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Ambush Platform in a tree

G

gumby

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2018
Messages
407
I know there are at least 4 treads about the Ambush and I guess most folks have seen and heard enough about the bolts, drilling and looks. I want to know, about what do you think of it in a tree.
I have one and sent for a return # because I cannot keep it from popping at the teeth to tree contact. I have tried 5 different trees and hours with no success. It seems to cam over well but the teeth do not bite into the tree so when I step on the edge it slips and pops and gets worse from there. I think it's too much flat surface and too many teeth. I would like to keep it so if anyone keeps it from slipping and popping let me know. Don't want it to pop when that Big Ole Doe walks out.
 
I found that if I cam it just a hair tighter than I think I should then the teeth bite in DEEP. I am 260 and I was able to side load it and move a ton with no creeks. That said, it does creek a bit on the first bite in but quickly goes away when fully canned over


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My first sit I had noise, then on my second sit less noise. On my third and fourth sits no noise at all. Not sure this this is because I strapped/cammed it differently or if some sort of break-in period was needed, different type of trees, etc. Nonetheless, at this point no noise.
I'm about to go hunt it again so we'll see how it goes tonight.
 
So getting a bit of noise tonight and it's definitely coming from the contact points between the teeth of the platform and the tree. If I put my feet close to the tree and shift my weight back and forth there is a rubbing sound from either side of the platform. Not sure how to resolve this. Maybe over time as the teeth dull a bit the sound will go away or maybe lightly hitting each tooth with a file might quiet them down. The teeth are seriously sharp on this thing. They seem as sharp or sharper than the standoffs on Beast sticks.
 
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I’ve tried it on Cherry trees, maple trees, and oaks. I would say cherry was the worst, but I think that is just because it was first and I got better at it since then. I can’t get the noise to go away though.

... OKCCJ - I do think you are on to something though - if the teeth were fewer or less aggressive or duller - perhaps it would be better. Are the teeth the same on the LWCG stands? Do they have the same problems? I am hesitant to take a file or grinder to the teeth and risk not being able to return it. Honestly, I could live with it - and grow to prefer it - if I could get the camming and noise issue solved. I will work on it a bit more tomorrow to see if I can figure it out before I return it.
 
tedk said:
I’ve tried it on Cherry trees, maple trees, and oaks. I would say cherry was the worst, but I think that is just because it was first and I got better at it since then. I can’t get the noise to go away though.

... OKCCJ - I do think you are on to something though - if the teeth were fewer or less aggressive or duller - perhaps it would be better. Are the teeth the same on the LWCG stands? Do they have the same problems? I am hesitant to take a file or grinder to the teeth and risk not being able to return it. Honestly, I could live with it - and grow to prefer it - if I could get the camming and noise issue solved. I will work on it a bit more tomorrow to see if I can figure it out before I return it.
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I tried it again today and with the front of (not teeth end) slightly tilted down it seems better. It may put the teeth at a better angle for a better down ward bite on the tree.
 
gumby said:
I tried it again today and with the front of (not teeth end) slightly tilted down it seems better. It may put the teeth at a better angle for a better down ward bite on the tree.
Click to expand...
That’s how I use a predator Platform also and it does seem to bite better. I lean mostly so I also like that angle for my feet .
 
I’ve had mine out On 4 different hunts now 4 different trees. No poping sounds from mine. It takes some work to get it camed over. But after set it is solid...

One evening I used it without the saddle and just hunted out of it like a traditional tree stand. The tree That i was set up in was angled away and Left me plenty of room to shift my feet around and lean against the tree to stay comfortable for 3 hours.
 
Treehopper2 said:
That’s how I use a predator Platform also and it does seem to bite better. I lean mostly so I also like that angle for my feet .
Click to expand...

The first couple times I used it I tried to keep the platform level or a slight angle towards the tree. That's when I noticed the noises also from the teeth and the bark. Then I tried a slight angle towards the back of the platform and that seemed the best with little to no noise. Also, when it's angled towards the tree if you step on the platform close to the tree it wants to try and fold the platform. With it angled back it eliminates that problem too.
 
Just so I make sure I understand - we are saying slight angle toward the ground on the non-tree/teeth side right? I’m going to try that after my morning coffee and see how it does.
 
Dobby7 said:
Yes.
Click to expand...

I also tighten the strap with the platform up and I don't push down before I cam it. I go ahead and cam it and let the teeth grab it and it pulls it down tight. If I'm not able to cam it down all the way I go ahead and stand on it while tethered in and with my linemans rope attached. My weight pushes it the rest of the way. You should be able to cam it by hand most of the way though.
 
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