Getting ready to sell a couple excess ladders.

Dick2 · May 17, 2017

What do you look for when buying a ladder. Years ago there were just wooden ladders that had no ratings, were usually loose and wobbly and often wouldn't hold a big man's weight.

I have a 7ft. fiberglas stepladder to sell that is rated for 250lbs. Nice stable ladder; safe for working on electrical. I see the big box stores here only stock 6ft, 8ft, and 12ft fiberglass stepladders, plus a few AL stepladders that would make me nervous.

I have a 16ft. AL extension ladder that I no longer need that is rated at 225lbs (only used it twice). Ladder manufacturers won't admit that they design in a safety factor, nor what percentage the safety factor is because they think people will overload the safety factor and end up suing the company.

MarkB_MI · May 17, 2017

> Ladder manufacturers won't admit that they design in a safety factor, nor what percentage the safety factor is because they think people will overload the safety factor and end up suing the company.

Hmm. Engineers factor in a safety margin when they design bridges, too. Does that mean that instead of posting the legal weight limit on bridges, highway departments should post the ultimate design failure load? Should be OK as long as your truck is less than that, right?

Dick2 · May 17, 2017

The "Safety Factor" is to limit liability and, as far as I know, is never disclosed. I knew that there was a 25% safety factor designed into some of our equipment, but I never told anyone that.

kcm.MN · May 17, 2017

Even portable generators have ratings limits. However, as safety is not an issue here (and common overloading may be), they list the peak watts along with the running or continuous watts.

What Dick said about people suing the companies is true. There have been several people who have gone after a ladder manufacturer because they claimed it failed under less than posted weight. What always seems to come out in the wash is, what condition was the ladder in when it failed, how was it being used, at what angle and extension amount, and how well was it cared for. You can't extend those things and use them as a walkway from one building top to another. The steeper the angle, the more weight they can handle.

That said, I've seen some newer ladders in stores that scare me! The aluminum hooks that hang on a rung are so thin that I can't imagine ever trusting the ladder.

Dick, what condition are the ladders in? As they are used, obviously you cannot get new price for them. I would compare the ladders to what's in the stores, compare the prices, and make adjustments for the condition. That is, if you're not in a hurry to sell them. If you're in a hurry, make it a low price.

MarkB_MI · May 17, 2017

> The "Safety Factor" is to limit liability...

No, it is sound engineering practice. Or you might just call it common sense.

Hobo,NC · May 17, 2017

Always someone looking for one...

jeffcat · May 17, 2017

I bought two fiber glass folding ladders in the past two years. Both in very good and clean condition. 5he six foot cost $10.oo. the 12 foot cost me $50.oo. If I remember they are both louisville ladders. In the store they would be in the 80 range and the big one is close to 180 plus. Fiber glass is heavy but very stable.

Dick2 · May 18, 2017

The houses on our street all have 9ft ceilings, so it requires a 6 or 7ft stepladder to change the AC filters. Only 3 of us on this street have ladders of any kind and no one asks to borrow one. Guess those folks are still using the original air filters and don't even know they are supposed to be changed every 3-4 months. The houses on our side of the street are 7 years old; the houses across the street are 11 years old.

Mike M · May 18, 2017

I have a little giant ladder and it sure has a lot of good features. It can do things you can't do with other ladders. Saw the current infomercial on TV and it looks like they have added even more features.

BarnyardEngineering · May 18, 2017

I'm not sure if "What do you look for when buying a ladder?" was your actual question here, but here is my answer to that question:

1. Style. Do I need a step ladder or an extension ladder?
2. Length. How long does it need to be to do the job?
3. Weight rating. As big as I can get.

I have one of those Little Giant clones like Harbor Freight sells. Other than being a little heavy, it is the sturdiest, most stable ladder I've ever used. Mine came from a BJ's Warehouse Club store, but the one they're selling at Harbor Freight now is identical to it. Bought one for my Dad, but he doesn't like it because it's too heavy. Might have to abscond with it.

Geo-TH,In · May 18, 2017

Mark,
Years ago 60 minutes did a segment on ladder liability. A farmer sues because there was no warning on ladder saying not to use ladder on frozen cow poo. Ladder slipped, he broke his leg and sued.
NO CRAP. I suppose you could google it.

geo

Dick2 · May 18, 2017

The 7ft fiberglas is too heavy for me, also don't need it anymore.

