What is the advangage of the tubing over the chain.  Why can't I use an api climber without the tubing and just use the chain.
Thanks,
  Murray

My tubing around the chain has seen better days...a lot of it is gone but it still works great.  I think the only advantage with the tubing on the chain is it makes it quieter going up and down the tree.  

One thing for sure if the tubing starts to rip...cut of the loose sections, that is definitely loud.

Josh

Murray, I have an API Baby Grand Slam Lite Supreme and really think the rubber coating keeps the chain a little rigid to manipulate it around the tree and into the stand. I think if it was removed it would act like a normal bike chain, perhaps not as floppy but you get the idea. Also it makes the chain system more quiet. Wait a minute........I just re-read your post and does API put a tube over the rubber coated chain also? My stand is at least 8 years old and doesn't have a tube over the chain..........just black rubber coating kind of like heavy duty heat shrink. I hope this helps.........IJ

I'm with IronJohn, to me it seems it makes the chain easier to handle, especially on a larger tree. I went one season without it and didn't notice much difference in noise, but it was definitely harder to handle without the shrink tubing.

Same here.  Mine is an older stand with the shrink tubing.  It may make the chain quieter, but what I notice most is when the shrink is in good shape the chain is a little stiffer and easier to handle.  Once worn off the chain kinda goes where it wants to making it harder to handle.

Jason

Thanks guys.

Oh yeah forgot in my first post...without the tubing it is "fun"     to put around a tree.

Josh

FWIW, about a year ago there was a guy on that big internet auction site selling replacement pre-punched shrink tubing for API climbers. I bought two sets for under $10/each and they work great.