|
Post by chewbacca on Oct 13, 2016 21:12:53 GMT -5
Dusty20 commented in my safety harness thread that he wish he knew a safer way to install a ladder other than leaning it up against a tree 16' in the air and swaying in the breeze while trying to get the ratchet strap on. I'm sure most of you know what he's talking about. I sure do since I installed them the way he is talking about for years. About a dozen years ago I was contemplating an easier way to install my homemade wooden ladder stands and here is what I came up with and I've used the method ever since.
I take 2 long ratchet straps and securely connect the non ratcheting end to the stand platform. The stand is stood up against the tree with the ratcheting end hanging to the ground. Once I have the stand where I want it I criss-cross the straps behind the trap and then attach them to the bottom step of the stand. I ratchet both sides until the stand is fairly secure. This stabilizes the stand and makes it much easier for getting the upper straps on. Very effective and much safer than most methods guys use. What other ways do you guys install ladder stands? I'd sure like to know other ways to do it. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by arlowe13 on Oct 13, 2016 21:39:19 GMT -5
I get the stand's feet lined up at the bottom of the tree (ready to walk up) and then tie a rope to one side of the stand's platform, then take the rope around the tree and tie it to the other side of the stand's platform. Thus, the rope is "looped" around tree. I then proceed to walk the stand up to the tree.
Once the stand is up against the tree and I get it level, I take the rope and either tie it to another tree or my quad behind the stand's tree. Cinch it up tight and the stand will be held against the tree very securely. Climb the stand, install straps, untie rope, and you're done.
|
|
|
Post by lawrencecountyhunter on Oct 13, 2016 21:43:12 GMT -5
I bring several extra straps, placing one every 3-4' up the ladder (running from the ladder railing around the back of the tree, ratcheted down tight). By the time I get to the top, I may have 4-5 straps holding the ladder against the tree. After I secure the top, I remove the extras on the way down.
|
|
|
Post by chewbacca on Oct 13, 2016 22:49:55 GMT -5
I bring several extra straps, placing one every 3-4' up the ladder (running from the ladder railing around the back of the tree, ratcheted down tight). By the time I get to the top, I may have 4-5 straps holding the ladder against the tree. After I secure the top, I remove the extras on the way down. That's a pretty good idea but I don't think that would work for my homemade stands. My giant platforms put you about 4' away from the tree and you'd never be able reach a strap around it. My friends tease me all the time because they say my stands are bigger than the decks on their homes😜. They are a bear to put up but man are they sweet to hunt from.
|
|
|
Post by scrub-buster on Oct 13, 2016 22:55:53 GMT -5
We get the ladder standing straight. We carry blocks of wood with us to level out uneven ground. We put a ratchet strap from the tree to the ladder just above the support bar. Then we tie off the two long straps that wrap around the back of the tree and down to the lower ladder section. Then I climb up and ratchet strap the seat to the tree.
|
|
|
Post by dbd870 on Oct 14, 2016 6:19:31 GMT -5
I have a pair of "feet that you pound into the ground and put the bottom of the ladder into them then one gut on the stand the other guy on 2 ropes attached up by the seat. the pull/push (depending on which side you are on!)the stand up. now take the 2 ropes and cross them around the tree and tie them off to the lower part ladder. next take you support arm and ratchet strap it to the tree. Now it is steady enought to climb and attach the top straps. 2nd guy can help steady the ladder too.
|
|
|
Post by arlowe13 on Oct 14, 2016 7:49:27 GMT -5
I have a pair of "feet that you pound into the ground and put the bottom of the ladder into them then one gut on the stand the other guy on 2 ropes attached up by the seat. the pull/push (depending on which side you are on!)the stand up. now take the 2 ropes and cross them around the tree and tie them off to the lower part ladder. next take you support arm and ratchet strap it to the tree. Now it is steady enought to climb and attach the top straps. 2nd guy can help steady the ladder too. My method was based on doing it by yourself, but your method is essentially the same as mine.
|
|
|
Post by wesb81219 on Oct 15, 2016 19:04:23 GMT -5
After I get the stand where I want it I place straps around the tree as far as I can reach from the ground
|
|
|
Post by jackryan on Oct 15, 2016 19:17:51 GMT -5
I only use lock ons and ladders close enough to the house I could see them if the leaves were off, but I use my Summit climber to put them up.
|
|
|
Post by steiny on Oct 17, 2016 7:14:22 GMT -5
I've probably got 30 ladder stands set on several properties. Always get some help when setting these up, and use an extension ladder to get the top tied off. Al ladder makes things a whole lot easier and safer.
|
|
|
Post by dusty20 on Oct 17, 2016 21:47:20 GMT -5
All good ideas! I always connect the center support as best I can and then run the two ropes behind the tree as high as I can and fasten them down. I really liked the idea of using the ratchet straps so the ropes don't loosen up like they always do. I also like the idea of putting the strap on it and around the tree and then walking it up. That way even if it pulls away the stand is still connected and you don't pull the ole animal house ladder falling backwards stunt. I remembered seeing this a year ago or so and thought it was a pretty cool concept. youtu.be/g-rbbDlvEDo
|
|
|
Post by omegahunter on Oct 18, 2016 16:06:26 GMT -5
20' ladder stick up first on back side of tree. Place ladder stand and be sure it is level and ladder sunk into ground firmly. Climb ladder stick and attach straps to platform from behind. Remove ladder stick. All while using climbing belt with my harness. Safest way I found for setting up a ladder stand alone.
