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Lone wolf hand climber seat

So I finally got a chance this past weekend to try climbing with my LWHC seat. Overall, I liked it. I have been using sticks and a Gen 1 predator platform, so it's a pretty good net savings in weight.

Where I hunt has a good number of pretty straight trees without low branches so even when using sticks, I often choose a tree that the hand climber would work on. I haven't done the bolt mod and I don't think I will. I didn't have any issue with moving the platform up and down the tree.

I found adjusting the band length as I go up and down the tree a bit awkward, but manageable. I didn't have too much time, so I couldn't spend a lot of time at height, but stability wasn't too bad as long as I kept some weight on even without being strapped down.

It will definitely be a tool in the box that I will use, but there was one tree I tried that was just a touch too big at the base that I could have gotten in with sticks. So, while it's a very nice hammer, still not everything is a nail.

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sweats said:
So I finally got a chance this past weekend to try climbing with my LWHC seat. Overall, I liked it. I have been using sticks and a Gen 1 predator platform, so it's a pretty good net savings in weight.

Where I hunt has a good number of pretty straight trees without low branches so even when using sticks, I often choose a tree that the hand climber would work on. I haven't done the bolt mod and I don't think I will. I didn't have any issue with moving the platform up and down the tree.

I found adjusting the band length as I go up and down the tree a bit awkward, but manageable. I didn't have too much time, so I couldn't spend a lot of time at height, but stability wasn't too bad as long as I kept some weight on even without being strapped down.

It will definitely be a tool in the box that I will use, but there was one tree I tried that was just a touch too big at the base that I could have gotten in with sticks. So, while it's a very nice hammer, still not everything is a nail.

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Click to expand...

Yes - the LWHC is one of many options - depending on the situation it is good. For trees that are larger at the base - I use 2 bullman strap on steps to start the LWHC above the 'bulge' - this also reduces number of adjustments needed. Also, adjusting the belt as you go up is all about setting the right tether length so you are comfortable doing it and don't have to 'fight' the platform to adjust - that will get better with practice.
I secure the LWHC at height with a bungee from one side of strap to other , here's a pic - simple and effective - but of course not as 'locked down' and tight as my podium but sufficient...Hope this helps..
Saddle-with-tsteps.jpg
 
Just tried using this this weekend, few pros and cons I have with it
Pros:
1-light weight, walked 4-5 miles and not break a sweat
2-quite
3-was able to get into bedding areas without spooking any deer. (not to sure if any was in the area, as I didn't see or hear any)
Cons:
1-climbing the tree was a challenge, had to do adjustments during the climb and found getting my feet in to webbing was a pain
2-strapping it in at my hunting height was also a challenge, did this so it didn't move

I'll give this a try again and maybe get better at it but I am thinking of using my sticks and this as my platform for now.
This is a great ideal and need to practice more during the off season to get better.
 
ohiowhitetail said:
Just tried using this this weekend, few pros and cons I have with it
Pros:
1-light weight, walked 4-5 miles and not break a sweat
2-quite
3-was able to get into bedding areas without spooking any deer. (not to sure if any was in the area, as I didn't see or hear any)
Cons:
1-climbing the tree was a challenge, had to do adjustments during the climb and found getting my feet in to webbing was a pain
2-strapping it in at my hunting height was also a challenge, did this so it didn't move

I'll give this a try again and maybe get better at it but I am thinking of using my sticks and this as my platform for now.
This is a great ideal and need to practice more during the off season to get better.
Click to expand...

I tie a piece of 550 to my foot strap and the other end to my saddle to aid in putting my feet under and I case I drop the climber. I also start the climber as high in the tree as I can and have it pointing upwards so I don’t have to adjust it as much. I’ve been playing with the idea of bringing a WE step with me to start it even higher.


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ohiowhitetail said:
Just tried using this this weekend, few pros and cons I have with it
Pros:
1-light weight, walked 4-5 miles and not break a sweat
2-quite
3-was able to get into bedding areas without spooking any deer. (not to sure if any was in the area, as I didn't see or hear any)
Cons:
1-climbing the tree was a challenge, had to do adjustments during the climb and found getting my feet in to webbing was a pain
2-strapping it in at my hunting height was also a challenge, did this so it didn't move

I'll give this a try again and maybe get better at it but I am thinking of using my sticks and this as my platform for now.
This is a great ideal and need to practice more during the off season to get better.
Click to expand...

I would echo @rutjr mods and add that for ease of climbing I'm still an advocate of the bolt mod. It made a world of difference for me and I'm not convinced it contributed to any type of failure that I have seen so far. Mine has not failed and works great climbing is easier both up and down. I also choose to lock mine down with a ratchet strap once at height to allow for side pressure if I need to walk around. My ratchet strap has 2 silent approach steps on it for placing at 3&9 positions or 10 & 2 depending on tree.
 
Dylan9862003 said:
I would echo @rutjr mods and add that for ease of climbing I'm still an advocate of the bolt mod. It made a world of difference for me and I'm not convinced it contributed to any type of failure that I have seen so far. Mine has not failed and works great climbing is easier both up and down. I also choose to lock mine down with a ratchet strap once at height to allow for side pressure if I need to walk around. My ratchet strap has 2 silent approach steps on it for placing at 3&9 positions or 10 & 2 depending on tree.
Click to expand...
How are you reaching down to ratchet strapping it in. I had to give my tether some slack and almost kneel down and do it, but find it hard to do so.
 
ohiowhitetail said:
How are you reaching down to ratchet strapping it in. I had to give my tether some slack and almost kneel down and do it, but find it hard to do so.
Click to expand...

