You have to climb down under it to set up?
You would if you set up the platform first. I had tried doing that but it was a total PITA. I tried dangling and swinging a rope around while sitting on the platform and stuff but it took me a while and I was totally klutzing it and making a lot movements. I ended up climbing down a few feet and almost did not get back up. It may be easier to do after I get the Petzl I'D thingy that I had ordered. One can rappel down a couple of feet and then ascend with a pulley and stuff.
I just tie the platform around the tree with a trucker's hitch and it very stable (dark green accessory line).
About that "side load" thing, you can go sideways/around the tree and put "sideways force" on it as long as you are doing it with your FOOT ON THE PLATFORM and not on the side/edge of the platform.
I have mentioned before... I AM SCARED OF HEIGHTS! I tested this out at the base of a tree and practiced lots of times before I was confident enough to use it. (As a side note, I'm even thinking of using a hard hat while "saddling". Yep --> crazy.)
Really, just try it I guess.
I did take some vid a couple of years ago and you can tell how I go around the tree using the platform.
Please post up what tricks you figure out so I can try them too!