Steppladder Platform Prototype

[KYHunter]

Any good solutions for keeping the platform in the step? I know it's not likely to come out, just a peace of mind thing for me. I've been experimenting with some paracord and shock cord, I can make it stay, it's just not a clean, simple solution. I do love the primal platform though, sturdy, inexpensive and easy.

I doubt it’ll come out when pressure is applied but I wanted something to insure it wouldn’t too. I predrilled a couple of holes in some thin poplar slats then screwed them stacked on each other to the underside of the board right behind the crossbar on the primal step. I can take some pictures when I get home. I’ve got about 25hrs on stand on it so far and is holding up great. Rock solid

 

[Jgetch]

I doubt it’ll come out when pressure is applied but I wanted something to insure it wouldn’t too. I predrilled a couple of holes in some thin poplar slats then screwed them stacked on each other to the underside of the board right behind the crossbar on the primal step. I can take some pictures when I get home. I’ve got about 25hrs on stand on it so far and is holding up great. Rock solid

I tried something similar with plywood when I first designed the slide in. If I remember correctly the 3/4” plywood was to thick to get it to slide by the crossbar. How thick are the slats that you used? And when you have it inserted do they press tight to the crossbar so that there’s no “play” at all or are they just there so it can’t come all the way out somehow?

 

[Boomah21]

Any good solutions for keeping the platform in the step? I know it's not likely to come out, just a peace of mind thing for me. I've been experimenting with some paracord and shock cord, I can make it stay, it's just not a clean, simple solution. I do love the primal platform though, sturdy, inexpensive and easy.

Curious why not drill a small hole and add a peg or thred a bolt etc when at height and camed over

 

[KYHunter]

@Jgetch each one is .25” so together about .5 inch. And they are pressed pretty tight. I have no play at all between board and step even if not cammed super tight. I’ll add some pics in a second, iPad is dead right now

 

[TNSTAAFL]

Curious why not drill a small hole and add a peg or thred a bolt etc when at height and camed over

I suppose you could, but it is really not necessary. The board simply doesn't move, much less come out once inserted. Why add to the setup?

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[Boomah21]

I suppose you could, but it is really not necessary. The board simply doesn't move, much less come out once inserted. Why add to the setup?

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I agree, I was just posting a possible solution to the question asked

 

[KYHunter]

Heres some pics

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I agree, I was just posting a possible solution to the question asked

I gotcha. I was jumping in late on the discussion and probably didn't read through previous posts well. My mistake.

For those thinking about trying this method I'd recommend it. I've sat the Primal platform my last two hunts and three total so far and I do think it is more comfortable than my ROS. Leaning is so natural and comfortable. Easy to adjust position with little movement or noise. Easy to setup for all shots. Harder to use tree for hiding but minimizing movement is perhaps a more important form of hiding.

I like both methods for sure and will probably keep running both to explore their pros and cons.

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[kyler1945]

I gotcha. I was jumping in late on the discussion and probably didn't read through previous posts well. My mistake.

For those thinking about trying this method I'd recommend it. I've sat the Primal platform my last two hunts and three total so far and I do think it is more comfortable than my ROS. Leaning is so natural and comfortable. Easy to adjust position with little movement or noise. Easy to setup for all shots. Harder to use tree for hiding but minimizing movement is perhaps a more important form of hiding.

I like both methods for sure and will probably keep running both to explore their pros and cons.

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Can you put pressure on the back of the platform from opposite side of the tree that the stepp it is in, is mounted on, pushing back the direction you slid it in the stepp? Or will it slide back out with no weight on it

 

[fbwguy]

Can you put pressure on the back of the platform from opposite side of the tree that the stepp it is in, is mounted on, pushing back the direction you slid it in the stepp? Or will it slide back out with no weight on it

I have not been 180 behind it with pressure but I was about 110degrees behind and when I pushed off the platform it did not slide or move. I think it would require even pressure from both sides to push out. Not sure if that makes sense to y’all, but I think at any angle it has a jamming effect

 

[Lu Rome]

