Rehabbing a hang-on stand

[Interseptor]

I've got some old grizzly hang-on stands with seatbelt straps that attach to the tree.  The straps are getting old but the stands are solid.  I would like to replace the straps with chains. Could we get some ideas as to how you rehab your old stands like this?  Can we get some pictures too?

[Ryan Rothhaar]

If these are the Ameristep Grizzly stands be careful with the plastic coated cables that attach the platform to the stand below the seat - mine all started to come apart where the cable comes out of the plastic and is attached at the platform - the cables were breaking and "fuzzing" out - they had been left out over the summer a time or two.  When I noticed this it scared the crap out of me and I replaced all of the cables on my Ameristep stands with proper lengths of chain between the platform and stand held on with the high grade bolts (grade 8?).  I never liked the black seatbelt that comes with them since it is tough to loosen if the stand has been up long, so I just use a good quality ratchet strap on them.  Check those cables, though!  A guy in Indiana died this year because the cables on his stand broke and dumped him off.  I saw a picture of the stand afterwards and its scary - platform flat against the tree pointed down  :(

R

[RedShaft]

I replace all new stands with chains. Take those cables off n chains go on. Cheap n easy insurance for your life

[KentuckyTJ]

Just use another ratchet strap. I have bought a bunch of 1.5" straps and always put one on over the regular stands strap new or old. Had a buddy fall two years ago when his single ratchet strap broke.

If you use chain you are most likely going to have to weld.

[Bill Carlsen]

For less than $100 I replaced all the cables on my tree stands with 3/16" cable that is used by Screaming Eagle. That included the cable, crimp tool, cutting tool and crimps. Stands that were rated for 300# now have cables rated for 800#. As for the strap on stands, ratchet straps make excellent and better replacements .I think I did 12 stands altogether and this Spring/Summer will beef up my 3 ladder stands. By the way...when I called the stand mfgr. they told me that their cables should be replaced every 3 years and they are not particularly cheap.

[D.J. Carr]

I use ratchet straps.
I have a few of the real cheap hang-on stands, from day one they get an additional ratchet strap.
Some of the material has ripped on some of the fold out seats, once they wont hold I cut them off and screw a piece of 1/4" plywood to the frame, I just make sure I have a hot seat with me for some cushioning.

[pybucks]

Ratchet Straps

 http://www.ratchetstraps.com/camo-ratchet-straps

[Charlie Lamb]

Had the platform on my Gorilla hang on drop me like a man on a gallows. Sudden and irreversible. There were two things I concluded were wrong.

1. This is the most important factor... I checked my stands each year for worn or broken parts. Mainly the strap that holds the stand to the tree and it's points of attachment to the stand and the cables that attach the platform to the back. I should have also been checking the cable as a whole... the cable's coating was worn and allowed moisture to rust the cable.

2. The one time I didn't wear my harness after years of faithful use the stand broke. Think about that!

Recovery from the fall has been slow, very painful and continues to this day. I'm scheduled for more Dr.'s appointments, Xrays and pain meds... and sitting on my ass not hunting for now. (as far as I know they don't make a pill to make that better)

[tracker12]

I am not a big fame of ratchet straps.  The ratches are mechanical and can fail.  I have been using these buckle straps from Rivers Edge.

[stiknstringer]

Tracker12, might want to check on a possible recall of those straps you're using rom river's edge  

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Charlie - I knew you fell but I din't know how - ouch!  That is exactly what I was talking about happened here.

[edge2009]

Old fire hose... I use them for cooler straps, tree stands, tow ropes... Fire hose is like gold.

[rambo1993]

We built all our hang on stand from steel made them similar to the sreaming eagle screw ratchets and allfor a secure hold around the tree we use heavy chain yes the stands are heavy like 50 lbs but you know what they have lasted 6 years no wear we are making them lighter and replaceing our cables but they are solid I jump up and down hard locking them in place they don't move at all but what great stands I'd use chain take to a local welding shop and have them make some changes such as using chains as your attachment it's safer stronger and if rubber dipped properly they last a long time

[TooManyHobbies]

Originally posted by D.J. Carr:
 
Some of the material has ripped on some of the fold out seats, once they wont hold I cut them off and screw a piece of 1/4" plywood to the frame, I just make sure I have a hot seat with me for some cushioning.

DJ, if you have a quarry in your area, stop in and see if they would give you some old conveyor belt. They usually just throw it in a pile to be discarded. Cut a piece off and bolt to your stand (wrap around the bars and bolt back to belt). It will last forever and won't rot like wood will. It also gives a little so not quite so hard on the buttocks.
I've done a hang-on and a ladder stand. Works great.

[Walt Francis]

Charlie, sorry to hear about the fall, hope you get back to the hunt soon.

Screaming Eagle stands are my favorite, I have five of them.  Problem is it gets real expensive to replace my other fifteen stands with them.  Like others, if it doesn't have a chain I use two straps on my stands.  I replace the straps with galvanized chain (rated to 600#) that doesn't rust, if there is a good way to attach the chain.

Ryan, thanks for the head up on the cables, I haven't paid to much attention to them and some of my screaming Eagles are close to thirty years old.  I will pull all of them down and give them a good inspection between the end of this season and next fall.

[Bobby Urban]

Bolt two links of chain to one side and a sturdy hook to the other and use a master link to add as much chain as you need for any tree you want to hunt from.  I like to add a step to the back side of the tree fro the chain to have something to hang from if there is no branch but if you hook the stand up correctly it is not always necessary.  Adding ratchet straps can get them tighter to the tree and makes them quieter for situations that need it.  As Ryan mentioned - Grade 8 bolts and quality chain and cable only.  

Carrying the chain off the stand makes it much quieter but if that is not enough you can dip the chains in plastic used for tool handles - just thin it with any type thinner.  

I always pull my stands after the season and inspect/rehab them before the following season.  I have a roll of cable that is heavier than what comes on them I use when needed.

[xtrema312]

I only buy hang on stands with chains so never had to add them.  Other than the Lone Wolf Assault I carry to preset stick ladders.  

I am getting ready to replace cables on my older ones.  Had that on my to do list for next year before some of the posts about bad cables.  Now it is top priority. I am thinking seams most of mine I keep in place all season or move a short distance, I may replace my cables with punched steel strap. Then use bolts with wing nuts at one end.  That way I can still break them down flat for transport and storage, and I can even adjust for level if I want by keeping an extra little strap length. I will cut and grind off sharp edges and them paint and bend them to fit.  

For carrying a chain on stand quiet I use a little bag to put the chain in and tie the bag to the stand.  An old sock will work for that. To hang quiet I use a cinch strap I put on the tree with a clip on it.  I have a little string on the sand I can slip in the clip to hang the stand while I get the chain out and on the tree.  Then remove the cinch strap.

[Bernie B.]

This is a thread that all treestand users should read every year!  All of my stands are Ameristep Grizzlys or Gorillas, and I can see that I need to do some updated work on them.  

Not to hijack this thread, but do any of you know of a good quality hang-on that comes with chains rather than cables?

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

[MCNSC]

I have been wondering about the cables on the lone wolf hang on stands. How long untill they should be replaced?

[Lunar-Tic]

I like to use a mini chain binder to help secure my stand to the tree, then chase it with a couple of additional ratchet straps. Being careful not to overdue the binder, snug is plenty good.