Ladder repair

[Kram]

Fairly old but very decent ladder,used for tree works. It was apparently on the van which hit something overhead and bent the bottom step.

I suggested it could be repaired But I'd not weld it, instead probably replace the bottom bar with solid bar.
Also unbend the attachement and reinforce that with solid.

What do you think?

I should say he already replaced it with a modern version but its nowhere near as stable as this was.

 

[Endeleus]

buy a replacement stabiliser bar

Extension Ladders

Genuine spare parts for Werner, Youngman & Abru extension ladders.

wernercouk.myshopify.com

Edit: Actually on the second photo, the slot where the stabiliser bar goes through the stile doesn't look too clever. Maybe time to retire this set?

 

[GRW]

Fairly old but very decent ladder,used for tree works. It was apparently on the van which hit something overhead and bent the bottom step.

I suggested it could be repaired But I'd not weld it, instead probably replace the bottom bar with solid bar.
Also unbend the attachement and reinforce that with solid.

What do you think?
View attachment 460069
View attachment 460070

I should say he already replaced it with a modern version but its nowhere near as stable as this was.

Could you pull it straight and then "splint" it with some plates?

(Caveat: for use by the owner only at own risk, not for employees. In this day and age even a solid safe repair means you leave yourself open to HSE and Litigation using anything not original & undamaged etc)

 

[leadpig]

Could you pull it straight and then "splint" it with some plates?

(Caveat: for use by the owner only at own risk, not for employees. In this day and age even a solid safe repair means you leave yourself open to HSE and Litigation using anything not original & undamaged etc)

What I was thinking as well

 

[Blobber]

From what you can see of the rungs I think its done its time for commercial use, if it was mine Id fix it for home use

 

[bricol]

Will the repair still allow the ladder to comply with the standard it was made to?

If not, then for business use, whoever uses it and whoever modified it to be non-compliant is going to be in trouble if there's a problem . . .

Main structure looks rather knackered too. Wonder if they've been keeping a record of the daily checks required?

Standards and H&S are there for a reason - allow us workers to go home at the end of the day in pretty much the same arrangement of component parts as we left in the morning.

 

[zzr1200]

Time for a new set. They're tax deductible

 

[Kram]

Load of nonsense, rest of it is safe it just needs a new bar, and the slot hammered back with a reasonable amount of reinforcement.
The issue with the repair is it may add a reasonable amount of weight.

As already said, he got a new set and its shiet. Label says made in Czech, on the new one. We already found issues with that and went back to the old one today. A decent heavy duty ladder is very expensive.

 

[frank horton]

that part is replacable.....look for an ally suppliers, get an off cut of box section....it wont be special......
I have a small ally tower with steel sections like ur's for the wheels.....both are rotten, rused from within the tube....
they are getting ally replacements.....I've just got to go get em.....
my stuff is private use only....

 

[waddycall]

Turn it up the other way

 

[Migmac]

Don’t see replacing the box section as an issue the bent rounds are more of a concern, might not be to bad if it’s only the bottom two. Any further up? If there are i wouldn’t be using the ladder

 

[Agroshield]

...it just needs a new bar

Don't just replace, improve.

I greatly dislike that style of ladder precisely because the stabiliser bar is so long.

It would not take much to make it in two parts that are telescopic, so you can collapse the bar and stow it tight to the stiles. Then extend and pin it for use. Bonus is to make it non-symmetrically extendable (more one side than the other - your photo shows greater projection on the LHS than the RHS) for when you are working in a tight space.

This would be a good starting point for an imporved version:

Zarges Universal Stabiliser Bar Leveller 58 mm x 25 mm | 41987

With 2 sizes to choose from the Zarges stabilier bar leveller allows ladders to be kept level when they are on sloping ground or stairways. Suitable for ladders with horizontal stabiliser bars, from a length of 900 mm.

www.ladderstore.com

In passing, this looks good: it is just a heavy duty bag filled with pea shingle with a rubber mat glued/sewn to its base, used when you are on uneven ground.

Levelling Safety Base | LSB

The Safety Base makes an instant, level, anti-slip footing on uneven, sloping or flat ground without the safety trade off of back leg attachments. Leels in seconds - just move the ladder across the specially angled top to achieve plumb. No screws or mechanical adjustments required Anti-slip -...

www.ladderstore.com

 

[DaveB]

If it's personal use then do what you think best.

If it's business use then not worth repairing in case there is an accident later.

 

[sparkysy]

I had a farmer run over a set of mine and cause much the same damage.
I just made a new set and bolted it in. (Black legs on the bottom) However they are no longer used on site due to this alteration and liability, but still excellent for round home!

 

[brightspark]

I had a farmer run over a set of mine and cause much the same damage.
I just made a new set and bolted it in. (Black legs on the bottom) However they are no longer used on site due to this alteration and liability, but still excellent for round home!View attachment 460146

my stepladder fell of the roof rack and a rangerover ran over it retrieved them and cut them up and melted em down there now cast in to a house sign

 

[sparkysy]

Going up the M1 a few years ago and a set flew off a van in front of me in the fast lane.
They bounced feet first on the road in front of me and straight over the top of the astra van I was in landing flat on the road behind me!
I had to stop at the next services and change my underwear!!

 

[Kram]

To be honest, most arborists ignore 90% of the rules and regulations that HSE appear to be forcing on us. I never see anyone climb with two ropes, rare to see LOLER'd kit. If they tried to enforce it, they would never get any time for other industry!

I disagree that everything should be disposable just because only the manufacturer can certify it. The new ladder is becoming dangerous after only 2 days use, the rivets on the top plate/pivot are coming out and allowing the plate to twist. I told him to return it, old one is better!

Anyway he is still using the ladder in its current state He has a great sense of balance and didnt want me to hold it steady.

buy a replacement stabiliser bar

Extension Ladders

Genuine spare parts for Werner, Youngman & Abru extension ladders.

wernercouk.myshopify.com

Edit: Actually on the second photo, the slot where the stabiliser bar goes through the stile doesn't look too clever. Maybe time to retire this set?

Do you know if they are a standard size, its not listed? He is away for a week but I'll take callipers and measure next time I go.

Still, I think it may be better to make a new bar out of solid, it would allow adjustment blocks/feet to be bolted to it and be much stronger. Possibly cost the same..

 

[badabec]

I think you need @Robotstar5
after all his avatar says:

Finest Swordsman, Outrageous Liar,
Step ladders repaired.

 

[bricol]

There's no problem repairing anything for personal use . . . but as soon as it's used for business . . .

Even self employed - if the repair failed, dumped him into his saw . . . will the his insurance pay up for his dependents . . . and if they do, who will they come after later . . .

You might repair it sensibly, put Tom, Dick or Harry might not - that's what the rules are there to cover. And to be honest, some of the things I see on here where people are dead proud of their repair, what they've made, make me, as a degree qualified, 30 plus year working, but pretty much life time experienced due to what my dad used to do, make me wince and very glad I'm no where near!

 

[My Old Landy]

If you meet the regulations and can prove it then have at it. The onus is on the employer but the user also has a responsibility.
I don't know if someone has already linked it but rules are clear.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

www.hse.gov.uk

This paragraph is probably the most pertinent:
"is free from obvious defects – and that it remains so during its working life"