Does anyone actually go by these, or is it safe to replace when you start seeing signs of wear and tear?
Experts make the safety harness so I would replace it by the experation date it would suck if it didnt hold out when your in the tree stand
expiration dates are to protect the manufacture for law suit purposes... if it hasn't been left out in weather alot, and is not showing wear, I still use em... if they are fraying or showing signs of rot from the weather, then get rid of it and get new...
Working in construction, and using harnesses all the time, aswell as having to have training in harness use and all that blah blah blah... I would say. IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW YOU TREAT IT! most harnesses are rated for 5 years of use. thats 5 years, 40 hours a week in the sun and dirty conditions. does that mean in 5 years its time to throw it away. maybe. Iv gone threw a harness in 2 years. and i have seen harnesses 5 years past expiration date that look good for plenty more. The trick is how you take care of it. If it stays free of dirt. that will prolong the life. dirt gets between the fibers and acts as sand paper that will shorten there life. The sun. the UV rays dry out the fibers and cause them to become brittle. Also. markers or any think else with alcohol applied to your harness will dry it out and shorten the life.... If you only wear it in the stand. free of dirt, and in shade a good chunk of the time. That harness will last you a very long time. If you treat it like crap. it wont even last tell the expiration date. Keep a eye on color fade, and fraying. ultimately your safety is up to your best judgment! Just a bragging picture. I love my Job
