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Scaffolding

J

john in la

Well-known Member
Location
What part of in La do you not understand
It has been 7 months since I fell off a ladder and fractured my back and damaged my back muscles.

Yesterday I got on a ladder for the first time to change a light bulb and I can pretty much tell I will never be able to use a ladder again for more than minor things. Not that I am scared but my back hurts to much as I try to balance on the ladder.

So let?s talk the good bad ugly about scaffolding or any alternative to a ladder. It could be store bought or home made. Any and all comments on a alternative to a ladder will be helpful.

My main project now is getting back to building my 24 by 24 pole garage that has been sitting untouched for 7 months.
 
Look at this stuff.
cvphoto2807.png
 
I have two of these units. They're great!

They can be bought for less than $200 per unit, sometimes considerably less. I see them all over, Menards, HD, Lowes, HF, etc. When I was doing the lights and wiring in my new building several years ago, I bolted both units together and had a 6'x6' surface to work off of. Got on and off with a step ladder.

I rely on these now for a lot of stuff I used to do off of a ladder.
 
I too am not a big fan of ladders after falling off one. I bought scaffolding from Northern Tool for my pole barn project. The paint quality is terrible, but I am more comfortable on it and can work faster. They often have it on sale online.
 
John, I would highly suggest speaking with a rep at a company like Safway, if anyone can solve a scaffold, staging and or similar problem, they or supplier like them certainly should be able to. I have used them for difficult problems to put people in high up places, safely.

Sounds like scaffold with stairs and safety railing might be worth a look, and you probably do not need much of it for the project you want to use it on.
Safway

Scaffold with Stairs
 
I have two of the units already been picture you have to be pretty good monkey to get on them, on solid surface okay but I would not want them out side use for what you doing. my advice simple have the shed put up period. I am like you I had surgery and can not lift much any more, I call friends for when I need items lifted. swallow your pride and ask for help period
 
this my be redneck but I use a hay wagon and put a scaffolding on it. Works great when on ruff surfaces.
 
I had a broken back from a ladder slipping, and I was much experienced on ladders as I was a sheetmetal worker.I have a set of bricklayer' scaffolds, but they are heavy and take time to set up. In building a pole barn, it may be easier to build temporary scaffolds as you work. Only disadvantage, you may get a lot of materials tied up. Use screws and be easier to build and disassemble
 
The Amish built my barn in 2 days they had a skidder with a platform on forks. Also had a boom to set trusses. My barn is 30x40x14 tall.

At my age paying for someone to do what I used to do is much safer than building a death machine scaffold. I'm allergic to gravity, Pain and a trip to ER.
George
 
I agree with Kansas. If you go to several rental places you might be able to work a longer term deal on the cost. Before you bring one home... have helpers ready to BE THERE ..perfect days of weather....and every stick, screw,nut,bolt,wires,sockets,led lamps, etc. Make it like a factory assembly line. Running back for more supply items should be out of the question. Make yourself a couple of checklists. You will be surprised how much stuff you didn't think of the first five times. :) Give a watch. Notice when all work stops. ...that's LUNCH BREAK!!!
cvphoto2808.jpg

Raise a barn.
 
That might work.

My BIL has a 5 by 8 trailer with a strong box built from rebar that he used to haul wild pigs in. A set of used tires would make it yard usable.

That hooked to a tractor would be movable and very stable on rough ground.

Thanks. I will have to look into this.
 
John you're a smart chap so I'm sure you'll figure something out. My friend has a pick that comes in handy for roofing jobs. Of course that necessitates having two ladders. While scaffolding is nice it's not entirely without risk either. One of my hunting buddies was a tin nock, worked all over, even worked on the dome at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. He was hanging ducts in a residential, only 4' off the ground and trip and fell to the concrete floor below. Still hurts to think about him.

JD
 
I bought standard gasden type scaffolding online but it's in my state. There's probably one in yours as well. I think it's 5 x 7 and very stable. Bought the aluminum wallboards too. They aren't that expensive when you look at rental cost. I have 7 so I can go 3 high and side by side with the center more for stability.
 
I don?t like ladders very well, the swaying makes me do a death grip about 5 feet off the ground.

I found the Little Giant ladders used to be advertised all the time and likely too high priced actually works for me they are stiff enough to not sway so much.