Yeah, thought about a bolt or peg, but that seemed cumbersome. Didn’t want metal on metal anywhere either. Haven’t measured, but pretty sure my scrap wasn’t 3/4” but probably 5/8” that I used so it’s not as tight. I might give @KYHunter’s method a shot. Would just like it a bit more secure. Too cheap to buy some 3/4. Lol

 

[KYHunter]

@kyler1945 @fbwguy @Lu Rome It does hold up well to back pressure. I was worried about the poplar breaking on me but so far so good with about 25 hrs on it so far

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I have not been 180 behind it with pressure but I was about 110degrees behind and when I pushed off the platform it did not slide or move. I think it would require even pressure from both sides to push out. Not sure if that makes sense to y’all, but I think at any angle it has a jamming effect

Agreed. I don't think you can exert a directional force with your feet that will make it slide out. Heck I sometimes have a hard time getting it out with two hands at the end of a hunt!

Mine also seems to need to angle up to go in and out so again I don't see how it could slide out from leaning foot pressure. Maybe if you wrapped your legs around a narrow tree from the back side and used one foot on each side of the platform and purposely tried to lift it out you maybe could do it. I bet it would still be a struggle to get it to slide under these extreme circumstances. Like I said, it just doesn't move. It looks counterintuitive for sure and I was doubtful at first.

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[Jgetch]

Can you put pressure on the back of the platform from opposite side of the tree that the stepp it is in, is mounted on, pushing back the direction you slid it in the stepp? Or will it slide back out with no weight on it

I have tried to get the platform to come out from behind as you are describing and you just can’t do it. Because when you’re around the tree you are pushing on just one side of the platform putting a rotational force on the board so it won’t come out. The only way to take it out or to put it in is to have it at an angle and then slide in/out. So you have to lift it up (to where the step is slightly wider) to pull it out. Besides this, a rotational force will not dislodge the platform because of the inherent geometry of the platform.

 

[Blitzboy9]

I did one very similar but made my own step. My step has two contact points at the bottom side of the step for better lateral stability when trying to walk around the tree.

Would you consider making one of these steps for sale? I need a cheap platform option. This looks good!

 

[donnieballgame]

I'm building this tonight, can't believe I didn't see this sooner. What does it weigh? I still need to fix my kaider/swaider, but I climbed with Muddy's this morning and I don't really like them, lol.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

I'm building this tonight, can't believe I didn't see this sooner. What does it weigh? I still need to fix my kaider/swaider, but I climbed with Muddy's this morning and I don't really like them, lol.

I can double check tonight but I believe my board weighs 2lbs. With Primal step it weighs 3.x lbs total.

Probably depends on plywood selection. Mine was a more expensive 3/4 hardwood piece that probably weighs more than others. Very stiff though.

With Kn/Sw and 5 steps you are at 25-30 feet for 7 lbs. Sometimes I only bring 4 steps as I only need to go 20-24 feet. 6 lbs. Sometimes I wonder if just three steps would really suffice.

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[donnieballgame]

What are you guys putting on top for grip? Would bed liner work? I'm hoping it won't be squeaky when wet like my xop hand climber

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[TNSTAAFL]

@fbwguy found a stick on non slip diamond textured traction pad from Harbor Freight. You can get a 12x12" mat that requires little trimming for pretty cheap.

Great traction. Some possible noise but manageable.

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[Allegheny Tom]

I used these from @fbwguy

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I just made one (the no hole version). I didn't have a lot of time to test it but I did stand on it for a few minutes without a saddle to test side pressure. Seemed pretty solid except my plywood did flex a little. I just used a piece of something I had laying around...3/4" birch luan AA. I'll bet there are better choices out there which brings me to my next question...
It would be nice to have a bunch of these pre set but I don't trust the strap out in the elements and the rodents. Has anyone swapped out the strap with chain? I know, I know...not as light, not as quiet. But for a bunch of pre set stands, and some of them would be set 1,000 miles away for several months...I wonder about a more durable rig, like chain and marine grade plywood. Something like that could remain on the tree for years if the chain was loosened after each season.