ladder combo?

[treeman82]

I've gotta replace all my ladders and get new ones to fill needs.

What I'm looking for is to get no more than 3 or 4 ladders.. 2 extension and 1 or 2 orchard.

Need to be able to get onto rooftops to use the pole saws, or do other work, and be able to disconnect phone and cable lines. What are good sizes and should I go with fiberglass or aluminum?

For the orchard ladders... I'm not sure what to get.

Suggestions are much appreciated.

 

[R. Williams]

All yer ladders wore out at one time> Dang! Never haerd that one, what a rotten luck.

Fiberglass is the way to go, depend on how fat the boyz workin for ya are as to which wieght rating ya get. Skinny guys can save ya some $$. Buying one is costly enough, four will hurt a little in the wallet.

 

[Xtra]

Go to Home Depot and buy their Werner orange type IA fiberglass extension ladder (24' or 28').

Tell the clerk that Wal-Mart or Lowes is selling them $25 -50 cheaper. They'll match the price with no proof.
(I was in line buying a ladder and the guy in front of me told me this . . . didn't believe him, but though it'd be worth a try, and it worked).

Always go fiberglass -- heavier then aluminum, but worth the safety if you're around wires (also you'll look more professional).

 

[Sbusta]

I dont know if they send to the USA but these are great
http://www.scorpro.co.nz

 

[BC WetCoast]

If possible, avoid the orchard ladders with the bars that restrict how far the leg can be spread (a single fixed position). We had all our aluminum orchards replaced with fiberglass with this bar. Now you can't use the ladder on any sloping ground, because the position of the leg is restricted, you are either leaning too far forward or back.

 

[Dadatwins]

I agree with the Home Depot post, Lowes has a similiar policy. Also agree on the fiberglass orange, cost a bit more and a little heavier, but buy cheap, get cheap should be guidance here. As for length, I find my 28' to be max length for one person to handle and it gets me to most anything I need to reach. First floor folded, second floor extended, and phone /cable if needed.

 

[M.D. Vaden]

If possible, avoid the orchard ladders with the bars that restrict how far the leg can be spread (a single fixed position). We had all our aluminum orchards replaced with fiberglass with this bar. Now you can't use the ladder on any sloping ground, because the position of the leg is restricted, you are either leaning too far forward or back.

I just put a small cable catch on my aluminumn ones to do the same thing. Snaps on, and off. I just made a video and the link is on one of my two websites in the Pruning category.

Tallman from Oregon is by far and away the best orchard ladder I've used.

10' is the all-around best for me, but I'd never go taller than 12' due to excess and that the top is narrow for too far.

On extension, you will "kill" yourself with tall fiberglass - almost takes two men, and with the 40' ones almost risks back injury if you don't handle it properly.

Even my 24' aluminum has more weight than I care for.

 

[Thillmaine]

Orchard

Try putting some climbing line between the ladder (standing part) and the third leg. Then use a prussic and some sort of attachment device (******, shakle, whatever) then you can adjust the length, as well as detach it if need be.