Loosen the stabilizer straps a few inches while sitting on the seat.  Doesn't take much slack to allow the seat to unfold and hang from the bungee cord's hook.

The newer models have a small hole in the strap buckles and a small string attached to give a little more leverage for un-hooking.

I love my hand-climber!!  I added some foot straps ala ol man to make it easier to manipulate the platform while climbing.

QuoteOriginally posted by mparks:
Loosen the stabilizer straps a few inches while sitting on the seat.  Doesn't take much slack to allow the seat to unfold and hang from the bungee cord's hook.

The newer models have a small hole in the strap buckles and a small string attached to give a little more leverage for un-hooking.

These fasteners are VERY hard to open. So hard sometimes, especially when it's real cold, I can't open them by hand. Have to hook a small rope in them and pull hard as I can. Today I put a small pair of vice grips in pack to use.

When my fasteners get too hard to open due to the cold, I stay on the ground.

QuoteOriginally posted by foxbo:
When my fasteners get too hard to open due to the cold, I stay on the ground.    

It don't have to be cold for them to be hard to open. They are always hard to open. When it's cold and my hands get numb it's just much worse.

I get a skint place on my knuckle from opening them. I have to pull so hard when they come free and open the back of my hand slams against the tree trunk.

I drilled holes in the fasteners and tied a looped cord through the hole. It gives me something extra to pull on. Way better.

As said above, the newer models have the pull cords.

Thanks Red..I will do that too. I missed the post about newer models having pull cords.

Hoyt do you have a picture of your modified seat. How do you climb with the seat portion cut out?

Just like my stand.......The smaller trees, where you crossed the bungee, I got an adjustable bungee I throw in my pack so it fits any tree. Wal-mart have 2-3 different lengths.

What a great post, i just ordered a new L/W today and i will be using these tips on it  
Bill

I push the fasteners open with my thumb. The new upper section I recently bought came with nylon string to make loops for the fasteners, but I've never installed them. I don't have any problem with them unless it's pretty cold outside. Then, the fasteners can be difficult to open, but not impossible.

mparks, if you have trouble with dropping stuff get you a big trebble hook and file the barbs off and put it on a cord or rope and put in baggie and keep in your backpack.

Hoyt,

Not sure how old your stand is?  My original fasteners were also VERY hard to open cold or not.  A few yrs ago I purchased replacement fasteners from Lone Wolf.  They have the hole and cord to help but it's not really needed as the new fasteners open MUCH easier than the originals.  Can't remember what they cost but it was not expensive.

Brent

I've been using a LW climber for probably 6 or 7 years now and I think it's the best climber made BY FAR!!  

I got into the habbit of leaving the right side strap buckled and the left unbuckled.  If I want to stand I can loosen the right strap with my right hand, quietly slide the seat around to the side of the tree and stand in one motion....sort of.  

It's really easy and quiet.  But I do like the idea of using the bungee, I tried that when I first got it but it wouldn't fold up to easyily.  But now that it's good and broke in I may try it again.