Exactly that
I kneel down on the platform lowering my ropeman as I go until I have enough room to kneel. Then stand up taking up the slack with me. You are not introducing anymore slack then you get when you were climbing. I actually grab my rope with my left hand to pull myself back up to standing using the right hand to pull the slack end of my tether up as I go to minimize any slack in the system.
I put my knee pads on at the tree as part of my set up then climb to height, attach my hanger and back pack then pull up my weapon getting it situated and lastly I tie off the platform if I feel like I need it. The ratchet strap and steps live in my back pack because I do not always lock it down. Based on the size of the tree the target area etc, if I don't feel the need to push off to get my full coverage then I wont lock it down at all.
 
Dylan9862003 said:
Exactly that
I kneel down on the platform lowering my ropeman as I go until I have enough room to kneel. Then stand up taking up the slack with me. You are not introducing anymore slack then you get when you were climbing. I actually grab my rope with my left hand to pull myself back up to standing using the right hand to pull the slack end of my tether up as I go to minimize any slack in the system.
I put my knee pads on at the tree as part of my set up then climb to height, attach my hanger and back pack then pull up my weapon getting it situated and lastly I tie off the platform if I feel like I need it. The ratchet strap and steps live in my back pack because I do not always lock it down. Based on the size of the tree the target area etc, if I don't feel the need to push off to get my full coverage then I wont lock it down at all.
Click to expand...
First using it I didn't tie it off, but I prefer it to be tied off. I used a 2 inch webbing and secured it to the climber and my carabiner at my bridge and left it. never got in the way and give me the extra security of it not falling down.
 
I always keep it tie off to my person. Paracord attached to the foot strap and then a carabiner to my bridge loop.
In my reply earlier I was referring to locking it down with a ratchet strap to the tree in order for it to take side pressure.
 
Hunted out of a beech tree with LWHC tonight, really wished that thing was locked down. No place for a nervous person as Mickey Redmond would say...
 
Did you have any problem? I’ve used it in beech trees twice with out issues. I haven’t used any straps yet either.


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rutjr said:
Did you have any problem? I’ve used it in beech trees twice with out issues. I haven’t used any straps yet either.
Click to expand...

It had a little "rock" all day. I did give it a couple solid steps when I first settled in at height, but it just did not feel secure. When decending, it was quite noticeable how much less force was required to kick out the teeth with downward force of the toes. I will avoid smooth-bark trees if possible in the future.
 
sweats said:
I'm not an engineer or machinist so my opinion isn't worth much, but I like the idea of adjusting the arms rather than the platform.

E.g. bolting on some additional tubing to effectively make the arms thicker where they rest on the platform. That way you aren't drilling the more brittle metal of the platform. However, I'm not sure how you could have a bolt vertically through the arm without interfering with moving the band through.

I'm sure given enough time, someone with a lot more creativity and metal working experience than me will come up with something.

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Click to expand...

You may be able to use a metal epoxy putty like JB weld to make a wedge shaped spacer.
 
Cajunyankee said:
You may be able to use a metal epoxy putty like JB weld to make a wedge shaped spacer.
Click to expand...
I've only tried it once so far, but I didn't have really any problem moving it up or down the tree.

I may try to figure out something to lightly tie it down so it's a little more stable. I know a lot of folks ratchet strap it down, but that seems like a lot more strain on the platform than necessary, but we will see.

My big question now is whether to take the LWHC opening day or the sticks and predator platform. I haven't decided where I'm going exactly so I'm not sure if I may end up wanting to climb a tree that's too large for the LWHC and end up kicking myself. On the other hand, it sure was nice to have a much lighter pack and I could probably go further easier.

Decisions, decisions.

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rutjr said:
I tried that, after a few uses it fell off.


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Click to expand...

Good point! I may try running a zip tie through the putty while it is soft and strap it to the platform to hold it in place.
 
Any other ideas using a spare set of hand climber arms? I got another LWHC since my other one broke. Not sure what to do with other platform, arms, and belt.


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sureshotscott said:
It had a little "rock" all day. I did give it a couple solid steps when I first settled in at height, but it just did not feel secure. When decending, it was quite noticeable how much less force was required to kick out the teeth with downward force of the toes. I will avoid smooth-bark trees if possible in the future.
Click to expand...

The LWHC will have some 'give' to it if you don't use some method to lock it down. The way I do it - with the bungees from one side of the strap to the other - secures it but there is still some 'give' to it which is normal for the type of belt it uses. I have been able to lock it down very solidly with a LW ezy hang strap around the tree under the platform about a foot or so and then a LW strap from it up through the stand at the outer edge and tightened down. This was almost as 'locked down' as my podium but not quite. I don't use this method of locking it down when using it as a climber as - for me - its not feasible to do all that while standing on the platform - I only do that 'lock down' method when using it as a platform only with another climbing method....

Also, I actually prefer smooth bark trees like poplar for climbing.....
 
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