Lone Wolf Hang on Alpha users I purchased my 1st store bought stand back In late October of this year. I have always made my own hang ons but I needed another stand to put up being my other 10 were up. My brother and I share stands so technically I only have 5 most of the time. Anyhow here's my questions as I'm pretty clueless with these stands- 1. Do you use the straps that come with them to hang the stand or do you buy ratchet type straps? Give me your reasons why too. 2. How durable do you believe these stands are? 3. Any Issues with bolts coming loose? Ever had to replace a bolt? How often should one check these bolts? 4. Have you ever noticed the stand coming loose a little after being In a tree for a bit? 5. If so would that be because the straps are stretching some or because of the design of the clamps on the straps that come with the stand? 6. How exactly do you put this stand up? What's your exact procedure? Any tips would be greatly appreciated! So far I like the stand for the most part but I've got a few Issues that I need to either learn more about or do something different.
1. Do you use the straps that come with them to hang the stand or do you buy ratchet type straps? Give me your reasons why too.They come with ratchet straps 2. How durable do you believe these stands are? They are the best stands on the market IMO cast almuinum great. 3. Any Issues with bolts coming loose? Ever had to replace a bolt? How often should one check these bolts? I check the straps and stuff every year. If I leave it out the whole year I'll check it before the season. 4. Have you ever noticed the stand coming loose a little after being In a tree for a bit? no 5. If so would that be because the straps are stretching some or because of the design of the clamps on the straps that come with the stand? 6. How exactly do you put this stand up? What's your exact procedure? Put the climbing sticks up then strap myself to the tree linemans belt. Through the top strap around the tree and tighten it.Then put the bottom strap on. I just found one of theses stands on my land tonight damn tresspassers but atleast I got a free stand.:D
1. Comes with straps (20" I believe) and they work great. 2. Very! My brother's is 5 yrs old and other than the seat cushion being a little faded, it's just as good as the day he got it. 3. No. no. I check them at the beginning of the season. 4. I have not seen them loosen. I don't leave then up year round though. Just for the season or less with my mobile set. 5. N/A 6. I'm bad. I don't use a strap until my set is hung. I put my sticks up one at a time. Then when I take my last stick, I throw the stand (with straps attached on one end and loose on the other) on my back. Hang my last stick then pull one shoulder strap off and swing the stand to the side I'm hanging it. Attach the top strap to secure it to the tree. Then the bottom strap, with the platform half up I tighten both as best I can, then lower the platform and presto! Stand hung. Sometimes I have to back out the bottom strap because it's too tight. Once it's hung, I climb in and set up my safety strap. Most of the trees I hang in have so many limbs that I'd have to unhook & reattach the safety strap so many times that it seems counter productive to me. I'm more likely to fall doing that, than hanging my sticks and climbing.
Hah? Mine don't have ratchets. Why are my straps loosening then? I've had It happen twice now. Thanks for the Info!!
Steve, I have 7 of these stands. They are the best sturdiest stands I have ever used. Not one of them came with a ratchet strap. Climb the tree, throw the straps around and tighten. Lift the platform into the air and pull down on the upright. Pull the platform back down, which will lever the stand and straps tight. When it gets cold, the tree will sometimes contract to the point that the straps get loose. Readjust as mentioned above. Also, when used on trees with thick, deep bark, sometimes the stand will start creaking. Especially when it gets cold out. Then, I take a ratchet strap and put it around the upright near the top and ratchet the crap out of it. No more creak!
Steve the lone wolf site has a bunch of videos for your viewing/learning pleasure. Check it out: http://www.lonewolfstands.com/videogallery/1/videos.aspx Have a safe and Merry Christmas, T
What kind of straps then? If they are cam straps throw them out they are unsafe and that's why they are coming loose. You need ratchet straps it's the only way to go.
I use the EZ hook. Put the steps up,carrying the stand on your back. Attach the strap w/ theEZ hook on it. Take the stand off your back and hook it onto the EZ hook, attach and tighten the lower strap, then hunt! BTW, the web site videos are great.
This from the guy who doesn't wear a safety harness! The cam straps are perfectly safe and have been tested well beyond the max capacity we'll ever put on any LW stand. Typically, I only use one cam strap when setting my stands. I use the exact method Greg described. Hold seat post against tree, put strap around, fasten, tighten, pull seat post down to tighten even further, and put the platform down. On crooked trees I will use a 2nd strap to make sure the bottom doesn't kick out when getting in/out. The only time I've had a strap loosen up is if it's older and been left out in the elements for a few years. In which case, replace the strap and be on your way. I'd say it's good practice to replace your straps every 2-3 years anyways. As for durability, I got my first LW Alpha hang-on in 2003. Put it next to the ones I got in 07 or 08 and you can't tell the difference. They are extremely durable and should last you a lifetime.
Not to be a **** but you can never tighten a cam strap as tight as you can tighten a ratchet. That is fact even if it did test out well beyond capacity.If it isn't tight maybe that's why people fall that little jerk when you twist on stand.
