Ladders

[GMM]

I need a longer ladder. I estimate I need at least 7m in total for the current task, so a 3.3m triple (8.5m extended) such as

would seem like a good idea. Reading more closely, though, that one has a max load of 125kg, whereas the nearest 'trade version ( a bit longer at 3.5m x 3 and 10% more) is rated for 150kg. Fortunately, I don't come close to either weight (yet!), but it strikes me that th one with the higher rating is likely to be more rigid, which would be nice at those heights. Is that a valid assumption or would I be wasting the cash etc?

Cheers

[newshound]

Seems a reasonable assumption to me. Depending on what you are planning to do, and whether you have storage space you might consider getting a tower. I didn't pay much for a (very) second hand "trade" aluminium tower: much easier to put up than a "hobby" steel tower.

Also, I personally find the idea of putting up a triple too scary.

[Nightjar]

Note that those are maximum vertical static loads and include everything you might be carrying or have hung from the ladder. The previous British Standard gave rather more useful 'duty ratings', which could be considered as the maximum dynamic load you should apply. For Class III (domestic) ladders, 125kg static load, the duty rating was 95kgs. For Class II (professional), 150kg static load the duty rating was 115kgs. For Class I (industrial), 175kg static load, the duty rating was 130kgs.

As you have guessed, the higher the rating, the more rigid the ladder. I won't use a Class III ladder except as a single ladder because of the bounce. If you can afford it, go for a Class I ladder such as one of these:

You will really notice the difference on a triple extension ladder.

[Harry Bloomfield]

"insert my surname here used his keyboard to write :

For home maintenance, I have a half of an alloy double which itself is

12' long, which is so light in weight, I can maneuver it quite easily with one arm. I also have a 14' alloy double which is so heavy, I cannot possibly move it as a double, even on the ground, it so heavy that even manouvering half of it is a struggle two handed - I have no idea what lass that one might be.

Just make sure whatever you buy, you may need to have to be able to lift it.

[Clive George]

No, you're right - spend the cash, it's worth it. The more solid the ladder, the better it feels to climb.

[Clive George]

Not scary, just a bit of a faff.

The scary bit is climbing up the thing.

[John Rumm]

Yes its a valid assumption... the trade rated ones are stiffer and "nicer" to work on at height - especially if you are a bit heavier. The two trade offs are cost and weight IME.

[Bill Wright]

A very common ladder as used by the aerial erection industry is a 4m triple. The top two sections are in constant use and the bottom section is only added when the height demands it. With the addition of a hook the bottom section can serve as an additional crawler, when you need two.

Since you aren't going to carry the ladder around all that much you will be much better with a heavier one. Slender triples are quite scary; they bend so much you can feel you're climbing a vertical ladder when you're near the top! Heavy ladders are nice to use once you've got them up.

The way to erect a triple is to extend the top section as far as it will go, and only when you've done that extend the middle section if you have to. That method is the easiest and also keeps the weight low down. Don't think you have to extend the top and middle sections equally; there's no point.

Bill (climbing ladders every day since God were a lad)

[PeterC]

When I wanted a 3-step-ladder for indoor use I bought an expensive Abru. It cost abought 3x a cheap version in Wickes. It weighs more than the 'domestic' 5-tread one but it's like standing on a rock. Also the platform is big enough for my feet. I've used a double, 90kg-rated one and it wasn't nice. At the time, with tools etc., I would have been ~85kg. Just one thing: having used a trade-rated triple (about 7m IIRC), it's furking heavy and difficult to control when extended on a windy day. Oh, a triple is very useful at times as a double+single, using the top section as a single.

[stuart noble]

I bought a lightweight triple 10 ft 20+ years ago. Easy to put up and comfortable to work on. Everyone in the road has used it at some time or another. The ladder accidents I've heard about would not have been prevented by a more expensive ladder

[Andy Burns]

I do, so bought a 3.4m 'trade' ladder from ladders999, very pleased with it - I chopped up the old wooden ladder I had (came free with the house) about 8 years ago and had been borrowing a bouncy aluminium one from the neighbour on occasion.

The ladders999 is slightly cheaper except the midlandladders has the feet included, so overall your price seems better.

[Brian Gaff]

Well no ladder expert, but its not near the top where I i used to feel odd but about half way up. I think if there is a slight breeze it kind of resonates and bounces one up and down. I keep having visions of the American bridge. Scary. Brian

[John Rumm]

Bounce up and down does not seem too scary IME, but wobble side to side at mid span much more so. I acquired a DIY rated "I" section stile 8' triple once, and about half way up the first time I tried it, decided that was not a good idea as the lateral movement suggested it could be very close to folding up sideways!

(anyone interested in a 8' triple Class III ladder? Other FBs need not apply!)

[Andrew Gabriel]

For me, I always feel a bit uneasy the first time climbing it, and then again the first time I step off a roof back on to the ladder to come down.

Don't forget to tie it near the top to prevent sliding sideways (but don't have the tie rope try pulling it up, or you may uncouple an extending ladder).

[Mike Barnes]

I'm no expert but wouldn't a double ladder reach, and presumably be more solid that a triple? I have a 2x15-rung class 3 ladder that should reach and I've never had any misgivings about it.

[Nightjar]

I can't say I have any problem with my industrial grade ladder, which has three aluminium sections - two can be used as a step ladder, while the third acts as a double extension on one side. I bought that for reaching high lighting in a factory.

The heaviest ladder I have ever had was a 3.5m double extension GRP ladder, which was for working outside where there were overhead mains distribution wires. That did take two people to move anywhere.

[GMM]

Thanks chaps. A good few valid and interesting points made there. I wish I could use a tower but the job that 'justifies' (/requires) getting this wouldn't be practical with a tower, as there's a conservatory roof below at ground floor level.

I was assuming a triple would be a better bet for storage and had (possibly wrongly) thought a joint could have less flex than a long stretch of ladder.

Undoubtedly, class 3 ladders are a bad idea beyond a certain length. Which of the alternatives is better, I'm still mulling. I suspect that class 1 are just too 'king heavy, after trying to move one the other day in the shop. Admittedly, it was jammed in a rack, but even so seemed quite a beast.

Of course, instead of getting a new ladder, I could spend the cash paying someone to sort this bit of gutter out (and save the mortal terror of working up there), but then I wouldn't have a ladder for next time

[John Rumm]

I have a 10m triple[1] that was to the old BS EN131 standard (i.e. 150kg max load - so similar to Class II), and although heavy it is manageable

- especially in cases where you don't need the third bit. It feels very safe when you are on it as well (even with my 6'3" / 19st of FB on it!). Weight all up is not much more than a bag of cement - not sure I would fancy the extra 12kg of the Class I version.

[1] This one if memory serves:

[stuart noble]

It's one thing getting up the ladder. Using both hands to do something useful when you're up there is another matter :-)

[tony sayer]

If your that dubious about doing this job then look at it as "I will be around for the next time";!...