My Hand Climber Blew Up on Me

[raisins]

I cut up a fixed position cast LW Assault with a Sawzall and then used a file to smooth it out.

Did it seem to weaken the outside edge? It seems the perimeter is beefier than the interior grating, and cutting the end off would expose the interior.

 

[bongo]

Glad your ok buddy. Is this the same one you been using for ever? I know you had one at saddle plooza like 5 or so years ago.


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The one at Palooza was an XOP!

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[Adrena123]

Adrena123 its been awhile buddy. I was being conservative with number of trees and thats my 3rd platform. They sent a new immediately when I called them and I didn't even ask for one just a courtesy call to tell them it blew up. I don't think the bolt mod had anything to do with it. The tree was to big for it im pretty sure. Was in your neck of the woods deer moved first couple days then it got hot and they turned off. Keep in touch my friend I'm still kicking.

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I see what your saying about the tree being to big, makes sense. I had a shooter at 22 yards but a few limbs saved his life. Those frosty mornings were great, then it warmed up. Needs to cool down... I'll hit you up soon.

 

[Buckhole75]

I have the bottom of an ol Tomcat 1 climber that works really well I just prefer sticks or bolts

 

[everestwc]

I’ve been using the bottom portion of a hand climber stand. I cut 8” off the front of it and it works great. ‘Seans Outdoor’ on YouTube did a video of it. Very solid, climbed great, you have plenty of room to stand and turn around or lean your back against the tree for comfort.
Negatives I’ve seen… weight- 9lb, slightly wider than the LWHC.

Other than that it’s much nicer in the tree and designed to stand/ climb on.

 

[Plebe]

There's a thread where someone here did just that, trimmed the bottom of an assault climber down so it was more compact.

Maybe that user will chime in.

I guess you could use an angle grinder and go slow (?). I don't know if these cast platforms have any sort of a heat treat that can be screwed up, or maybe the casting process heat treats(?). @Weldabeast might know.

A few guys have cut the platforms down. The casting is thicker than hand climber top. Here's a link from when I was messing with it.

Cam Climber

Well, sorta... I’ve just begun my build of a climber-saddle hunting platform that will perform better than the LWHC method for me (I hope). Essentially, it’s a climber with some cam action for stability. I cut down a Lone Wolf Sit and Climb platform. I still need to grind the cut ends smooth...

saddlehunter.com

One member welded a post to his hand climber top as well. (pic below)

Not everyone like it fixed to the tree. I happen to.

A cross member, like @rutjr installed definitely improves system durability, imo. Some of the breaks are of the belt tubes, not the casting. But you lose a little foot room.

 

[Red Beard]

I’ve been using the bottom portion of a hand climber stand. I cut 8” off the front of it and it works great. ‘Seans Outdoor’ on YouTube did a video of it. Very solid, climbed great, you have plenty of room to stand and turn around or lean your back against the tree for comfort.
Negatives I’ve seen… weight- 9lb, slightly wider than the LWHC.

Other than that it’s much nicer in the tree and designed to stand/ climb on.

Looks like you could cut another row off of that and still be ok. No?

 

[Plebe]

Looks like you could cut another row off of that and still be ok. No?

It's been done, so theoretically...yes.

But, the front belt tube bolts sit right atop what would be the front end of the trimmed cast platform in that case. So, it's a bit riskier. As well, the weight savings is very slight, and you don't reduce bulk functionally (like, it's not going to then fit in a backpack).

So, I left mine for the extra footroom.

 

[Red Beard]

It's been done, so theoretically...yes.

But, the front belt tube bolts sit right atop what would be the front end of the trimmed cast platform in that case. So, it's a bit riskier. As well, the weight savings is very slight, and you don't reduce bulk functionally (like, it's not going to then fit in a backpack).

So, I left mine for the extra footroom.View attachment 56825

Ah I see now. Thank you for that extra picture

 

[mtsrunner]

Did it seem to weaken the outside edge? It seems the perimeter is beefier than the interior grating, and cutting the end off would expose the interior.

I think it did. I only used it at ground level and decided I wasn’t crazy about it.