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Aider Broke - Info and Discussion (UPDATE)

DB4x4

DB4x4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2018
Messages
1,870
Putting this out there for informational purposes and to make everyone aware of a potential danger if you DIY or modify your gear.

I borrowed @roach 's OG treehopper platform to tinker with some aider prototypes. I wanted to make this a climbing platform, so I ran a lone wolf strap through the horizontal tube closest the tree. This allows me to result loosen the strap, slide it up the tree, and retighten just like I do when one-sticking.

The aider:
I made a 3 step aider but wasn't sure how to mate the aider to the platform. I tried a continuous loop and it seemed to work...
Screenshot_20210909-103736.png

Screenshot_20210909-103713.png


... Until last night, that is:

Screenshot_20210909-104250.png

Screenshot_20210909-104309.png
 
Amsteel is not supposed to do that. I don't use any Amsteel since the temptation is to go ultra thin with it and I didn't want to be tempted. Is that Amsteel? It sure looks like it although the core has me unsure.
 
First off, thanks for sharing. Hopefully no injuries as a result...

Bury pull apart? Or cut through against the metal? Wasn't quite sure looking at it on my phone.
 
Your buries on the continuous loop pulled through? If so those buries look awful short, aren't tapered, etc.
 
skell said:
First off, thanks for sharing. Hopefully no injuries as a result...

Bury pull apart? Or cut through against the metal? Wasn't quite sure looking at it on my phone.
Click to expand...
What I thought was the core must have been the bury.
 
It looks like the continuous loop came apart. Might have been short burys or incorrect Brummel. Could those cut ends have been the bury? I do see where the burys went into the loop.
 
I had climbed up and down on this a dozen times or so at ground level. Then at some point, when I stepped into the first step and loaded it to go up again, the continuous loop POPPED. (See photo above)

It didn't come apart or cut, it broke clean.

DISCLAIMER:
This is NOT brand name Amsteel. It is cheap off brand UHMWPE ATV winch rope. I wanted to practice with the cheap stuff before I bought the more expensive stuff.
 
I think the problem was a combination of cheaper material and where I placed the loops:
Screenshot_20210908-200525.png

Screenshot_20210908-201233.png

... At least this was my conclusion. The continuous loop had all my weight on it and it was run over top the thin mesh piece.
 
Also, is this the knock off amsteel bought at Harbor Freight as a wench cable? The sheen doesn't look like amsteel. I ask because I have found cuts in the knock off stuff.
 
I personally put the amsteel that is in contact with my solo scout for climbing, through a piece of tubular webbing for added protection. Sorry about your issue, glad no one was hurt

Are there any sharp edges you may want to soften?
 
I guess I'm kind of confused why continuous loops were used in the first place too?
 
Is this a commercial treehopper platform or a DIY? I guess people should be careful about sharp edges no matter what they tie on. UHMWPE is supposed to be very tough from previous videos I have seen. I don't know. It looks like it cut clean through the outer sheath and the inner bury.
 
I wasn't able to look it over in too much detail last night. I can take a better look when I get home today and post more photos if anyone is interested.
 
Until further investigation, the moral of the story is.... Don't use the cheap stuff and be careful where you connect the aiders. Haha.
 
bj139 said:
Is this a commercial treehopper platform or a DIY? I guess people should be careful about sharp edges no matter what they tie on. UHMWPE is supposed to be very tough from previous videos I have seen. I don't know. It looks like it cut clean through the outer sheath and the inner bury.
Click to expand...

This is one of the first treehopper platforms made before he started putting the teeth on. It worked well for climbing, but wasn't super stable when used this way. There was a little play and the painted legs would squeak on the tree bark.

I drilled holes in the legs and added grade 8 bolts, washers, and lock nuts.

Screenshot_20210909-115529.png

When I put it on the tree, I flip it up a little and pull the strap tight. The top bolt forces the platform to sit at a slight upward angle.

Screenshot_20210909-120213.png

If you pull down a little and then load the platform, it actually kind of cams a little, pulls the strap super tight, and the bolts dig into the tree, making everything super tight and solid.

Screenshot_20210909-120456.png
 
Screenshot_20210909-120750.png

That little bit of camming action makes the strap tight and the bolts really dig in...

This would work for anyone who has the older version of the platform with no teeth.
 
The gray dyeing only on the outside is an indication it’s not quality dyneema. That is an extremely sharp edge on the grating on top, the stuff is strong, but can saw through easily, nice clean cut. I would also use tubing or thimbles for the dyneema to dyneema contact of the aiders to the grommet.
 
Why did you use continuous loops? I'm sure you have a reason, I just don't understand.
 
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