Screw in step breaks!

[ironwood]

This afternoon after moving a camera I took a few minutes to check the condition of a near by treestand. As I neared the top of my climb, with my foot coming down on a step at about 15 feet it gave way under my weight. I was fortunate to have had my momentum take me into the tree. I put a bear hug on it pretty fast and just stared down at my wife. I took a fall last year and can not believe it all most happen again. In both cases it was a heavy piece of metal, you would normally trust completely, that failed. Has anyone ever had an Ameristep screw in break right where the threads end? This step has been in this tree for three or four years. It looks as if the step has been defective for sometime and continued exposure made it fail. At the break the whole surface appears to be rusted. I am going to have a butt load of screw in steps and a removal tool for sale.

 

[Guest]

Glad to hear that you are ok Ironwood.Never used the screw in.Most of the properties that I hunt,those who hunt there agrre every year that they help to upkeep on the permanent stands.When I don't use those I have two climbers.I'd think that they would have some kind of defect clause in their program.Aren't they suppose to be guaranteed?I am not an expert on it but it might be worth lookin into.Just glad to hear you are alright.

 

[moosehunter]

glad to hear you made it out of the tree intact Woody. I got (had) a bunch of those steps out, some were in the tree for 3 years and all seemed to be in fine shape except for some rust on the older ones. I've never had one break.

Now I'm putting out the sticks and it's easier, faster, and safer as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Thinkin Rut]

I think when the tree grows it puts a hell of a lot of pressure on them steps. I had the same thing happen last time I went to check cameras, only I felt it was broke when I grabbed it. I'm going to put new steps in.

 

[River1]

I heard about this once, it was also a manufactured step that had been left in a tree over a year. The homemade screw in steps are particularily dangerous if left in the tree. The weld at the lag bolts fail frequently on those. I really feel it is dangerous to leave your stand equipement out in the timber year round and then expect it to be in the same condition as you left it. Between the tree's growth and weathering it's a loosing situation. I've seen some of the faster growing trees swallow chains and steps to the point they aren't removeable in a years time. If you have tubular steel tree stands, they will rust from the inside out if left to the elements.

I'm about as cautious a person as anyone, I guess my job has made me a little more so. I pull every piece of equipement at the end of season. I spray paint the spots that need covered. Then in August I pull all my tree equipement out, safety check and add another coat of paint where needed. I scrutinize every single piece of my equipement.

I once had a manufactured ladder section fail on me. I fell 10' with my shoulders and neck being the first thing to hit the ground. It was a poorly designed system that is no longer on the market. I swear that fall took 5 years off my body. It took a good year just to not feel the aches in my back and neck. I feel more than fortunate that it wasn't worse. Back then I wasn't smart enough to wear my harness while climbing, only wore it in the stand. I wear it every time I'm 2' off the ground now

. I guess you just never know when a fall could happen, trying to eliminate the easy risks is essential.

Don't mean to

, but I just hate to see someone injured.

 

[muddy]

i ALWAYS take steps out at the end of season and inspect them carefully. sometimes even spray them down a bit for safeties sake.

 

[scout]

I have to admit, I have a home brew steel stand chained in a tree with screw-in steps that has been out there about 8-10 YEARS! I cut some brush around it a couple days ago. I checked it over last season and did hunt from it. I just decided to hack it out of there and replace it. no reason to push my luck, plenty of others to put up.
I do think bringing them home after season is a very good thing.

Yes, this one is getting scrapped. Thanks for the motivation!

 

[ironwood]

I have never thought there would be a problem leaving those steps in. I have been in the habit of backing them out alittle each year so the tree did swallow them up. I am done with screw ins. if you add it up the lone wolf strap on sticks are safer more convenient. Hang your fixed stands and no one will be in them but you or someone with sticks.

 

[Wags]

I had the same thing happen to me 3 years ago at about the same height. The steps were in for about 3 years also. With close inspection the step broke right next to the tree, the threads were black and like the edges had been wore down on the screw. This week me and my buddy pulled some old steps out of a tree that we both used and found the same black wore down threads on the steps. These steps were also in for about 4 years. IMOA I think the tree sap or whatever has a effect on these steps in time. I have several tree sticks and are using them instead for my stands this year.