Multipurpose ladders--ups and downs: in our last ladder test in 1997 we could recommend only one multipurpose ladder. Have they improved since then?(TEST: Multipurpose ladders)(Product/Service Evaluation)

Publication: Choice (Chippendale, Australia)

Bookmark this article Print this article Link to this article Email this article Digg It! Add to del.icio.us RSS

COPYRIGHT 2005 Australian Consumers' Association

Ladders are an almost essential tool for trade work, home maintenance and gardening. You're entitled to expect your ladder to provide a good, stable work platform while you clean the gutters or paint the ceiling. So even though the Australian standard for ladders isn't mandatory for manufacturers, we think it's important that all ladders on the market pass the standard for safe and solid construction.

We tested seven multipurpose ladders. Before we look at the results, let's take a look back at our previous ladder tests.

PAST EXPERIENCE

We last tested 1.8 m metal stepladders, 1.8 m step-extension ladders (also known as dual-purpose ladders) and multipurpose ladders to important clauses of the standard and reported the results in CHOICE, January 1997.

By and large, the results were disappointing, with more than half the ladders failing one or more standard tests. Particularly disappointing were multipurpose ladders--none passed all the tests, and we could only suggest one to consider buying.

When we asked manufacturers to review and comment on our test results, several were keen to fix the problems. Many redesigned ladders then passed our subsequent tests (reported in CHOICE, December 1997).

But even then, we could still only recommend one multipurpose ladder. That was eight years ago. Have multipurpose ladders improved?

VERSATILITY

These ladders have three sets of hinges along their length, enabling them to be configured in different ways. They can be set up as stepladders, straight ladders, stairwell scaffolds, working platforms or stand-off ladders (where the top section is used to stand the ladder at a distance from the wall--it's useful for cleaning gutters, for example). They fold into relatively compact shapes, so can be easier to transport and store than more conventional ladders.

Unfortunately, while they can be set up in many configurations, they aren't easy to use. Only one of the ladders tested scored more than 50% for ease of use, and three were judged to be 'poor'. The joint locks can be hard to operate. The ladders are heavy and bulky and can require a fair amount of physical strength to manipulate them into shape. A ladder that's designed for one particular type of task, like a stepladder, will usually be lighter and easier to use for that task than a multipurpose ladder.

THE VERDICT

Disappointingly, it seems multipurpose ladders haven't significantly improved since our 1997 tests. Only one model, the LOFTY Multi 6DL, passed all our tests this time around. Its unique dual-locking joint system is a good concept, designed to stop you accidentally locking only one joint of a pair. But it's not as easy to operate as it could be, because the locking dowels can be difficult to align. While this ladder technically passed the unlocked joint test (see How we tested, right), the natural position of the opened locks leaves the dowels partially engaged. In this position a user might think the joints are locked when in fact they're not, and they could partly climb the LOFTY before it collapsed under them. When unlocking the joints you need to move the locking lever firmly all the way to be sure the dowels have fully disengaged.

The other ladders all failed various clauses of the Australian standard, despite claiming to comply with it. Some are...

Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.