I bought a Summit Viper last year and used it 3 times, really secure and comfortable. However, I hate the dang bar across the front! I'm thinking about cutting the bar just at the bend leaving a 4 or 5 inches beyond the strut.

Any one ever do this?

Sounds like a bad idea too me. If would be possible if it was just bolted on but you are going to ruin a nice treestand.

ya know they DO make models WITHOUT the front rail right??

i wouldnt cut it off either. just sounds like bad news...could weaken it...even though they make them without that bar, that bar may be support for the Viper...

I think Lone Wolf makes a hand-climber section that doesn't have the bar across the front. You can buy it separate and use the bottom to your climber.

I think Summit offers one too, but I'm not sure. I know there is at least one other out there.

I love that bar!! I lay my bow right across on the padding. It was gusting up to 25mph the other night and it just sits on that bar perfectly.. I just kick back and relax in my summit, love that stand!!

1. I own this stand. I can't afford to change out the tops.

2. The open Summit stands appear to have the same strut geometry, since this is a "sit&climb" I doubt it will overstress the stand as I'm shortening the lever thus reducing the force that can be applied by my body weight.

3. I'll have "horns" to hang my bow and binos like on my API.

I would suggest selling the Viper and buying one of the hand climbing models or buy the model that features the bar that will fold down.

no i dont think it will weaken it....just will put more strein on you to climb with hands and arms....as supposed to sittin on your butt.....cut it off if you want....when you cut it off it would be just like what they do to their model