Big Game Hunter HD 1.5 Ladder Stand Install/Assembly Questions

[DeerWhisperer]

After viewing the discussions here and reading the on-line reviews I decided to purchase two of the Big Game HD 1.5 stands last week. They delivered last week and I began assembly this past weekend. I have to say that I am impressed with the size and quality of the stand. No missing parts, no damage and the assembly took about two hours for the first one.

The only question/concern I have is with how the tree support bar attaches. If you look at the attached, the drawing the support bar actually attaches to the ladder once it is sleeved together. You bolt the support bar through the ladder.

This stand is 18.5 to the top of the rail, you have 3sections of latter that are approxomatley 4' long. The question I have is at which ladder connecting section should this be atttached. If you attach between the first(ground) and and second section the support bar will only be bout 4' off the ground, it you attach between second and third it will be close to 8' high and will be very hard to attached and secure to the tree at that height.

Just hoping others that have purchased this stand can offer some advice on which setion they added the support bar. This is the first stand I have owned where the suuport bar is actually attached to a ladder section. Most are attached to the rung of the ladder to allow placement at the most optimal point.

The only drawback I see with this being bolted to the ladder is that you basically have to assemble the entire ladder section prior to heading to the woods or risk losing the hardware at time of install.

Any feedback would be appreciated

 

[knightrider]

When used ladders i put them head high and carried on

 

[backyardtndeer]

I had the same question and got my wife to look with me. It goes to the upper section, or the top of the second ladder and the bottom of the third section. The instructions weren't great, we had to look at the pictures to confirm the correct placement for the stabilizer. Got ours put up yesterday. I had an extension ladder on the back side of the tree. May be able to see the stabilizer in the picture if you look close.

 

[DeerWhisperer]

Thanks for the information, that is what I was thinking. I was just concerned I would not be able to reach that section. Definitely appears to be a two-person and ladder job. Are you pleased with the stability? It definitely has lots of room.

 

[DeerWhisperer]

When used ladders i put them head high and carried on

Unfortunately with this design you cannot as the support bar has to be placed a the junction of the two ladder sections. It is bolted through the ladder joint.

 

[backyardtndeer]

I had to carry the stand back with a trailer behind my tractor. I don't see any easy way to relocate without taking it apart at least part way.

 

[BigAl]

I've put together several of these and don't really remember. Looks like ya'll have it figured out. I have one in the driveway I need to install.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Thanks for the information, that is what I was thinking. I was just concerned I would not be able to reach that section. Definitely appears to be a two-person and ladder job. Are you pleased with the stability? It definitely has lots of room.

My wife tried to help. Definitely helps to have two people. This stand is pretty heavy. I pushed it up by myself though with her just keeping the legs from coming up from the ground. She also stood on the bottom rungs of my extension ladder to keep it from rolling. I tied the ratchet straps from behind while I was on the extension ladder, before ever getting up in the stand. Also helped get the other straps lined up on the back side of the tree. I had everything strapped and tied before I went up it. It is stable and should be plenty comfortable.

With taking the trailer, made it easy to take the ladder and the stand. A person could probably take everything they needed in the back of their truck.

 

[BSK]

The reason we stick with the Muddy version of that stand (Huntsman Deluxe). Better stabilizer bar attachment, and we don't use the bolts to hold the ladder sections together but bought D-clips so the ladder sections can be taken apart for moving the stand.

 

[Joe2Kool]

Mine had two braces. One about head high, horizontal to the tree.. And one about 10 feet up. The one 10 feet up was supposed to come on a downward diagonal towards the tree, but I've done it both ways - diagonal and horizontal.

Good luck and break it in with a big 'un!

 

[BigAl]

I'd say the only complaint I have with this stand is since its oval tubing instead of round, no way to add a section to give it more height.

 

[Omega]

It looks to be lower than 8 feet to me, so probably at the 4' height.

Stock photo

 

[DeerWhisperer]

I looked at

It looks to be lower than 8 feet to me, so probably at the 4' height.

Stock photo
View attachment 240899

I looked at the same picture, but if i install at 4' there is no way the ladder could support climbing without bowing end toward the top. After looking at it again yesterday, I think it has to go between the 2nd and 3rd sections, that will put it at about 8' , definitely will need a ladder to aid with install

 

[Omega]

I looked at

I looked at the same picture, but if i install at 4' there is no way the ladder could support climbing without bowing end toward the top. After looking at it again yesterday, I think it has to go between the 2nd and 3rd sections, that will put it at about 8' , definitely will need a ladder to aid with install

I think that is just to keep the ladder from getting pulled toward the tree by the support strap which is to keep the feet from sliding out away from the tree. The ladder supports itself by the uprights and the rungs.

 

[BigAl]

I just watched a youtube video and it shows it on the bottom ladder section, which looks low to me:

The Big Game website shows it much higher, but I can't tell which section.

 

[DeerWhisperer]

I just watched a youtube video and it shows it on the bottom ladder section, which looks low to me:

The Big Game website shows it much higher, but I can't tell which section.

I know watched the same video, that is why I am so confused. I really like the size and build of the stand, but I do not like being forced to put the stabalizer bar at the joint of the the ladder sections. I really think i am going to try at joint of second and third section which would put it at about 8'

 

[backyardtndeer]

It looks to be lower than 8 feet to me, so probably at the 4' height.

Stock photo
View attachment 240899

That picture is misleading. Count the rungs. We counted on the picture on the box and I believe there was also a of in the instructions, and it does go to where bottom of the top ladder section connects to the top of the second ladder section.

 

[BigAl]

I know watched the same video, that is why I am so confused. I really like the size and build of the stand, but I do not like being forced to put the stabalizer bar at the joint of the the ladder sections. I really think i am going to try at joint of second and third section which would put it at about 8'

I usually stand on my 4 wheeler to get up high enough for this. But I'm a short guy. Honestly, I think the ladder is rigid enough that its not going to matter where you put it. You can always cut a 2x4 with a notch and add another brace if needed.