Multi-ladders

J

jayclay

Location
Saint John, NB
Hey guys,
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with those multi-position ladders. The ones that can fold into all different shapes for different jobs. I'm looking for something to do hedges and ornamental tree pruning. An orchard ladder would be my first choice, but I haven't been able to find a supplier anywhere nearby (Atlantic Canada).

So, are these multi-ladders any good? Easy or complicated to set up? Easy or difficult to carry? Any opinions are appreciated. I'm wondering if one of these would be worth it, or if I should just grab a step ladder until I can find an orchard ladder down the road.
 
The ones I've seen are a waste of money and dangerous. I've never used one myself but I've seen some do-it-yourselfers fall off of them a few times. They're difficult to configure and unpredictable. I'd go with the step ladder, and get a good, industrial strength model. Don't go cheap, you'll regret it.
 
http://mobile.walmart.com/r/phoenix/index.html#ip/11150979

We have the 13ft and the 17ft version. I will never buy a different type of ladder again. We avoid using ladders like the plague but when we have to these are very versatile and we'll worth the money. I know home contractors that will only use the Little Giant name brand but those are too expensive for how much we use them. The Cisco ones are good quality but not great. When our current ladders need to be replaced, we will get more Cosco's.
 
In my carpentry years, I used several. Most of them suck. The only decent multi positional ladders are the ones that telescope. To be more clear they do not actually change shape, rather they are a telescoping step ladeer that can be straightened out to act as an extension ladder. I have used the grizzly brand and they are quite stable although heavy. I think some models even have an adjustable leg to help on uneven ground. If I was doing a lot of hedge work, I would invest in two of these and a extending aluminum plank with hooks at the ends. Staging is the least thought of and most costly, both to buy and to set up, part of most carpentry projects. Also the most overlooked. Good luck with your purchase and do your homework as this is definitely an investment that will pay for itself like all of our other tools do.
 
One of the reasons I was thinking of these ladders was the ability to set them up like staging if need be. I'll keep doing my research, but more comments are welcome. My tax refund just arrived, so I'm looking to get some gear.
 
I've got an aluminum one that I bought a lonnnggggg time ago...what, 20years??? It's served me well but I respect its limitations. When I've used it for hedge work or scaffolding I had a sheet of plywood to cover the holes. Underneath I screwed blocking so that it would jam against the rungs eliminating sliding.

There are better folding ladders than mine but I'm content.
 
I have a knockoff of a Little Giant called a 'Gorilla.' Great for chores around the house or construction site, also for positioning on stairs. Really well built. I wouldn't apply it to tree work, though.

-Tom
 
I've got one of those. LUV IT! Nothing better inside. But, it sucks on uneven ground ... so, make yourself some nice stable shims.
Still good choice - especially for multiple uses.
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