Instructions / Assembly

How to Use Klein Pole and Tree Climbers
1. Assemble the climber (Figure 5).
A. Remove adjustable sleeves and sleeve fasteners from
the box.
B. With climber gaff and strap loop facing outwards, insert
climber shank into sleeve.
C. Step into the climber, placing the adjustable sleeve to
the inside of the leg.
D. Adjust sleeves to the most comfortable position, about
1" (25 mm) below knee. Insert screws into the two (2)
aligned holes of each climber, and tighten the supplied
nuts on the screws to secure the adjustment.
2. Assemble the ankle straps (Figure 6).
Note: Ankle straps are already assembled on new Klein
climbers. If you are replacing ankle straps, follow the steps
listed below. Since no special tools are required, you may
install or remove ankle straps in the field.
A. Remove old ankle strap and ring from leg iron.
B. Position the new split ring so the wear pad is pointed
toward the front of the climber as illustrated in Figure 6.
C. Slightly open the split ring and thread it onto the solid
loop on the climber in the same manner as an ordinary
key ring.
3. Inspect the climbers.
Before each use, visually check that: (1) all buckles are
properly closed; (2) climber straps and pads are free of
burns, cuts, broken stitches or excessive wear; (3) rivets
are not bent, loose, or missing; (4) buckles are not
distorted or cracked, tongue does not bind on buckle, and
buckle holes are not damaged. (5) If climbers do not
pass inspection, remove them from service, destroy
and discard them, and replace them immediately.
Also before each use, check that: (1) gaffs are free of
dents, gouges or scratches; (2) the underside of the gaff
is longer than the minimum length for proper use for that
type of gaff (1-7/16" [37 mm] for pole climber gaffs and
2-1/4" [57 mm] for tree climber gaffs); and (3) gaffs have
proper width, thickness, and point profile. Only evaluate
gaffs with the Klein KG-1 gaff gauge (See Figure 4).
(4) If gaffs do not pass inspection, resharpen them, or
discard and replace them.
4. Examine the pole or tree.
A. When using pole climbers, remember that poles are
not all alike. Different wood species, climate and pole age,
as well as different preservative treatments (Creosote,
Penta, CCA) affect climbability. Since these factors can
result in significant differences in gaff penetration, visually
check gaff penetration with your full weight
on the climber before starting any climb.
If penetration is shallow, use extreme caution, because
the gaff could “cut-out”, or the increased stress on the gaff
tip could cause the tip to break. To allow for proper
penetration, the minimum acceptable length for the
underside of a pole climber gaff is 1-7/16" (37 mm).
Avoid gaff contact with metal objects when climbing
(such as pole ID tags, nails, poster staples, metal pole
hardware, or any other metal on the pole).
B. When using tree climbers, remember that trees are
not all alike. Different species and bark thickness affect
climbability. Visually check gaff penetration in the
same manner described for pole climbers before
starting any climb. To allow for proper penetration:
(1) Use a tree-climber gaff with a minimum underside
length of 2-1/4" (57 mm). (2) When the bark thickness
measures more than 2-1/2" (64 mm), make sure the gaff
is long enough to properly penetrate the wood under the
bark. Avoid gaff contact with metal objects when
climbing (such as nails, poster staples, or any other metal
on the tree).
5. Wear the climbers properly.
Put on the properly adjusted climbers with gaffs positioned
inside the legs. The climbers should be fastened securely
and comfortably using the calf and ankle straps. The leg
iron stirrups are marked “L” for left foot and “R” for right
foot.
6. Protect the gaffs between climbs.
Remove pole or tree climbers between climbs. Gaffs can
be damaged if they strike rocks or other hard surfaces, or
if they strike against each other while you are walking.
Between uses, use gaff guards to protect gaff tips.
1"
Figure 5
Left Strap
Right Strap
Figure 6
4
Dwg Name: 139107ART Dwg No: 139107
ECO No: 16974 Pkg Dwg Ref: 1502 Rev: B
Color Reference: N/A
139107ART - Pole and Tree Climbers Instructions.indd 4 6/26/2014 3:38:11 PM