TRY THE DRILL METHOD IT WORKS GREAT!

I also pre-drill holes. My wife got me a wrench that is made specifically for tightening tree steps. I put up 4 stands in the last 2 days, this thing was a life saver! The wrench gives you much better leverage, which lets you put the steps in a lot easier. I think she bought it at Meijer.

Tree Hopper makes a special bit for cordless drills - then use a 3/8 grade 8 bolt for the step. They have a rounded head with an inset hex head. Extremely quick and the bolts are strong.

Cisco,

I usually like to pre "tap" a hole with my good steps (like the Gorilla's) and then I put the Ameristeps in. Mostly this is because I only have a few good ones with the majority being Ameristep.

ONE TIP: If you have a tree set up and know you will use it throughout the season, but can't leave your steps in; when you pull them out try sticking a small twig in the hole left behind. I do this now and can say that it saves me alot of time when I come back. Sometimes the tree has grown over the twig and you can't pull it out. What I do then is just break it off flush and get my tip started and voila! they're in!

I prefer this method because it makes me nearly as mobile as when I have my climber and yet doesn't restrict me to climber trees. Give it a try and see if it helps.

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Coug gave you the best advice!!! I use the Cranford's to start the hole and then use the cheaper steps or large hardware lag bolts. In fact, I just ordered a dozen Cranford's from Cabela's.

The trick with Cranford's are that they are "SELF TAPPING". None of the others are! Bass Pro does not carry them from what I've seen. I guarantee you the Cranfords will make a HUGE difference!

Here is the website:
http://www.ezyclimb.com/treesteps.htm

I personally like to make my own ladder it is cheaper than buying them, the land I hunt on I am not allowed to use screw in steps and I don't really like them that much anyway. I like the ladder or climbing sticks with ratchet straps to secure them to the tree.

good luck and God bless

My answer to that problem was getting my ambusher single pole stand. Much safer to use and put up, more comfy and also portable. Between my ambusher and my summit viper I don't have to worry about screw in steps and lock on stands anymore.

A simple solution!

Take a CORDLESS DRILL with you! A few years ago I hung stands with a friend of mine and hunting buddy. I showed up with my cordless drill and he laughed at me. We hung my stand first. I used the drill and my steps went up in a flash. We then moved to his stand. After TWO steps, he sheepishly asked me if he could borrow my drill! Now he never goes out to hang a stand without one.

It even works with the cheapy Wal-Mart tree steps! Drill that pilot hole, and BAM, they screw right in, no sweat!

Don't leave home without it...

I had the same problem, but on top of predrilling the holes, put the threaded portion of the steps in liquid soap. I used the green scent free bath and shower soap myself. It makes screwing them in MUCH easier when they are lubed like that.