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Predator Platform broke on me last night

Someone asked about testING or commented about it...Couldn't find it when in went back sorry...

Check out

Tethrd Predator Platform Manufacturing Concerns

I did say “a bit”. But that definitely shouldn’t have made it into a box. I agree bud. I’m just poking. Those Tethrd guys have been known to make it right.
saddlehunter.com

According to a full time employee, they don't think they need to recall them since theynstopped making them...

Some good links in their on testing, and failure below the advertised weight with the safety facorn they used with 1 out of 3 platforms tested as well...
 
PaTrout1 said:
Even so, to make it light they had to do something which I'm guessing in this case is reduce the amount of aluminum they cast. First law of thermodynamics is for every action thers an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, dont use enough material they stress breaks it. Can you tell or do you know if they beefed up the gen 2 or why it's considered better (what changed)? I was seriously considering ordering one when the hysteria died down (for next year) but I'm having serious doubts now. The cam action with the weight has to put tremendous stress on it.

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Yes they beefed up the back end a whole lot. This was almost a year ago if I remember correctly. Theyve been selling gen 2’s since last October. Here is the difference.

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I just pulled the trigger on a Ridge Runner after going back and forth between it and the Predator. In the end the larger over all size seemed a better fit for me. After this thread I'm glad I did!


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bootheeltechy said:
I just pulled the trigger on a Ridge Runner after going back and forth between it and the Predator. In the end the larger over all size seemed a better fit for me. After this thread I'm glad I did!


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Don't let this thread deter you from buying a Predator. They've re-engineered the platform casting and now have a great product.
 
iamcorey said:
Good point. Out of curiosity what level of liability do you think the company would have if someone were to fall as a result of platform failure? Assuming either a failure in life support system or absence of one. I’m sure there is some fine print somewhere.

Most treestands ship with life support systems is why I ask.


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It's not a treestand it's a platform. But always be tethered before stepping on to the platform .
 
ricky racer said:
Don't let this thread deter you from buying a Predator. They've re-engineered the platform casting and now have a great product.
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I don't think anyone is worried about the Gen 2. But a life support system breaking with normal use and no statement or recourse other than "we'll fix it when it breaks", could easily sway a decision to not purchase. It's pretty black and white.
 
skyjacker said:
I don't think anyone is worried about the Gen 2. But a life support system breaking with normal use and no statement or recourse other than "we'll fix it when it breaks", could easily sway a decision to not purchase. It's pretty black and white.
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A platform has never been a life support system. The saddle is your harness, you need to be hooked up via your lineman’s rope, tether, or both before stepping onto the platform. Those cheap steel lock-on stands have known to break when people step on them. Climbing into your stand (or onto your platform) is when you are most likely to slip or lose your balance and fall.


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catman529 said:
A platform has never been a life support system. The saddle is your harness, you need to be hooked up via your lineman’s rope, tether, or both before stepping onto the platform. Those cheap steel lock-on stands have known to break when people step on them. Climbing into your stand (or onto your platform) is when you are most likely to slip or lose your balance and fall.


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True. Life support is a strong word. The entire system is life support to me. If there's a weak link anywhere in the system you may be hitting the deck and I consider the Gen 1 a weak link. I would say the same for bolts, sticks, steps, etc... Nothing should be breaking under body weight.
 
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skyjacker said:
True. Life support is a strong word. The entire system is life support to me. If there's a weak link anywhere in the system you may be hitting the deck and I consider the Gen 1 a weak link. I would say the same for carbon bolts. But nothing should be breaking under body weight.
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We gotta get the carbon bolts comparison out of these conversations. They are not sold or manufactured for the purpose theyre used for. Broken(and recalled)ameristeps are a much better comparison and parallel.
 
Nutterbuster said:
It's not a treestand. It's a positioning aid...

Predator First Impression

I received my new Predator today and just had to try it out. I put it in a tree in our yard. First, the Predator is truly light weight.!! I'll need to snug up the pivot bolt so the platform doesn't fall down to the stop bolt. No problem providing it doesn't put stress on the ears that the bolt...
saddlehunter.com
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It's a positioning aid they regularly demonstrate standing entirely upon for a shot, with tether over their shoulder in an weight-unloaded position. Not sure I care what they call it. If it breaks in that use, somebody's likely to get hurt solely because of the failure.

I have a gen 1. I probably weigh close to 280 lbs with gear. I have not toe hooked it, and I have not had a problem with it yet. But knowing there's a gen 2 for a reason, I would feel a lot better about having it replaced.



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JBDaddy said:
It's a positioning aid they regularly demonstrate standing entirely upon for a shot, with tether over their shoulder in an weight-unloaded position. Not sure I care what they call it. If it breaks in that use, somebody's likely to get hurt solely because of the failure.

I have a gen 1. I probably weigh close to 280 lbs with gear. I have not toe hooked it, and I have not had a problem with it yet. But knowing there's a gen 2 for a reason, I would feel a lot better about having it replaced.



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My feelings exactly!

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Platforms definitely aren’t life support systems, but neither are treestands. I think they operate and function similarly enough that it’s valid to make comparisons in safety expectations.

I would just hate to see something happen to somebody or Tethrd. They’ve done a lot of good for this community
 
Vtbow said:
We gotta get the carbon bolts comparison out of these conversations. They are not sold or manufactured for the purpose theyre used for. Broken(and recalled)ameristeps are a much better comparison and parallel.
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Edited
 
Hammer79 said:
They will not exchange. I went through this the last time a thread came up about breaking. People said to email them so I did. The response was we don't exchange, but if it breaks they will replace. So I guess I just wait and hope I don't get hurt when it breaks.

Another thing I don't understand is they sell the new versa straps and tell you to cam them in or whatever you want, they never say unless you have a Gen 1, which I guess is a "positioning aid".

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Your screen name is “Hammerxx”.....I would take said hammer to it and say “ok, it broke. Send me a Gen2”
 
Whether u call it a tree stand or a platform is not relevant in my opinion it’s called product liability and if someone is injured or killed due to failure Tetherd would have a problem
 
There have been several posts on here before about folks standing on the Predator, while switching their linesman to a tether so they can use a single rope to carry less stuff. The odds are slim, but a Gen 1 in that scenario is likely that first death we keep dodging by luck so far. It is also likely that the aluminum is stressing and weakens over a period of time and we will see even more of these happen this fall. I agree that the Gen1 should be recalled, period, and Tethrd should not hide behind the positioning aid verbiage. You may as well go H2 and say all products are for ground use only if you won't remedy a known, potentially growing problem.

With that said, I spent my first hunt on a Gen2 yesterday for 3.5 hrs and absolutely loved it. I was a ROS man prior to that hunt, but it will go with me on every hunt from now on. I wanted not to like it and was not fully sold from practice sessions, but once in the tree for real, it was $.



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I'm going on my second season with a gen 1 without any problems....so far. Don't toe hook at all, but I do cringe every time I step onto it. Yes I'm tethred in first. Feels like Russian roulette.

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