Crooked Climbers

Here is the scenario…..

I finally find a nice telephone pole type tree for my climber, guestimate the diameter 15-20 feet up. I set up the stand at the base and it is leaning so far back that I can barley get started and its about as tight as it can go and already 3-4 feet off of the ground. I wrestle with that, only to have to stop short of ideal unless I want my stand sloping forward. Once I am up in the tree, there is really no way to adjust the cable….. Unless I am missing something.

How do you all deal with this?

It's a problem..that's for sure. I use to fight this myself and finally got tired of it and spent the money to buy an equalizer stand. Go here https://www.equalizertreestands.comand check them out. They have a leveling system that lets you adjust as you go up.
I use to use an API grand slam climber..which was very comfortable, but the chains were noisy and I had the leveling problem. This equilizer stand has much quiter cables and the leveling problem is gone. It's worth checking out.
Best of luck.
Craig

What type of/or brand of stand is it?Also is there much taper in the tree?I didn't understand what you meant when you wrote "the diameter is 15-20 feet up"?With my Summit stand you can adjust the seat when you get to the desired position,also generally with the foot platform you generally (dependant on the taper of tree)start with the platform slightly angled up.

Iuse a Lone Wolf climber and have figured a way to adjust the platformwhen I get to my desired height by leaning down from the seat andadjusting the traction belt to get proper platform level, this is not easy but I'm able to do it. I find it much easyer to find a straight tree!

That has always been a interesting issue. I've used my Ol'man stand so long I've gotten good at removing the pin and repositioning it for a level stand while sitting in the climber/seat. AFTER I put on my safety harness, practice at home before heading up a tree and be sure the foot platform is connected to the seat by a rope/strap. AND be careful.

It's a summit stand and yes, there are mostly hardwoods in my area that have a taper, especially at the bottom of the tree. I have been starting a few feet of the ground where the largest part of the taper is.

About the diameter of the tree. What I was trying to explain is that I am adjusting my stand to what I think the diameter is 15-20 feet up. In some cases, I have to tilt the stand forward at a pretty severe angle to get it right.

I'll have to see what I can do about adjusting it half way up the tree. I tried once last year, but I almost slipped (I was strapped on though!) and I lost my nerve.

I'll also look into that stand the Navy pointed out.

Thanks Guys!

Buy a timbertall. They can be adjusted in the tree and they have models starting at about 12 pounds.

www.timbertalloutdoors.com

I have a northstar. Its adjustable and works pretty good. Try starting the platform about 3 feet off the ground, then set it up for the taper. I dothis and then pull my self up to it using the top half. Once you get used to it it won't seem that bad.

My Loggy Bayou quickdraw has a leveling unit on the cable that allows you to pop a pin and disengage the cable to move it in and out. It's really a very safe and reliable system.