|
|
|
Post by dusty20 on Oct 18, 2016 18:53:05 GMT -5
20' ladder stick up first on back side of tree. Place ladder stand and be sure it is level and ladder sunk into ground firmly. Climb ladder stick and attach straps to platform from behind. Remove ladder stick. All while using climbing belt with my harness. Safest way I found for setting up a ladder stand alone. That is the way to do it! I haven't done it yet (thought about getting the sticks last year) but it's going to be the new way. You can keep strapped to the tree the whole while then hang your lifeline for your first climb up the ladder and I'd bet about half the price of one of those Doo hickeys in the video and can be used for every stand.
|
|
|
Post by drs on Oct 19, 2016 4:35:38 GMT -5
We get the ladder standing straight. We carry blocks of wood with us to level out uneven ground. We put a ratchet strap from the tree to the ladder just above the support bar. Then we tie off the two long straps that wrap around the back of the tree and down to the lower ladder section. Then I climb up and ratchet strap the seat to the tree. I have three hunting sites on my property where I have ladder-stand set-ups. One stand area, I had to use a flat rock to steady the ladder one side where the ladder meets the ground. The two other stands, I just dug around the base and made it level enough so there is no movement of the ladder stand. Concerning the ratchet strap; I replaced them with a metal chain instead, complete with a lock. I don't fully trust those ratchet straps that are made in China. My chains are long enough to go around the tree a couple times, and it is very steady with no movement or noise, and I also have a rifle rest on the seat to get a steady aim and for safety. Other than the three stands, I can hunt/shoot out my Bedroom window if the weather is bad, or if the Deer are moving/crossing more in my backfield.
|
|
|
Post by chewbacca on Oct 19, 2016 6:48:07 GMT -5
We get the ladder standing straight. We carry blocks of wood with us to level out uneven ground. We put a ratchet strap from the tree to the ladder just above the support bar. Then we tie off the two long straps that wrap around the back of the tree and down to the lower ladder section. Then I climb up and ratchet strap the seat to the tree. I have three hunting sites on my property where I have ladder-land set-ups. One stand area, I had to use a flat rock to steady the ladder one side where the ladder meets the ground. The two other stands, I just dug around the base and made it level enough so there is no movement of the ladder stand. Concerning the ratchet strap; I replaced them with a metal chain instead, complete with a lock. I don't fully trust those ratchet straps that are made in China. My chains are long enough to go around the tree a couple times, and it is very steady with no movement or noise, and I also have a rifle rest on the seat to get a steady aim and for safety. Other than the three stands, I can hunt/shoot out my Bedroom window if the weather is bad, or if the Deer are moving/crossing more in my backfield. My ladder stands generally stay up year round. After having several chains break on me from tree growth and tree movement, I converted to ratchet straps about 10-15 years ago. A decent strap will last about 5 years and every stand has 2 on them. I try to make sure that I loosen them slightly at the end of the season so the tree has room to grow.
|
|
|
Post by drs on Oct 19, 2016 8:27:41 GMT -5
I have three hunting sites on my property where I have ladder-land set-ups. One stand area, I had to use a flat rock to steady the ladder one side where the ladder meets the ground. The two other stands, I just dug around the base and made it level enough so there is no movement of the ladder stand. Concerning the ratchet strap; I replaced them with a metal chain instead, complete with a lock. I don't fully trust those ratchet straps that are made in China. My chains are long enough to go around the tree a couple times, and it is very steady with no movement or noise, and I also have a rifle rest on the seat to get a steady aim and for safety. Other than the three stands, I can hunt/shoot out my Bedroom window if the weather is bad, or if the Deer are moving/crossing more in my backfield. My ladder stands generally stay up year round. After having several chains break on me from tree growth and tree movement, I converted to ratchet straps about 10-15 years ago. A decent strap will last about 5 years and every stand has 2 on them. I try to make sure that I loosen them slightly at the end of the season so the tree has room to grow. I also leave my Ladder Stand up year-round. The chains I use are extra heavy and I've had these stands up now for seven years, with no signs of chains losing integrity or break. I use to use the ratchet straps, that came with the stand assembly, until one broke on me while I was setting/tightening it up. It was made in CHINA.
|
|
|
Post by GS1 on Oct 19, 2016 9:18:25 GMT -5
My ladder stands generally stay up year round. After having several chains break on me from tree growth and tree movement, I converted to ratchet straps about 10-15 years ago. A decent strap will last about 5 years and every stand has 2 on them. I try to make sure that I loosen them slightly at the end of the season so the tree has room to grow. Be careful using 5 year old straps that have been outside in the weather and sun the entire time.
|
|
|
Post by Woody Williams on Oct 19, 2016 11:36:33 GMT -5
My ladder stands generally stay up year round. After having several chains break on me from tree growth and tree movement, I converted to ratchet straps about 10-15 years ago. A decent strap will last about 5 years and every stand has 2 on them. I try to make sure that I loosen them slightly at the end of the season so the tree has room to grow. Be careful using 5 year old straps that have been outside in the weather and sun the entire time. I put a new strap on each stand every year..
|
|
|
Post by swilk on Oct 19, 2016 11:53:50 GMT -5
I check all straps and loosen / retighten all of them but I do not replace them all.
Young cottonwoods are the hardest on straps .... leave them tight for a winter / summer and more than likely they will be broken by the time season starts.
For putting up ladder stands I use a handy tool called a Rob. Of course Rob uses a handy tool called a Sean to put up the loc-on stands.
|
|
|
Post by jackryan on Oct 19, 2016 13:19:47 GMT -5
I just hunted a couple hours the other night from a lock on stand with a strap on it 20 years old. I use junk TV towers for ladders and tie them on the tree with a piece of rope.
|
|