Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mufcglen on April 18, 2015, 06:26:51 pm

Title: Telescopic ladders
Post by: mufcglen on April 18, 2015, 06:26:51 pm
Hi guys I'm determined to get my ladders off the van and get rid of certain jobs that need ladders like difficult windows or gutter clears, I only want some ladders for above ground floor extensions etc, what are the telescopic ladders like for occasional use?
I've heard stories of them collapsing etc😳
Any recommendations too
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: Smudger on April 18, 2015, 06:39:21 pm
Yes they do, most are the £50 to £70 quid cheap Chinese things with supposedly en131 classification on them, having used them I reckon it's all balony. I've removed all the sets from our vans and unit.

If you are getting some go for a respected make like zarges.

The multi ladders are a good compromise fold down into a small heat stack for storage and are strong to use

Darran
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: bobplum on April 18, 2015, 07:53:59 pm
try little giant ladders
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: SB Cleaning on April 18, 2015, 08:06:55 pm
I've had a set from maplins for 2 years and have had no problems with them...ideal for gate hopping and flat roofs etc
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: stan stansfield on April 18, 2015, 08:12:05 pm
if you are doing a job use the right tools ie proper ladders
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: mufcglen on April 18, 2015, 09:36:16 pm
Cheers guys, thing is there's only for single floor extensions conservatorys, I'm really trying to get off the ladders now, not just the time it takes unhitching them off the roof of the van  but then I can use an excuse to customers asking for ladder jobs!!
I'd rather just stick with the wfp now, stay safe and make more money
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: Smudger on April 18, 2015, 09:53:22 pm
Well if you use  the cheapo sets you'll defo be "off the ladders"

I've had 2 sets fail, they collapse on one side so over you go, fortunately both failures were noticed before climbing up them.

They are also for access, not sustained periods of working on ( even 5 mins ) depends on how you view the risk and reward.

Darran
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: rosskesava on April 19, 2015, 12:40:39 am
Why is there a need to remove the ladders?

Mine live on the roof rack slowly turning black from traffic fumes. They aren't in the way and when occasionally needed, they're there.



Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: oldman on April 19, 2015, 05:17:28 am
try little giant ladders


^^Overpriced....

These from 'Screwfix' are half the price of 'little giants' and do exactly the same....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/aluminium-telescopic-ladder-2-section-2-x-7-treads-4-43m/64728
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: mufcglen on April 19, 2015, 07:57:01 am
Cheers guys, reasons to remove them are mainly to just get off them altogether for the higher jobs and then I won't have an excuse to pull them off the roof when there's a nice gutter job need doing, I have more than enough window jobs to not need the gutter cleans any more, then every time I do need to get them off the roof off my transit I have to get my little platform out the van to climb up and unlock then unbolt the ladders, it's all time consuming for the sake of a single floor extension, I just feel it would be easier with some sort of folding telescopic ladders in the van as long as they was safe without collapsing even though it's just first floor height I don't want to be using anything that could go faulty!!!
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: Clever Forum Name on April 19, 2015, 08:12:45 am
try little giant ladders


^^Overpriced....

These from 'Screwfix' are half the price of 'little giants' and do exactly the same....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/aluminium-telescopic-ladder-2-section-2-x-7-treads-4-43m/64728

Is that the smallest they go then ?
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: Blackadder on April 19, 2015, 08:13:18 am
I use my telescopic ladders a lot, you do get the odd creak and click here and there but I try to keep them clean, they haven't failed me...yet.
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: EandM on April 19, 2015, 09:17:37 am
Have a telescopic ladder that sits behind the seat in my truck. It's great for all my flat roof access but if was cleaning many upstairs windows I'd use a proper ladder.
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: mufcglen on April 19, 2015, 01:26:48 pm
cheers pal yes i would use proper ladders if i had to go upstairs but these will be occasional use, i think i have 4-5 a month in my round where they have that one window thats a bitch to get to!
ive seen some by a company called xtend and climb and they do trade ladders, screwfix sell them and ive read comments that british gas guys use them for loft checks etc so i will be looking at those, suppose its like anything in life theres cheap crap and decent gear, just dont want to risk my neck lol
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: slap bash on April 19, 2015, 10:50:06 pm
I find they are heavy and they do claps some will not allow them on site.
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: Joey Eastwood on April 20, 2015, 12:03:40 am
had a maplins set for 2 years now, used here and there constantly and still going strong, ordering a replacement  simply because of their age and because i can, haha
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: oldman on April 20, 2015, 05:47:20 am
try little giant ladders


^^Overpriced....

These from 'Screwfix' are half the price of 'little giants' and do exactly the same....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/aluminium-telescopic-ladder-2-section-2-x-7-treads-4-43m/64728

Is that the smallest they go then ?

No....they do a smaller version.....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/aluminium-telescopic-ladder-2-section-2-x-5-treads-3-23m/28124
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: 8weekly on April 20, 2015, 06:17:29 am
had a maplins set for 2 years now, used here and there constantly and still going strong, ordering a replacement  simply because of their age and because i can, haha
I've seen those. They look like they are made from plastic.
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: paulben on April 20, 2015, 07:20:39 am
was given a telescopic ladder prob a cheap on ok for loft access but fully extended bow a lot feels horible
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: dazmond on April 20, 2015, 08:03:35 am
Cheers guys, thing is there's only for single floor extensions conservatorys, I'm really trying to get off the ladders now, not just the time it takes unhitching them off the roof of the van  but then I can use an excuse to customers asking for ladder jobs!!
I'd rather just stick with the wfp now, stay safe and make more money

i wouldnt trust telescopic ladders.im 17 stone and 6ft 2in though! ;D

i stick to my normal 3.5 m trade ladders and 8ft single pointer.i use them every week albeit only a few times.

i split them to get over the odd gate

the occasional flat roof

8ft pointer for leaning over to unbolt a gate

sometimes i need them to get up close to a window for scraping if they have dried on egg/paint or silicon etc.

i need them for some conservatory roof cleaning


as for gutter clearing jobs i tell the customer point blank i dont offer this service anymore as i fell off my ladders a few times(which is true)
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: mufcglen on April 20, 2015, 04:03:46 pm
cheers Dazmond, its the getting them of the roof which takes time for me too having a transit, ive managed to mangle my work to 2-3 jobs a month i need the ladders and those jobs are just windows that i cant quite access from side with the pole, the rest of my old trad jobs ive passed on now!
Title: Re: Telescopic ladders
Post by: J M Herbert on April 20, 2015, 06:24:13 pm
We have a telescopic ladder. It's a Telesteps Pro 3.8 and it is a great bit of kit. Cost £200, is designed for trade use and is 150kg rated.  Personally wouldn't buy the cheaper alternatives though.