Extension Ladders

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NickfromWI

NickfromWI

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I am in the market for a new one. We have a 12' Stokes brand orchard ladder and I LOVE it. We use it several times a week.

orchard-aluminum-tripod.jpg


Because I like the brand so much, I went to their website to pick out our new ladder...only to be saddened to find out they don't do an extension ladder :cry:

So I guess I wanted to check with you clowns to see if you could recommend a great brand. I don't want to just hop into the local Home Depot and pickup whatever they have in the aisles.

I'm planning on aluminum (because I like the light-weight aspect). Maybe 12' long collapsed, extending to however long that'll get me...just under 24', I'd presume.

We mostly just want it to get up on top of roofs every once in a while. The 12 footer works often, but not always.

love
nick
 
We have a what I believe is a 10' on the truck. It's old and beat and I love it. I'd just hit up craigslist and get a 10' or a 12' on the cheap.
 
I have a light duty 25' extended ladder, IIRC. Very useful for easy access to low limbs for canopy entry. I don't have a name brand to recommend. Some people would say you don't need it, but it sure is nice. Getting onto roofs is important some times, too. Luckily, yours aren't mossy down there. I put tie-down points on my dump box top, as I use the ladder compartment for long handled tools, and my ladder, which preceeded the truck, is too long.

25' is much better than 20'.

Rubbery ladder-top bumpers are nice, but will blow off if they aren't pointed toward the nose of the truck. Protects the paint, and makes the ladder top a bit more stable against a wide trunk.


I have a 10' and 16' orchard ladder. Might be better than an extension, though costlier for the same height, possibly. I prussic a rope to the pole on the orchard ladder and tie it off to a rung if I need to use it on hard surfaces.

I need to turn my orchard ladder "backwards" to use as an against the house or tree ladder, as the pole is longer than the rung-side. Is yours similar, Nick?

When I helped Roger B with 160' sequoia, he had a monster, 40' extension ladder, IIRC. Cumbersome and unwieldy, but for getting into canopy raised conifers, I'll be it saved many a rope ascent. Probably mostly moot now, since he has the Wraptor.
 
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Adam_P said:
We have a what I believe is a 10' on the truck. It's old and beat and I love it. I'd just hit up craigslist and get a 10' or a 12' on the cheap.
Click to expand...

That's not how I roll! :dancin: Nothin but the best of the best for us!

We've got a great ladder storage on top of the truck. We currently carrly the 12', a small 6' (soon to be replaced) and if I can get a 25' up there, I'd be happy as a clam.
 
When it comes to orchard ladders, I really like the Japanese tripods. Rigid but very light. I see that they are sold in the states somewhat.
 

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I came into a free one of these a few years back.
product_image4_4.jpg

http://www.littlegiantladder.com/li...e=googlebase&gclid=CLu63477mrQCFckWMgod4nYABw

Its heavy but really versatile. Its super sturdy in A-frame setup and you can easily straddle the top of it unlike traditional A-frame ladders. Its great for pruning, access, roofs, everything else.

I believe the biggest one is max extension of 19' though. Its a great ladder

Mine is an older fiberglass model, it has wheels and you can load it up with gear and such and drag it all at once.
 
That Little giant type is very versatile but a little pricey .

I've probabley got as many ladders as most small contractors from 4 foot step ladders to a 32 foot extension ladder I can't hardly handle any more .There was a time I could easily handle a 40 foot wooden ladder but it's not so easy the older I get .:(
 
Nick a 25' extension ladder weighs around 33lbs in aluminum and 60 lbs in fiberglass. The multi position, like the Little Giant or the Werner I posted above are heavier, 50-60 lbs in aluminum, for a little less height but much more useful IMHO.

With the hills and steps you are always talking about it seems to me the multi-position ladders would really shine.
 
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We got the orchard tripod ladder with the adjustable telescoping third leg. That does a great job on the hills. I just need something to get up on tall roofs.

33lbs is MUCH more reasonable sounding.
 
I have used both, and refuse to own a fiberglass ladder. They're way too heavy. I keep a 20' aluminum extension ladder on the truck. It extends to 17'. Good for all single-story, and some two-story roofs. If/when I know I'll need access to a taller roof, I'll stick one of the longer ladders on.
 
It's no problem to avoid service drops if you pay attention. Especially if your main concern is roof access.
 
Nick, when buying an extension ladder, bear in mind that the published length is the sum of both sections added. On ladders up 28' you lose 3' due to section overlap. On 32' and longer, you lose 5' to overlap. So if you're wanting to access second story roofs, just buying a 20' might not work.

Hey, if you need it, they make a 60', 3-section extension ladder. But it's max height is only 48'.....
 
NickfromWI said:
We got the orchard tripod ladder with the adjustable telescoping third leg. That does a great job on the hills. I just need something to get up on tall roofs.

33lbs is MUCH more reasonable sounding.
Click to expand...
My 25' is not only light, but it was free. I will access many trees' lower crown with my flip line around three side rails and trunk. It's more stable for me.I can pull tight off there is a little wobble, and in my experience, little risk of falling attached to the ladder .
 
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  • #25
Just checked and my 12' orchard ladder is 33 pounds. That'll be good to keep in mind as a frame of reference. That's nothing to haul around.
 
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