Blackhole49 · May 18, 2017

I've recently bought a couple of used ladders (one step and one extension) at estate sales. Less than 1/2 the new price if in excellent condition. FYI: Walmart sells a 7' fiberglass step (225#) for $61.00 here.

JML755 · May 18, 2017

(quoted from post at 08:54:50 05/18/17) I've recently bought a couple of used ladders (one step and one extension) at estate sales. Less than 1/2 the new price if in excellent condition. FYI: Walmart sells a 7' fiberglass step (225#) for $61.00 here.

Funny thing about ladders is that they seem to go high at auctions that I frequent. I've seen Werner 24' ladders go for just about the price of new. I agree, 1/2 is what I expect to pay for a used item at auction or estate sale. Haven't found a ladder (in decent shape) that I can grab for that.

MarkB_MI · May 18, 2017

> A farmer sues because there was no warning on ladder saying not to use ladder on frozen cow poo.

George, when you dig into these urban legends about product liability lawsuits, you find the truth is a bit different.

<a href="https://www.torklaw.com/interest/frivolous-lawsuit-stories-major-details/">https://www.torklaw.com/interest/frivolous-lawsuit-stories-major-details/</a>

Geo-TH,In · May 18, 2017

Mark,
Sounds like 60 minutes broadcasted fake news or it's Truth Decay? Which?
geo

gab · May 18, 2017

When I was a little kid, maybe five, an old couple named Roy and Elsie I think painted these barns using wooden extension ladders. They were the local professional painters, looked old to me, wasn't any fat on them and I don't know how they could move those ladders around. I'm 68, got a 36 foot aluminum ladder that I used three years ago with great difficulty and don't think I can do it again. But old Elsie and Roy were some paintin machines, I spent a lot of days watching them.

Geo-TH,In · May 18, 2017

Mark,
Sounds like it was a 450# roofer, not a farmer, that broke a 1000# ladder. That's one heavy roofer or he was packing a couple bundles of shingles while on ladder.

Except the award actually had nothing to do with the manure?nor did the roofer?s injuries. The ladder was safety rated for up to 1,000 lbs. and it broke (rather than slipped) under a load of less than 450 lbs.

1000# ladder, does that sound right? 450# load, does that sound right?? I think there is more to the story. A roofer not a farmer??
geo

Dusty MI · May 18, 2017

I have a 36' wood extenion ladder, 2-18s, that have gained too much weight for me to handle any more.
I would like to part with them.

Dusty

MarkB_MI · May 19, 2017

> 1000# ladder, does that sound right? 450# load, does that sound right?? I think there is more to the story. A roofer not a farmer??

I agree, George, the sketchy accounts of this story leave a lot to be desired. Certainly there is no such thing today as a normal ladder rated to hold 1000 pounds. I'm guessing this case involves a ladder that predates the current ANSI system; maybe it had some sort of unrealistic markings indicating it was good for 1000 pounds.

The 450 pound load is also suspicious. Although there are certainly plenty of 300+ pound people walking around, very few would be working on a roof, let alone carrying a bundle of shingles up a ladder. Maybe two guys on the ladder at once? At any rate, it hardly makes a case for tort reform: The plaintiff was on a ladder that was supposed to carry his weight, it failed, he was injured and the jury awarded him a modest judgement. Detroit lawyer Geoffrey Fieger wins several much more outrageous awards every year; if someone wants to make a case for tort reform all they need to do is go down to the Wayne County courthouse and look up his cases.
Fieger wins 17 cases over one million in 2016

W_B · May 22, 2017

(quoted from post at 15:09:51 05/18/17) > A farmer sues because there was no warning on ladder saying not to use ladder on frozen cow poo.

George, when you dig into these urban legends about product liability lawsuits, you find the truth is a bit different.

<a href="https://www.torklaw.com/interest/frivolous-lawsuit-stories-major-details/">https://www.torklaw.com/interest/frivolous-lawsuit-stories-major-details/</a>

What kind of consumer use ladder is rated at 1,000 lbs.? Must be a typo there, or just more BS to add to the mix.

ASEguy · May 23, 2017

I just bought a Little Giant a few months ago. I love how solid it is. I got the ratchet legs to level the ladder out and they worked great. I paid a pretty penny for it, but love how solid it feels.

Getting ready to sell a couple excess ladders.

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