I was all proud of myself this weekend. There I was, roughly 15ft up in a tree, in the dark, when I discovered that the platform was angling down in the front. I really didn't want to climb down to readjust it, then go back up. Then I remembered Greg/Mo talking about how he adjusts the platform on the LW's while climbing. So, what the heck, I need to give this a whirl I thought. Now, before anyone jumps me, I will say that Lone Wolf definitely advising against this. In no way shape or form have they ever suggested that you do this while in the tree. Also, you should make every effort to make sure the platform levels as you climb by getting the pre angle correct. However, this takes time with the stand and different trees to get the hang of and sometimes, you just "miss". Also, MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING A HARNESS AND THAT YOU ARE TIED FAST TO THE TREE! Here is what I did. Adjust your safety harness so that the tree strap or rope is head high. Lower the seat section down to just below kneed height. Pull the stabilizer straps tight, securing the top section to the tree, just like you would if you were ready to hunt. Turn around and sit down in the seat. You should feel as though you're a little too low to the platform for what you'd normally be sitting. Now, hook your boots over the end of the platform so that you can lift up on the front, taking the pressure off the climbing belt. Reach down with your left or right hand and unhinge the belt, adjust the belt in or out and re-latch, all while still holding the front of the platform up with your heals. If you had to adjust the platform up in the front, re-cinch the stabilzer straps so that they are tight. if you had to adjust the front down, leave a bit of slack out of the stabilizer straps. Adjusting the stabilizer straps is extremely important here. If you had to adjust the platform to bring the front up, there will be slack in them now. If you don't tighten them down, you run the risk of the top section moving when you go to stand back up to finish climbing. If you had to adjust the front of the platform down, the straps will actually to hold the platform up and you MUST adjust them out to get the platform down. If you don't do this, when you stand up, you could break the stabilizer buckles and the platform could fall because of your weight on those little plastic buckles. The entire adjustment takes less than a minute and in my opinion, is the safest way to do it. To completely lose the platform, you would have to completely remove the traction belt from the stand and both stabilizer strap buckles would have to break. Highly unlikely. With the straps tight, while you make the adjustment, it actually helps hold the platform against the tree. In my opinion, its the safest way to do this. IF something crazy would ever happen and you'd lost the bottom, you're still sitting in the seat. It won't be the best sit, but at least you're not falling or hanging by your harness. I'll admit, when I did this at 5:30am the other morning, I had the "pucker factor" in full scale. It's not exactly something you want to do every time you climb. But it can be done safely in my opinion. Also, its better to pay attention to that platform angle while you ascending. The moment you notice its not going to be right, stop and adjust. Its way better to adjust at eight feet off the ground than at twenty. Hope this helps someone. Thanks Greg/Mo!
i really wish that lone wolf would put the adjustment cranks on like equalizer uses on their climbers. its so easy to adjust while in the tree
Hand climber mid air adjustment. I've done this with my hand climber. Like you said make sure your stabilizer straps are tight and your wearing your harness. When I climb I actually grip the seat close to there it touches the tree and I put my forearms on the seat pad. To adjust the platform angle I first tighten my straps. With both hands gripping the seat like I said I put my feet in the same spot I do when climbing and I lift and tilt my toes down. The platform will Angle up and I push it against the tree to kinda hold it in place. At this point my stomach/chest is resting on the seat and my left hand is gripping the seat frame close to the tree. I then use my right hand to undo the cam on the right side and slide the cable in 1 or 2 notches. As soon as it's locked in I'll re adjust the stabilizer straps to climb higher or to stay where I'm at. I've done this twice and it's so annoying that I really make sure I'm angled up to compensate for the tree before I climb. If you have either stand you might want to try this while at the bottom of the tree to get the hang of it. I'll bet everyone hold/ lifts a different way and it's important you figure that out close to the ground. Obviously this is NOT recommend and lone wolf will tell you to NEVER!!! Undo the cams while off the ground. Know the trees your climbing and how they taper. Angle the platform up and you should be fine. I highly recommend you try to adjust the platform while close to the ground before you do it 20 ft up. And always with a harness. I wouldn't even consider doing this without a harness and the stabilizer straps.
L.I. Bow, you are the man. I couldn't imagine trying that with the hand climber. At least with the SC, you're pretty much safe sitting on the seat, while monkeying with it. I forgot the mention what you did about practicing this maneuver while on the ground a few times. This at least got me comfortable making the adjustment.
