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Treehopper Bolt Size

Dcomer55

Dcomer55

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2020
Messages
396
Location
SW Missouri
I'm sure this is on here somewhere, I just couldn't find it. Anyone know what size the treehopper bolts are?
 
What they said but I actually think the bolt itself may be a 9mm so it fits the 3/8" hole but would not swear to that!!
 
Personally i use 7" 3/8 bolts, a bit more weight than the 6" ones but the extra length makes them feel more secure as a step. Between my bulky rubber boots and the fact that some trees have thicker bark to get past, i like having a bit more step when possible, especially when its late season & steps can get a bit icy.
When i use the 6" bolts, i can only get about 2/3 of my boot on the step. I have never had an accident or slip off the bolts, they are surprisingly secure for being so short.

I actually carry 6, 7, & 7.5" bolts. I'll use the 6" for the lowest steps, 7" for everything else, & 7.5" for special purpose where an extra half inch adds more security for me.

Bolts over 6" are hard to find at hardware stores around me, but i found a bunch of sellers on ebay that sell 6+" & have had great success ordering from them.

On a side note, i use self etching primer spray paint & a natural color spray paint for the threaded part of the bolt - up to the point where the painted end would be flush with the tree when inserted fully. This is a visual indicator that the bolt is fully secured. Sometimes the bolt feels like it is in all the way, but the paint line will tell me i need to get it in another half inch (rotating the bolt or reboring the hole).

I use a different color plasti-dip spray, sprinkled with sand in between layers for the step end. This makes the bolts quieter, better camo'd, & provides an enhanced step grip).

Of all my tree climbing step options, i prefer my bolts for versatility & mobililty when using a tree saddle.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
CJP2017 said:
Personally i use 7" 3/8 bolts, a bit more weight than the 6" ones but the extra length makes them feel more secure as a step. Between my bulky rubber boots and the fact that some trees have thicker bark to get past, i like having a bit more step when possible, especially when its late season & steps can get a bit icy.
When i use the 6" bolts, i can only get about 2/3 of my boot on the step. I have never had an accident or slip off the bolts, they are surprisingly secure for being so short.

I actually carry 6, 7, & 7.5" bolts. I'll use the 6" for the lowest steps, 7" for everything else, & 7.5" for special purpose where an extra half inch adds more security for me.

Bolts over 6" are hard to find at hardware stores around me, but i found a bunch of sellers on ebay that sell 6+" & have had great success ordering from them.

On a side note, i use self etching primer spray paint & a natural color spray paint for the threaded part of the bolt - up to the point where the painted end would be flush with the tree when inserted fully. This is a visual indicator that the bolt is fully secured. Sometimes the bolt feels like it is in all the way, but the paint line will tell me i need to get it in another half inch (rotating the bolt or reboring the hole).

I use a different color plasti-dip spray, sprinkled with sand in between layers for the step end. This makes the bolts quieter, better camo'd, & provides an enhanced step grip).

Of all my tree climbing step options, i prefer my bolts for versatility & mobililty when using a tree saddle.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I do similar painting. I have a large round from a tree I cut. I drilled two rows of holes with my Treehopper cordless bit. I just put my bolts in the holes and hit them with spray paint in the off-season.

The only thing about using longer than 6” bolts is be careful putting too much weight all the way out on the end of them. It acts like a lever and is more susceptible to bending/breaking the longer the lever is.


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That explains how 1 of my bolts has a slight bend to it! :)
So far my bolts have held up really well. Only 1 has a slight bend to it. I weigh 230 lbs - probably closer to 250-260 loaded with gear & pack on my back. I definitely would be more concerned about bending of bolts if i used anything lower than grade 8 bolts or used bolts longer than 8".

My boots usually hug the tree, especially on the way down to ensure a solid step. I try to make sure my feet don't do any side to side motion when stepping up or down because I worry about accidentally pulling a bolt out of its hole with my boot. I like my alphaburly boots but they are so big its hard to feel the details underfoot sometimes.

Has anybody accidentally pulled out a bolt with their boot? Just curious how folks would rectify this situation, especially if you are 15+' in the air?


.

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CJP2017 said:
Personally i use 7" 3/8 bolts, a bit more weight than the 6" ones but the extra length makes them feel more secure as a step.......
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Actually, a 6" bolt has the same length out of the tree as an EZ Climb Deluxe step.
fc8fcc1d44d3c5633c0616ad145d7840.jpg
 
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