I was curious as to how often you change your cables on your summit climbers. I have one that I have had for about 20 years and I have one that I have had for 7 years. I have never changed the cables on either. The coating is torn but no rust or tears on the cables. Would to hear some opinions.

I've wondered this too. Mine are only 3 years old but I don't know what the life span should be. Also, do the make longer cables for getting around larger trees?

Well I checked Summit's website and there isn't any information about the cables. I have read info on other forums. Also they only sell one size of cables.

I change them every other year
Not expensive ,,life is priceless
I'm on the upper end of the weight limit

You mean your suppose to change them.

^^^ x2.

That's what I'm asking.
Mine are 20 years old. All the rubber is gone. The cable is rusted. But I didn't know I was supposed to change them.

I won't change mine until rust becomes a problem. I do change the shrink wrap every year or two and that keeps the rust at bay

Crap, I use an API with the chains, stand has to be 12/15 years old. I've recoated them multiple times, but never changed the chains themselves.

I just changed mine a few years ago. I've had that same stand for over 10 years.

I change mine when the start rusting. You will never know when they will break until you in the tree

I've re-covered them with the shrink wrap stuff but never just replaced the cables. I'd think the frame welds and platform would wear out quicker than the cable, but not really sure.

Get u some of that clear tubing that's used for industrial water lines. Boil it to soften it and slide it up on your chains. You'll never have to change that stuff again.

Same here.

Where do I find this clear tubing? I'm not familiar with it.

Call Summit and just order the replacement heat shrink and put it on yourself. I used to sell the shrink tubing to Summit for many years, and gave it to folks when they needed it but my stock is down to just enough to last me and my son.

If you go to a electrical house to buy it, just be sure that you ask for 3 to 1 shrink ratio and it needs to be 68.5" long to cover the cables. Or, you could just cut out where the shrink is torn and cover just the part that needs it to save you money on the tubing.

2 to 1 shrink ratio WILL NOT WORK because it will not recover all the way down over the dowels on the cable.

Summit sales it for a ridiculous price considering they only pay $1.08 per piece but that is the cost of doing business.

I put new shrink wrap on mine is it.

this is good info, thanks! can you be more specific on 'electrical house'? what's the diameter?

Does this list have anything: https://www.amazon.com/Electriduct-Heat-Shrink-Tubing-10FT/dp/B01BZDZCPS

We've got it at work. I've done it before and it has to be a certain size. Let me do some digging.

Here you go.

http://www.guncustomizing.com/API-Treestand.htm