• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Ring of steps drop

S

saddleup19

New Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2018
Messages
35
I have the bullman ring of steps. I have used them twice now and for some reason they seem to slide down the tree. I tightened them up really tight. I'm not sure what I did wrong. I tightened the ratchet as tight as I could. By the way, I am new to saddle hunting
 
saddleup19 said:
I have the bullman ring of steps. I have used them twice now and for some reason they seem to slide down the tree. I tightened them up really tight. I'm not sure what I did wrong. I tightened the ratchet as tight as I could. By the way, I am new to saddle hunting
Click to expand...
I believe general consensus is that bullman is not the preferred choice for ROS FOR THE reason you mentioned.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
 
saddleup19 said:
I have the bullman ring of steps. I have used them twice now and for some reason they seem to slide down the tree. I tightened them up really tight. I'm not sure what I did wrong. I tightened the ratchet as tight as I could. By the way, I am new to saddle hunting
Click to expand...
The coveted no longer made ameristeps work much better as a ring of steps platform.
 
I've actually been a fan of the bullman ring of steps. Once I learned just how tight you need to get them, they've been rock solid for me. People aren't lying when they say to cinch it as tight as you can, and then cinch it at least one more click. I actually broke the original ratchet cinching them down, but have had no issues now using the replacement I got from strapworks.

Of the complaints I've seen, they've all had to do with poor handling of side pressure but nothing about them sliding down. I'd suspect the answer to both is just getting them really tight.
 
Silent Approach steps working good but I'm having trouble getting the platform on the tree at height.It keeps twisting on me.Any tips to keep it straight while coming round tree?? Low to the ground I placed 2 steps together and made a set of three steps,rock solid and no side movement if that will help anyone------Grei
 
joel0711 said:
Silent Approach steps working good but I'm having trouble getting the platform on the tree at height.It keeps twisting on me.Any tips to keep it straight while coming round tree?? Low to the ground I placed 2 steps together and made a set of three steps,rock solid and no side movement if that will help anyone------Grei
Click to expand...

The best approach for me has been to thread the strap through the ratchet and then tie a loose knot, just to keep the strap tight enough to hold to the tree but loose enough to have freedom to position and untwist the steps. Once they’re where I want them, I undo that knot and ratchet them down.
 
I've been experimenting with these steps. First I posted adding screws to bite the tree. Two of the small hex heads protruding at the top with a large screw at the bottom as shown in the first photo. Very good but still some twist at times with the lower screw point acting as a fulcrum. Next I figured with the two upper screws pointed at the tree the twist would be gone and the lower screw wouldn't be needed. See the second photo. *I also skipped a step in the process by guessing wrong that I could reduce packing size by cutting down the lower step. Big mistake as the steps flipped down on me under foot pressure. (do not do this)
So I just received new Bullmans and I will add the two 1" drywall screws at the top without a lower screw. I was trying to use 6 steps as shown in the second photo and found I can get by just fine with 4 steps. So I'll save the space carrying only 4.
I am using a 1-1/2" ratchet strap from home depot that works great so far. Larger handle let's me leverage the strap with ease.

Update from another post I made: stealth strips silenced these clicking steps great, but with rain they peeled right off from my boots. Just have to go slow and be disciplined to keep noise to a minumum.
ac04a1afad0c323b6a509a006896b57e.jpg
83c3820c0628db46ba3a0c3c2dbcde56.jpg


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Thanks guys I'll try the knots and screws. One more question,how is everyone carrying their platform to the woods,backpack,turkey vest,tied to Mantis?? Thanks again----Greg
 
saddleup19 said:
Thanks. I guess I need to try to put my purse down. I just couldn't get it any tighter
Click to expand...

I’m also new to saddle hunting and about crapped myself the first time my ROS slipped. I learned right then and there to tighten as if you are trying to choke the tree out. After that lesson I’ve had no issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
farwellhunter said:
I am using a 1-1/2" ratchet strap from home depot that works great so far.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Have you noticed if the 1-1/2" strap makes any difference in terms of how much you need to cinch down in order for the steps to hold tight? Looking at the steps' design, I've been wondering if that or even a 2" strap might get them to hold even better.
 
beej32 said:
Have you noticed if the 1-1/2" strap makes any difference in terms of how much you need to cinch down in order for the steps to hold tight? Looking at the steps' design, I've been wondering if that or even a 2" strap might get them to hold even better.
Click to expand...
Yes 1-1/2" strap is better by my accounts. Thinking of 2" not for the cinch but to take up space in the slot of each step so they dont twist around when wrapping the tree. For now I'm still 1-1/2 trying out my new screw mods this weekend. Trying shorter screws to keep the bite without tearing up my dump pouch or hands when handling.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Got a 1.5 inch strap coming from strap works-- mainly to stop step flipping when wrapping around tree. real tight I get no drop and placing 2 steps together at approx 4-8-and 12 oclock I get no side slipping
 
joel0711 said:
Got a 1.5 inch strap coming from strap works-- mainly to stop step flipping when wrapping around tree. real tight I get no drop and placing 2 steps together at approx 4-8-and 12 oclock I get no side slipping
Click to expand...
Its better with 1.5, that's why I was thinking 2" if it will fit the slot without binding when trying to adjust the spacing before tightening. Does strap works sell them with a ratchet buckle already sewed on? Love the idea of stacking two steps side by side for stability.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Just a follow up on my latest bullman step mods. 1-1/2" drywall screws extend just enough to bite the tree bark, but not enough to be a nuisance when handling or packing. Five different trees this past weekend. All rock solid and used only 4 steps for a variety of diameter trees. I am happy. Side note that I cut down the bottom of each step by 1" to save space for packing. I saw no issue with this in the field. I weigh 150lbs. so take that with a grain of salt. Overall extremely satisfied with my setup now after 14 hunting sets in my first season with a saddle.
9d5e3ad3dbc20292519c4083e6a65711.jpg
dbb4e8c69a0b58f889af2fce6e4283dd.jpg


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top