AuRavelling79

  • Posts: 23622
Re: Best ladder to use???
« Reply #20 on: February 08, 2006, 09:54:15 pm »
Perhaps the guy works part time as a jack-in-the-box - curled up in the bottom of his wheelie bin - then BOOIIINNG! He gets fired out by a spring which probably broke leaving him in a heap on the floor.
It's a game of three halves!

Ben Walker

Re: Best ladder to use???
« Reply #21 on: February 08, 2006, 10:06:59 pm »
3 section Titans from midland ladders 137 quid i think, as Carl suggested.
sturdy set of ladders.

Ben

dai

  • Posts: 3503
Re: Best ladder to use???
« Reply #22 on: February 08, 2006, 10:37:44 pm »
Craggus, Ive used a triple extension for years. My first ladder for everyday use was a triple extender. Part of The first one now serves as the rack to carry my trolley containers.
This first one had a stabilizer bar fitted on the bottom.
I subsequently bought one made by Lyte. I found this one vastly superior to the Youngmans. The Lyte has D rungs. The first thing I did when I got it was to fit a large aluminium stabilizer, this has feet made from car tyres each side of it. I never trusted those plastic/ rubber things they fit as standard.
If your handy with the tools this is how you fit stabilisers.
1] Take out the rubber feet that come as standard.
2] Make two pieces of hardwood that push fit [I had to hammer mine in] and push them up inside the ladder as far as the first rung.
3]buy a piece of 3 inch by 1 inch heavy aluminium box section about 3 ft long.
4] cut out a 1 inch by 3 inch slot in the middle of the stiles to take the aluminium box section, leaving the hard wood in place.
Best to cut it a bit small and use a course file to ensure a good fit.
5] drill 8mm holes through the ladder and box section, put bolts through and tighten up. The hardwood inserts prevent the ladder sides from crushing.
6] cut two pieces of rubber out of a car tyre about 7 inches by 4 inches.
7] Using G clamps, fold the rubber over the end of Your stabilizer, secure and drill two 8mm holes in each piece. With the G clamps still in place insert two bolts with large washers and tighten up. Repeat this on the other side.
Job done. You have rubber feet that are in contact with a much greater surface area.
When you set your ladder at the normal angle and get on it, you have a rubber feet that are behind the ladder. you can pull rubber as we know when using a squeegie. See what happens when you try and push it.
I have never had a ladder slip back on me with this arrangement.
The top end of my ladder goes to a point. This too was an adaption. But Ive rattled on long enough. Second floor! Watch out for those nasty, sudden gusts of wind. DAI

poleman

  • Posts: 2854
Re: Best ladder to use???
« Reply #23 on: February 08, 2006, 10:59:23 pm »
It's also worth remembering that 9m is the legal maximum height for a ladder when window cleaning.

Would like to point out that this height is now not valid, it did stand for many years but when WAHD became law on the 6th of April 2005 it was superseded, ok you could say well it says so here http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc613.pdf but like I said this height is now not valid, working at height is now class from ground up. 

Because the above was formed before WAHD, a new one has been worked on to be in line with WAHD regulations, so that window cleaners can comply with WAHD, which I personal hope it clears up the confusion that is happening with in our industry and lets hope stops this WFP v Ladders debate. (Well we live in hope) 

Andy

rosskesava

Re: Best ladder to use???
« Reply #24 on: February 09, 2006, 12:15:34 am »
So, what is the legal maximum height now as a temporary working platform? If there is no legal maximum height then ladders are banned.

Are ladders banned, yes or no?

It's dead easy to give a link but please would you state exactly are those regs stating, a) ladders can still be used or b) ladders are banned in terms of window cleaning.

It's either one or the other and if they can still be used, then what is the law governing there usage. If they are banned, then give a HSE link saying exactly that. If you cannot do then.......

So, instead of saying when a law was formed, how about saying what the new law is instead of giving just a link and letting others decide for themselves based on what they read?

Sorry to sound a bit abrasive and I don't mean to sound rude.

Your posting says nothing about what the law is but implies much especially the bit about 'lets hope this stops the WFP v Ladders debate'. How loaded is that statement?

Cheers


Ian_Giles

  • Posts: 2986
Re: Best ladder to use???
« Reply #25 on: February 09, 2006, 05:39:14 am »
Admitedly I only gave that document a 'speed read', but it seemed to indicate you could work above 9m providing the ladder is secured.....of course you have to climb the bloody thing to secure it to things such as eyebolts :-\
By which time the job is virtually done anyway ::)

But as Ross pointed out earlier, this is a thread about what is the best ladder, it's got nothing to do with WFP or the WAHD.

For myself I always got all of my ladders from a Company called 'Newent ladders and fencing'.

http://www.lfi-ladders.co.uk/

They usually do trade discount too and the quality of their kit is first rate.

Ian


Ian. ISM CLEANING SERVICES

JM123

  • Posts: 2095
Re: Best ladder to use???
« Reply #26 on: February 09, 2006, 10:26:39 am »
I've seen a few guys using 18ft extension poles for the applicator and squeegee so could be worth a try, mite be a bit slower doing it right but worth a try, 3x2m extension pole from cleantech, bout £30 I think.
Live life in the fast lane.......if you break down you'll freewheel further

Ballymena N.I

telboy

Re: Best ladder to use???
« Reply #27 on: February 09, 2006, 12:42:57 pm »
We had a 3 part wooden pointed ladder made

each section 15ft ,about 15yrs ago Cost £550 + vat


Telboy ;)


Angel C/S

Gordon_Taylor

  • Posts: 394
Re: Best ladder to use???
« Reply #28 on: February 09, 2006, 10:35:53 pm »
Hi I use a 16 foot double wooden point ladder for 3 storey house's and find it has more than enough height to spare.

Gordon
Quality is doing it right, even when no-one is looking.