And two sets of scaffolding from Runnings or Menards with wheels and good platform makes my life a lot more steady and easy on minor construction jobs!

I?m not so much afraid of heights, it?s an unsteady wiggle below me that makes me pucker up.

Paul
 
john , i bought a 1981 ford e350 van with a 30 ft bucket on it from a salvage yard for a couple hundred dollars. has a 300 six cyl, and a 3 on the tree manual trans. handy as pockets on a shirt. my neighbor bought a 3 pt cat 3 forklift mast for his 7060 allis, and has a platform with a handrail that he can clamp to the forks. only downside is you need someone to run the tractor while you are up in the bucket. the mast is 3 section and goes up quite a ways.
 
I have a couple of sections, they come in real handy, we put a new steel roof on an old cabin last summer and if I put up some decent scaffold my wife helps a lot. She put in all the screw in the bottom 3 rows, we had the holes pre-drilled on the ground. But we are only 68!
 
Later and crawling and stretching are are out for me. I am always building something and the JLG man lift in the pictures is just the only way to go. I bought that one from auction and it has paid for itself several times. 40 ft and can reach up down and around. Makes any building chore a lot easier.
cvphoto2816.jpg
 
Harbor Freight has the scaffold described below for $170 with coupon in the January 2020 booklet.
 
John I fell off the second step of a stepladder in August and am only now getting so I can use a ladder comfortably. It'll be a while before all pain is gone.
What I will say is if you can't use a ladder then there no way you will be able to use scaffolding; Because to get on scaffolding you have to use a ladder.
That means you will only be to use a man lift of some type.
 
Look on Craigslist for some used scaffolding.
It's been nearly 4 1/2 years now since I fell off the roof of my garage and broke my right leg.
Was on crutches for ten - yes 10 months.
The first job I did when I could work again was to start this addition on our house. I was out of shape and scared to climb but I made myself stay at it and built the addition alone except for help to lift the walls and trusses. I got a little stronger and more confident each day.
My wife was afraid for me so when I mentioned buying some used scaffolding she pretty much demanded that I do so.
I found some on CL for $800 - more than you see in the first photo. In 2018 I started a new garage and used it again. Finished that last fall. My friend now wants to borrow it to re-side his house. When he's done I will put it on CL for $800 obo.
If I only get 50 cents for it it will still be the best purchase I've ever made in my life.

cvphoto2819.jpg


cvphoto2820.jpg
 
I built my own scaffold after finding some spreader bars from factory shelving in a junque yard. I made three sections (10 feet long) and bolted the first one to a hay wagon. The other two breakdown into spreaders and end panels, and are chained to the dedicated scaffold trailer. Use it here, at the neighbors, and at my son"s place 65 miles away. Easy to move around on site.
 
you will still have to climb up to your scaffolding. The best would to buy a good used power lift and it would eliminate climbing and give you some fall protection
 
John,
I have 2 sets as described and linked by db4600 below. I also have the outriggers. On the plus side, I can use them independently or stacked. They are fairly light and easy to maneuver. They are narrow enough to roll into a lot of locations. That said, here are the negatives. The joints are imprecise enough that, even when locked with safety pins, they rack noticeably. Such movement makes for an unsteady feeling. Also, I use these only inside on firm footing. There is no way I would deploy them outside on dirt or gravel. So, it really depends on your intended use. I like them, but limit the use.
 
[color=red:7c548a91a8][i:7c548a91a8]My friend now wants to borrow it to re-side his house.[/color:7c548a91a8][/i:7c548a91a8]
My insurance man advised me years ago to NEVER loan out a ladder. I'm sure a scaffolding would be the same way. Liability factor is just too great. He told me to sell the ladder for a dollar, buy it back for a dollar.
It's too bad the world has come to this state, but it has.
I am sure your friend would never think of suing you for any injuries, but his insurance company would do it in a heart beat, to recover any monies paid out.
I may be a cynic, but unfortunately, this is the times we live in.
 
(quoted from post at 08:26:38 01/21/20) Look at this stuff.
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto2807.png">
Click to expand...

I just kinda inherited 2 scaffold units. One is a Baker unit, called a stairway unit around here, and a bigger, commercial unit. I am going use it while I finish the inside of my pole barn, or shop as I am trying to reinvent it.
 
John.

