always use a Bowline to tie loops. 2. A Manger Hitch is used as a quick release mechanism for tying animals. If a knot is tied that binds when the animal pulls, the animal can choke if it falls or lies down. A binding knot cannot be untied while the animal is struggling. The Manger Hitch can save the animal's life in this situation. __________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY: 1. Have the students demonstrate tying the knots and hitches by timing them during a knot relay. 2. Have the students make a knotboard. 3. Have a knot tying station in the shop where students can see knots and hitches and have ropes available to practice tying knots and hitches. 4. Decide which particular knots and hitches are appropriate to use in varying situations. __________________________________________________________ 6/13/91 RRE/tf #%&C