Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

How do you guys set up your ladder stands. They are so heavy and off balance that you can blow a disc trying to put them up. I got it done, but there has to be an easier way. What do you do to make it easier?

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

get more than one person to help you

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

And try to use the tree for leverage as you slide the ladder section together, pushing the top actual standing area up. You can usually find one side of the tree that will work (fairly straight and no limbs) and then spin the stand into the position you want it.

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

I dont have any problems setting up my 15foot ladder stand. I put the stand together, i facen the fron down on the ground i lif up the top of the stand and walk the stand up against the tree then adjust it to the level of lean i wantit. I have never had any problems with mine.

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

Mine only weighs 50 lbs. , but if I have trouble standing it up and don't have someone to help me I'll throw a rope over the branch immediately above my selected spot and haul the seat end up with it . The rest should be easy .

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

A 15 foot ladder isn't much of a problem for one guy. Assemble the whole thing, then pick it up and stand under the platform. Drag the bottom feet as you pick it up and move the platform up the tree. It will take a few minutes but you can always stop and rest. Make sure you use a safety belt when strapping it to the tree.

A 20 foot ladder is easier with 2 guys because of the added weight and length. Again, use a safety belt and have your buddy hold it as it will bend a lot more than a 15 foot until you put the braces against the tree.

It is easier to set them up before the season and take them down when it's over. If you are trying to do it on the same day, you will be tired.

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

If you are by yourself and can't get any helpand it is one of the relatively light 15 footers out there. Build it flat on the ground with the bottom of the ladder approx. where it will go when the stand is erect. Attach all fasteners. Pick it up at the top of the ladderwhere the platform starts and lift it as high as you canthen carefully go handunder hand on the ladderrungs(like you were climbing down)until the stand is leaning firmly against the tree. Make sure everything is slid together tightly as the platform and seat can be awkward and you don't want anything coming apart with you under it. Realistically this is not the safest way but we have 10-15 of these stands on our farm and I had lots of practice. I still suggest some help if at all possible.

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

My brother and I both use the Big Game Two-Man Partner stands. These things are ungodly heavy and also the top section is so big that it really makes it tough to get them up. He and I are both big guys, played football, strong, all that stuff, andI thought we were going to have to go to the hospital for hernia repair after putting them up. There really is no good way, just grunt and swear and get it up there. Doing it with two people is definitely the best option.

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

I just thought of something , nearly all of us have a deer hoist , use that .

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

I have a very heavy 15 foot stand and it takes 2 people to get it set up. I like the idea of the hoist if you're by yourself though.

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

its not always easy by yourself. you have to be careful because i have run into some models that the top platform section was knocked out of the rails and came falling down. many of the new ones have locking pins. i put self tapping screw in mine to make sure the sections dont come apart in mid air if i snag a branch or something trying to set it against the tree. what i do now is walk the ladder stand upright a bit at a time like a fireman would foot an extension ladder. i use the base of the tree and put the bottom rungs agains it so as i work the ladder upright it cant slide. its not fun but it can be done in steps that way.

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

The hoist is a good idea if you have a way to get up in the tree first. If you do, just use a regular rope and pull it up. With no access to the height in the tree, it is a "cowboy up" project.

Thanks for the feedback

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

This one is a 23' home-built made out of 1 1/2" tubing, and it is HEAVY. Once it is up it is very comfy and solid as a rock, but it is so hard to move it only gets moved once in the summer. This year I brought a friend of mine (here is where you find out who your friends really are) and both of our boys. I put the feet about where they were supposed to go and had the boys stand on the bottom rung which is against the ground. Me and my buddy got on the platform end and both of us just walked it up together, wasn't too bad. The weight on the bottom rung keeps it from trying to flip as you walk it up. As long as they are about 15' they aren't too bad, but once they get 20'+ they turn into a PITA. The standing rule is, if it starts to fall just run away as fast as you can, don't try to stop it, it ain't worth getting hurt over. This one is solid enough it won't break,I don't have a problem with justletting it go.

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

The easiest way is to usesome kind of hoist like others have said .Climb the tree with a climber and attach a pulley or hitch to help you pull it up from the ground . Use mechanical advantage when ever possible . My motto in life has always been to work smarter not harder

RE: Ladder Stand Set Ups...
 

We assemble ours on the ground.
Put the bottom up against the tree you are going in.
Pick up the top and then "walk" your hands up(actually down)the rungs
When it is mostly upright I just pick it straight up amd move it into position.
Stomp the bottom of the stand into the ground by standing on the bottom rund and jump up and down a little.
Then hook up the stabilizer bar and strap that goes half way up the stand and tree.
Carefully climb up to the top and hook up the ratchet strap.
All done except for trimming branches that are in the way.

Even though they are heavy it is still easier to me than putting in all those tree steps and hanging a hang on stand