How to silence ladder stands?

[possum]

I put up two new Muddy two person ladder stands last summer and each time I climbed them in the fall, they were very loud.
The stands are quite once I'm in but where the ladder sections join, they would always pop loudly getting in and out.
Any suggestions on how best to make these stands silent?

 

[OkieKubota]

Loosen the straps, make sure it is evenly seated against the ground on the bottom section, tighten the straps up, oil the joints with cooking spray...if that doesn't work you can take it down and wrap a round of black tape around the male section and then put it back into the female joint. The tape will keep it from popping...

 

[swat1018]

I replace the pins used to hold the ladder sections together with bolts. I snug them down and I think it silences the friction between the two sections, plus the noise of the pins rattling is gone.

 

[Chummer]

If it has the pins to hold the ladder together replace them with nut and bolts.

 

[OkieKubota]

If put bolts and nuts be careful not to tighten too tight or you will start crushing the square tubing and will have a heck of a time getting it apart and together again...

 

[Jack Terpack]

Agree with changing any pins with bolts, but use quality bolts. Cheap Chinese bolts will rust badly and begin squeaking with a season. I also use good electrician tape on all parts that slide together.

 

[MattJK]

In addition to bolts vs pins, I find a spray can of undercoating helpful for quieting up a stand. Caution that it takes a long time to dry scent free.

 

[possum]

Great tips. Thanks!

 

[j-bird]

I have in the past put the stand together - gotten it settled in and then simply wrapped the leg joints (pins and all) in a couple rounds of camo duct tape. This does a couple of things. I reduces the legs slipping between each other, keeps the moisture out, keeps the pins from making noise and keeps your clothing from catching on the pins as well. This is going to sound a bit off, but maybe even some grease on the male portions and then my duct tape trick may help. The squeak is from movement so you have something in a bind in your stand that is causing parts to move and the weight transfers around.

 

[Gator]

I put up two new Muddy two person ladder stands last summer and each time I climbed them in the fall, they were very loud.
The stands are quite once I'm in but where the ladder sections join, they would always pop loudly getting in and out.
Any suggestions on how best to make these stands silent?

Weld the joints.

 

[boot]

Definently check your pins and bolts, especially the pins, try putting some fabric or something else to wedge the pins in or weld some contraption in place in lieu of the pins.

 

[mrlnfshr1]

I was thinking of dipping the male ends and collars in liquid plastic or something similar when we drop our stands for our bi-yearly maintenance.

 

[Chummer]

I have always wanted to try herculiner. I used to to all my own tuck beds and I thought it would work great to coat tree stands in it.

 

[Mahindra3016]

The last one i put together i used spray rubber from the doller store and coated every male end of the ladder section, and any where metal was going to be on top of other metal, It dosn't make a sound,

 

[BC Buck]

If non of thees suggestions work a quick fix is ratchet strap top rung to bottom rung so there is no play.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Corn or veggie oil in a spray bottle makes a good spray lube for joints and has no un-nautral smell. Obviously care must be taken as to how you spray it so it doens't make steps or hand-hold areas slippery.

I had to put a couple of stainless self tapping scres into one stand to silence a flexing joint.

Grouse