Tripod Ladder - The best friggin' ladder you'll ever want or need to own.

If you are not familiar with tripod ladders, I believe they originated in Asia (Japan) and have
continued to be used there for all kinds of landscape needs. There are numerous reasons why a
tripod ladder is a vast improvement over regular varieties, but perhaps the least obvious one is
its sturdiness. You can do your own circus act on these ladders and you will feel remarkably safe.
The base is VERY broad and the third leg makes it easy to fit in unusual and difficult locations.
The leg is also height-adjustable so that steps and inclines can even be navigated easily.

Besides their sturdiness, the best part is how EXTRA light and easy to carry/set up they are...even the tallest ones. There are some American brand tripod ladders available at 1/3 the cost, but there is just no comparison. They are much heavier (even the aluminum ones) and awkward. I've tried! Like everything the Japanese do, these ladders are elegantly simple. And they are lifetime tools.

I hope they catch on in the states so the price comes down, but at this point very few people are aware of them. And you really can't fully appreciate the difference unless you handle them yourself.

Here's one source:

http://www.niwaki.com:80/

It really looks unstable. Standing on the top 1/3 and leaning to one side to reach something. Yikes. That crossbar/brace doesn't look very thick.

I do see Amazon selling them...

sturdy they are ALL THE WAY UP, unless you stand on it yourself. It's a beautiful design.

On edit: I can't vouch for the ones available on Amazon. Only know that not all ladders are
created alike, even if they visually use a similar design.

On one side of our house, the ground slopes down and away making cleaning the gutters a two person job. One person on the ladder and one holding the ladder. When the prices come down and they're readily available, we're getting one. Besides, I have this thing about "good" ladders. :D

I make my husband hold the ladder steady. I would love to try one of these!

It is just hard to express how solid they feel under foot and comfortable to be on.

Eight foot: $699

Ten foot: $799

At those prices, fuhgetaboutit!

Tesha

A 8 foot one in the UK is £ 205 which is about $360. So -just for a change they seem to be cheaper here.

edit - I forgot to add non reclaimable tax

It's quite possible that if you search you'll find a USA maker too. The UK ones have also got an alternative rubber foot for the odd leg which means they can be used indoors for ceilings.

in the States. The UK distributor wouldn't ship it to me from there. So I assume the
added cost from the distributor here must be due to import costs or something like that.
The UK prices seem much more in line with what it should cost.

http://www.ladders-999.co.uk/ladders_specialist.htm and that company actually manufactures them here in the UK.

That was mainly because I need to know if the heights were flat or erected - they are erected. I need somthing which will double up for the garden <back yard to you I guess :) > and ceiling painting indoors. I asked in passing if they shipped to the USA but they said customer would need to arrange own shipping.

I wonder if they plan to manufacture them here as well?
Then, perhaps, they could compete in price.

By 'erected' you mean the height when fully extended?

- height when fully extended which is why only the 6 foot one would be of use to me.

Available at electrical and plumbing wholesale supply houses.
Three legged ladders have been used for work in orchards for a hundred years or more.
Farm and ranch suppliers carry many sizes and styles.

http://forums.mikeholt.com/archive/index.php/t-85916.html

mdshunk
04-21-2007, 11:04 AM
From another forum:


I can tell you where you can find dozens of 3 legged red top ladders.

In our dumpster.

I agree with you that 3 legged ladders are much more stable than a 4 legged ladder. That much is true.

However, we had used red top almost exlusively for our step ladders from about 99'-03'.

Then from in 03'-04' we had 4 very serious injuries, all on three legged red top ladders. They have two serious design flaws in their step ladders.

1st, the spreader lock out is simply the flat bar bent over at the joint. The "ears" being bent over the other bar at the joint stop the spreader from pushing through. There is no other positive stop on the spreader. Once the ladder gets used for any amount of time the spreaders get loosened up and them employee will lock the ladder out, and the lock will let the ears slide past its locking point, making the ladder fold up on itself.

2nd, the third leg is held on to a piece of flat stock by a "U" bolt under the literal red top of the ladder. It is in a position that an employee cannot easily inspect it. You need to use an extension on a 1/4" ratchet with a wobbley to get access to the nuts to tighten them down. Without inspecting or tightening the nuts, the third leg loosens at the top, and it lets the leg slip up an out of the top. Again, down goes the worker.

