Raising a box blind

[RGrizzzz]

Last fall my cousin built an octagon box blind from some plans he found outline. He hauled it to camp in pieces, and reassembled it there, on the ground, without the legs. We didn't have time to try to stand it up until last weekend. That's where the challenge began, as expected. We moved it into the woods on the back of the tractor via a 3 point carrier platform, and found a reasonably level spot, for the woods. It's not perfectly level, but there aren't any near where we want it.

He added the elevator brackets, 12' legs and cross bracing. They're trying to stand it up like this but had issues. Essentially, they couldn't keep the gin pole in place, and in the middle to gain the needed leverage. Part of this has to do that they can't pull with the tractor in a dead straight line due to some trees in the woods. Does anyone else have a suggestion on how to stand this thing up, without having to take the blind apart? They did try to use the winch on the front of the Ranger, but it wasn't strong enough to lift the blind.

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Hook a snatch block to the trees that are in the way and pull in a different direction. Use multiple reaving and you can reduce the amount of force to raise it.

 

[RGrizzzz]

Hook a snatch block to the trees that are in the way and pull in a different direction. Use multiple reaving and you can reduce the amount of force to raise it.

The trees nearby likely aren't sturdy enough to take a lot of force. They're mostly in the way of the tractor's pull line.

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

The trees nearby likely aren't sturdy enough to take a lot of force. They're mostly in the way of the tractor's pull line.

Cut'em down?

 

[buckdeer1]

With 12 ft elevator legs you better have a good tie down system.If you have good cross bracing you should be able to lift with tractor to tipping point but have rope tied to tractor or guys holding rope to keep from tipping other way.Long fork attachments to slide over your forks are easiest way.

 

[Tree Spud]

Last fall my cousin built an octagon box blind from some plans he found outline. He hauled it to camp in pieces, and reassembled it there, on the ground, without the legs. We didn't have time to try to stand it up until last weekend. That's where the challenge began, as expected. We moved it into the woods on the back of the tractor via a 3 point carrier platform, and found a reasonably level spot, for the woods. It's not perfectly level, but there aren't any near where we want it.

He added the elevator brackets, 12' legs and cross bracing. They're trying to stand it up like this but had issues. Essentially, they couldn't keep the gin pole in place, and in the middle to gain the needed leverage. Part of this has to do that they can't pull with the tractor in a dead straight line due to some trees in the woods. Does anyone else have a suggestion on how to stand this thing up, without having to take the blind apart? They did try to use the winch on the front of the Ranger, but it wasn't strong enough to lift the blind.

I had the same issue once, 12' legs & a wood box blind on top.

Try lifting the box blind end with tractor forks as high as you can go, then brace it up. This helped me to overcome that initial inertia with the blind flat on the ground. Gotta be real careful because initial force will be on legs and one could snap.

You might also try taking the legs off the blind, picking the blind up with tractor forks, then when it is raised, angle blind back until you can insert the legs. You can then lower the forks and begin to tip the stand forward.

 

[RGrizzzz]

There was concern when lifting on the forces on the legs. I think some additional bracing might be necessary. We don't have forks, but might be able to find a way to tip it up some to help with the initial inertia.

 

[Electrodigical]

... couldn't keep the gin pole in place, and in the middle to gain the needed leverage.

Need to make an "A".

 

[RGrizzzz]

Need to make an "A".

Into the bracing on the stand, or as a freestanding piece/brace for the gin pole?

 

[Electrodigical]

The gin pole.The real problem is getting pieces of wood long enough to do what you need.

 

[RGrizzzz]

The gin pole.The real problem is getting pieces of wood long enough to do what you need.

Is there any sort of formula/guide as to how long to make the gin pole and where to place it? I think they were trying with the gin pole too close to the bottom of the legs vs up towards the box.

