Tuesday, May 20, 2014

An Overview Of Extension Ladders

By Minnie Whitley


The importance of ladders cannot be disputed, especially when it comes to people who work in firms that provide various outdoor services such as installation of roofs, painting and others that require ladders to reach extended heights. Ladders come in different sizes and different makes. One of them being the extension ladders.

From its name, we can draw that it is a type of ladder that extends obviously more than the normal types of these. In other terms, the ladder is able to cover up to twice the normal length of any ladder. This is achieved by joining together two designs of the same length hence coming up with one single ladder. Depending on the height required, they can even be a combination of up to three designs of the same length.

An extension ladder is made in such a way that one ladder can slide up the other so as to extend its length. By doing this, it can be realized that the ladder will not be able to attain double its length as expected but will only be a few feet short of the expected length. This is because of the overlapping that comes about when they are being fixed together. However, it would be easy for the ladder to reach the point you wish it to reach and even pass it by a few feet.

When it comes to size, they can be grouped in two different categories namely large and small. The large ones is extended to the desired length using rope loops that come with it, whereas a smaller one can be extended using hands by pulling. For safety purposes, it is very important for the ladder to be secured once opened, which can be done by tightening the stay locks using hands or tools. Stability should also be catered for by placing the ladder at a firm base.

Fibre glass, aluminum and steel are the main materials used to manufacture them. Manufacturers ensure variety by producing them in different shades and colors. An extension ladder is able to sustain 370 lbs., which is also dependent on the model. Apart from the extension ladder, there exists other models such as the foldable or telescopic type.

These also come with aids that help in accessing various parts. For instance, the ones that are fitted with a pole chain are mainly used for reaching poles. The rope and pulley type is used for accessing greater heights. For the purpose of job suitability, the ladders are also fitted with roof hooks, tool holders, bucket hangers, and hooks. A ladder that is fitted with a special tool to level it automatically is usually used by frequent users of these ladders.

Standing on the top of an these design while in use is not advisable because that would be compromising its stability. Therefore, it is recommended that you should stand on the third or fourth level of the ladder. Convenience is very obvious when it comes to these designs because they can be folded and stored away easily in a basement or garage and furthermore one can travel with it.Home owners can usually use such ladders for outdoor projects such as cleaning gutters, washing windows or even painting.

From all these it can be concluded that these are the best when it comes to work that pertains reaching a higher ground. And furthermore they can be easily be found at any outdoor equipment dealer or be ordered online.




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