Which Ladder?
Good question, very hard to answer. Every garden, every gardener and every job is slightly different and what works for one might be useless for another. BUT there are a few basic truths.
Size: using our SSH (Safe Standing Height) combined with your own height, and the height of the job in hand, we can fairly accurately say what size ladder you need (for a specific job). On the larger ladders (8' and up) the SSH is 3 steps from the top, so the top is effectively your handrail or something to lean against. On the 4' and 6' models, because they're smaller, the SSH is officially 2 steps from the top, but for more cautious users we still recommend 3. So, using the 8 footer as an example, you can stand, comfortably and safely, at 5'. Let's say you're 6' tall, which means the top of your head is at 11' and you can reach to about 12', arm outstretched. For hedge pruning, where ideally you want to be working between waist and chest height, you'll have a working height of 8-9'. Of course it's higher if you're taller than 6', and lower if shorter.
| LADDER | SSH | ARM OUTSTRETCHED | HEDGE HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6' (1.8m) | 3 - 4' | 10 - 11' | 6' - 8' |
| 8' (2.4m) | 5' | 12' | 8' - 9' |
| 10' (3.0m) | 7' | 14' | 10' - 11' |
| 12' (3.6m) | 9' | 16' | 12' - 13' |
If you feel that 3', 4' or 5' is the ideal SSH for you, think about the Work Platform model, which has a deeper, platform-like step and then a hand rail above that. It's not as flexible as the basic tripod design - you can't go any higher- but in certain situations, it's perfect.
Weight: they're all remarkably light, and folded up into a lump of aluminium, in a suitcase, would seem like nothing at all. What they are, though, is tall, and wide. Moving them around, especially when you're deep in the undergrowth and you need to move a few feet, can be tricky: the legs stick out wider than you think, and the taller ladders can be top heavy. Taller people tend to hold the ladder higher up, so this is less of a problem - for shorter people it can be a real bore. Keiko, who is Japanese-height, finds using the 8 footer fine, but not the 10 footer. Mum (pictured below) has no trouble at all moving the 10 footer around.
All-rounder: just like everything else, there's no such thing as the perfect all-round ladder (even though we like to think we get pretty close.) If your ladder is for one job - great. If it's for general use, there are a couple of points to consider. If you think you need the biggest one, think again. It will be great for a few jobs, but it will be OTT for lots more: we always suggest getting the size that will get the most use, and point out that even if you get the biggest, it still won't be big enough for some jobs. Personally, my favourite ladder is the 6 footer (and you can guess how many I have to choose from). Think also about where the ladder will live, whether it will travel, and who else might use it.
Slopes: all our tripod ladders have an adjustable back leg, with a spring-pin that extends (by 6") or shortens (upto 18") in 6" stops. So working into a slope is fine (always try and work into, not down, the slope.) What they don't do very well is work on side slopes - the 2 front legs have to be pretty much level. Often this isn't a problem - just turn the ladder round, into the slope, and work sideways (more comfortable for some jobs anyway). Sometimes, however, that's impractical, in which case you need the Adjustable Tripod with adjustable legs front and back.
Load Bearing: The Niwaki Tripod Ladders, Adjustable Tripod Ladders and Platform Tripod Ladders all have a 100kg load bearing (that's just under 16 stone.) If you think that, along with your working gear, you might exceed that, we'd steer you tactfully towards the 12' Pro Tripod (below.)
Heavy Duty Use: as the ladders get longer, so they get put under more stress. For daily, heavy duty use, we recommend the Pro model. It's heavier, but much much more sturdy, and rated to 150 kg (23 1/2 stone)
Did we say how light they are? The 6' ladder weighs less than our cat Shabba.
Ok, he's a big cat - but you get the point.