 

[Electrodigical]

Beats me, but logic says you want the rope pulling the object upwards as long as possible, or least until it gets to the tip up/over point. (or as close to that as you can.) That's not going to be easy to pull off with a 12'+ high object.

 

[Tree Spud]

Is there any sort of formula/guide as to how long to make the gin pole and where to place it? I think they were trying with the gin pole too close to the bottom of the legs vs up towards the box.

Not familiar with the term "gin pole", but this is how I did it. As you pull, the 4x6 beam will rise adding some upward lift to get it rising. Dig holes for the stand feet to butt into. Make sure rope does not stretch, better to use towing strap. Place nails/bolts at top of beam to keep strap from sliding off. once stand starts to rise, place braces below to keep from falling backward to ground.

Tricky, be safe, buts that's what we do.

 

[Electrodigical]

There in lies the problem. If we pretend the diagram is to scale, and the base of the platform is 12 feet, your 4x6 is about 16 feet long. lol

 

[Tree Spud]

There in lies the problem. If we pretend the diagram is to scale, and the base of the platform is 12 feet, your 4x6 is about 16 feet long. lol

There is no problem with a 12' lever beam and 12' base. Fulcrum point on lever beam is higher than the base which allows for "lift" upward. The stand will reach a point where the weight from the blind and legs not in ground will tip it in direction on pull. Thats what I used and it worked well.

 

[Foggy47]

^ If doing this.....make certain you have those posts on the ground "anchor'ed" to the ground so they do not slip forward at the wrong time / place. Maybe some cable or a chain and ground stakes at each post (so they can hinge).


EDIT: This is how Redneck used to advise raising their blinds on stands......by using the ladder as the "gin pole" and to winch it or pull it up. I did this once....and thought it was too risky to do that again. You may find a good you tube video on raising a stand in this way. It's a good time to have some help.......for sure.

 

[buckdeer1]

I don't think I would put up a blind on 12ft 4x4.I had 1 that was less than 8 ft blow over a couple times so tying to T post wasn't enough.I finally set a post right against the outside of base on N-S sides to keep it from rocking.

 

[Foggy47]

I don't think I would put up a blind on 12ft 4x4.I had 1 that was less than 8 ft blow over a couple times so tying to T post wasn't enough.I finally set a post right against the outside of base on N-S sides to keep it from rocking.

I've had a couple of blinds that were 12 feet high and others that were ten feet (at the floor). IMO....there is no need for 12, tens are fine, and even an 8 foot or six foot blind seems high enough to get over the cover in most of our situations. I do like that all our blinds keep us shooting downward....and thus an extra margin of safety for everyone. Iv'e never been happy with a ground blind set up.....but maybe in the right location?

 

[Tree Spud]

I don't think I would put up a blind on 12ft 4x4.I had 1 that was less than 8 ft blow over a couple times so tying to T post wasn't enough.I finally set a post right against the outside of base on N-S sides to keep it from rocking.

Minimum blind legs I use are 4x4 treated. Using 2x4 would not be stable enough and would have too much flex. A flaw in the wood of knot and they most likely would snap in wind especially at heights above 8'.

 

[CTA]

Not familiar with the term "gin pole", but this is how I did it. As you pull, the 4x6 beam will rise adding some upward lift to get it rising. Dig holes for the stand feet to butt into. Make sure rope does not stretch, better to use towing strap. Place nails/bolts at top of beam to keep strap from sliding off. once stand starts to rise, place braces below to keep from falling backward to ground.

Tricky, be safe, buts that's what we do.

View attachment 69176

I do exact same and it works. Only difference is I try to lift up the blind off the ground as much as possible so the starting point is as high as possible. This takes some of that initial pressure off the legs, as someone mentioned. I’ll typically have a few guys lift it up in short bursts and wedge a stack of pallets or even cut logs underneath it just to get the blind started before engaging the winch and getting that under tension. I learned this the hard way after bending the steel legs on a Banks blind before incorporating the pallets/logs.