Platform post question

[Red Dwarf]

I am experimenting with using a section of a LW climbing stick as the post for my XOP platform (I cut down from 3 steps to 2).
It is 1/4" smaller than ideal and I have packed out with SS washers. This setup puts more strain on the bolt holding the seat to the post and am a little concerned with bolt deformation. Has anyone has any experience with this setup?
I have filled the post with hardwood as reinforcement, and also to provide support for the bolt as it traverses the hollow section.

RD

 

[Wirrex]

my klemz platform seems like it has ovaled the beam holes a little. I may need to address that after another season.

Guys have installed insert/bushings which I would think solves the problem.

 

[Erniepower]

Yup this is a common problem. All of the posts that I make I have gone to installing a stainless steel insert. if you have enough meat around the holes on your XOP seat you can drill them out to a 5/16 bolt that will help some with both deformation but even then the 1/8 inch walls of the post just aren't enough material to keep from elongating under stress. the insert pretty much has to be there.

I saw this same result on my Klemz platform as well and have since gone back to rework all of my personal supply and add the insert for the Klemz platforms as well

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[Wirrex]

Yup this is a common problem. All of the posts that I make I have gone to installing a stainless steel insert. if you have enough meat around the holes on your XOP see you can drill them out to a 5/16 bolt that will help some with both deformation but even then the 1/8 inch walls of the post just aren't enough material to keep from elongating under stress. the insert pretty much has to be there.

I saw this same result on my Klemz platform as well and have since gone back to rework all of my personal supply and add the insert for the Klemz platforms as well

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Is your bolt still 1/4” when used with the insert? Where can a guy buy that ss insert?

 

[Erniepower]

Is your bolt still 1/4” when used with the insert? Where can a guy buy that ss insert?

Yes, I use 1/4" because I didn't want people to try and drill out the seat casting from XOP.

There isn't a lot of precision on how xop drills these holes and sometimes the holes, are closer to the edge than I would feel comfortable drilling to a larger hole.

You can order the inserts from mcmaster Carr. I machine the post such that the insert is a press fit.

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[Red Dwarf]

Hopefully the hardwood insert will go some way in delaying the hole elongation issue. Not sure about the likelihood of the bolt bending though; 1/4 does seem rather small.

 

[MCDM]

You would be surprised as most commercially available stands on use 1/4” bolts. As long as they are sufficient like a grade 8 they hold up to alot.

 

[Erniepower]

You would be surprised as most commercially available stands on use 1/4” bolts. As long as they are sufficient like a grade 8 they hold up to alot.

Agreed, but the part you stand on usually has support cables to take a large part of that load. We don't have that here, we have a very lopsided lever.

Imagine the platform is 12 inches to the front, and the pivot bolt is 2" above the leveling screw or setup on the klemz. For a 200# guy that's 1200# on the bolt. Not counting any bouncing or the stress from being strapped to the tree.

I've seen lots of 1/4" grade 8 bolts bend if unsupported on our style. However, failing and bending are different things. I've never seen one shear.

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[Red Dwarf]

I'm only 140# so the weight is not so much of an issue as for some others.
I would think that the camming (sp) action alone imparts quite a load.

 

[MCDM]

Agreed, but the part you stand on usually has support cables to take a large part of that load. We don't have that here, we have a very lopsided lever.

Imagine the platform is 12 inches to the front, and the pivot bolt is 2" above the leveling screw or setup on the klemz. For a 200# guy that's 1200# on the bolt. Not counting any bouncing or the stress from being strapped to the tree.

I've seen lots of 1/4" grade 8 bolts bend if unsupported on our style. However, failing and bending are different things. I've never seen one shear.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Agreed that is why i also thought that an insert was needed originally but you took care of that. I will say the platforms just aren’t for me however yours was always rock solid and i felt safe standing on!!