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Issues I've had with the Predator Platform

I was hunting on a ring of steps and a hawk stick. About 2 hours in and I heard a noise and looked down to see the step half way down the tree. I had to use some spare gear including a couple screw in steps to get down to the stick.

Now I use a ratchet strap once I get to hunting height and I switched to using a 30’ tether so I can always rappel down if something happens like that on the way up.



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I haven't had any issues yet with the stock strap... but I cinch that thing down as tight as I can before I push down on the platform prior to camming it over. I also use my knees more to rotate around the tree to limit side pressure when I can
 
Jay_Ohio said:
Hey all. I was wondering if anyone else has had problems with the Predator biting into the tree and staying solid over the course of a sit. When I setup it seems to cam over and bite well but after a few hours into the sit it definitely loosens up after some side pressure. I've had a few slips where I needed to change my pants afterwards. Now in full disclosure, I'm a bigger guy 260lbs, so I'm sure that doesn't help.

I'm not sure if the strap is stretching, or what. At any rate, I was actually looking at the design of the platform for a solution. What would you guys think about moving the platform up the post about 2", and adding a second versa button on the post below the platform with a second strap?

Would that work?

Thanks in advance
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I have had many 12 hour all day sits and haven't had a single problem with it loosening.
 
I agree with @Allegheny Tom on the bark getting chewed up thus the tree gets smaller. Especially at the top standoff. I’d buy the cam buckle not holding at initial camming over. I would believe the strap may stretch. The cam buckle isn’t slipping once it’s tight unless it’s taking chunks of strap with it. They don’t work that way.
 
I also had the problem keeping the top tight to the tree. It seemed to loosen up after shifting my weight a few times. I just chalked it up to user error..but then again I put most of my weight on the platform and lean more than sit.
 
I’d assume strap is loosening up over time. I heard that about the tethered strap so I bought a lone Wolf one right from the start. Try lone wolf or maybe a versa strap of some sort.
 
Update, I switched to a lone wolf strap and added a second strap that I weave through the platform around the base of the post. I have not had any issues since.
 
I replaced the stock standoff with an XOP one, bites into the tree better. I might try a beast stand off, if they start selling parts to thier sticks. And I replaced the stock strap with a lonewolf strap, it has worked good so far.
 
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This is the lone wolf strap . The buckle is different and I think the strap is better at least on my older lone Wolf strap.


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Patriot38 said:
The best method I found is the "toe hook" after the platform loosens up all you need to do is stand on top of the standoff, hook the platform portion with your tow and fold closed. Then drive the post downward and re-cam the platform.

The most important part is getting the strap tight initially.
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The other day I was hunting for 10 hours. I'm 5'4" and weigh in at 200lbs. I'm short and squat and built like a cubby fire hydrant. I noticed that the teeth of the bracket was not on the tree and the only thing holding me up 25' in the tree was the rear of the platform and the strap. I immediately got on the post, pulled the platform up with my foot and then cammed it over again. It did not move after that. While I'm easily 160lbs lighter than you...I've not had any problems.
 
Back when I used a predator or any cam over platform if it wasn't toe cammed properly it would slip under side pressure. Toe camming and toe camming like you mean it is a must with any cam over style platform. You have to put the platform on the tree folded at a 45 degree angle and cinch the cam strap as tight as possible keeping the strap level. Then stand on the post with all your weight and really shove it down with your foot. Then consistently apply pressure to the platform with the other foot allowing the teeth to grab the tree and pull the platform down even further. If this is done right you can get a predator very solid. The only time I've still had a kick out is on a very smooth bark or soft tree but it was rare. If you go to a ridge runner/podium style platform where the teeth run vertically and platform pressure remains constant on the post due to its design and the weight of the hunter, it can handle pressure from any angle. I never had a ridge runner move on me once set.
 
I’ve hunted several times now with the new platform bracket and really liking the stability improvement. I’m getting full contact with all 4 teeth on each side as opposed to one or two with the stock bracket. Paint job sucks but I’ll fix that in the off-season.
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ericabbott said:
I’ve hunted several times now with the new platform bracket and really liking the stability improvement. I’m getting full contact with all 4 teeth on each side as opposed to one or two with the stock bracket. Paint job sucks but I’ll fix that in the off-season.
View attachment 21568
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did you get this fromDano?
 
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