Telescoping Ladders Update

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

All ladders need periodic maintenance and examination knucklehead.

Chemical sprays are not used on recommended fiberglass ladders.

If you think risking your life is worth it ,be my guest but after reading the first post on this thread you are the knuckle head.

What type of professional ladder instruction do you base your opinion on other than rage against safety and conformity.

[John M. Acaron]

Great silicon will be. However, my ladder continues to ladder real good. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

[Erol Kartal]

Originally Posted by Rob Jones

I have been using an Xtend and Climb for the last 4 yrs. Still have the same ladder and have not had an issue to date. I only use it for interior attic scuttles, have a Little Giant for the exterior and higher scuttles in the garage etc...

I had the extend and climb for a few years before the feet started slipping out while climbing to attic scuttles in garage. The ball shaped feet which is stupid to begin with, make it easy to slip on dirty, dusty surfaces. Watch it!

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

A good rubber, non skid car mat stops that.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Not to be rude about safety and someones misfortune, BUT we hashed this out about 6-12 months ago. Same guy / same accident.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Originally Posted by belliott

If you guys gotta use a spray to make them work right than they aint working right.
Seriously WD40 gets used in the wrong places all the time.
For instance it is bad on lock cylinders and actually seems to dry them out.
Use real oil.

You point out a perfect conclusion to WD40'
It is not a lubricant, its a cleaner- to degrease.
I have done mechanics for years.
As Bob mentions, you do not lubricate ladder parts you adjust them.
By lubricating parts you destroy them faster. They are none lub-parts.
Clean with soap and water , I use my industrial pressure washed and the adjust the components with a key or crescent wrench.
Bushings are nylon and never over tighten.
Observe for ware on all moving parts and replace any bent or damaged parts with NEW parts only.
Feet and locks are easy to change and do not over or under tighten.
When you are at the hardware store, look to see how the new ladder parts move and examine your for differences.
Wow my Mr.Dad was an alcoholic and a knuckle head but an architect.
I know what not to do after seeing him in action.
To bad I learned the hard way.

[Gary Farnsworth]

My tele-steps are 5 years old, used thousands of times, and never a breakdown. Only problem is that I have gone through 4 sets of rubber feet. I do periodically lube with silicone. WD-40 should not be used for anything but rust removal. It eats nylon. A new product out there is Liquid Wrench Dry Lubricant spray. It leaves a dry powder that is barely visible, and no residue. I use it on my show car. Expensive, but it drys clear. Main ingredients are Heptane and propanol. Good for windows, drawer guides, hinges, locks, etc.

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

My Extend n Climb has got to be getting close to 10 yrs. Still use it every week. Clean it with a microfiber cloth when closing it up. Never had a single incident. Just make sure when extending that it fully engages the locks. Use it in accordance with instructions. Most (ladder) accidents are caused by "pilot error". I am sure there are cases of faulty equipment. The biggest danger I have experienced is getting the dog crap pinched out of a finger or thumb when closing it up and it was my fault, not paying attention to where I had my fingers. That particular error has a very short learning curve. Only done it once and my finger hurt for three days.