I agree with JM. That is the best way to go for what you are planning to do. My construction company has leased rented owned used 100s of lift devices. A 4WD, chassis tilt, full controls from the basket is the way to go. 2 very important recommendations are keep a close eye on the fuel level and use fall gear. I have seen the results of 3 men who fell without fall gear. 1 has been in pain for 30+ years, 1 walks like Jerry?s Kids, 1 didn?t make it.
 
I have scaffolding that allows me to comfortably lay block up 8'. I am thinking it is about 4' high where I stand and I can lift block onto that easily. I fell off it two summers ago but was unharmed. Just saying...you can still fall so be careful.

On another note, most know around here that I am a CPA. It might surprise you to find out that ladders are in the top 5 causes of medical issues among my clients. Might have to do with my heavy contractor based practice, but not all of them are contractors. Some crippled for life. Ladders are dangerous things and few people are trained properly in their use and safety. Step ladders worst of all. Was at a garage sale last year and they had a tall step ladder. My wife suggested I buy it to change light bulbs in the barn. I told her I would as soon put a gun in my mouth.
 
Greg. I don't loan anything, period. And
I too always look at how I can come back
and bite you. No good deed ever goes
unpunished.

My dad was the Same way. The people who
don't care about getting sued mostly
don't have anything to lose.

George
 
How well would that work on dirt?

All insulators I've talked to to spray my ceiling want concrete so they can roll their scaffolding.
 
I have to respectfully disagree---my net worth is well over a million but in my lawsuit experiences, both being sued and suing, the attorneys are only interested in the insurance coverage and always want to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company and not go to court over the lawsuit--a court proceeding is a crap shoot and a lot more work for the attorney to collect his 33%--so i don't worry much about being sued and keep my liability limits sort of low as it seems to be deterent for a lawsuit
 
John check with the local rental companies about a small towable manlift. I've rented one a few times for tree trimming. If you have level ground they work pretty good. If you can get someone to help you can get quite a lot of work done on your building in a couple of weekends. If I was closer I would be there to help you get it done. I hate working off of a ladder as I've gotten older!
 
We use a telehandler with a basket 4x8 with a small shelf on the front. Works great up to about 40 foot. Trim trees roofing siding you name it. will also lift 6000 pounds.
 
CYB, cover your butt. I'm also insurance poor, have too much.
I've never been sued, never been in an accident. My portfolio is close to yours. I retired 16 years ago.
All the poor people I know try to get buy without insurance because they have nothing to lose. If cops stop them, cops toe their uninsured vehicles, impound, give the a fine.

Because I don't have business insurance on my terramites, I only use them for my personal use. NOT FOR HIRE. I do have liability insurance. Full coverage on Kubota.

BYW, my insurance agents visits my properties and informs me if something need attended to.
 
Told my wife she is getting a boomlift for Christmas. I am getting tired of moving ladders. I would rather rent than own one, but I can only get a couple days at a time to work on things. It burns up 6 hrs for me to pickup and return rentals.

I ended up buying an older unit from the rental outfit. They have more into it for a new engine two years ago than what I paid for it. I figure I have enough jobs over the next 3-4 years to be worth it, then I can resell.
 
Man lift would be the first choice,I borrowed 6 upright sections. That got me up to work at 14 feet with out problems. Wheels and walk boards and you are good to go. CL price around $300.00 and up. I bought a rolling stare a while back it is really nice to work off of easy up and down,not good outside in rough ground. New 1200.00 I wound up with 20.00 in mine. Working off a ladder is just dangerous the older we get,leg and foot cramps will kill you in 10 foot fall.
 
Wagon -without- a rocking bolster though!

Friend of a friend made that mistake........

Paul
 
John, just a thought, if ladders are too difficult what about one of those rolling stairs things like you see them use at Lowes and such places. If it is level/smooth enough it might work, just walk up the steps. I have seen a couple of those for sale online lately. Paul
 
I used both scaffolding and ladders for 20 years in my former job. Scaffolding takes some work to set up, especially if you have a bad back could be difficult, and has to be set up right-level and solid footing-or it could be disastrous. Once set up it makes a nice solid secure platform for working especially for jobs like siding or along the edge of a roof, but still be careful as falling off of anything will cause injury.
 
I have one of these and find it very useful. You still have to climb on and off, but once on it, you can pull it around to move without getting off (as long as you are on a cement floor). Plenty of room for your tools also.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAfilzJP8Xc
 
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