We've paid now over $890,000 in workmans comp, and lost time wages strictly due to red top ladders. In 05' we scrapped every red top ladder we owned (approximately 70-80). We replaced them with both Red Bull fiberglass 3 legged ladders, and some Werner fiberglass ladders. We spent another $30,000 on the new ladders.

One of our injured employees is going to file suit against red top.

The moral of the story, I agree with you 3 legged ladders are the way to go, but don't go anywhere near a red top ladder. They alone should be outlawed, and I have no doubt they'll be bankrupt sometime in the next 10 years, as someone is going to sue them for everything.

I'm in the UK and found this link to ladders of that type : http://www.ladders-999.co.uk/ladders_specialist.htm

They're not exactly cheap but better than breaking an arm, or even worse your neck, I guess.

Thanks for drawing attention to these. :hi:

The reason I got one is that I injured myself while using a regular aluminum ladder in a
somewhat awkward space (a slight incline). And that was only 8 feet. I cannot afford a serious injury at my age. But nor do I want to have to depend on and pay a repairman for fairly simple jobs.

So I heard about these ladders from a landscaper friend and feel it is one of the best and smartest expenditures I've ever made on a tool. I feel so confident, safe and even comfortable on these ladders...even at 10 feet! I cannot imagine there is any other design or type of ladder that can
offer more than this one in quality, ease and safety. And I will get a lot of use from it too, so a very sound investment imo.

I would buy another if they were less expensive, but for that I'll wait and hope the price comes
down.

written all over it! Perhaps if the crossbar was lower (providing more sturdy 'triangles').....

This ladder just gives me the 'wilburs' just looking at it. Mebbe I'm wrong, but if you think it's so great, I would definitely let you 'go first'.

particularly over 8 feet. I've got the 10 footer and I could do jumping jacks on the top rung
and be safe. I kid you not. I'm SO impressed I had to shout about it. But as I said, you really
have to climb it yourself to fully appreciate it.

stability when reaching out to the side, apparently.

Used one to trim a laurel hedge that was way over my head. I could place the third leg inside the hedge, stomp it down and that thing was as sturdy as a staircase.
If I had used a regular ladder I never would have been able to get close enough to get to the center of the hedge.
Mine came from the local co-op and was under $100 and worth every penny.

I'd like to know more about it if you can remember or provide a link.



Thanks.

on it but it was purchased about 10 years ago.
It is aluminum, 8 ft, loose third leg and called an orchard ladder - from the local farmer's co-op.

Just checked the ladder and there is not a label on it - just the usual ladder warnings.
Maybe the cost has to do with it being 10 years old.

Stokes:
http://www.stokesladders.com/products/ladder-orchard-aluminum-tripod.asp
http://www.planetgreenspot.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Stokes%2DOrchardLadder&CartID=0

Strathmore:
http://www.groworganic.com/item_GLA230_Strathmore_Aluminum_Orchard_Ladd.html?pMode=HiRes

Ladder King:
http://www.ladderking.com/1100.htm

Tallman Ladders:
http://www.tallmanladders.com/tripod.html

American Ladders
http://www.americanladders.com/product.php?productid=16622

Falcon
http://store.vinelandgrowers.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1196&cat=Ladders

Sherilltree (various)
http://gear.sherrilltree.com/iwwida.pvx?;products_no_tree?comp=she&cat=LADDERS

This is a company that REPAIRS orchard ladders
so I'll bet they have some thoughts about the
best/worst made brands:
http://directory.wenatcheeworld.com/listing.php?id=26007



I haven't had experience with any of the ones listed here but
some of the features I like about mine are -

Super light weight and easy to carry/set up.

The steps are not solid so less slippage if feet are muddy.

The third leg has adjustable height.

The frame is welded rather than constructed with rivets or other components

the Strathmore, Ladderking or the Falcon

The third leg on mine is not adjustable except for the angle at which one places the leg.
I like that it has raised ribs on the steps so wet muddy shoes don't slip.
Also - the third leg does not snap into the back for easier carrying - one has to hold it down while carrying it. That can get awkward.

I was afraid of using it because I thought it would fall over for sure - but it is so much safer. Now I have friends try it out so they won't be afraid of them.